Gates of Annika

Chapter 13: Becoming the Lady of the Manor

Oona had a bright smile on her face, she felt a little bit sad, she couldn't spend more time at the palace but she had a great time. She was able to tour the palace with Astrid and Callie.
  As for Sage, she was currently giving him the silent treatment. She still felt offended about the way he embarrassed her in front of his family. Sage relaxed his head on the couch, while closing his eyes. His mind kept drifting off to the flowers Oona was weaving a while ago. He was certain he had seen it before, the exact scenario but where and when.

  They were both quiet and well obviously not ready to say a word to each other. Oona gradually felt sleepy during the ride. She leaned on the window frame of the door watching the moving trees until she finally dozed off.
Sage opened his eyes slowly and looked at her. He tilted his head when he found her dosing off. Her head kept bouncing softly on the frame. Rolling his eyes he stretched his hand and placed it on the frame. Oona's head gently rested on his hand.
   Sage looked at the girl sleeping with a glint in his eyes. His passive expression gradually turned less plain and more of a look of uncertainty. He quickly pulled his hand away and Oona banged her head on the frame hard, causing her to wake up.
"What happened?" She gasped. Sage shook his head tiredly and looked outside the window.
"If you're tired at least hold yourself" Sage said blankly. Oona who was a little bit enraged closed her eyes and smiled at him. An odd gesture Sage couldn't understand.
"I'm sorry" her eyes gradually opened, they were glowing a little bit brighter than usual but it was almost hard to see.
"About today" he started "I apologize for the things I said, I had to make my family believe you are useless"
Oona puffed up her cheeks and smiled, she had long awaited for his apology. "I accept it "  her stomach growled loudly in the carriage. "I'm hungry " she confessed with a red face.

"Let's get to the manor, I'll have the maids prepare something for you " Sage sighed tiredly.

AT ANOTHER MANOR

Leander stepped out of his carriage and helped Livia step down. They both walked side by side and didn't say much to themselves. The maids who greeted them, all stared at them puzzled by their new behavior. The sound of their clicking shoes echoed in the empty hallway.

"Wanna talk about it?" Leander sighed, he was never compatible with silence. Livia didn't say a word neither did she glance at him.
She increased her pace and raised her skirt up. She wanted to cry right now but she didn't want Leander to see her all weak and fragile.
"Olivia " Leander pulled her by the hand, she struggled for a while but then sighed. Leander opened the closest door leading to a room in the manor. Pulling Livia in, he placed her against the wall and trapped her in between his arms.

"What's wrong?" He asked with a calm gently voice. Olivia looked away from his eyes, muffling in her tears. She hated herself, no she hated the fact she couldn't speak normally like other humans did. She wondered why Leander married a deformed woman like her. She was a disgrace to the Gryphon family, but regardless he still married to her. She couldn't help but feel jealous and insecure any time she sees Leander with another woman, a normal woman.

Leander smiled sadly and drew close to her neck. He nimbled it gently causing her to whimper. "I love your voice" he whispered in her ears slowly. "Especially when it's forced out" he grabbed her waist with one hand and pulled her to his body. "So why are you quiet today?"

"D-do do y-y-you l-lili the g-g-irl" tears brimmed her eyes, once again she was studdering as she tried to say a complete sentence.

"Oona?" He hummed, she looked at him sadly and wiped off the tears on her cheek. "Not really, she's just someone who's kind to a cruel world and happens to be married to my elder brother"
Livia was still not convinced. She felt a pinch on her chest when Leander boiled in anger at his brother's word, why was he so agitated on behalf of someone that he didn't hold any dear feelings for?
Leander gently kissed her forehead and hugged. "I feel like I hardly tell you how much I love you" he rubbed her back slowly. "I love you Olivia and nothing's going to change that"