I scan through the drafts of the newest changes of the Oxford Royal Website on my MacBook. While I'm here in Rio, I am still very much a part of the Oxford Royal Foundation. I've been doing late night calls with Rory and George as well as Melinda and the rest of the team. The first anniversary of The Oxford Royal Foundation is coming up soon and we thought a revamp of the website with a section of the accomplishments would be nice.

One year over, a lifetime still to go.

The first slide shows the main page of the Oxford Royal Website. It's held in a nice royal blue with

the Oxford Royal logo, which is the words Oxford Royal written in a nice calligraphic handwriting in white and a coronet on top of it. After all, this is a British Royal website. The navigation menu is to the left and right written in white on the same royal blue background, similar to the website of The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales and The Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The navigation points include Making A Difference, Our Work, About (which has the Team listed) and News. There's also a button that directs you to the Instagram and YouTube website of Oxford Royal. A search section is to the right.

I scroll down to get to the content. Next to a beautiful photo of Rory and George is the following text:

The Oxford Royal Foundation

When people come together, they can achieve great things. This is why The Duke and Duchess of Oxford have founded The Oxford Royal Foundation, which is the vehicle for Their Royal Highnesses philanthropic work. The Oxford Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Oxford unites people to tackle some of today's biggest challenges, therefore it is seen as an umbrella charity to support a wide variety of organisations. We use our passion and unique influence to change mind-sets to make a lasting difference on the issues that matter to us and to society.

The Oxford Royal Foundation supports a broad and ambitious spectrum of activity. We bring people, ideas and resources together to understand issues, explore creative solutions and be a catalyst for long-term impact. It develops programmes and charitable projects based on the charitable interests of Their Royal Highnesses by working with organisations which are already making a proven impact in their respective fields and launching new initiatives, cooperations and organisation by Their Royal Highnesses. Oxford Royal provides additional investment, mentoring, support and partnerships for these programmes, and lends its own profile and leverage to enhance the effect of their good work.

Making a Difference Together: The three pillars of The Foundation

Oxford Royal has three fundamental pillars: Protection Shield, Animos Hominum (Heart to Humanity) and Corpore (Body And Soul). Each pillar alone is strong, but only as a united front the change is possible.

The first pillar is Protection Shield. This includes the protection of the environment and life in humanitarian as well as animalistic form. The focus is on ecological issues that affect people worldwide: clean energy, sustainable fishing, restoring ecosystems, unethical hunting practices, conservation funding and pollution. Global warming, deforestation, sustainable food, wildlife extinction and plastic pollution are just a few keywords here.

The next pillar, Animos Hominum, is all about having a heart to humanity. The pillar includes initiatives to heal people, prevent diseases, feed homeless and help deprived families.

The third and finale pillar is Corpore, meaning body and soul. This includes initiatives for stress reduction, sleep enhancement, digital detox as well as the training of the body and the mind.

Their Royal Highnesses are using their platforms to change mindsets, spark conversations, make a difference and do good.

Because charity begins at home.

What we do

Under the pillar Protection Shield:

Tree for Flight

Save the Oceans

Wildlife Doctors

Save the Bees

Save the Turtles

Cleanwave

Save the Amazon

Fresh Bowl

Plastics2Pack

Under the pillar Animos Hominum:

Hand-in-Hand

Healing Hands

Heartwork

SunCrafter

Centrepoint

Boreal Light

Under the pillar Corpore:

The books Stress-proof, Why We Sleep, The Beauty Guide: Your body, biochemistry beliefs

The lifestyle series Life in Balance

The Oxfords' Cup

Heads Together

Boreal Light is a young Berlin based company specialised on renewable energy solution for water treatment facilities. The company designs and manufactures affordable solar water desalination systems for off-grid communities around the globe, especially in Africa and South America. The WINTURE systems can produce clean water from saline or brackish sources and can provide energy services from its solar powered power system. Boreal Light GmbH designs and manufactures low-cost solar-powered water desalination systems for irrigation and drinking water applications under the WINTURE brand. Systems manufactured by Boreal Light are capable of delivering high quality hygiene drinking water from any kind of high saline and polluted water resources. Powered fully by solar, simplicity of the design and affordability of the cost of the systems manufactured by Boreal Light are the three great competences the company is proud of. As soon as Rory and George heard about them, they knew they had to work with them.

The same goes for Fresh Bowl, which is a chef-made vending machine with reusable jars returned for credit. Their kiosks are restocked everyday with locally sourced, nutritionist-approved meals prepared in a local kitchen.

