A taste

Olivia's countenance lit up with a smile as the noise of buying and selling took place. There were different stalls of local products displayed for sale. Ahead of her was a shop that had different clothes and dresses displayed for sale.

She watched people bargaining for the prices of tomatoes, fish, and other groceries. Although she was the type that hated noise, she liked it a little. It was good to let himself indulge in it.

At the end of the day, she was sure she would have a nice feeling about her day.

Her gray eyes caught a snack shop ahead of them. She pulled Antonia who looked around the market cautiously, in case they were being followed.

When they got to the shop, the inviting aroma of sweet buns made Olivia salivate. She sent a glance to Antonia who seemed unmoved by whatever was displayed before her.

Tonia sent a look to Olivia who blinked and looked at the seller who welcomed them with a smile. With half her face hidden under the hat, she smiled.

"Good day, Ladies. What kind of snack do you want?" The man was wearing an apron smudged with flour. Behind him were three females who were preparing the snacks and sending a welcoming smiles to the customers.

"One out of everything you're selling. I'll like to have a taste." Olivia stated. Joy was written in her voice as she outstretched her pouch to the man's face.

It made Antonia blink in shock before she grabbed the Princess's hand. She leaned closer to her and whispered. "Your Highness, if you spend too much it would gather the attention of people. You don't want that to happen and burst your cover."

Olivia smiled sheepishly before she took back her hand. She apologized to the man who was taken aback by her attitude. He nodded and looked at them expectantly.

The Princess had her eyes staring at the assortment of snacks that caught her attention. A doughnut covered with chocolate and sprinkles caught her attention.

"I would have two of that." She sent him a cordial smile again and glanced at Antonia. It was a gaze that thanked her for reminding her of her identity.

The man gave them one doughnut each, while Olivia took out a silver coin from the pouch. She handed it to the man.

He had a baffled expression on his face. He had no change for this. "I'm afraid I don't have change..."

"It's alright. You can keep it." Olivia smiled and turned around, leaving Antonia staring at her wide-eyed. This was not what she meant by making sure she shouldn't get attention.

She was going to get attention because of her attitude! And... then they'd be caught and she might be punished for dressing the Princess in this manner!

Worst of all, they dared to walk out of the mansion without protection. If something bad happened to Olivia, she was screwed!

"Er... We'd return to grab the change later. My s-sister is a huge spender." She giggled nervously and sent him a bow. The man nodded in comprehension before he looked at the silver coin again.

Antonia turned to face Olivia who was chewing her doughnut with reckless abandon. She took a step backward while a smile curved on her face.

It happened in slow motion.

Olivia mistook a step and it rendered her falling backward. She landed in the arms of someone, and it made Antonia's doughnut drop from her hand.

She thought the Princess was hurt, so she rushed to her in a hurry.

Meanwhile, a pair of topaz eyes fell on her gray eyes. He studied her face. There was chocolate sauce smeared around the corners of her lips. Her lips parted a little as soon as she learned someone was holding her shoulders.

Her small frame was pressed on his solid body. Olivia gasped while her eyes looked astonished. She pushed herself away from him before adjusting her gown.

"A-are you okay!?" Tonia stuttered in shock, making sure she never spilled her identity.

She turned her eyes to the man and wanted to speak but she held her tongue noticing how he was dressed. She bowed immediately before apologizing.

"I... I'm sorry in her stead, she wasn't paying attention to her steps." She wrinkled her brows as her eyes were cast on the ground.

Olivia tore her eyes from the topaz-eyed stranger and focused on her doughnut. She noticed Tonia's doughnut was lying on the ground and she felt bad. Her maid panicked and her doughnut went with it.

The man's eyes followed Olivia's actions. He noticed her lips pouting. Was there something wrong?

He returned his eyes to Antonia who was still apologizing. "Oh... I understand. There's no problem." He said absentmindedly. He walked toward Olivia, recalling the same bewitching eyes that stared at him in surprise.

Antonia who noticed this had her eyes widen in astoundment. But she just apologized on the Princess' behalf. Oh... this was trouble.

He wanted to stare at her eyes again but the hat she wore prevented him. Olivia noticed he was coming close to her and she frowned. She leaned away from him turning her face away from his.

"I'm sorry that... had to happen. I wasn't looking." She gulped in some air, feeling his lingering gaze on her face.

Olivia wanted to tsk and hiss at him because he was staring at someone's wife. But she recalled that her title was nothing, and there was nothing attached to her union with Reginald. So she held her tongue.

"Can I have a taste of that?" He pointed to the doughnut she held. Her hands were pressing on the paper bag. It prevented her hand from being stained.

Olivia turned her gaze to him and she raised a brow. He wanted a taste of her doughnut. She shrugged and took a step forward.

She raised the snack to his lips while her expression was impenetrable. She cocked her head to the side while he took a bite from it.

When their eyes met, Olivia's eyes broadened.

Those eyes...

___

Is Olivia trying to pay Reginald back for 'cheating'?🙄