#JOKES ASIDE I am slowly learning the ways of Maxwell face

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@momosweetpeach Your wisdom knows no bound 🙏✨

[lostinthe-pines-blog]

Olivia. Chapter 1. - A Friendship

LIAM x MC

LIAM x OLIVIA

A multi-chapter story that follows Liam and MC as they spend their first year ruling as King and Queen of Cordonia. As they rule together they realize their strongest ally is the one person from the one place their people have rejected. Questioning why Liam and MC still support Olivia and Lythikos they work together to restore her reputation.

Storylines from The Royal Romance books have been altered slightly.

NOTE: This is a fictional story based on Pixelberry’s Choices App. *The Royal Romance books. I am not affiliated with Pixelberry nor do I own the rights to their original characters.

TAGS: @katurrade​

Just over a year had passed since Liam and MC had married. Their union was long awaited and began to instill trust back into their followers. The past year had been spent cleaning up messes certain members of Lythikos had caused. As the 600th birthday of the formation of Cordonia slowly approached the people became worried again that a large gathering would make them target to more tragic events. Especially after King Liam had announced Duchess Olivia as the guest of honor. Liam selected her in an attempt to restore her reputation and set her family as allies again to the Cordonian reign.

MC sat on the bed reading over the documented traditions and memories of Cordonia’s birthday celebrations from the past 100 years. She had a lot of history to catch up on. But unlike her American studies in school, Cordonia’s history actually intrigued her. As she read she discovered traditions and rulers from the past she’d yet to learn about. She had one goal as Queen and it was to bring back the legacies and traditions of those Queen’s who’d come before her. As she filed through more recent traditions something became apparent over the last 20 plus years. Olivia and Liam had always stood together. MC was not foolish she knew the feelings the stark redhead from Lithakos harbored for her King; but she also knew it was not reciprocated. MC had come to feel nothing but respect for Olivia, friendship even, not an ounce of resentment or jealousy. She began to pile each of the memories knowing her husband and friend would love to see them in the coming weekend.

Liam had been away for two weeks traveling and attempting to convince duchy’s to join them for the celebration. Liam knew being king he’d have to sacrifice a lot of his time to his country. But tonight was to be his first evening back by his Queen’s side. Arriving home a day early to surprise her he didn’t intend to give any of his time to his court tonight. To the public they were regal figures nothing but smiles, strength and a little physical contact. But in their time alone they showed all the basic human emotions. In the past few years of growing together MC had supported Liam through his tears of loss, and his anger in war. Liam was always careful to show her love when she was homesick, happiness in their celebrations together, and lust apparent in every one of their emotions. The couple preferred to be together as often as possible not only for their own selfish gain but to show their country how strong they really were.

Liam ducked into the large chamber noticing his wife flipping through old scrapbooks and newspaper articles. She’d always been quick to tune out the noises around her when she studied. Liam examined her for a moment. She’d really come a long way since he’d met her in ripped jeans and a greasy apron. His waitress now dawned lilac silk pajama bottoms and while there was a matching top somewhere she wasn’t wearing it. Her top was covered by a thin grey tank. Her curls pulled into a mess on top of her head yet she still looked regal to him. He wasn’t sure now how to make her aware of his presence. Watching a few moments more as she flipped through old albums he decided to speak softly attempting not to scare her.

“Can I help you find anything?” He asks as he approaches setting his coat to the side. He looks to her with nothing but admiration in his eyes.

Scared she jumps looking up quickly. The fear on her face is quickly replaced as her eyes focus on the man before her. Her mind trying to adjust to the reality that he was actually there, she shoves the articles and albums aside leaping from the warm covers. “You’re home!” skipping quickly over to him he catches her embrace.

Hugging her tightly he takes in the sweet aroma he’d come to recognize as her own. Pulling back only slightly from her tight arms he places his forehead to hers. “Were you surprised?” he chuckles now.

“Of course! How was the trip? Did you accomplish your goal?” She asks their faces still close together she feels the heat of his breath on her sensitive lips.

“The trip was miserable without you” he breathes closing the gap between them. Pressing his lips softly to hers he tries his hardest not to get to caught up in her taste. After a moment he pulls back running his hand down her face softly “However, the trip was successful! Every duchy will be attending the birthday celebration though a few are displeased with Olivia’s role in the ceremony”

MC looks down from his gaze, worried for their friend “None of the attacks were Olivia’s fault!” she sighs “Everyone the entire court has rejected Lythikos. They’ve quite literally left her out in the cold.” laughing for a moment at her morbid joke. “I hope you're right Liam, I hope we can do right by her. We really can’t lose the imports from Lythikos.”

“Someone’s been doing their homework...” Liam trails tightening his grip on his wife Quizzing her quickly he speaks playfully

“What’s our biggest import from Lythikos?”

“Steal!” MC responds proudly

“Correct!” he chimes

“What’s my prize?” she smirks raising an eyebrow.

Liam chuckles and shakes his head as he leans in giving her another longing kiss. She returns the kiss letting the sensation fill her entire body. She reaches down unbuckling his pants quickly allowing them to fall he steps out them. As he pulls away he listens to her share another fact hoping for another prize.

“But shortly followed by imports of fresh water.” she continues

“Correct again.” he sighs wanting to get lost in the moment of laughter and lust but the reality of these two imports sets in. “Fresh water is a loss Cordonians wouldn’t survive.”

MC pushes back her sexual tendencies hearing the real worry in his voice. “This celebration will be extremely important.” MC shares knowing he already knows that. “We both have to show the trust we have in Olivia and her new rule over Lythikos. I think I found something that might help!”

MC pulls away from their embrace and guides him over to their large king sized bed. The two of them settling in quickly, he removes his tight sweater and they climb under the covers. She leans her back on to his now bare chest, his arms wrapped tightly, and protectively around her as she shuffles through the papers she’d been going through for hours.

