A Story From Zinnia

Part 32: Paparazzi

"Your car is very antique, Charlotte." Said Oliver, who is now sitting next to the driver bench driven by Charlotte who was driving.

"Antique? Another word from the ancient, don't you think?" Tymphal Charlotte's.

"I'm serious, I haven't seen a car like this in a long time."

"This is my late grandmother's gift. When I got to university, Grandma had nothing else she could give me. So yeah... Grandma gave me this car." Charlotte obviously.

"I think the engine is still very good."

"I'm keeping it nice."

"It's just worth it."

Oliver rolled down the windshield, enjoyed the breeze and inhaled deeply. Enjoy the view from noon to dusk.

Their car drove down the beach side streets. The sound of waves and leaves of trees that were blown by the afternoon wind fused into a remedy for anyone who felt it.

"Well.... When was the last time I could breathe freely like this..."

"Is being the princess tiring, Your Majesty?" Charlotte.

"Little." Answer Oliver.

"But Your Majesty knows? Your Majesty does the job well–"

"I said call me Oliver when it's just the two of us." Cut Oliver.

"Sorry, I'm not used to– Oliver, you did a good job and the people love you." Connect Charlotte.

"You know Charlotte, I never thought that being a princess would be this difficult. There's a lot of things I have to do, a lot of new things I didn't know before, but you know? One thing that makes me grateful is that I was able to meet so many people, my people, the people of Zinnia."

"Sometimes responsibility leaves us shackled, but that's where we learn so much." Charlotte.

"I wondered... How is Xavier capable of doing all this? With all the duties and obligations on his shoulders, not to mention he had a lot to learn, appear in public, meet ministers and important people. I can't even imagine it."

Charlotte glanced at Oliver from the middle rearview mirror, "Before, the prince wasn't who he was now. He was not happy with the many rules and duties of the government. I don't know since when did His Majesty become more mature as he is now."

"Since Prince Nathaniel died." Oliver.

"...Right."." Right." Tymphal Charlotte's.

"You know Charlotte, Xavier was very sad. Almost two months he didn't come to school, and when he came back... I can clearly see the difference in his face and attitude. It seems cooler."

"I'm sure Your Majesty or whoever it is doesn't expect to lose Prince Nathaniel so soon." Charlotte.

"In his childhood he lost many people in his life. I feel like a cassian." Oliver breathed back.

The car they were riding in arrived at an ice cream shop. Charlotte brought Oliver here because Charlotte wanted to tell Oliver her favorite ice cream shop.

"We've arrived." Charlotte.

He got off first and opened the car door for Oliver.

"Thank you." Oliver.

A simple shop that is not too small but also not so big. The store provides several tables and chairs for customers who want to eat on the spot.

When you enter, you will be greeted with colorful decorations that captivate the eye. In the storefront next to the cashier, there are various ice cream pans lined with many different flavors. You can choose whatever flavor you like.

That afternoon, this simple ice cream shop did not have a single customer. There's only Charlotte and Oliver.

"Gee...." Oliver.

"They really sell a lot of ice cream." Oliver walked around looking at the variants of ice cream that the store was selling.

"Please choose whatever you like, let me pay." Charlotte.

"REally???!" Oliver Excited.

Charlotte also nodded.

Shortly after, a waiter and someone who appeared to be the owner of the store came out from the kitchen at the back.

"Your Majesty...? YOUR EXCELLENCY?"

"True, it's Princess Oliver!!" The servant cried.

"Our respect, Your Majesty." Said the shop owner.

Oliver smiled, "Good afternoon..."

"It's an honor for us, Your Majesty. We can't believe you visited this little shop." The shopkeeper and his servant's eyes twinkled to see Oliver coming to their shop. They couldn't believe that they could meet Oliver in person.

"Charlotte– I mean, my tutor at the palace recommended your store to me, I'm very curious and can't wait to try your ice cream." Oliver said kindly.

"of course! We'll serve our best ice cream." The servant cried.

"May I order chocolate and raspberry flavors?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. We'll serve it."

"And you're Charlotte–? Want to order what?"

"Hm... One scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocochip for me." Reply Charlotte.

"Good, sir."

Oliver chose a place for them to sit. He picked a table in the right corner of the store. At the table he could see the view out.

"This is the order, Your Majesty. Mister."