Plastics2Pack is a company that produces plastic free packaging. The packaging is made from sugar and hydroxypropionic acid. The hydroxypropionic acid bacteria ferment sugar and starch which gives stability. The end product is PLA. This material has, thanks to the chemical process, the same characteristics as normal plastic for example PET. Lots of different forms can be pressed out of the foil-alike material like cans, bottles, cups, bowls or bags. The packaging can also be made from rice or corn, all from renewable resources. It can be made with normal machines, you just have to change the resource. The huge difference is the composting process. It takes 12 weeks and 65 Celsius degrees for the packaging to break down into water, CO2 and biomass.

Thanks to the support of Oxford Royal, all companies grew exponentially within just a few months. Their work is now available world wide.

It's incredible how much good can be done.

The Oxford Royal Foundation is driven by a desire to make a difference.

Driven by a desire to make a difference together, The Oxford Royal Foundation is the primary philanthropic and charitable vehicle for The Duke and Duchess of Oxford. Our programmes support a broad and ambitious spectrum of activities, bringing people, ideas and resources together to understand issues, explore creative solutions and be a catalyst for long-term impact.

Further down are round icons with the words Protection Shield, Animos Hominum and Corpore and links to all the campaigns that have been working with the Oxford Royal Foundation. In one year, the list has already grown to 20 programmes all over the world. It's incredible how much good you can do as a Royal because the reach is truly endless.

I click back on the main page and scroll further down.

Our Principals

There are two round icons with a photo of George and Rory with text underneath. I took these photos earlier this year at Frogmore House, when I was still engaged to Edward. It's crazy how much has changed already. I feel like a complete different person ever since I landed in Rio.

The Duke of Oxford: After founding The Oxford Royal Foundation together with his wife, The Duke of Oxford has focused his attention on tackling the illegal wildlife trade, global protection, fight plastic pollution and feed homeless. Along with The Duchess of Oxford, The Duke has started to build water wells all over the world to provide people with clean and safe water (in the name of A Drop of Life) but also reduce the consumption of plastic and find solutions to the plastic waste that already exists.

The Duchess of Oxford: Since the launch of The Oxford Royal Foundation, The Duchess of Oxford has driven forward our work in the medical world. She has focused on several neurological illnesses, deforestation, sustainable food, restoring ecosystems and is now spearheading our work on Corpore.

The new we site looks just amazing! I click on to the About button in the navigation bar and then on Trustees.

Our Trustees

The Trustees of The Oxford Royal Foundation each undertake a balance of responsibilities divided between strategic direction, governance, oversight and fundraising. The Trustees all work together in the headquarters of Oxford Royal in Richmond, where they meet, at least weekly, with Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Oxford on a formal basis to talk about the work that has been done and will get done. In addition, the Trustees are accountable in law for the work of the Foundation.

Then comes a list with all the Trustees working at the Oxford Royal Foundation: Josephine Bolton, Melinda Warren, Catherine Smith, Charles Green, Dr. Keith Monson, Claire Patterson, George Murray, Caroline Davis, Philippa Sawyer, Dr. Willhermina Grey, Dr. Sofia Yang and Dr. Michael Kent. It's quite a long list and it will only grow within the next years. I'm so proud of the work we have achieved so far.

I click on my name. A photo of me appears next to a text which introduces me briefly.

Josephine Bolton

Miss Josephine Bolton is, just like Their Royal Highnesses, a person of significant control over the Oxford Royal Foundation. In addition, she is the Chairman of The Oxford Royal Foundation Trustees. As such she holds weekly meetings with the Trustees. After graduating from Oxford University (Bachelor of Economics) and Harvard Business School (Master of microeconomic theory and econometrics and a Doctor in Marketing) summa cum laude, Miss Bolton has previously worked at Bolton's Enterprises, where she played a significant role in their social works.

I check on the other Trustees before I pick up my iPhone and call my little sister via FaceTime. One year of Oxford Royal and the world has just gotten a glimpse of what Rory and George will do. On their first anniversary, Rory and George will reveal some special behind the scenes work and the secret projects they have worked on in the past years. It's four hours later in Windsor than here in Rio, but they should be still awake at midnight. With triplet girls, there's always work to be done. The line rings for a moment before my little sister finally picks up.

Her beautiful makeup free face fills my screen. She has her chestnut curls up in a bun on top of her head. Her icy blue eyes are sparkling. "Hi!" she greets me with a smile on her lips.

It's so infectious that I can't help but smile back. Gosh, I miss her so much! "Hi there! How are you?"

"A little tired. The girls have started to run through the house now, so George and I are chasing them every evening now."

I still can't believe they're already one year and two months old! I feel so bad for missing their first birthday. It makes me think I'm a bad auntie, but I'm kind of stuck here. "Must be fun."

She chuckles before sitting down on the couch in the living room. "What about you? How are you?"

"Busy. I just checked on the new design of the Oxford Royal Website."

"Do you like it? I love it! It's so sophisticated but also modern."

