Olivia Sparks

Despite the lurking threat beyond the high walls of The Highlands, the breakfast feast of the Sui Family ended on a high note. 

Just to silence her daughter, Queen Isla just made a pinky promise with Princess Maya that she would spend their quarantine at The Highlands by putting together a scrapbook for the spoiled princess.

They were in the midst of enjoying their after-meal tea when the baby nurse came forward, cradling the youngest addition to their family.

Princess Diwa was a spitting image of her mother, Princess Maya. She was already three-months-old and responded well to her surroundings. Every time someone cooes, the slits of her eyes would open and her tiny head would wobble as if finding the right direction where the sound was coming from.

It was an hour later, and Secretary Abbott stood like a vulture at a distance. Although the man was quiet, his presence was enough for the group to realize how much time had passed since the nurse brought out Princess Diwa.

After playing and cooing with the little Princess Diwa, Princess Maya and her husband stayed longer outside in the gardens to catch more sunlight for their baby Princess Diwa.

Meanwhile, King Alistair and Sir Abbott excused themselves and walked to the direction of the king's private office in the southeast wing of the mansion. It was the same wing that Princess Maya's little family was staying in.

Walking in the opposite direction, away from the king, was Maxen and Olivia who were too busy chatting. They didn't hear Queen Isla calling out their names.

At first, she couldn't let go of her granddaughter, but she had to speak with the couple in private, so she took her chance and caught up with the two. Her lips quivered as she watched the two walking in a side hug towards the northeast wing where their room was located.

"Maxen. Olivia." Queen Isla tried to raise her voice so the two could at least hear her, but she guessed the couple was so lost in conversation for them to register their mother's voice. "Heol. Why do they walk so fast? Or was it the pancake? Maybe it's the extra slice pulling my weight down." 

The queen gasped for air as she caught up to Maxen and Olivia who were rounding up a corner. 

"Ehem. Your Majesty the Queen is passing by," she announced herself, successfully splitting the husband and wife into two. 

She had to double her pace just so she could reach them and she couldn't deny the odd satisfaction of breaking out a sweat after a heavy meal.

She then linked her arm with Olivia and dragged her beautiful daughter ahead, leaving Maxen behind, scratching the skin above his eyebrows.

He was helpless every time his mother split him apart from his wife. He knew the two would talk for hours and leave him out from their conversation as if he was a fly in the room.

As soon as they reached the private study inside Maxen's old bedroom, Queen Isla welcomed herself inside and sat on the seat across the desk.

That was her self-appointed seat ever since Maxen and Olivia moved into The Highlands.

After every meal, Queen Isla would join Olivia in Maxen's study. Olivia would then let Queen Isla sit on that special couch so mother and daughter-in-law could talk while Olivia would run her company on that small yet powerful laptop of hers.

"So, were you able to get your access in the Pyxis database back?" Queen Isla inquired, her eyes widened by the second as Olivia scanned the area for possible ears that might hear her words.

Seeing there was no one within the vicinity except the three of them and the three guards that shadowed them were probably standing outside the room, Olivia inched her mouth closer to Queen Isla's ears and whispered, "Yhhes."

"Ha! In your face, Rona. Can't believe she did that to you. I mean, why would she ban you from the organization when you haven't even gone rogue? What's her problem?"

"She said the Pyxis had cut ties with the Suis, and my marriage to one rendered my membership void, which is weird, never heard of them canceling a membership."

"They did with me," Queen Isla said and ruefully smiled. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes, and Olivia could see through it. 

Across from her, the look of surprise was all over Olivia's face. She didn't know Queen Isla used to be a part of the organization, so she darted her gaze on Maxen to find some answers, but he just gave her a shrug as if telling her it wasn't his story to tell.

Maxen took that as his cue to excuse himself and leave the two ladies alone. He planted a kiss on the side of Queen Isla's head and rounded the table to plant a deep-searing kiss on Olivia's lips, sneakily parting her lips open with the firm muscles of his tongue.

"Heol! This guy has no reservations at all. Eating his wife's face in front of his mother," Queen Isla complained and folded her arms over her c.h.e.s.t. 

She wished King Alistair could see how his son behaved and see a ghost of his younger self. Who else would Maxen get that character but his father?

Olivia landed a soft punch on Maxen's toned abdomen, but he whimpered like a bullied kitten, hiding behind the back of his tiger mother.

"Are you leaving or not?" Queen Isla raised a single brow in his direction.

"I am. I am." Maxen squeezed Queen Isla's shoulders and dragged his feet out of his own bedroom to give the two ladies the privacy that they needed.

A soft click of the door closing informed Queen Isla and Olivia that Maxen was finally out of the bedroom. 

Queen Isla drummed her fingers on the table and pursed her lips, waiting for Olivia to fire her questions that plagued the latter's mind.

"So which question do you want to ask first, Livi darling? My past as a Pyxis member or the more fun part which is, Rona Co is my twin sister?"