Olivia Sparks

"Do you like it?" Maxen asked, his hot breath warmed her and sent fluttering sensations in her belly.

Meeting his gaze, she tipped her head, nodding whilst biting her bottom lip. "I love it," she whispered. 

But her tongue itched to say more, so she leaned on his c.h.e.s.t so her mouth could reach his ears, declaring, "I. Love. You."

Maxen kneaded her h.i.p.s, shifting in his seat to keep himself from jumping for joy. Olivia seldomly says the word as if it would burn her tongue that's why every time she did, he knew how heavy with emotions those three words carried.

They were so lost in their world they didn't notice the flock of phones up in the air, taking photos and videos of what could be considered an intimate moment.

Most of the spectators were elated. They could hear wedding bells dance along with the wind. But a sore thumb stuck out, named King Alistair. 

His mind was busy coming up with 'suggestions' for the couple that he didn't realize, he was the only one wearing a frown on the face. 

It was when Queen Isla growled at him, gesturing "I AM WATCHING YOU" with her two fingers in a 'V' pointing to her eyes before poking it across the table where King Alistair sat.

Meanwhile, at the head of the table, Maxen and Olivia were all smiles as they fixed their gazes on the photo. It was a photo of Olivia standing in between Maxen and Oliver. 

The caption read: HRH Maxen Sui together with Lin siblings Oliver and Olivia.

The photo looked like any other photos that were printed before it and that would be printed after it—grainy, standard size in gloss.

However, it was not just a simple photo. It was a statement. A statement of their relationship. And those with a pair of keen eyes, like Queen Isla, would see Maxen and Olivia's matching cuff links and bangles.

The jaguar heads glittered as the camera flashed. It was out in the open, screaming for everyone to take notice of it as they held up their champagne flutes.

Brushing her index finger over the photo, Olivia bit her bottom lip as she let out a low, mirthful laugh. "But Ollie's face was cut in half."

"That was intentional." Maxen flicked a finger on Ollie's cropped face. If it was up to him, that photo should be his and Olivia's official photo. 

"Okay, lovebirds. That's enough." Grandma Lin clapped her hands to get Maxen and Olivia's attention. "And please release your hostage, Maxen. We have some serious discussion about your relationship."

All the while, she held her chin up, leaving a trail of confidence in her track until she reached the empty seat to Grandma Lin's left.

Once she was seated, she cupped her grandma's hand. It was thin, and the skin sagged as it clung to the bones. It wasn't like that years ago when Grandma Lin paid her a visit in Oxford.

Suddenly, she felt bile clog her throat as the whirlpool of remorse and shame rose from the pit of her stomach. 

In her mind, she was so used by her family's absence in her life that she just waited for them to come to her in their own time and their terms.

But in her heart, she knew. She knew she had all the means to visit her grandma, but she didn't, and she never bothered to reach out too.

Looking once more at her grandma's hands, Olivia felt like she was years late as she could see each grain of sand in Grandma Lin's hourglass running out.

But it's not yet too late for her. She's home. At long last. And with the new chapter of her life, she now had more backs to lean onto.

"I don't want to sound old-fashioned…" Grandma Lin trailed off, patting the back of Olivia's hand. "But if you wanted to take your relationship into the next level, I wish that you would ask for Henry's blessing."

"Eh? Mother! It's like you're asking the sun to rise in the West!" Auntie Martha slammed her hand on the table.

"Martha, it's important that a parent gives them a blessing. It's the fourth commandment. Honor your mother and father, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you."

"Oh, please, Mother. Why should we apply something as sacred as a bible teaching on a demon like Henry? What are we? An exorcist?" A scornful laugh echoed from Auntie Martha's lips. She took a sip of her sangria, thankful that she had alcohol in her hand to numb her nerves.

"Mom, that's enough," Eli c.o.c.ked a brow to his mother's way even though he knew nothing would stop Auntie Martha's mouth especially when she's full tank with the spirit of alcohol.

"Uhm. Guys." Olivia waved her hand to get their attention. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? Everyone in this room will be the first ones to hear the good news once Max and I are on the same page."

Heavy clouds of silence hovered inside the dining hall. Those who heard Olivia heard her loud and clear. Marriage between her and Maxen was off the table.

"Olivia." 

It was the first time that King Alistair called her by her name. She didn't know how to react, her neck turned to steel as she couldn't dare twist it to look at King Alistair's direction.

She couldn't help but steal a glance at Maxen, their eyes locked in a trance as she sought answers to the questions in her mind through his smoldering gaze. However, all she got was the slight crinkle of the corners of his eyes that shone nothing but his adoration for her as he smiled. It was enough to let her know that no matter what she decided upon, he would support her and patiently wait for her.

King Maxen reiterated, "It's high time for Maxen to get married to show the public that he's ready to be a king, and he's fit to be a king."

"Father," Maxen cleared his throat. "Everyone. I'm glad that you are all looking out after our happiness, but I believe that topics like marriage should be discussed with the involved parties. It is us who will be sharing the bed, anyway."

Maxen spun the goblet by the stem, swirling the liquid inside. He glanced at his mother who seemed to be thinking of the words to say. This was her little party anyway, and he didn't want to get into another round of heated argument, especially with his father.

True enough, Queen Isla was back to her jolly old self, trying her best to infect everyone else with her positive energy. 

"Okay. Let's respect the couple's wishes. Who knows we will hear news sooner than later? And I know they will also grant Grandma's wishes, right, children?" She traced her eyes from Maxen to Olivia, urging them to agree with her and be over with, so they could talk about more important stuff.

"Yes, Mom."

Olivia and Maxen replied in unison, which made the people in the room release a sigh of relief. Not because the couple was in sync, but the two words that came out of Olivia's mouth.

It was two simple words, but it bore enough promise of how Olivia was seeing her future—Queen Isla as her mother. And that was enough to pacify the elders for the meantime.

The group soon found themselves at the back of Notios Estate where a newly built fence was installed.

Dragging the ladies to Aqui's enormous cage, King Alistair and Maxen watched as they fed the bird with fish, throwing it up in the air. 

Oohs and aahs could be heard as soon as Aqui spread its wings. It would then be followed with a fit of giggles and a round of applause as soon as the mighty bird catches its food by the beak.

"Dad, stop it." Maxen elbowed his father.

"What?" 

"You're fidgeting. I know that. You're itching to gun the bird down and make it as one of your trophies."

"I AM NOT." King Alistair locked his hands behind his back, squaring his shoulders. Maxen was right, the bird's wings were too tempting, he could imagine having one in his library.

Waving a hand back to Olivia who was beaming at him, Maxen heard his father grunt his discomfort.

"Why didn't you tell them earlier?"

"Tell them what?"

"That you've been seeing Henry for the past weeks."

Maxen shrugged. "They don't need to know that, especially when he ignored me ignored time and again. Plus, saying so would just lead to more questions that I don't wish to answer."

"Like?"

"Like what Henry said after I asked for Olivia's hand in marriage."