"It's very pretty. Everything looks good. The words are chosen well and everything has a clear message."

"So, we can publish it, then?"

"Yeah, you're good to go." I say with a nod.

"Great!"

"How's everything going with Mum and Daddy?"

She crosses her legs and rests the iPhone on the coffee table in front of her. "The news have started to die down a little."

I haven't checked any social media accounts since I landed in Rio. I avoided everything, even the news channel on the tv. All I did in the last months was work on the social projects here in Rio and for the Oxford Royal Foundation.

And look for Oliver. Unsuccessfully so far but I'm not giving up. I will never give up on Oliver.

Not again.

"Has Edward been seen? Has someone photographed him?"

"No, he's pretty much vanished since your guys' wedding day. Who knows maybe he fled to Australia or something. No one from the Rothschild family has commented on the incident."

"Well, he's definitely not in Rio." I tell her. I would know if he was here.

"I know, it's just... it's so weird."

"It's not weird. It's strategic. They're planning something."

Rory leans back against the couch, "Probably. How's the social work going over in Rio?"

"The kindergarten is done, the public pool has opened yesterday and the women's shelter is already open as well. The school's almost finished."

"Wow, sounds all really good."

"I decided to name the school beija-flor."

Rory's icy blue orbs soften, "Aw, you're naming it hummingbird?"

I nod, "I thought it was very fitting. We've painted lots of hummingbirds on the building. I'll make a photo the next time I'm there and send it to you."

She nods, "That would be nice. I hope you have enough time to explore the city."

"Oh yeah, I'm helping out in soup kitchens on the weekends. The Brazilian people are so wonderful and welcoming here. I've come around a lot."

"What about men?"

"I've had enough drama for the rest of my life, Rory. I didn't come to Rio to fuck around."

She shrugs, "Just checking."

"Thank you, but I'm good."

"That's nice to hear."

"But I miss you guys all very badly."

She gulps at my confession, "We miss you, too."

My throat tightens at her words and my heart aches in my chest.

"So how's your heart?"

I lick my lips, I don't know if I should tell her about Oliver. If I won't find him than there's nothing to tell. "I'm okay." I manage to say after a while.

She nods. "Who knows, maybe your soulmate is in Rio?" She chuckles. "Wouldn't that be funny? Just imagine if everything you went through with Ed leads to you finding your soulmate at the other end of the world."

Duchess Lorelai advises sustainable fashion!

On Oxford Royal's first anniversary, the foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Oxford, Their Royal Highnesses have announced that The Duchess has teamed up with Livia Firth to raise awareness on sustainable fashion. Lorelai talked about the sustainability of the fashion industry on Ella Mills podcast Deliciously Ella Podcast with Livia Firth. She revealed that British luxury designers Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, Burberry, Edem and Jenny Packham have all gotten into the boat to design pieces that come from sustainable materials, using less chemicals and from only organic sources. Designs include bathing suits made out of plastic from the ocean. On top of that many big Italian and French designers, like Chanel - the Duchess's favourite designer -, Armani, Dior, Versace, Valentino and Dolce Gabbana have started drawing sketches as well. But the brilliant work of the Duchess doesn't stop there!

Even high street brands like Zara, Mango, Club Monaco, Reis, Ted Baker, Topshop and HM have booked meetings with Firth and the Duchess to discuss the topic.

This is just one more step on how the Duchess is revolutionising what it means to be a Royal and the effect one can have.

International agreement for plastic reduction made with the help of the Duke and Duchess of Oxford!

British Royalty has made an historic and life changing move! As we can exclusively reveal, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Oxford have helped the WWF to finish off an international agreement regarding plastic reduction - in the whole world! Every country has agreed to reduce their plastic by over 50% in just the first 10 years! Gradually the plastic reduction will then be built up to 80%% in the next 20 years.

This comes just one year after The Duke and Duchess of Oxford have launched their Foundation Oxford Royal. Their Royal Highnesses have long been advisors of plastic reduction. They even turned Frogmore House into a 100% plastic free home as well as turning the Castles and other homes used by the Royal Family into at least a 50% plastic free homes. King Charles voiced his pride over his grandson and granddaughter-in-law's historic achievement in a 5 page long statement that was released by Clarence House.

Duke and Duchess of Oxford celebrate their second wedding anniversary!

The Duke and Duchess of Oxford have been married on this day two years ago. Within just two years, Lorelai has blossomed into the role of a future Queen. She has found her place within The Royal Family as much as within the British folk's hearts. Especially after a rough start of her relationship with the Duke, Lorelai has transformed herself from the most hated person in the U.K. to Duchess Difficult, to Doctor Duchess and now Commonwealth Queen. Duchess Rory has not only given birth to triplet girls - who just celebrated their first birthday on May the 9th - but also launched Oxford Royal, the Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Oxford. On the first anniversary of the foundation it was announced that the Duke and Duchess have worked on an international agreement regarding plastic reduction - that was the first time a Royal has ever publicly voiced their political opinion.

