As night deepened outside the manor, the tense candlelit dinner finally concluded. The maids filed in, clearing the table, while Olivia approached Elias.
She embraced him gently, as if saying goodbye for the night.
"I have some matters to attend to; it's getting late. You should head to bed," she advised.
"Matters to attend to?" Elias asked instinctively.
Olivia nodded with a hint of frustration. "Father has entrusted me with many responsibilities since returning to the palace. It's a bit overwhelming at first..."
"That's a good thing," Elias smiled.
Olivia, usually secluded and rarely seen in public, was a mysterious figure.
Few citizens even knew of the youngest imperial princess.
Her siblings wielded some power, so Elias saw this as a positive change, showing her father was finally acknowledging her.
Olivia smiled back. "If you need anything, feel free to instruct the servants here. But..."
