Olivia’s smile seemed to soften slightly, no longer that perfect and vibrant mask she always wore in public but a smile of pure joy. She couldn’t remember the last time she had smiled like this, although it surely had to be before she had been taken away into Nydewia several years ago. As Juliette squeezed her hand she felt her heart skip a beat and when she finally released it she could still feel the warm sensation of her touch upon her skin.<br/><br/>As Juliette called her milady she felt that strange warmth spread across her cheek, her heart suddenly beginning to flutter rapidly and it soon dawned on her exactly what it was that she was feeling. There was no mistaking the affection in her tone and she realised that she craved such affection, she coveted it and she endeavoured to earn more of it.<br/><br/>Suddenly realising just how transparent she had become in such a public place she suddenly sat up straighter, that iron, unreadable mask once again falling upon her face. There were a great many dangerous men and women gathered in this hall and she would not allow them to see her emotions laid bare, her new Achilles’ heel on full display. Slowly her eyes trailed across to Henrik. That one in particular could not be allowed to see her like this.<br/><br/>“Speaking of peace milady,” she began slowly, her peripherals still trained on Henrik, “How have the talks with Aserit been going so far?”