The Duke and Duchess of Oxford hold together over 150 patronages, with the Duchess being patron in one of every commonwealth country. Team Oxford has found the fine line between balancing private life with their very public jobs.

The Duke and Duchess are expected to spent their anniversary with their daughters at Frogmore House, their official residence within Windsor Castle's grounds.

I walk through the finished school and have a peak into the full classrooms. 32 little monsters are sitting at their desks, listening to the teacher with wide ears. My heart fills with warmth, it's so lovely to see the fruits of my work here. It's a moment of bliss, an imagine I never want to forget.

I opened the school about a week ago and today it's the first day of school in Brazil. I named the school beija-flor which means hummingbird in Brazilian Portuguese. The term beija-flor links together two nouns - beija, which means 'kisses', and flor, which means 'flower' - to create a word that describes the delicate way a hummingbird feeds on nectar. Beija-flor is also the name of one of Rio de Janeiro's largest samba schools, which was crowned the champion of Carnival 2018.

On the left side of the front door and in the foyer there's my family's coat of arms which was made of gold and then painted by the College of Arms in London before it got shipped over here. The same coat of arms is on the outer wall and inside the kindergarten as well as the public school. The only building built by the Foundation without a coat of arms is the women's shelter as this has to stay a secret. At first I thought Daddy's choice of a bear as a supporter was a little over the top, but now I feel like this bear might protect the kids here as well.

In this school over 3500 kids and parents can learn. Ideally the kids go to the kindergarten next to it first and then move into the school as they get older - and hopefully graduate with a degree. The kindergarten is named lua. The word lua, or 'moon', comes from an important part of Roman mythology. After grouping the moon with the sun and five other planets as the seven major points in the sky, the Romans adopted the seven-day week for their calendar and the days of the week were named after these seven astronomical bodies. This nomenclature still exists in many romance languages today, except in Portuguese, which uses the Catholic calendar. Some everyday expressions use lua, such as lua de mel, which directly translates to 'moon of honey', or 'honeymoon'.

Here at beija-flor the kids get free meals and education by specially educated teachers that know what it's like to teach these children that come from poor and troubled families. Over 40% of the teenagers here can't read. 30% have a learning disorder. It won't be easy but it's worth it.

Just walking around the hallways that are filled with inspirational quotes and seeing the full classrooms is enough to give me a high like no other. We've got basketball courts, soccer courts and pools so the kids learn how to swim properly. Everything is modern and up to date, yet there's security, cameras and a wire mesh fence. There's homework done under supervision, the holidays are shorter and there are specialised intensive courses. Even the parents can study here to get their degree if they don't have one. There's also a pantry with free products that the parents can choose from. Free fruit, veggies, juices, meat, dairy products, but also everyday necessities like deodorants and toothbrushes with toothpastes and clothes in every size.

This costs us over 3 million pounds every year, but it's worth it. Poverty can be fought by education.

"Miss Bolton, we have to go." Ralph reminds me. It's his sixth reminder.

It's so heart fulfilling to see my work and also so heart breaking to have to leave this place. "Just one more second." I beg him.

Ralph nods, "Okay."

I looked through the applications of the students and parents that want to learn here five times but there's no Caio, Johnathan or Maria Rodriguez. Sure, there are a lot of Rodriguez as this seems to be the equivalent to Smith in England, but none of these people are named like the ones I'm looking for. My time has started to run out. I've got three weeks left before I fly back home.

"Miss Bolton,"

"I'm coming." I tell Ralph before rushing over to him. The school was the last project to open so I guess I'm now on holiday. Which gives me the extra time I need to find Oliver.

Ralph holds one of the swinging doors open for me and I step out.

"I thought we could ask around once more. Perhaps someone does know him or something about that farmers market." I tell him. That farmers market seem to be non-existing. It's almost like I've been chasing a ghost for the last five months and two weeks here.

"No, we're driving straight back to the hotel." Ralph disagrees with me. He's been a pain in the ass today and I don't know why. He pushed and urged me as I said goodbye to every building that I opened here.

"But-"

"Hotel." He decides before holding the door open for me.

"Fine." I hiss before getting into the white Toyota.

The ride back to the hotel and the ride in the lift is completely silent. I don't know what's Ralph's problem today. Maybe he's missing home. I know I miss home but I miss Oliver more. If I had to choose between these two I'd choose Oliver, no doubt. I have to find him and I hope I'm going to in the next two weeks. But the odds are definitely against me.

