Summoner's Second Chance

Chapter 21

The two families spent the afternoon together, happily chatting and planning about their future. Olivia however, once again secluded herself in her room. Although this time, it was not out of sadness, but out of embarrassment. She is laying down on the bed, with a pillow covering her face. She had lost track of how many times she threw her pillow against the wall and wildly flail around on her bed. Even then, she still couldn't keep her composure. Her face would redden for seemingly no reason, and she would bang her head against the bed to shake away her embarrassment. She removed the pillow from her face, and sighed. "Why am I so nervous? This is a dream come true, so why..." She stood up from her bed, and looked at a mirror. She noticed that her complexion was no longer pale, and she looked happier than before. She smiled, and rested a hand on the mirror.

Someone knocks on her door, and she took a deep breath, regaining some of her composure. "Come in." The door opened, and a cart was pushed inside. Olivia was relieved when she saw that, but her face immediately redden when she saw that Trace was the one who is pushing the cart. Trace smiled at Olivia, and put the plates, a teapot, and two cups on Olivia's tea table. "Time for lunch is almost over and you haven't come down to the dining room yet, so your mother asked me to bring you your food." Olivia nodded, and walked to her tea table. Trace pulled her seat for her and poured some tea for them. Trace sat down in front of her, and slowly drank his tea. Olivia was somewhat uneasy at first, but seeing how normal Trace acted, she calmed down.

The sound of fork and knifes softly hitting against the plate was the only thing that can be heard from Olivia's room for a while. Trace was only sitting across her, drinking tea, while waiting for her to finish her meal. Olivia sets her eating utensils down, and cleaned her mouth with a white cloth Trace prepared. "Trace..." Olivia was about to reach for her tea, before her lips moved on its own, calling out Trace's name. "What is it?" Trace gently smiled at Olivia, and it made her heart race. She put both of her hands around her cup, and finally spoke. "What made you change your mind all of a sudden?" Olivia took a deep breath, and looked at Trace in the eyes. "I thought you were in love with Alice?"

Trace kept the smile on his face, but something in his heart shifted. Olivia didn't know what it was, but she can feel it. Trace looked out the window, and closed his eyes. "What you said was true Olivia. I was... no... am, in love with Alice." Olivia could feel her heart sink. Her eyes started to get hotter, and feelings started to rage in her heart. "On the other hand..." Trace held Olivia's quivering hand, and gave her a smile as warm as the spring sun. "I am also in love with you."

Trace closed his eyes, and remembered his past life. A young woman managed to slip into Trace's hardened heart when he was nothing more than a beast of vengeance, and he accepted her into his heart. Looking at Olivia, Trace couldn't help but to be reminded of the young woman from that unnamed village. He opened his eyes, and saw Olivia on the verge of tears. "Your willingness to sacrifice something for your loved ones... your love for the people... your sense of responsibility... I have fallen in love with everything you have shown to me." Trace walked to her side, and knelt down in front of her. "That is why I decided to do this. I want to protect you, from everything that cause you harm."

Trace held Olivia's hands, and firmly grasp it. The tale of his new love did not end happily however, for a nation surrounded by thick walls such as Lumen was destroyed by the Aesirs. The village stood no chance of survival, and Trace once again roamed the land, carrying a new scar in his heart. Trace once thought that proposing Olivia was just a way for him to redeem himself, hurting Olivia and perhaps himself along the way, but then he realized that he really do love Olivia for who she is.

Trace's genuine words rang true in her heart, and she couldn't help but to shed tears. She returned Trace's firm grip, and rested her head on his shoulder. Trace wrapped his arms around Olivia's back, and patiently wait for her to calm down. Some time had passed, and Olivia finally stopped crying, but she is still resting her head on his shoulder. Trace couldn't help but to chuckle at how similar she is to the village woman he encountered in his past life, and it made Olivia pull away. "What is it?" Olivia asked in a soft voice, to hide her cracking voice perhaps. Trace shook his head, and patted Olivia's head. "No, I just thought how spoiled you really are." Olivia giggled, and stood up from her chair. "Now then. Shall we head to the garden? I need to tell my father about my decision." Trace smiled and nodded to Olivia. He offered his arm to Olivia, and she sheepishly took it. The two walked to the garden, and joined their parents.