"My brother's lover is not even his mate, but the way she acts, it's too much," Ara said with a gloomy expression on her face. She picked up a chicken sandwich and took a large bite. Paige was sitting next to her and stroking her back gently. Ara chewed the sandwich, gulped it down and continued, "And the worst part is that even my brother is wrapped around her little finger. He supports her completely. Initially, she was very good to me and listened to me, but later she became one nasty piece. She would always complain to my brother about whatever I did. Because of her my brother shunned me." She sniffled and wiped her nose with a napkin. "At one point of time I became extremely depressed." She sighed and looked at Paige. She took her hand in hers and squeezed it. "Had it not been with her, I would have been wasted…"
"Ohhh…!" Paige hugged Ara. "Please don't say that. You are such a sweet girl. I am lucky to have found you."
"No… I am lucky to have found you…" From the corner of her eyes, she saw Kaizan rushing to the dining table. She straightened and wiped her dry tears. He came to sit beside his wife and gave her a tight nod. Lifting her wet eyelashes to look at him, in a low voice she said, "I am sorry to have troubled you in the morning."
Olivia turned her face to gaze at him with a raised eyebrow. Kaizan cleared his throat and replied, "That wasn't trouble. I am glad that Paige found you."
Ara pursed her lips and nodded. Silence followed in which she had the remaining of the sandwich. Others too picked up bacon, honey dipped pancakes, salads and pastries from the serving plates.
Kaizan served Olivia before he served himself. He kissed her temple when she protested and said, "You are going to eat all that and more."
"And have a colossal belly before time," she sighed.
"Oi! I happen to love that belly!" he protested and gave her a spoonful of pomegranate seeds. She laughed all the and had everything he offered.
Ara watched them with a strict expression on her face. "It's so nice to see so much love and affection when all I've known for the last few months is misery. This is refreshing…" she said, not at all meaning her words and trying to remind them that she wasn't feeling good while they were having all the fun.
Olivia snapped her head toward Ara. She stopped laughing feeling guilty, her attention going back to her. She glanced at Paige who too was watching them with unease, as if they weren't really helping her with Ara.
Kaizan sensed the change in the air quickly. He really didn't know how to describe it, but Ara was one big emotional heap who sure knew how to dampen the air. That was the sole reason why he rushed to be with Olivia. He wanted to take her out of here as soon as possible, but one look at Paige and he knew that his sister was so vulnerable at the moment that she would feel really bad. In order to change the topic, he asked, "So how did Paige and you meet?" He buttered freshly baked bread and handed it to Olivia.
Ara smiled thinly. She glanced at Paige and said, "We met in an ale inn. After the way my brother treated me, I had become very depressed and was getting into drinking. I had left the house and was traveling to the capital to find another job and earn a living. I had stopped in the inn." She tapped her chin with her finger as if remembering something. "That night it was raining heavily and Paige had come to the inn along with a group of soldiers. It was late when they entered the inn and I was the only person…" she looked at Paige fondly.
Paige stroked her hair as her lips curled up. That night she had gone to patrol the nearby villages as per Kaizan's orders. She continued where Ara left, "She was completely wasted. her head was plopped over the table, the ale pitcher rolling on the floor and her hair was a mess. With the help of the soldiers, I managed to carry her back to her room." She caressed Ara's cheeks with her thumb. "We came back and settled and were supposed to leave the next day, when I decided to see her and check if she was okay." She shook her head. "And she was not…" A shudder passed through her. "I found her curled up in a corner, sobbing. I just couldn't leave her alone…" Paige gazed affectionately at Ara. Then she shrugged and added, "And here we are!"
"Heavy!" Kaizan let out a loaded exhale. He didn't know that his sister would be such a weak-heart. He felt Olivia elbowing him at his remark. He frowned at her not understanding her reaction. All he wanted was to get out of this place. He said, "Olivia, I have to go soon today. I need your help dressing me up!"
Ara winced. "Such a lovey-dovey couple," she said sadly. "I wish I could be the same… to Paige. She is one who is always helping me out."
Kaizan stared at Ara. The girl never ceased to play a victim card. "Good for you then!" he snapped. He pulled Olivia out of the chair and pulled her with him upstairs. Enough of Ara air! He didn't need to look back and see that Ara' mouth fell to the floor at his behavior. And he also knew that Paige must be glaring at him. They could think of him as a scumbag, but he wasn't letting Olivia feel sad about her problems. Moreover, he didn't like Ara's strong mint smell. It choked his senses.
When they came upstairs, Kaizan closed the doors behind him. He breathed a sigh of relief and was determined that he wouldn't let Olivia meet Ara as long as she was there.
"What happened Kaizan?" Olivia asked, flustered. She went to the window and opened it, letting the warm summer breeze come in. It blew in, carrying the sweet scent of the orchards. She closed her eyes and inhaled it.
"Nothing!" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist as he looked at the mountains in the distance with her. "How are you feeling?"
"I am feeling better," she said as her lips curved up.
"I have a small request, Olivia."
"What is it darling?"
"I don't want you to meet Ara as often. Avoid her as much as you can. She is pretty depressed and needs space." What he didn't want to tell her was that Ara was going to make her depressed too.
"I understand," Olivia said. "I will try and stay away from her."
"Good girl!" Kaizan pressed a kiss on her temple. "I love you!"
Olivia giggled as he continued with his kisses. Soon he got ready for the chancery.
When Kaizan reached his room in the chancery, he called Finn and said, "I want every detail on Ara. Dig up everything."
Finn narrowed his eyes, but he didn't question his General.. "You will have it in two days."
