Chapter 84 - Rare Phenomenon (1/2)

The sun was high in the sky as M/V Nikki docked into the pier of Nisia.

Up on the deck, Maxen's eyes darted from the crew that were busy anchoring the ship down to the docks.

He noticed that unlike the other times that the royal fleet arrived, the number of media present was reduced in half. It's not that it upset him. Rather, intrigue plagued him as he thought about what caused such a rare phenomenon.

”Wave for the cameras, Your Highness,” Jack whispered from behind.

Maxen uttered through gritted teeth, still waving his hand, ”You don't have to remind me, Jack. I've been doing this for years.”

”Just doing my job, Your Highness. We don't want a slip up to happen.”

Maxen smirked at Jack's reply and stopped waving when the ship blew its horn. The anchor finally tethered to the soil to which it belonged.

The royal prince of Nisia tipped his hat and clipped it under his armpit as he, one by one, shook hands with a row of naval officers for a job well down during their thirty-day expedition.

Reaching dry land after what seemed like forever, Maxen almost kissed the earthen soil—thankful for the safe voyage that he and the rest of the crew endured for thirty days.

In a concerted way, his royal guards sandwiched him as they made their way to his waiting car at the end of the red carpet.

As the convoy traversed the stretch towards the exit of the pier, he closed his eyes and let the soft classical music from the radio calm his nerves. On the outside, Maxen looked calm and relaxed. However, deep inside, he fought hard to keep his balance as the swaying of the ship hasn't rubbed off of him yet.

During the entire car ride, he could still feel the crashing waves and lull of the sea. He tried to sit as still as possible, but it felt like his world swayed side to side.

Maxen's convoy reached the metro. He intended to go up to Notios Estate where Olivia promised to meet him on the day of his arrival. However, the convoy halted at a crosswalk where people swarmed in all directions. The walk sign blared, and like working ants on a summer day, people aimlessly walk across, bumping into each other but never sharing a glance.

Close to where the convoy was, Maxen's attention was stolen by the photo of a lady he knew all too well.

Wedding of the Year! Lin Heiress weds Yang Tycoon in a private ceremony!

Maxen could feel his head spin. He could feel his body sway. And pebbles of sweat formed on his scalp and back, drenching his dress suit.

Panting, he hooked his finger in his tie and scrambled to loosen it as he craned his neck. He could feel his extremities numb—paralyzed as the photo of Olivia and Tristan up on a stage, side by side, replayed on the digital screen.

He dialed Olivia's number. Once. Twice. Dropping it after the fourth ring until they reached the entrance to the private road which led to his private residence.

”Stop the car!” Maxen commanded, almost in a scream that startled his chauffeur.

In the chauffeur's decades of service, not once did Maxen raise his voice. He watched through the rearview mirror as the prince opened the door and stormed out of the car, standing by the curb.