Olivia Sparks

Sunlight filtered in the room through the tall windows and balcony door as the Suis' helpers drew the heavy curtains open.

Olivia stretched her limbs like a cat, slightly swiping Maxen's side of the bed just to check if he's beside her even when she knew he left before the sun rose on the horizon.

For a second, her hand flew to her stomach, gingerly rubbing it in circles as her eyes gazed on the ceiling. She was staring at the crown molding, studying it with cold and blank eyes. 

Soon, a soft and synchronized shuffling of feet against the carpet snapped Olivia from her reverie.

"Where do you want to have your breakfast, Princess Olivia?" a helper dressed in her gray and white housekeeping uniform asked with a smile on her face.

Olivia had to blink twice when it didn't sink in with her that she was the 'Princess Olivia' whom the helper was speaking with. "Oh, I'll eat on the balcony."

The helper immediately curtsied and turned on her heel to leave when Olivia raised her hand to stop the former. "And just call me, Miss Olivia. Princess is too much. Thank you."

The helper responded with a smile and left. Olivia knew they would not grant her small request, what with the long list of protocols that all the staff at The Highlands had signed up for and must follow at all times and at all costs. 

However, hearing people call her 'Princess' sent shivers down her spine, dotting goosebumps on her skin.

"You'll get used to it," Olivia cheered herself up, patting her flat stomach and smiling. She reached for her phone on the bedside table and frowned when she found it empty of notifications. "Oh well," she said, placing it back on the bedside table.

She swung her feet off the bed and dragged herself into the ensuite to take a shower. 

Once she finished taking a bath, she saw Yana standing outside on the balcony, waiting for her, and her breakfast spread was sitting on the table too.

"Have you heard the news, President?" Yana asked as she pulled a seat for Olivia to sit on.

Olivia paused and regarded the little lass, scrunching her nose when she tried to think of what news Yana was talking about, but came up with nothing. "News about?"

"I heard from the security team that somebody found Lance Go's body in the woods this morning," Yana inched closer, and whispered in Olivia's ear.

"Heol," Olivia said. She was speechless at the news. She didn't know how to take the news, actually. 

It was weird that somehow, she felt bad that Lance had to die in a tragedy. After all, they spent years together in England and her memories with him were something that one could not easily replace or forget.

She checked her phone to give Maxen a call so she could verify the news, but to her dismay, it still displayed 'No Service' on the top right corner of the screen. 

Placing her palm up, Olivia requested, "Can I borrow your phone for a minute? Something's wrong with my phone's reception."

"Sure," Yana complied, frisking her back pockets to dig up her phone. She unlocked the screen and handed it to Olivia, who swiftly dialed a number.

"Hey, is it true? Okay. Can I go out then? Just a quick trip to Rockaway. Hmm. I'll meet you there. Love you too, Max." Olivia smiled and her eyes lingered on the screen until it locked and the lights dimmed. 

She beamed wider upon seeing her reflection on the dark screen, smiling like a high schooler in love. "Thank you," she mouthed, handing Yana back her phone.

Inhaling the aroma coming from the steaming food which wafted together with the sweet scent of florals that lined up the balcony, Olivia enjoyed the feast on the table and celebrated the end of their almost week-long confinement.

Just as scheduled, a knock rapped on the door followed by a helper announcing Secretary Abbott's arrival. 

Walking beside him was a lady in her sixties. Her burgundy hair curled and sat above the planes of her shoulders and bounced as she took one step after another.

Unlike Secretary Abbott, who wore a straight face and pursed lips, the lady beside him was all smiles, beaming brighter when Olivia met her gaze and smiled back at her.

"Good morning, Princess Olivia," Secretary Abbot and the lady greeted in unison. While Secretary Abbott slightly bowed, the lady did her best to curtsy but stopped midway when Olivia rushed to her aid, cupping the lady's elbow to keep her from doing the ridiculous protocol.

"It's the 21st century. Aren't we in the modern times to be doing curtsies and bows?" Olivia asked, smiling sweetly at the lady who sent her a thumbs up.

"This is why Isla was crazy about you." The lady clapped her hands and c.o.c.ked a brow at Secretary Abbott. She then faced Olivia and introduced herself, "I'm Tamara Eddy, Mistress of Household, but you can call me Tammy for short, Your Highness. About the curtsy, don't worry about me. I'm not as uptight as this gargoyle." She snorted, patting Secretary Abbott's back.

"Oh, I'm sure Secretary Abbott knows how to have fun too. He's just following the rules. Am I right, Secretary Abbott?" Olivia fanned her eyelashes towards the man's way and had a field day enjoying the scowl on his face.

"Princess Olivia is absolutely correct," Secretary Abbott agreed and cleared his throat. 

He immediately dove into the details of their schedule that morning, which includes touring The Highlands' grounds and meeting all the hundred and fifty staff that help maintain the massive estate.

Secretary Abbott then left Olivia under the care and guidance of Tammy who oversees the hospitality, catering, and housekeeping of the royal family. Olivia listened as they walked the long and never-ending halls of the mansion. 

From time to time, Olivia would look over her shoulders just to check if Tammy and Yana were catching up on her. 

It was a known fact in The Highlands that Olivia walked faster than an average person in Nisia, and the protocol of royals walking ahead of anyone often left some staff catching their breaths as they matched her pace.