Olivia’s POV
It was the day of our departure, and I couldn’t explain how excited I was. I had almost overpacked, but Andre helped me make sure that I parked only the essentials.
I sat on the bed in our room with my small suitcase, waiting for Andre to get ready. My eyes washed over him as he got dressed, and as I adored his figure, I also prepared my mind for the journey ahead.
I felt tension, anxiety, and excitement create a spinning cocktail in my heart. Adrenaline was pumping through my body, and I was on the borderline between sad, worried, and excited.
This felt like an adventure, and I felt fulfilled. I was finally doing something to protect Papa’s memory.
I stood up from the bed and walked to his ash jar, which lay on the shelf.
I had tried to convince Andre to allow me to take it with me, but he decided that it wasn’t a good idea and that it was best for Papa to remain in his jar resting and watching over me.
I stroked the jar gently, and my fingers went over beautiful ridges.
“I’m finally doing it, Papa. I’m going to find out who took you away from me, and I’m going to make sure that I give you justice. I always imagined that you would be here with me forever. I know that you’ve been watching me. I know that you can see that I have found my mate. I only wish that I could share the joy with you in person ”
My hand rested on my tummy. The bulge was slightly bigger now, and if someone looked hard enough at me, they could see a slight convex curvature in my lower belly.
“Your grandchild is growing strong inside of me. If you were here, you would make a great grandfather to him.”
I was still gazing at his jar when I heard a soothing, deep voice behind me.
“Olivia, are you ready?”
I sighed and took my hand off the jar and felt Andre walk towards me and wrap his arms around my waist.
A rubbed his hair, and he kissed my neck tenderly.
“I’m ready, Andre. I’m just a little nervous, that’s all. This is a big day for me and now that it is here, I don’t know how to feel about it.”
Andre let go of me briefly and turned me around to face him.
His green eyes stared deep into my soul, and his lips planted a gentle kiss on my forehead.
“You have nothing to be afraid of, Olivia. I’m here with you, and I am certain that your father is watching over you, and he’s proud to have you as a daughter. You are strong, and you are brave. You’re the perfect mate and daughter.”
Andre kissed me tenderly on the lips and pulled me into a hug.
I rested my head on his chest, and his beating heart soothed my nerves. We stood there in silence, and I continued to ruminate on this opportunity I had to also find out about my real parents, to find out more about the descendants of Selene. If that was who I really was, I wanted to know more. Curiosity was killing me, and it was my drive every day.
Andre helped me double-check everything, and he made sure to carry my hormone blockers with him.
He called some of the maids, who helped us carry our suitcases downstairs to the cars that were waiting.
I looked around anxiously for Jonas, but I couldn’t find him anywhere.
As soon as we reached the bottom step, Doran came to meet us. He smiled as he shook Andre and gave me an approving wink.
“Well, it seems like you two are going on a romantic getaway. Be sure to send me a postcard and tell me all about your adventures. I hear that the fruit punch is amazing in Elvis Pine.
Andre rolled his eyes while I giggled at Doran’s joke.
“Doran, I need you to watch the pack while Olivia and I go to Elvis Pine. I am counting on you. Also, check on Nicole and make sure that she doesn’t escape or die. I have instructed a maid to bring her food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a guard has transferred her to the main dungeon.”
Doran gave a little hiss and comically looked at Andre.
“Those are some tough conditions that you put Nicky in. But there is no need to worry. I watch the pack and make sure that she doesn’t escape. You two have a lovely vacation and try not to get killed.”
My heart skipped a beat as soon as Doran said those words, but Andre glared at him.
“You really need to put a hold on your jokes, Doran. I have no idea how Amelia puts up with you.”
Doran smirked and gave Andre a little wink.
“You already know why she puts up with me.”
I noticed Doran’s tone of voice, and I went slightly red in the face. Andre didn’t say more and took my hand, and we went out to the vehicles waiting outside.
Andre had four cars ready for a departure, and soon, I heard footsteps running behind me.
Andre and I both turned around and soul Jonas running towards us.
“Jonas!”
He stopped in front of me and Andre and gave us a polite smile.
“I can see that you two are all ready. However, I wanted to ask if I could ride with you. I sent my men with my car to get more people for extra security. But they will meet us along the way.”
I was about to tell him that it was great that he came with us, but Andre caught me off guard.
“Of course, you can ride with us,” he said cheerily.
I looked at Andre in surprise. I couldn’t believe he was the one encouraging Jonas to come to the car with us.
I remember that two days ago, they were acting quite chummy in the study, and now that I saw Andrew talking to him much more politely, I was almost fully convinced that they were finally getting along.
I turned to look at Jonas, and he returned Andre’s smile, and Andre ushered him into the front seat to sit beside Pierre.
Andre had four cars in his fleet ready. Pierre and Jonas sat in the front, and Andre and I sat in the back of the same car while the other three cards were filled with guards.
I nestled beside Andre, looking up at him with a smile. Finally, it was time to go to Elvis Pine, and all the cars pulled out from the driveway while Doran waved us goodbye.