A Story From Zinnia

Part 24: Oliver's New Life

The sun was already overhead, it didn't feel like it was time for lunch.

"Change your clothes" Xavier told Oliver.

"Eh?"

After the interview session, they walked along the hallway to their rooms.

"Don't Elijah have been preparing clothes for you all day?"

"Have been... But I mean, can't we just have lunch wearing these clothes? Her clothes are so pretty, I like it"

"We're going to eat out, ah actually I'm going to meet the prime minister."

"E-UH? WHY DIDN'T I SAY??!"

"YES YOU DON'T KNOW." Xavier said, raising both his shoulders.

"Will there be a father too?"

"No, I went to the border early in the morning."

"Is that so..."

"Hurry, get changed there."

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Oliver and Xavier arrive at the place in question. Their meeting with the prime minister certainly attracted the attention of the media, the reporters had been incessantly taking pictures since Oliver and Xavier got off their car and into the restaurant.

"Our respect, Your Majesty." The 4-headed man and his wife stood up, bowing respectfully.

Xavier shakes their hands, followed by Oliver who is still awkward reading the situation.

"This is the first time I've met you in person, Princess Oliver. You are so beautiful. I'm Alfonso Boris Livsey, prime minister of Zinnia and my wife Rose."

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Said the wife.

Oliver smiles and replies to their greetings, "Greetings."

The four people were sitting at a table that was not too big, but not too narrow.

The purpose of this lunch is certainly to open a relationship for Oliver. The palace will hold an official party as well as a ceremony to welcome Oliver as a member of the royal family, as well as introduce him to other family members, government officials, foreign diplomats and other nobles.

"You look happier, Your Majesty." Alfonso said to Xavier.

"really? Do I look like that?" Followed by Xavier's little laugh.

"First of all, I congratulate you on your marriage. May your marriage be blessed."

"May your marriage be blessed." Said Alfonso and his wife.

"Thank you very much." Reply Oliver.

"Ah right, we invited you two to come to Oliver's welcoming ceremony at the palace."

'The ceremony? What ceremony?' oliver, apparently he hasn't been told.

"It's an honor for us, Your Majesty. When is the ceremony?"

"About 1 month away, the official invitation will soon be spread."

"It's amazing that you're still maintaining this tradition."

"Of course, if it wasn't us who else would have defended it?"

"That's right, Your Majesty."

They continued to eat the prepared dishes. Mrs Rose did not hesitate to invite Oliver to talk to him.

"Are you right, Your Majesty, I heard that your king is going to the border? Is it getting worse there?"

"It's not my domain to talk about this, but the number of people who are doing rebellion is increasing. The defense and interior ministers are taking care of it, which is feared that this rebellion could lead to a coup."

Mr. Alfonso was surprised not to play, "COUP?!" Oliver who heard was a little jolted, he did not know about the problem of empire

"Yes." Yeah."

"Are they crazy?"

Xavier shook his head, "Rebellious is okay, just reasoned."

The issue of rebellion is no longer new, the rebellion occurred in the north of Zinnia which borders directly with the neighboring country. Their area was the most impactful during the war, and the impact is still felt today. Many war widows and children drop out of school because there are no facilities there.

They demand more attention from the government. Otherwise, they choose to join the next country.

"I was there myself, and the circumstances were alarming." Xavier.

"Why is it like that, Your Majesty?"

"You know the finance minister before? The funds that the kingdom gave them the last 10 years were not fully granted, but corrupted halfway."

Mr. Alfonso fell silent.

"Just calm down, he's been dishonorably discharged. Dad, me and the interior minister have made a program for them. They are the ones who accept it or not."

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"Thank you for meeting our lunch invitation, Your Majesty."

"Together."

"More times can I take the Princess shopping together?" Madame Rose said

"OF COURSE!" Oliver said, apparently he has a new friend now.

Xavier smiled at his wife's behavior, "Hahaha, of course madam, I don't mind either."

