Olivia smiled as Juliette admitted that no one had ever told her that before, her soft eyes filled with understanding and empathy. The nobles of Theiri are very different to those of Nydewia, with emphasis on bloodlines and etiquette rather than merit and skill, so she did not doubt at all that many of them looked down on Juliette as an upstart. She was ashamed to realise that she once did too.<br/><br/>When Juliette started to tell her of her life and experiences with the King a tiny flicker of surprise crossed her face, although it soon vanished beneath her understanding smile. She had never been dealt with so openly before. No one had ever treated her so frankly before and yet here Juliette was, speaking to her as though she were a trusted friend rather than a potential future enemy. It left her in awe, her world shrinking down to just herself and Juliette as she listened with rapt attention.<br/><br/>And then one of the nobles scoffed.<br/><br/>Her piercing blue eyes flashed in the direction of the man who dared to interrupt, those spheres that had just seconds ago been filled with empathy and understanding now seemed to glare daggers of ice at the man. Juliette paused for a moment, clearly embarrassed and Olivia soon took her chance. “Duke Clovis,” she said with a warm, polite smile, recognising the man who was pointed out to her by the gossiping nobles at her old table. “My sincerest apologies, I did not know I was seated near such an illustrious guest!” The Duke smiled cheerfully, although that smile rapidly vanished as she continued. “I’ve heard your grandfather repulsed the Aserit Central Army at the Battle Asignon, and your father built the Grand Canal.” She paused for a moment as though trying to recall something, before adding in an incredibly polite tone so as to hide the subtle insult. “Tell me, what is it that you have done again?” She already knew the answer was absolutely nothing; while this man scoffed at Juliette for achieving great things without royal help this man couldn’t even achieve mediocre things with an illustrious name to coast off.<br/><br/>The man seemed to stammer, trying to find an answer before that ice returned to her eyes, quite noticeably this time, and he seemed to shrink back into his chair slightly. She didn’t know why, but the Duke’s rudeness had filled her with rage; an unusual and foreign feeling since she had always taken an insult with cold, calculated detachment. However, for some reason his slight against Juliette had struck her as sharply as a comment about herself, and she felt an incredible compulsion to defend the Princess’ honour. Perhaps it’s because of my own past, she reasoned to herself before turning back towards Juliette, her expression once again soft and understanding.<br/><br/>“Apologies for my rudeness, milady. I was unaware that we were in such noble company,” she said, her voice showing no sign of the contempt she felt. “Please continue.” As Juliette carried on she nodded, her smile empathic and her eyes never once losing that knowing look as though Olivia understood every feeling perfectly. She realised that already she had come to respect and admire Juliette. Hands began to move of their own accord and before her mind realised and stopped them, her hands came to clasp one of Juliette’s in her own. A light blush quickly settled over her cheeks at her sudden and public act, her eyes starting to widen as it dawned on her what she was doing although it was too late now. Regaining her composure, she softly whispered “You have my word that I will do everything in my power to make your dream of peace a reality, milady.”