Chapter 69 target achieved

(Olivia POV)

Olivia Watson wasn't sure what she should or shouldn't do. This show was far from anything she could have imagined. Her life was hectic and she wasn't naive. At any moment, she could be unmasked and captured. She knew this and was prepared for it. She knew what to do if she was arrested, imprisoned or tortured. She had a plan for every eventuality, and a backup plan in case the initial plan failed. However, she could never have foreseen what was happening to her right now.

Magic was something she could accept. It was a completely unknown branch of science. Many scholars in history had been revered as magicians. No, what she found more difficult to understand was why beings with such power would create such a show. It was just ridiculous.

But whatever it was, she had to deal with it. That's why she'd decided to talk to Leo. It had taken her all night and most of the morning before she'd acquired the necessary resolve for what she was going to do. But whatever it was, she had to do it.

"I think we're far enough away. They won't hear us," Leo said and stopped.

It was time to start this conversation. She had a few ideas about how they would go, but lacked any facts about Leo. It clearly hadn't helped that Daphne hadn't been able to talk yesterday.

_"I need to talk to you, but I guess you guessed that," _Olivia said.

"The possibility had indeed crossed my mind. The only question I have is about the subject of the conversation, although I do have a few ideas." says Leo.

"Could you share them with me then? I'm curious about these ideas," says Olivia.

_"As you wish. There's the obvious one, your sister and your mother. You want to know my opinion of them and what my intentions are." _says Leo.

_"And then? What's the answer?" _asked Olivia.

Leo took a deep breath before answering. He was hesitating. Was he hesitating about the answer or whether to give it to her?

"I don't know Maria yet, so my opinion of her is pretty limited. She's a cheerful girl and very pleasant to be around. She probably deserves much better than to end up in this show. Alas, life is unfair," says Leo.

Olivia could only shake her head at this. It was the sad truth she'd seen with her own eyes far too many times. Slavery, **** and famine were commonplace in many parts of the planet.

"Then for your mother, Abigail, it's more complicated. I know her quite well and have known her for some time. She's intelligent, cultured and without a doubt one of the most formidable women I've ever had the good fortune to meet." says Leo.

"But..." says Olivia.

"But I find it hard to imagine myself developing a romantic relationship with her." said Leo.

It was curious. Olivia was beginning to get an idea of the man in front of her.

"So then in relation to this show and what I plan to do. I don't know yet," Leo said.

Oh? He didn't know. Didn't he? That's both understandable and surprising.

"You don't know... You really have no idea?" insisted the spy.

"I don't know. I don't want you to have to pay for my choices. But at the same time, I don't want to deprive you of your free will." said Leo.

So he was obsessed with ethics and morality. It could be nice, but it was hardly compatible with the show. Was that why he'd been chosen as Master? If so, then the show's producers really were sadists.

"I see. And what else do you think I wanted to talk to you about?" asked Olivia, curious to see if he'd guessed the rest.

"I'm not sure. Do you think I'm responsible for what's happening?" asked Leo.

No. Only an idiot would think that, although she couldn't answer that. Leo obviously didn't have the ability to put on such a show. Olivia doubted that any human being had the ability, even if this show had proved to her that anything was possible.

_"No, I don't think you're responsible for what happens," _Olivia replied.

"So what do you want to ask me?" asked Leo.

"I have several questions I'd like to ask you. But first I'd like to make a few comments, if that's okay with you, of course" said Olivia.

Leo nodded and Olivia continued with her questions.

_"First of all you're pathetic. You're weak, without a shred of conviction. You don't know what you want. You flail around without knowing what you're doing or what the consequences of your actions will be." _said Olivia.

"But no, I..."

"You what? I've barely had time to really get here, but I've already had the chance to see that you're not up to it. You're the one of us with the most power and responsibility. But instead of getting involved and asserting your point of view and your vision of things, you're content to let yourself be carried along by the flow of events. You're obviously not cut out to lead," says Olivia.

"I don't..."

"I'll give you a few simple examples. Let's start with Daphne. You obviously have feelings for her. However, they're probably not reciprocated. This leads you to favor her and put her on a pedestal compared to the other members of the harem. Don't you think the other members will end up feeling jealous of your treatment of her? And the audience, do you think they'll accept that? You haven't even thought about it, have you?" said Olivia.

Leo didn't answer. He didn't even dare look her in the eye. She must have hit the nail on the head. Now she had to hammer it home.

"My advice to you is to set yourself a realistic, albeit ambitious, goal and do what it takes to achieve it. Those who don't have a goal are doomed to lose themselves," says Olivia.

"And what about you? What's your goal?" asked Leo.

Olivia paused for a moment. Now that was an intelligent question. Should she answer it honestly? Lying was more than tempting.

_"I've always had several goals in my life, and I've always given myself the means to achieve them. When I was a student, I worked non-stop to get where I was. I imagine I'll be fired in a week or so when my week off comes to an end," _says Olivia.

_"I'm sorry," _says Leo.

_"Sorry? Why sorry? It's not your fault and clearly it's not that bad. I could easily find something else. I guess it depends on the outcome of this show. Which brings me to my current goal. I'm going to win this show, get the wish and get my life back," _says Olivia.

"But you're..."

"I'm a lesbian. Yes, you can say it, it's not a dirty word. And indeed there's little chance I'd fall in love with you or enjoy having sex with you." says Olivia.

"But then?"

"But I'll do what I have to do no matter what the cost. That's why I'm doing this." said Olivia, stepping forward and kissing Leo. It was quick. Almost lip-to-lip contact.

+2 VP for Olivia for kissing the Master.

It clearly wasn't pleasant and she'd taken no pleasure in it, but no matter, she'd done it. Leo's face was really laughable. Anyway, she'd proved she could do it. She could win VPs and she could win this show. She had to win. For herself, for her mother and for her sister. Failure was not an option.

Of course, it would have been conceivable that either her sister or her mother would win. The problem was, if his sister won, chances were she'd make a useless wish like: "I wish I had a unicorn". As for her mother, she didn't trust her enough for something so important. No, if she wanted something, she'd have to do it herself.