I look at doors of the lift and see his reflection in them. I've come to like seeing him in shorts and a T-shirt with sneakers just as much as in a black suit. "Do you miss home?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You've been an ass the whole day. You urged me from building to building. I couldn't even say goodbye to them properly! I've built them in the last five months and I would like to be happy when I see the fruits of my hard labour. But you've kept-"

"I'm not missing home." He interrupts me. "I like Brazil. I like Rio."

"Then why are you such an ass today?" I ask him confused as the doors open. We step out and walk over to the door of my suite. The place I called home for the last five months. Time has run by too quickly.

Ralph holds the door open for me. "Because it seems like you've forgotten what day it is."

I frown at him before suddenly the lights get switched on by themselves in my suite.

"SURPRISE!"

I stare at my family - this time the whole family - standing across me. Everyone is here, from big to small. Elias, Cal and Gideon run over to me and hug me. They've grown so much! "What are you guys doing here?" I ask them confused.

"Oh, come on. You know why we're here. You wouldn't forget your birthday, now would you?!" My older brother asks me. He's holding one of his twin daughters. Charlotte is holding the other one. They're both blonde and have dark navy eyes. They're so big already!

I blush as the realisation hits me. I look at Rory. It's our birthday. We're officially 26 now - and I forgot it!

"You forgot our birthday?" Rory asks me. Her daughters have started to walk by now, so George is running after Grace, Lenni and Alex because they like to touch everything. They're walking! How did I miss that?! I missed their first steps!

"I-I..." I start stuttering. This has never happened to me before! "I was so busy and I... I'm sorry." I whisper. "Happy Birthday!"

"Happy Birthday!" She says before embracing me. "Don't worry, your time here is nearly over. The next time we'll see each other it will be at home." She whispers into my ear before letting go. "We've never celebrated our birthday apart from each other and we won't start now just because you happen to be in Rio. We all want to see this beautiful city."

"Della even made us all pack hiking boots." Ana says with a smile on her lips. Her baby boy is sleeping in a car seat on the couch.

"I want to climb up the Sugarloaf Mountain." My oldest sister says to us.

"I'm not climbing up that mountain!" Nate protests.

"There are cable cars as well." I inform him.

"I'll use that one." Nate says with a nod.

"Us as well." Sasha says for him and Valentin.

"I can take the girls with me." Nate says to Char.

"Don't be ridiculous. I can carry Eva in a baby wrap. The fresh air will be better than the stuffy air full of germs in a cable car."

"She's got a point." Ana says to Sasha, who sighs.

"Okay."

"We'll all go." It's my Daddy's authoritative voice that decides.

"We didn't have a chance to see the sugar loaf mountain the last time we were here." My Mum backs him up, "So, I think we should do that today. We can rent a boat and go for a ride afterwards."

"Yes!" My brothers say out of a word.

"And maybe, just maybe, I have your guys' birthday cake there." My Mum adds with a smirk.

I look at her in disbelief. She didn't do what I think she did, or did she? "Did you-"

"Bake a cake at home, jump on a plane with it and brought it here?" She finishes me.

"I know, this sounds crazy but-"

"We're all a little crazy." My Mummy says with a smile on her lips. "It's a chocolate cake filled with blueberries."

I have the best mother in the world! "Sounds heavenly."

"How much longer?" Nate asks for the 100th time as we all continue to hike up the Morro da Urca, a smaller mountain nestled between the cable car entrance and Sugarloaf Mountain. From there we need to take the cable car because there's no direct hiking trail to the Sugarloaf Mountain. The trail started at the left corner of Praia Vermelha beach, and it took us along the coast for a bit. This part is popular among locals who jog here often. The trail is well-maintained and signposted, and we didn't miss the sharp turn to the left where we enter to Atlantic forest inhabited with monkeys, tropical plants, and the monkeys look super-cute, they are introduced animals causing lots of damage to the native animals, and you shouldn't feed are informative signs everywhere about this species and about the harm they cause, but some people ignore them. We saw a tourist couple feeding monkeys with bananas while taking selfies, so a local woman, who went to the mountain to work out, pointed out that they shouldn't feed them they started to act surprised and apologetic although they must have known that what they did was not cool.

But my father took lots of photos with his camera, while my Mum tried her best to keep her hands in her pockets. I guess she's still traumatised from Bali, where monkeys stole her wedding band. I don't blame her, I have a lot of respect for those animals as well.

The little kids and Nate on the other hand were totally fascinated by the monkeys. Ana loved all the different flowers and Rory even saw a few hummingbirds. Daddy even captured a few with his camera.

I'd say the hike was already worth it when I saw all the smiles on their faces. The trail itself is surprisingly easy to hike, but it's cut out of a very steep hillside, and the humidity combined with hot temperatures will make your heart rate go up, and you will get really sweaty. The trek to Morro da Urca hill took me 15 minutes the last time but with my whole family - including Nate who is as quick as a snail - it's taking us over an hour already.

