Olivia's P.O.V
"I love you, Olivia."
The words kept ringing in my head on repeat. Four words and my heart was soaring. My breathing had stopped and I just stared at Jordan who was smiling brightly at me. There was so much love and kindness in his eyes.
I pulled him into a tight hug so my face was right next to his.
"I love you more than you could ever know," I whispered back.
He squeezed me tighter and turned his face to kiss my cheek.
We pulled apart and he grabbed my hand, leading me onto the terrace. We were the only people outside so it was refreshingly quiet with only the faint hints of music seeping outside and the sound of crickets chirping. It was dark, the only light coming from the fairy lights that had been strung.
With the music playing he took my hand and began to twirl me around (the song provided is the one they are dancing to). I giggled and followed his lead. He brought me close, putting one arm around my waist and the other attaching our hands. My free arm flew around his shoulder as we began to twirl together. It was such a magical moment from the twinkling lights to the perfect song. All too soon it was over, but the moment certainly wasn't.
He led me to a bench underneath a willow tree. It was beautiful. We sat down next to each other and he held my hand in his as I leaned my head on his shoulder. I inhaled deeply, breathing in his scent. It was a wonderfully fresh cologne smell. I smiled to myself.
"How did I get so lucky?" He broke the silence.
"I could ask you the same," I replied.
He released my hand and put his arms around me.
Suddenly, a nagging question began burning at the back of my mind.
"Jordan?" I asked, grabbing his attention.
"Yeah?" He replied, looking intently at me.
"Why are you looking for a bride if you say you love me?" I asked.
He sighed and looked away. After a few seconds he took in a sharp intake of breath and turned back to me with rage and something else I couldn't identify. Sadness maybe. No, what would have made him sad?
"Because you are a servant and I am a prince. Face it, it's never going to happen. So just grow up already," he snapped before storming off, back to the party.
My brain took a moment to process what had just happened: he had just confirmed my original fears. He didn't love me. I wasn't worthy of him.
A single tear flowed down my cheek followed by many, many more. The love of my life just disowned me.
I ran around the terrace to a ledge that ran across the building. I took my heels off and threw them on the ground before hopping in the ledge. There was no way I was going back in there.
I climbed until I reached the window to Thomà s' studio.
I opened it and entered, hoping he wasn't in there. My prayers were answered, as the room was empty besides me.
I ran to the corner that my clothes were tucked away in with tears streaming down my face. I had some difficulty slipping into my servant dress because my vision was blurry with uncried tears. I threw the dress on a random rack. I clipped the tie on and ran downstairs with my shoes in my hand, not bothering to put them on.
I ran to my room and cried so hard that I began to feel sick. I got a bucket just in time as I hurled. Once I had finished, I laid back on my bed and tried not to think about Jordan. With his messy brown hair, blue eyes, and loving smile. The same beautiful man that had just rejected me. I cried harder, eventually crying myself to sleep.
I woke up to a small knock on my door.
"Come in," I tried to say, but it came out as more of a croak.
Mary popped her head in the door.
"Oh sweetie, you look awful!" She exclaimed.
"Thanks," I replied with a half-hearted laugh.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Jordan," I replied.
She pulled me into a hug. She didn't pressure me tell her details and she didn't say 'I told you so', she just comforted me. And that was all I needed as I cried my eyes out.
"I know you are having an awful night, but if we don't get back soon the queen will be suspicious," Mary told me gently.
I sniffled again and nodded. I've been hung up on Jordan for too long, it's time I got over him and this is finally giving me the motivation to do it. Hopefully.
*****
"I sincerely apologize for being so late in coming back with the servant girl, your highness," Mary tells the queen.
"Where were you?" She questions me, pointing a long skinny finger at me.
"I was sick in my chambers and did not want the guests to contract my illness," I said softly.
I wasn't fully lying. I had gotten sick, but that wasn't where I had been for the entire time.
"Well, you are quite pale and ill looking at the moment. Is there anyone to backup this claim?" She asked.
"I can, your highness, " Mary spoke up, "she was quite ill when I arrived at her quarters."
"Very well then," the queen replied,"You shall rest up so as not to infect any others, but as soon as you are well enough, you are to clean up from the party alone, seeing as how you were the only one who didn't work at it. "
Clean the whole party. Alone! The woman is mad!
"Yes, your highness, " I bowed.
With that she walked away, her head held high like any good royal.
I sighed and got to work cleaning, seeing as how my sickness was only caused by my heart hurting and excessive crying, which wasn't getting better for a while.