Chapter 97 - Bring Fortune or Cause Ruin (1/1)

Headmistress Rona regarded Olivia who sat on her chair like it was a throne. Placing her flask on the glass meeting conference table, Headmistress Rona quizzed, ”Do you know where Pyxis got its name, Olivia?” She covered the flask with its lids, but her eyes were trained on Olivia. She smiled upon hearing Olivia robotically answer, ”Pyxis is of Greek origin, meaning, a vessel with a cover. It's also a name of a constellation known as the mariner's needle. Very fitting for the organization, if you ask me.” ”Hmm. You're right. Because that's who we really are. We contain information—good, bad, or worst—and just like the mariner's needle, we use these tiny little details that no other knows but us to guide the people who need them most.” A small smile danced on the headmistress's lips. She could see how Olivia tried her best not to roll her eyes while she was talking just like a petulant teenager listening to a sermon. Olivia drummed her fingers on the table, taking in a sharp breath and exhaling through her pursed lips. ”Just say what you want to say, Headmistress. I'm not a child anymore. You don't have to sugar-coat your words. Whatever you say, I will take it with a grain of salt.” ”Hmm,” Headmistress Rona trailed off, folding her arms across her c.h.e.s.t. ”Just a word of caution for you. The Pyxis and the Suis have an awful history and the last thing that I want to see is history repeating itself.  ”If you think Henry Lin would sit down and let you and Prince Maxen have your happily ever after, then you are a hundred and one percent wrong. He ruined the Suis once, and it's a matter of time before he ruins them again. Even your mother's love wasn't enough to leash the man. Look at what he did to you.  ”And as someone who has seen your struggles, I want you to listen to me when I say, that thing between you and the prince must be nipped in the bud before everything is too late. That's for your safety, and everyone else's.” However, no matter how sincere and convincing the headmistress's words were, something about the woman raised flags in Olivia's head. While it was true that growing up Rona Co never left her side, there was always a thin line that separated the two and Olivia never fully trusted her mentor because throughout those years, it was as if the headmistress had a silent competition with her. So she looked at the headmistress in the eye, and tutted, ”Although I appreciate your peptalk, let me draw a line here.” Olivia wagged her index finger in the air, catching the headmistress's attention.  She then traced an imaginary line, dividing the space between the two women, knowing that the headmistress would get her point. Because honestly, she hated it, explaining herself to people who love snooping around in her business. Across from Olivia, Headmistress Rona shifted in her seat. She stood up and ironed her skirt with her hands, ready to leave. She would not tolerate Olivia's arrogance and disregard of her seniority.  ”You are not acquainting yourself with a random person but a prince, the future king of a country. So I'm sorry to break the news to you, Olivia. But your choices would either bring fortune or cause ruin to Nisia. Not just you or the people around you, but all the other innocent lives that depend on the Suis. Remember that.” With a small smile on her face, Olivia spoke, ”What's happening in my personal life has nothing to do with you, Headmistress. It would also do us both good if we keep our conversations entirely for business purposes. Now, if you're done with your surprise inspection, I believe we can call it a night?” Ushering the headmistress out of the office, Olivia gently tapped Secretary Gail's back in the lobby when she saw the almost tidied up space. ”Thank you, Headmistress. It is an honor to be graced with your presence,” Olivia said. Both women exchanged easy, brief smiles. Extending her hand, Headmistress Rona refused to take it and scoffed at Olivia before turning on her heel to leave. Olivia was on her way to her car in the parking lot when her phone rang. She knew who was calling, so she ignored the ringing of her phone. ”Why aren't you picking it up?” a deep familiar voice that sent butterflies to her stomach spoke behind her, startling her. ”What the heck? Are you into stalking now, Your Highness?” Looking over her shoulders, dreamy clear blue eyes emerged from the shadows of the pillar. His broad and gleeful smile infected Olivia as she caught her smiling reflection on the car's window. ”I was waiting for you the whole time. I called Gail earlier for your location.” Burying his face on the side of her head, inhaling her apple-scented hair, Maxen weaved their fingers together and led her to…”Wait, which car do you want to bring, baby?” ”You haven't told me where we're going yet.” ”Oh. Dinner. I'll take you out for dinner to make up for that lackl.u.s.ter breakfast I made this morning.” With that, Olivia pursed her lips to keep herself from smiling and pointed towards her car where Uncle Jin was waiting for them. After a twenty-minute car ride, the pair arrived at Marina—an exclusive yacht club where Maxen led the way towards the back of the club, away from the fishbone where yachts lined and docked. The pair held hands until they arrived at a private boardwalk where its only source of light were the glowing blue and green bioluminescent algae that glowed as it danced with the waves. ”Impressive,” Olivia glanced at Maxen who was a head taller than her and mused. She marvelled at the glittery waters as they traversed the wooden bridge that led to a floating dock where a candlelight dinner awaited them. Helping her to her seat, Olivia mouthed a thank you before scanning the place. That night, the weather was perfect—still, calm, and fair and she had an eye candy with her too. ”Are you bribing me for the wall you tore down? Because it's working,” she joked, and Maxen saw through it. He knew she would definitely sue his princely arse for taking her words lightly.