"How much longer?" Nate asks again.

Seriously, not even the little ones are as impatient as him!

"We're nearly there!" I cry back. Nate's the last one in our line. Della and me are at the top along with our parents. The kids are wrapped into a circle of adults and 25 security men so no one gets lost. We've made several stops to drink water and eat sandwiches. Everyone, except for Nate, seems to enjoy this day.

"The cable cars would have been a better choice." Nate complains again.

"Suck it up!" Della hisses at him, causing our brothers and her daughters to giggle.

"Della!" My Mum breathes out.

"What? He's worse than the babies in our family."

I laugh out loud at her words. God, I haven't laughed so good in ages! My laugh must be so infectious because within seconds my whole family is laughing with me.

"How are you, Sweetie?" My Mummy asks me.

"I'm good. I really am." I tell her with a smile on my face. "I haven't felt this free in quite a while."

"So Rio doesn't feel like a prison?"

I shake my head, surprised she thought that way. "No, not at all. I feel better than ever."

"Good. Because in three weeks you'll be finally back home."

"How's everything doing there?"

"The press has started to back off a little."

"Did you talk to the Rothschilds yet?"

"We saw them at Ascot but they ignored us."

They're still hurt. "Ed hasn't received the letter then."

"No, he did. I threw it into his letterbox a few weeks ago but I don't know if he read it or anything."

I nod, "Well, at least he has it."

We reach the top of Morro da Urca, a smaller mountain nestled between the cable car entrance and Sugarloaf Mountain, we have to take the cable car from here. At the top of Morro da Urca, I am already rewarded with the stunning views of the city unfolding right in front of me. But I know it gets even better. The lines to the cable car is enormous but we've got the special - Royal, rich and famous - treatment, so the next one is ours.

"Come on guys! We're taking the cable car next!"

"No more walking?" Nate asks as he still hikes at the end of our family. A few security men are behind him. "Come on, hike faster!" He urges the kids in front of him.

I grin as I watch how they all speed up out of the sudden.

The view from here is already pretty amazing but it will be even better when we're on the Sugarloaf Mountain.

We're a group of 40 people so we would need a cable car for us anyway.

The ride from Morro da Urca to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain is fast, takes about three minutes and you get the 360 views of surroundings the whole time. I will never get tired of this. I thought my penthouse view over London was the best in the world but I have been corrected. Rio's even more beautiful.

It's full of tourists, especially Japanese and American but it's oh so beautiful! I love the view over whole Rio here. From the high of the two mountains revels a gorgeous landscapes of the city, including the Botafogo cave, Copacabana edge and the entrance of Guanabara bay. In the summer, the amphitheater, located in the top of Urca hill is a stage for shows and night events, joining fun and a wonderful visual of lights of the city. Standing on the top of the massive 396 meters high mountain overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro, its famous beaches, historical centre, modern skyscrapers, Tiuna National Park with the Christ the Redeemer statue and the harbour truly leaves you speechless every single time you are here.

The last time I was here alone with Ralph and Leo.

This time, five months later, I'm here with my family.

The rest of my family joins me and looks at this breathtaking view of Rio and the surroundings.

"Wow!" Rory breathes out.

"I know, it's pretty incredible." I grab her hand and squeeze it softly. My 26 year old twin-sister.

"Definitely worth the hike." Charlotte adds.

"Oh, we need to take a photo!" George cries out. "Before everyone stars recognising us."

Daddy hands one of the security men - I think his name is Jason, but I'm not sure - his camera. "We want the whole family in the shot and Rio behind us."

The security man nods, "Of course, Sir."

"Everyone get arranged!" Mummy cries out. It's going to be quite a full photo with my parents, my seven siblings, my four in-laws and my five nieces and one nephew.

"Ready?" The security man asks us.

We all nod.

"One, two, three!" He says before taking the photo of our smiling faces.

"Another one! Just to make sure." Rory orders.

He nods before taking another three. "Good, I think there should be a good one."

"Great because that's getting uploaded on Instagram when we're back." Rory grins.

"Rory!"

"What? The people want to know how the Duchess of Oxford spent her birthday and since you're coming home in three weeks anyway there's no reason to hide your location anymore. We won't tag the place or anything."

Suddenly, heads start turning around and the tourists start recognising the Royal Highnesses. Fingers are getting pointed at us and people start taking photos with the smartphones. So much to a nice family outing.

I stare out at the endless ocean in front of me. After the disaster at the sugar loaf mountain we all got on a yacht and got away from Rio for the rest of the day. We've had seafood with veggies for dinner and Mum's birthday cake as dessert. It was a beautiful day.

