[i]The next morning...[/i]

Sophia walked back into The Black Raven with Paul's cleaned clothes folded neatly in her hands. She wore a plain brown dress and her hair was again braided neatly down her back. Since she was having breakfast with the noble, she figured she'd give him his laundered clothes herself and settled down onto one of the tables near the fireplace. As she waited, she thought back to the night before, remembering that the Count's daughter had been there. Did the Count send his own daughter to spy on the duke-to-be? Or were the two lovers secretly meeting in the tavern? Did her sudden appearance and spilling 'accident' prevent them from their planned intimate encounter?

She paused at that thought. If that was the case then she'll have to move a little faster, maybe even seducing him right after breakfast. She was, after all, sure that she had left him a little frustrated when she left the night before.

She looked up just in time to see the noble coming down the stairs. She smiled and gave him a small wave. 

---

Olivia woke up after just a few hours of sleep, yawning as she stretched. [color=tan]"Good morning,"[/color] she greeted the handmaiden that was standing by the window. 

Darma looked as if she had woken up even earlier than her mistress or didn't sleep at all. She turned to the noble at the sound of her voice. "Have you decided on the best course of action, milady?"

The blonde teenager sighed. [color=tan]"I do not want to go back, that much is certain. I do not want to be kept inside the castle, I do not want to have to beg to walk around town and then ignored, I [i]do NOT[/i] want to marry that old coot."[/color]

"However, not returning to the castle would have your father in a fit," Darma finished.

Olivia sighed. [color=tan]"I know. And then it will be even more difficult to reason with him. But if I return now, I will not be able to meet Lord Paul later for our meal,"[/color] she frowned.

"Then why not meet him in the Black Raven for breakfast? That way you will still be able to share a meal with him before we face the wrath of your father [i]and[/i] be locked away in the castle," Darma suggested.

[color=tan]"I suppose it cannot be helped. Please, will you help me get dressed?"[/color]

The handmaiden was already unpacking Olivia's [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fb/82/da/fb82da805ba8c72f593a94e40feabb86.jpg]green dress[/url] even before she could even ask. Darma gave her a smile. "Of course. You do not even need to ask, milady."

A few minutes later, the two women were walking into the tavern where Paul was staying.