A Second Day With Olivia and Blood
The Kingdom of Fernest
It was a few days after the war council had decided upon the counteroffensive that was to be launched against the empire. Blood had finished up adding troops to the Second Legion and making the requisite logistical adjustments, and thought he’d grab a bite to eat before returning to the legion. When he poked his head into the mess hall, his eyes found a girl with silver hair.
Struck by an impulse to mischief, he thought, Let’s give her a bit of a scare... He quickly ordered his food, then softly crept up behind Olivia.
“Blood?” She called his name without even turning around.
“How did you know it was me?”
“Your footsteps.”
“My footsteps? I thought I was walking silently...” He sat down just as his food was brought out. “Ah, good. Some refreshment before I go back to the Second Legion.”
“Hmm,” Olivia replied without interest. Blood gave a crooked smile.
“By the way, I hear you were promoted to major general,” he said. “My congratulations.”
“Thanks...” Olivia said despondently. Blood, who was used to her usual manner, found this fascinating. He did know, having heard it from Claudia, that Olivia wasn’t interested in promotion, but he didn’t see why it should make her this unhappy.
“Did something happen?” he asked.
“Major general is a higher rank than senior colonel, right?”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“Well, just before...” Olivia told him about how she had run into Otto and tried to pull rank on him. She then told him how Otto had entirely turned the tables on her. When she finished, Blood couldn’t help himself. He burst out laughing. It was just too much to imagine the faces of the imperial soldiers if they ever heard that the Death God they all feared so much was moping after being dressed down by Otto, now her junior officer.
Olivia puffed out her cheeks and glared at him, and, realizing he’d made her cross, Blood forced his laughter back down.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh. Only, from what you’ve said, I don’t think Otto was trying to be mean.”
People might call him the Man in the Iron Mask behind his back, but Blood knew Otto secretly cared. What he’d done wouldn’t have been out of jealousy, but rather his own way of showing concern for Olivia, made a legion commander at such a young age.
Might be a bit much to expect Liv to understand that, though, he thought.
Olivia looked at him doubtfully. “Really?” she said.
“Probably. But look, Liv, you’re a major general now. All you’ve got to do is hold your head high, even when it’s the Man in the Iron Mask you’re dealing with.”
“Right... Right! Thanks!” Olivia brightened immediately, then set about shoveling food into her mouth with gusto. Blood watched this with appalled fascination.
“So this is where you’ve been, ser...” He heard an icy voice from behind him. Afraid of what he was going to see, Blood turned and found himself face to face with Lise. She saluted with one hand, the other carrying a pile of documents. Olivia returned the salute, her jaw still working furiously.
“I just met Liv here by coincidence and we ended up eating together, that’s all,” Blood said quickly.
“I don’t believe I said anything.”
Your face is telling me everything I need to know! Blood retorted privately, but he did his best to keep his face impassive.
“I’ll be there as soon as I’m done eating.”
“I see. Then I won’t impose any further, General Lecher,” Lise replied. Before Blood could say anything more, she turned on her heel and walked briskly away.
“Are you really General Lecher?” Olivia asked. Her eyes were clear and earnest.
“That’s right,” Blood snapped back, stabbing his fork into his food.
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