"Thank you." Oliver.

In the midst of the slightly hot weather, they both ate the ice cream they ordered greedily. With a little laughter between the two. They talk about many things, their favorite food, their hometown, their favorite colors, and many other things.

But it didn't last long. Charlotte realized that there was someone at two o'clock who was holding the camera and highlighting them. A camera flash work that makes Oliver also realize that there are paparazzi that follow them.

"Charlotte.... How'this?" Lirih Oliver's.

"Don't look at them." Charlotte Firm.

"Wear this hat, Your Majesty. I'll get out first and wait for you in the car. Wait a few minutes, just follow me." Charlotte obviously.

Oliver nodded in understanding. He was never comfortable being a paparazzi. After all, he just wanted to eat ice cream, is it that interesting and requires it to be a headline?

As Charlotte said, Oliver waited for a few minutes inside the ice cream shop. The owner of the ice cream that witnessed the incident gave Oliver sunglasses and a scarf to cover himself.

"Thank you." Oliver said politely.

"Be careful, Your Majesty, and thank you for visiting our store." Reply to the shop owner.

Oliver nodded and smiled. He then left the store and ran into Charlotte's car.

It didn't take long, after Charlotte's seatbelt was put on the gas. Go anywhere the paparazzi don't reach.

Charlotte glanced at Oliver who was still breathlessly taking a breath after a small run into the car. He seemed to be agitated with worry in his eyes.

"Relax... I'll take you out of the palace, if anything happens I'll be responsible." Charlotte.

Oliver pondered, "You don't have to be responsible for me eating only ice cream."

"All right...." Charlotte relented.

"Lalu– What now we return to the palace?" Connect Charlotte.

Oliver shook his head, "No, while we're outside... What if we go to the beach? The sun's setting soon, isn't it?"

The antique car drove fast towards the beach. It's a long way from the ice cream shop. The beach does have a beautiful view, but not many who visit because only a few people know.

Their car was parked not far from the coastline, and sure enough soon the sun will set. Oliver got out of the car to see it more clearly. A sight that spoils the eyes.

Oliver breathes deep in the beach breeze. Feeling her blond hair being blown by the wind and her feet being able to feel the grains of sand directly. Oliver can relieve his stress even for a moment.

Charlotte was still standing behind the wheel of her car. He was preparing himself for any consequences that could occur after they returned to the palace, especially if the damn reporters uploaded the photos.

"Your Majesty can be rumored.... Haahhh– why are you so stupid Charlotte..." Charlotte told herself.

Oliver came back and knocked on the car window, "You don't want to go down?" Oliver asked Charlotte.

Charlotte got down and just stood next to the car door.

"Well while you can, Charlotte." Oliver.

Charlotte smiled, "Right... Chance doesn't come twice, does it?" His ideal.

The two of them were now staring at the sea and the sun that was about to set completely. No chatter, just silence staring at the twilight.

"Oliver, we need to get back. It'll be dinner soon, Elijah will be busy looking for you." Charlotte obviously.

Oliver sighed, "Alright, we're back at the palace."

They returned to Cassania Palace. The palace is full of stories but sometimes stifling the chest.

"Your Majesty! Where have you been?! Half-dead I'm looking for you, thankfully the guards saw you off with Mr. Charlotte. Thank goodness you're okay." Omel Elijah as soon as they got to the entrance of the palace.

"Hey, calm down, I'm just out for a second." Oliver.

"Your Majesty had no idea how panicked I was when I found out His Majesty was not in the study room when I dropped off the afternoon snack." Obviously Elijah.

"Alright– Forgive me... I was wrong not to tell you first."

"It's good that you're aware of your mistake." Cut someone from the back.

"Xavier??! You're home yet?"

"Our respect, Your Majesty." Elijah and Charlotte behind him.

"Is it hard to get permission first if you want to get out?" Strictly Xavier, he looked a little angry at this incident.

"T-But I didn't go far–"

"Far away is the same, don't you see your subordinates panicking?? If anything happens how???!!" Xavier's voice was slightly raised.

Xavier looked at Oliver with an angry look, Oliver could only look down and admit that he was the wrong one in this position. He dared not look Xavier in the eyes in front of him.

"One palace will bother looking for you, even if you leave without a single bodyguard. You don't understand that's a DANGER?" Reciprocity.

