- So you confess that you could have brought an innocent man to his death? - I said quietly. - If I hadn't seen her come down, the prince would probably be dead. All for what? A few lousy coins?
- I'm really sorry! - she cried. - Can you forgive me?
I stared at Olivia. His eyes shone with the tears that tended from his eyelids and threatened to flow down his delicate face. She was a really beautiful young woman with her blonde hair, pink lips and dark skin. It was delicate and perhaps because of this no man could resist its charms. She reminded me of Aileen that, with the exception of the brown eyes, Olivia was very similar to my sister. Of course, only physically.
- How old are you?
- Fifteen.
- What were you doing in that place at a time like that? - I asked her in shock at her youth. - Don't you know that's not a good place for a girl like you?
- That's what my uncle keeps saying, but I don't care. - she sighed. - I try anyway to find a way to get rid of him, so I go to the tavern hoping to get some change to go away.
She lowered her gaze. I knew what she was getting at. I could see the pain in his eyes. The same pain I reflected for days while I was stuck in that dungeon.
- Has he ever hurt you? Did he touch you? - I asked. She just nodded. - Do you have any other relatives you can stay with?
- My sister. - she said hopeful. - She lives along the road in a small house with her grandmother. I'd raise money to get there.
- Why didn't your grandmother pick you up?
- She's not my grandmother, just Dana's. - she answered with sadness. - We're daughters of different fathers. My mother died and all I had left here in this place was my uncle. He tells everyone that I'm a prostitute and that's why I live in the tavern.
I took a deep breath. I thought about giving Olivia a few coins so that she could run away, but I knew from my own experience that a girl like her wouldn't survive alone.
- I know what I did very wrong, but I promise I won't do it again. - she said by twisting her fingers. - I didn't even want to do that. Usually I just get them drunk and leave them asleep in bed.
- So that's why they think you're a whore?
- Yeah. Actually, I don't sleep with them. - she shrugged her shoulders. - I'll drop them off upstairs and jump out the window. Then I come to the inn and stay until dawn. This is how I've been preventing him from touching me again.
I shook my head from side to side.
- All right! All right! - I sighed. - We'll leave in a few days, as soon as Alec recovers. We'll follow the road to the open field. If you like, you can come with us, then I'll drop her off at your sister's house.
Olivia widened her eyes.
- Thank you!
- No need to thank me. I know what it's like to be desperate enough to commit a madness. - I said with a smile on my side. - In my opinion, you've learned enough.
She lowered her head touching the face where I slapped her.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Ask your friend to get you a room next to mine. - said finishing his tea. - You will stay with us here at the inn until the time of our departure.
- What about my uncle? - she asked fearfully.
- Don't worry about him.
- Yes, ma'am!
- Don't call me lady, please! - I did. - I know I'm older, besides being married to the prince, but it's not necessary. On top of everything else, we're trying to be discreet, so I must ask you not to say anything about what I've revealed to you.
- I haven't told anyone and I won't.
- That's perfect! Now get some rest!
She nodded smiling, but before she passed me, Olivia stopped.
- He didn't want me to stay. - she started. - He accepted my company just for as long as that glass of beer lasted. He said he was married and asked me to bring him here. I tried to go back, but it was too late. When I turned around with him, the men grabbed him and took him inside. I just thought I'd run away. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
I sighed by passing my hand over my forehead and just nodded. Olivia ran inside. I could hear her talking to the innkeeper. The woman looked at me and smiled as soon as I nodded. After Olivia came up, the woman came to thank me and said she was happy that Olivia had the opportunity to live with her sister. You said they were taken away when their mother died. Dana ran away from home and went to live with her grandmother, but Olivia was very small and was left behind. Despite what happened, I was happy to be able to help her.
Those two days were the strangest of all my life, besides exhausting. I kept thinking about Olivia's words. I didn't know if
