"Olivia!"
The duchess's voice penetrated the darkness as she woke the princess from her restless slumber.
"My sweet little daughter!! Wake up!! Mother is waiting for you!!"
Princess Olivia, still groggy and wrapped in the comforting embrace of sleep, mumbled, "Mother, let me sleep!!" as she clung to the other side of the bed.
But the duchess was insistent. "Princess, didn't you hear!!! I told you to wake up!!!" Her voice grew stern, startling Olivia awake.
"M-mother, you are here?" Olivia stuttered, realizing the severity of the situation.
"Yes, it is me! Is this how you are going to be the crown princess? Is this how you are going to present yourself in front of the entire empire?" The duchess voiced her frustration, pressing her expectations onto the princess.