Charlotte, who could not stand it, finally opened her voice, "Sorry, Your Majesty. But this is all my fault, I'm the one who invited Princess Oliver to go out looking for a quick breeze–"

"I'm not talking to you, Mr. Charlotte." Cut Xavier.

Charlotte was finally silent, Oliver was shocked to hear Xavier was angry like this for the first time.

"I didn't forbid you to come out, Oliver. But now that you're a princess, is it hard to follow protocol? Because of your status, even if you're wrong even if your subordinates are the ones who will be exposed to the sap, those who will be bothered because their job is to keep you safe. Youunderstand?" Xavier.

Oliver nodded slowly, actually he was holding back so that his eyes did not glaze over.

"I'm sure there's paparazzi following you, right?" Ask Xavier

'Where did Xavier know that?' inner Oliver.

"T-True..." Oliver said slowly.

Xavier sighed, he held his increasingly dizzy forehead, "I'm guessing."

"You go with a guy that the media knows isn't your partner, what do you expect? Surely you've been an easy gossip for them, Oliver."

"Here you go, now go inside, wash yourself and get ready for dinner." Connect Xavier.

Then Xavier entered first leaving Oliver, Charlotte and Elijah still glued to the front yard of the palace.

"Your Majesty is thinking a lot, he is being sensitive today. I hope Your Majesty can understand Prince Xavier's good faith." Liam told Oliver.

Oliver just nodded lethargicly, then Liam bowed respectfully and went after Xavier inside.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness is so upset." Charlotte said it's not good.

"It's not your fault, Charlotte. Just relax."

"I'm going in first." Connect Oliver.

Oliver went inside and prepared for dinner. Elijah followed him wherever he went.

'I'm not feeling good.' Charlotte's heart.

In his study, Xavier sat in his chair. With Liam the faithful standing nearby.

Xavier's finger was busy rolling the scroll button on his computer mouse. He found that the photos of Oliver and Charlotte had been spread quickly on the internet.

"Look at this." Xavier told Liam.

Xavier held back his forehead, his head was dizzy instead of playing.

"They also wrote many of the titles of the articles, Your Majesty." Liam.

True, not only the photos are scattered but some articles began to ask the true identity of the man who went with Oliver earlier.

"A Afternoon Dating in Ice Cream Shops and the Beachside."

"Not With Prince Xavier, Princess Oliver Went With Mysterious Man. Who's He?"

"Car Date of Princess Oliver and The Mysterious Man."

"Very Intimate! Oliver's Daughter Is Dying With Another Man!"

"The First Scandalous News of Princess Oliver!!!"

Liam read out the titles of the article and moving on to the existing comments, he saw different reactions to this news.

"They seem to be crazy about this news, Your Majesty." Liam said while showing comments on the internet on Xavier.

Xavier let out a long sigh, "Once again the media continues to look for faults from my family. Problems keep coming by alternating.... It drives me crazy, Liam."

"I'll handle it, Your Majesty. No need to worry, we wait 24 hours the news will subside by itself." Liam said confidently.

"I lost my appetite, tell dad I'm gonna eat in my room and have the waiter bring me some food." Xavier Pinta.

"All right, Your Majesty. Rest."

"Xavier's going to night in his room?" Ask King Arthur.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The prince is not having a taste for dinner tonight." Obviously Liam.

"There's that boy. You know, I'll just eat with Oliver." Said King Arthur.

Liam left the palace dining room. Now there is only Oliver and King Arthur in the very large dining room.

The atmosphere was quite different if there were only the two of them. Although King Arthur was Oliver's father-in-law, he was still a king to Oliver.

"Why?? Did you and Xavier fight?" Ask King Arthur who is sensitive to the situation.

"Hm.... No dad, Xavier's just a little angry that I went out of the palace without permission." Obviously Oliver.

"Is that so...?" King Arthur said as he nodded.

"Not usually the kid gets angry, what's up with him today?" Says King Arthur.

"Liam said, Xavier is being sensitive today."

"Let him, later his anger will subside."

The reason why Xavier had so much in mind today was because he already knew the names of officials who committed military-fund corruption and weapons embezzlement. He was very angry to know that the names on the list were those who already had the trust of his father. Xavier wasn't playing, thinking about how to tell his father about this.

"I'll go crazy for a long time." Xavier said to himself.

🌹To be continued....

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