But now that I'm alone, starring out at the endless ocean in front of me with the glittering Rio on the horizon, I can collect my thoughts. Last year on this day I got engaged to Edward Rothschild. This year on this day I am alone in Rio when I should be married and pregnant according to Edward's Mum. So much has happened in the last five months. I've changed so much since I eloped from my wedding. I've come here, looking for Oliver but instead I found myself. I found my passion. I found peace.

I found my life's purpose.

But I haven't found my heart.

"Are you okay?"

I wince at my father's voice.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"I was just too deep in my own thoughts, I guess." I say before looking at him. "I won't come back to Bolton's Enterprises."

My father nods because he knew this would happen. "Okay."

"I want to work for the foundation with uncle Ry while still working for Oxford Royal."

"You want to do both?" He asks me surprised.

"Yes. Two days a week OR and the other three the Bolton Foundation. Eventually, I could work for the Bolton Foundation exclusively but right now Rory and George still need my help."

"Good. Your mother and I will get everything prepared for you so when you come back it's going to be a smooth transition."

"Thank you."

"No problem."

"You always knew I'd be ending up doing charity."

He shrugs, "I'm your Dad. I have a very good intuition when it comes to my children. Plus, I still have the boys to take over the company. And one of them will."

I grin, "What's your intuition telling you?"

"Eli or Gideon. Cal will probably take your route. He saved a cockchafer in our backyard the other day from Zeus. He even built a new home for the bees."

"You sure he won't take Rory's route of animal protection?"

"Whatever he does, I hope he does it with passion. Just like with the rest of my kids. If you do what you love with passion, it's not work. It's soul-fulfilling."

That's exactly how the last five months have felt like. "I know exactly what you mean."

"Good. Because that's all that matters." He places a kiss on my forehead, "I'm going to go to bed now. Don't stay up all night."

I nod, "Sweet dreams."

"You, too."

I watch how my father walks away before turning my attention back to the glittering Rio that's a few miles away from us. Somewhere in that city Oliver's sleeping. I just don't know where. Tomorrow noon, my family will fly back home again. But pretty soon, I'm going to join them in London.

I just hope it's going to be with Oliver. He's all I worry about. I don't have a clue about where he is and I'm staring to fear I'll have to fly home without him.

That's the last thing I want.

I can't leave my heart in Rio. I can't fly back without my heart.

"Jo?"

I look to my left and see my blonde sister. "I thought you already went to bed."

"Sasha fell asleep with Valentin on his chest. I wanted to get some fresh air."

"And run into me." I finish her thoughts.

"Yes. I wanted to ask about Oliver."

"I haven't found him yet." I answer her real question.

"I see." She sighs, "You will find him."

"I'm starting to worry."

"No, you didn't understand me. You will find him. It's not a question of if but when."

I frown, "I don't understand... I'm running out of time, Ana."

"Have faith. Trust your instincts and listen to your heart."

Listen to your heart - is easy for her to say that! I pinch the bridge of my nose as my throat tightens and tears start burning in my eyes.

Ana has wrapped her arms around me a second later. "Oh, Sweetie, I know it's hard..."

"It's not hard, it's frustrating! I've been looking for him since five months now and I still have nothing. No clue - nothing!"

She rubs circles on my back as I try my best to hold back my tears. "You will find him and when you do, you will never let him go again."

The weeks went by and I still don't have a clue where Oliver is. Ralph and his teamed scanned Rocinha for him several times but they couldn't find him. We asked around but no one knew him. Time flew by too quickly and I didn't liked it one bit. I need more time. I need to find him. I opened up all the buildings that have been built here in the name of the Bolton Academy so for me these last two weeks are actually holiday. Only it doesn't feel like one. I planned on going home with him, not without him.

I decided to dedicate my last two weeks here fully on my search for Oliver, but also do good on Sundays after church. The Brazilian people have a very strong belief and I find that really heart warming. The soup kitchen in Curicica is the busiest on Sunday noons. That's when most people here in Rio, even the homeless, come back from the church service earlier and are eager to eat something. Today, we're serving Feijão Tropeiro, which are special cooked beans, with Pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread). I've always loved serving and helping people yet while being with Ed I didn't do anything. I was too busy being preparing to become a Rothschild.

But here in Brazil, in Rio... that's where I can be myself without having to worry. The people don't know me and those who do don't seem to care. There are no paparazzi here. No one asks of a photo with me. It's a true blessing to be a nobody for once in my life.

Who knew Rio could be so right for me?

I rinse the dishes in the sink in the back of the kitchen after spending the noon serving others. It doesn't matter in which country you are, the sufferings are all the same. No matter which language you speak, which skin colour you have or which background you have... the sufferings are all the same.

