A shocked expression fell on Olivia’s face. “Does it have anything to do with the search for the necklace?”
Eugene nodded. “It might be, or else the Queen’s brother won’t be looking for the necklace at this point. Besides, he’s keeping a low profile during the search. The situation doesn’t allow them to notify the others about the search. I think they really lost the necklace, or they lost the real one a long time ago.”
She turned to him, heart heavy in her chest. “What do you mean?” He met her eyes. “Olivia, the necklace you own might be the real one.”
Olivia shook her head. “No way! I have had the necklace forever, but Alice only ascended the throne four years ago. How can my necklace suddenly be the real one?”
Eugene pressed, “Then why do they have to search for the necklace? It belongs to the royals. They can’t simply lose it like that.” After that, he turned to North and said, “North, can you find the news reported when Alice first took the crown four years ago?”
North hummed in understanding. A serious expression coated his facial features as he rapidly typed commands on his computer. The others in the room watched him in silence. All they heard was the sound of his fingers tapping the keyboard.
Soon, he found the news during the first year of her reign. He looked up the unofficial history and some domestic news, which Eurosia wouldn’t leak to the other countries. Their goal was to see the ritual in which Alice succeeded the throne.
One needed to go through a complex process to become the Queen of Eurosia. First of all, the former queen needed to issue a letter to announce her successor. Besides, the successor must come from the royal family, the Bleu Family. Moreover, the new queen must own the necklace, which was dedicated to the Queen of Eurosia. The necklace was a sign of military power, and the new queen could give orders to the army with the necklace in her possession.
On the day of the ritual, the successor must put the queen’s necklace in a slot under the queen’s throne to open the hidden compartment storing the queen’s letter. All of them were essential, or else the successor wasn’t qualified to take over the throne.
Four years ago, people doubted that the necklace was a counterfeit. However, Alice revealed the hidden compartment under the queen’s throne with ease and took out the former queen’s letter. Olivia turned to Eugene. “Did you see that? Alice has the real necklace.”
He kept quiet. He couldn’t quite get the idea for it, but he felt something was fishy. “Whatever. We don’t have to worry about it. That’s enough for today. After all, you turned them away.”
She nodded. “That’s right. There’s no need to worry about them. Babies, it’s time for dinner.”
The group went downstairs where the meals were served at the dining table. After taking a seat at the table, North asked, “Daddy, can you make spicy crayfish for us next time?”
Eugene was surprised to hear his request. “It’s in our dinner tonight!” North explained, “But it tastes different. I like the ones you make.”
After that, he turned to his siblings. “Do you agree with me?”
Carter nodded. “I want to eat that too.”
Blake chimed in, “Daddy! Don’t forget to make the grilled fish!” Olivia added, “I would love some dumplings.”
Terry nodded his head vigorously at every suggestion. At last, he exclaimed in excitement, “I want all of them!” Their requests overwhelmed Eugene. He studied Olivia’s and the children’s faces. “Are you being serious right now?”
The kids nodded in unison. Their adorable faces melted his heart. Meanwhile, Olivia, who sat beside him, also nodded to emphasize their words.
Their faith in him softened Eugene’s heart. He was used to being a decisive and resolute man during work. The people around him respected him and feared him, but now, he had his family to give him faith. The feeling of being needed by them was good. The warmth coated his heart. It was a pleasant feeling and brought a smile to his face. Striking a big deal with his business partner was nothing compared to being loved by his family.
He watched his family. He was grinning from ear to ear. “Sure. I’ll be in charge of dinner the day after tomorrow.” North frowned. “Why do we have to wait for two days?”
Eugene explained, “Mommy and I were invited to a banquet tomorrow. The four of you will stay at home. Behave, okay?” It was Olivia’s first time learning about the plan. “What banquet?”
Eugene answered, “Hayden’s mother is turning sixty.” Realization dawned on her. “Oh. So, I take it Alex will be there too?”