"Then we say it first."

After saying goodbye, Xavier and Oliver get into their limousine car.

"Have a new friend apparently?" Xavier's Temptation

"Huh? Ah... Madam Rose is so kind, she's been unrelenting to talk to me."

Xavier just smiled gently.

"You still have a schedule, right? Afternoon tea with Women's Health Community."

Oliver breathed, "really."

Xavier patted his wife on the head, "Have a break, there's still plenty of time, isn't there?" He knew his wife had not been used to such a busy day of royal duties.

"It's here, Your Majesty."

"Thank you."

They returned to the palace safely, and yes Oliver changed clothes again for the next schedule.

"It's the first time in my life I've changed this many clothes in one day."

"You're going to change more clothes in the future." Xavier Reply.

"Is there a reason why I should change this much?"

"Hm... Simply put, the royal family must always look neat in front of everyone. Besides, there's always gonna be people taking pictures of you wherever you go and they're gonna make weird news articles if you look like you're wearing the same outfit for a day."

"Bother."

"Agreed."

Oliver finished changing clothes for the third time that day.

"You yourself? No more schedules?"

Xavier.

"cheating." Oliver grunted in annoyance.

"I'll ride a horse and have some tea, hehe."

Oliver just gave his heartless smile.

"Enhance, dear." Xavier.

"Wait a minute, since when did you call me baby?"

"Hm... Looks like it's been this morning, I guess, or maybe yesterday? I forgot."

"Basic..-"

"Why? Don't like? Want another call?"

"NO."

"Just like, baby."

Somehow Oliver's heart was pounding every time he heard Xavier call him that.

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"Welcome, Your Majesty." Oliver arrived at the afternoon tea with the Women's Health Community. This is only the first time Oliver has come to know about this community, a community created directly by the late Queen Issabela. The queen established this community as a form of inviting public awareness of women's health.

In addition, they also provide counseling facilities for women victims of sexual violence, not only for victims but also their families.

"Congratulations on your marriage, Your Majesty. May your marriage be blessed."

"May your marriage be blessed." Said the entire staff standing up to greet Oliver at that moment.

"Thank you very much."

"We are very pleased to meet you here, Your Majesty. You look so pretty, your face reminds me of the late queen, don't you think?"

"Yes right."

"Right, it's very similar."

"Before the main event starts, we'd like to take you around our office. This way Your Majesty."

Oliver was invited to tour the office. It is very large to call an office. There are so many rooms here, but you can see a lot of green open space in it.

This community is also used as a facility to empower women, here they can get a variety of training that is useful for their lives in the future. Such as how to knit, sew, grow crops, fashion designing, cooking, decorating, etc.

"May Your Majesty see, there is a rehabilitation place for victims of sexual violence. We also provide counseling to the families of the victims. We want our presence to heal their wounds a little." Said the manager on duty at the time.

"so yeah... This community is great... I'd really like to help you guys out in the future."

The manager smiled.

"Let's come with me."

Oliver again walked side by side with the manager. They stopped at a wall with photos glued there.

"This is our routine activity, providing voluntary assistance to those in need. Helping out-of-school children and war widows who are struggling in their economy."

"Gee... That's great."

"Past... Queen Isabella is very active in this community. He was always present at the annual festival we made and gave his speech. It's... Always a great woman in the eyes of the people and an inspiration to other women."

"If I could get to know her figure directly..."

"He's a queen loved by his people, I think he'd be very happy to know his daughter-in-law as beautiful as His Majesty."

"You flatter me" Oliver's cheeks blushed without him noticing.

Their activities ended with tea together. Oliver gets to know the community more deeply, he meets other staff and volunteers who work there.

"Are you tired, Your Majesty?" Said Oliver's bodyguard.

"No. It's just that my legs are sore. What a tiring day.-" Oliver said when he was finally able to lean comfortably on the bench of his car.

"...but I love this busyness."