"Jo,"

I turn around at the sound of my name. Fabienne, a Brazilian woman in her late thirties called me. She's been very welcoming and helped me out the first few times I served here. She is a Mum of five and still finds time to serve here most days of the week. "Yes?"

"Remember when you asked me about a farmers market in Rocinha?"

"Yes." I asked her a few weeks ago but she said as long as she has been living here - which is basically her whole life - there has never been a farmers market.

"I asked around and a couple of grandmas from my friends said there's a farmers market in Maria da Garça. Every third Tuesday. It's about a five and a half hour walk from here. Apparently the farmers there do give away the rest of their unsold produces. I think that's the market you've been looking for?"

I can't believe my ears for a moment!

"Have you just heard what I said?"

"Y-yes! Yes, I have. Sorry, I'm just... surprised. After saying no to me so quickly I didn't expect you to continue asking around." I breathe out before embracing her. "Thank you!"

She chuckles as I kiss her left cheek. "I knew you were passionate about food but not so passionate. The market's called feira livre de maria da graça."

I'll write that woman a check so high that she can move out of Rocinha with her five children and live wherever she wants. She might have just given me my first hot tip in five and a half months!

I get out of the white Toyota with shaking hands. It's Tuesday evening, the feira livre de maria da graça farmers market is about to close in a few minutes. Ralph and Leo went here in the morning and asked the farmers if they knew Oliver with a photo of him. One out of the 35 men recognised him. He said he comes every time he's here and asks for leftovers. I can't imagine how hard this must be for a proud man like Oliver. He never wanted money from me so asking for food for his family must be degrading. But I guess, he's not doing this for himself. He's doing this for his family.

We're in Maria da Garça, a part of Rio that's an hour drive from Ipanema but a five and a half hour walk to Rocinha. I can't imagine how hard it must be to walk eleven hours a day, just to maybe get some leftovers... to maybe get a meal. Oliver goes to extremes for his family. It makes me hold his deeds in veneration.

But it also shows me that Oliver, like most people here, doesn't belong to Rocinha. I have to get him out of there. I have to help him and his family.

"Keep close to me." Ralph warns me as we slowly make our way to the farmers market. It doesn't look like the ones I'm used to going in London. It's not bright and welcoming, it's dark and scary. The buildings here look like they've been left unfinished. Tents are in alleys, people are walking around with no shoes. Trash is everywhere.

We're in the middle of Rio, but tourists avoid this area. Because it's not pretty and picturesque. Because it needs help.

"Which farmer did recognise Oliver?" I ask as most farmers start packing up the leftovers. They sold fruits and veggies but also meat and dairy products. You can get everything here for a fraction of the price that's asked in a supermarket.

But honestly, I don't think i would buy meat here in this abandoned place.

"That one." Leo points to a farmer that packs up empty boxes.

I rush over to him so quickly that Ralph and Leo have a hard time keeping up with me. "Good evening!" I greet him.

The black haired man recognises Leo and Ralph, "Ah, you're here for Oliver."

"Yes. Was he already here?"

"No."

Good. Then there's still hope.

"But his mother was. I gave her my bananas, mangos and cucumbers. She thanked me before making her way back home."

Maria. Oliver's mother's name is Maria. "When?"

"About two hours ago."

Fuck, that could mean she could be anywhere now! I have no idea how Maria looks like so I can't even ask around for her! Fuck, why didn't I ask Oliver to show me a picture of his family?!

"I'm sorry, dear."

I shake my head and bite on my lower lip. I have to fly back home in two weeks. Nothing except Oliver still holds me here.

"But I did mention to her that you were looking for him." The farmer interrupts my thoughts.

"What did she say?"

Suddenly he reaches into the pocket of his jeans. He pulls out a small piece of paper. "She gave me an address."

My eyes widen as he gives me the address. I've got an address?! An actual address?! R. Dionéia, 945 - Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22451-264, Brazil.

"She said that R. Dionéia is the last street near her home. After you reach the end of the street, you have to walk straight for about half a mile before turning left at a yellow house. Walk down the street for another mile and turn right at the photo of the Holy Maria. Then, within five minutes, there should be a light grey house. That's theirs. The neighbours' house has black graffiti on the walls and the building across the street is bright blue."

I can't believe it! I've got an address and directions?

"Thank you so much!" I say an embrace him without thinking.

"Oh, this man must be very special." He says with a chuckle.

He has no idea how special.

I roll over in my bed for the 1000th time this night. I can't seem to find any sleep because I'm so excited. Tomorrow, I'll go to Rocinha with Ralph and the full team. Tomorrow, I'll find him. Tomorrow, I'll be with Oliver again. Tomorrow, I can finally apologise to him.

Tomorrow, I will finally see him again.

Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!

The next chapter will finally reveal Oliver's reaction to Jo's apology. How do you think he's going to react?

Please review!

In gratitude,

Nicole