Ophelia opened her eyes when she felt pain in her stomach again. She was ashamed to admit it, but she was hungry and thirsty.
But she was surprised to see Olivia sleeping beside her with fire burning in the corner to keep the warm.
The sun had already set and the winds were turning stronger.
She sighed and was about to lie down again when her gaze fell on the fruits and water and her eyes sparkled.
She must have eaten since she was already asleep. With that thought, she picked up the small bowl and drank all the water without hesitation. Then she started munching on the fruits to her heart content.
A look of content flashed on her face even with this simplest of dinner she had never had before.
"Do you need more?" Ophelia shook her head as she passed a grateful smile to her sister.
"Thank you! That was more than enough." Olivia nodded and then the silence ensued as both sisters looked around.
"Where would we go now, Oli? We did not have enough money and no one to rely on!" if the mercenaries had killed their family then they must have killed their loyal families too.
And those who are left must be in support of those traitors and would kill them without hesitation if they would go to them.
"We have to live as commoners for now. It would be even better if we stay in the neighbouring empire of nowhere no one knows about our looks.
You can not use black paint on your face forever and my hair would grow again eventually.
Until everyone forgets about our existence and declares us dead too, staying hidden would be the best solution.
Once we will be strong enough, we will come back here and I will find a way to enter the knighthood.
I swear that I would not relax until I behead the man who is behind all this even if I would die after my revenge."
"Oli!" Olivia chuckled when she saw more tears brimming in the eyes of her sister who had always detested her and told her to stay away!
"Why? Shouldn't you be happy about it? Do not worry, I will make sure to marry you with a good man by then.
Though it would not be a higher noble or prince like you have always desired!" she cupped the cheeks of her sister as she continued to mutter while bringing tears to Ophelia's eyes.
"No! I would not let that happen! I am not going to leave you alone. Father had always told me that you will take care of me if anything ever happened to him.
You are my family now, my guardian. So you better stay with me all your life! Hmph!" she jerked her hands away and then pounced in her arms like a small kid who was waiting for affectionate hugs and assurance.
A helpless smile replaced the initial shock on the face of Olivia, who patted the girl and hugged her back. But the resolve in her eyes only increased.
There was no way that she would not take revenge. She would just wait for her sister to settle down and find a good man for her first.
But before that she had to find a good job in the neighboring empire, but for that.. They have to cross the borders first which is going to be an issue.
"Ophelia, we have to travel by foot and mostly at nights to not get much attention and we have to rely on fruits for a while!" Ophelia nodded her head readily.
She knew how much her sister was struggling to keep them alive. So she did not dare to create more nuisance for her.
"I understand. In fact, after eating fruits and resting enough, I am already feeling full of energy. If you want, we can start our journey now." though Olivia knew that her sister was lying.
She was looking pale and sick but she still nodded.
There might be a chance that those mercenaries will look for them once the fire is put off and realize that they have run away from the secret passage.
If that would be the case, they would be here anytime soon and staying here for long is too risky.
"If you feel like you can not walk anymore and want another rest, tell me. I will make sure to find a safe place for you to rest!" the girl nodded as she held the hand of her sister tightly and then started walking down to the narrow hill.
She was once again amazed at how her sister was walking proficiently while she was willing like a toad.
All her life she had thought that princesses needed to wear heels and face social battles. That was what she was supposed to do to support her empire but how wrong she was!
Would it be too late if she would apologize? No! She shook her head. What would a hollow apology would do? To prove that she was sorry, she had to do her best to support her sister and not be a burden further.
With that thought, she nodded her head and walked with more vigor.
"Hey, you did not need to put in so much effort. We will survive it somehow and then when we reach the town, I will buy a small cake for you!" Olivia knew that these types of conditions were dangerous.
It would be a lie if she would say that she was not scared. Then how could a sheltered girl who had not walked without velvet carpet under her feet would not be scared.
But just as they walked down the hill the sound of horses could be heard from afar.
"Look closely, if you failed and returned empty handed i will kill all of you!"