“Here, I found all of these. I know you and Olivia spent most of your life betrothed, and friends. We can use that history to remind the people how strong you had both been over the years.” She hands Liam a large stack of photos and news articles, all of them about Olivia and himself.

Liam looks at the photos laughing at some of the memories. Despite the confusion of misplaced affection, Liam still cared for the redheaded duchess. She’d been one of his best friends all his life and he couldn’t watch has his people betrayed her. As he circled back to an older photo he smiled instantly remembering it.

“Please tell me…” MC whispers noticing his change in demeanor.  “I know your smiling at your memories, please, allow me be apart of them too.”

Liam nods kissing her temple gently. “My every memory belongs to you now.” he reassures her. As he begins to explain the story of the photo the world is clearly painted in MC’s mind.

“Cordonia’s 573th Birthday” the banner reads over head as two tightly dressed children pose beneath it.

“Liam, stand still!” A voice calls gently. His mother, his birth mother commanding him now. Liam continues to jump around, his four year old body filled with excitement and far to much sugar. Next to him stands a poised redhead whose daunting mothers gaze controls her every move. The spunky boy and serious girl were an unlikely pairing but their future together was already in the plans.

“Smile my young Prince” the gentle mother speaks again and the photo is snapped.

“You know you could dance too” the young prince Liam looks to the poised child, Olivia, beside him. “Let me show you some moooooves!” dancing around the young duchess his hips rock dramatically “Bastian told me this is what Elvis did!” Liam smiles seeing the young lady attempt to hide her giggles in return. She finally lets out a laugh as she boldly attempts to mirror his movements, while their mothers stand by. Liam’s mother Elizabeth encourages the children while Olivia’s is far less amused.

“This is the first memory I have of Olivia, and honestly one of the first memories I have at all.” Liam admits, “After that day she’s in almost every major memory I have. Her, Drake and Maxwell stood by me.” Liam’s tone changes again “Which is why I have to stand by her, It’s like you said MC, all of Cordonia has turned its hearts on Lythikos. I need Olivia to show them that her leadership will be a reset for her land. A chance to right the wrongs. I think you’re right” he smiles down at his brilliant lover “These photos could help.”

MC leans her head back on to his chest, looking up for a moment she kisses his jaw line gently. Her King was always trying to see the world positively, to give everyone a chance. Olivia needed this chance and their closest friends at court knew it. “We’re all here to help you and her Liam. Lythikos will be our strongest ally again, I know it.”

Liam sighs pulling a photo from the middle of the stack to draw his attention away from the impending disasters. In the photograph Olivia is smiling and laughing brighter than MC had ever seen. Maxwell clearly messing with her from behind. And Liam wrapped tightly between the two of them.

“I didn’t even know I had this photo” he reacts sitting up startled at the memory, sharing the photo with MC. “Bertrand took this, I figured he’d probably kept the print for Maxwell.”

Sensing the protection over this particular photo MC looks up at him again, he jaw clenched not looking from the image.

“This photo is important to you…” she trails off.

“This particular Cordonian Birthday celebration was only weeks after my mother passed. My father almost canceled the reception…” The memory fills him as he shares again the small moment of his past with his wife painting an emotional and vivid picture.

“Maxwell!!!! you dirty pig! Get your hands off me!” Olivia yells stomping her feet and tears forming in frustration. As Maxwell pokes and tickles her in every direction she continues to yell. She’s about to turn 10 and for the first time in her life she’s starting to see the boys she’d always been around as dirty, smelly beasts.

“Come on Olivia I’m just messing around!” Maxwell protests. “Liam! Tell her! She only listens to you anyways.”

Liam was being forced to attend the celebration because it was ‘what his mother would have wanted.’  He didn’t care for anyone’s shenanigans his young scattered and scared mind was just trying to get through the day. He looks to Maxwell and rolls his eyes. “Max if she asked you to stop maybe you should listen…” he trails off sadness thick in the young boys voice.

Despite their differences Max and Olivia look to each other noticing instantly the sadness that’s bestowed their friend. They agree through a brief moment of eye contact that it was on them to cheer him up.

“Liam wait up!” Olivia yells after him. As his attention is drawn to Olivia, Maxwell sneaks around and attacks him with tickles from behind. Trapping him in the endless laughter Olivia tickles from the front. Liam’s body squirms as happiness breaks onto his face for the first time in weeks.

“Stop stop!” Liam yells with laughter “I surrender!!!”

As Maxwell moves his fingers from Liam back to Olivia she smiles bright this time not fighting his playful tickles. It’s in this moment that Bertrand snaps a photo before calling his brother over to return to their family.

“Liam…” MC pauses thinking for a moment of the memory shared. The young prince navigating the emotions of mourning is a sad thought. “I’m glad you had them.” She responds twisting her fingers through his. She knew Liam well but she was still learning about his past and his history. She’d been lucky enough to meet his father before his passing and while his step mother was lovely MC knew Liam would always been sad that she’d never be able to meet Elizabeth.

“They got me through a lot” he responds softly remembering the memory as both happy and sad. “I wouldn’t trade their friendship for anything in the world.” Taking a deep breath Liam stacks the remaining photos on the nightstand beside the bed and turning off the lamp. “We should get some rest, Olivia arrives tomorrow.” Liam kisses the top of MC’s head softly before adjusting in the bed. His arms still around her, he loops his fingers through hers again as she pulls their hands tight her her chest.

“Thank you for letting me into you memories.” MC says lightly, “Your mother would be so proud of you.” she adds quickly. She feels his hands tighten around hers as he buries his face in her neck. He shows a weakness now he’d be sure never to show his kingdom.