Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 169: Questioning

Chapter 169: Questioning

The next day, there was a grand welcoming celebration for King Louis and Queen Consort Cordelia. Since this was the first State Visit from a Monarch of Rosandale, there were high expectations.

As soon as their aircraft competed taxiing, a ground crew moved air stairs and rolled out the red carpet. The flight line ceremony was conducted with twenty one personnel from Infantry, Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force and both of them were welcomed properly as State Guests.

They were arranged stay in the Presidential Guest House and the official ceremonies will all happen from the next day onward and so Cordelia asked Talia and Rebecca to visit her that day.

Talia and Rebecca were welcomed by the staff to the drawing hall. Rebecca who was careful enough not to break any one of their customs, was stunned by everything she saw. The Courtiers who worked for the King were all dressed in navy formal attires and they held a certain air to them. Without knowing they were emitting this sense of superiority. It was like they were proud that they were serving a King.

The moment they entered the Guest House, Rebecca could see Talia’s demeanour changing from casual to regal in a second. Rebecca was amazed seeing Talia walking through the hallway with her chin up, back straight and eyes focused. There was a womanly elegance to it along with that regal strut.

In a moment notice, Talia has become the Princess she is. Those men and women in suits bowed to Talia and noticing Rebecca’s awe, Talia held her hand and walked inside as they were led by the staff.

The drawing room was magnificent to say the least. The entire place was built with colonial architecture and so was the white drawing room. The furnitures also were colonial style, made of teakwood and ebony with brass mountings. There was a big fireplace and above it was an antique brass-framed mirror. A big glass chandelier hung in the middle illuminating the room with a warm glow and made the brass glow like gold.

Talia was first welcomed by King Louis and she curtsied to King Louis and Cordelia as she is required to. Rebecca followed Talia and did a clumsy curtsy.

Rebecca was surprised. She didn’t knew Talia had to curtsy to her cousin. Back when they were in university, this guy would visit them often and she never curtsied to him before.

But the truth was simple. Back then, Louis was a Prince and so was she, a princess. Both held the same status. Cordelia had to curtsy to both of them since she was of lower status to them both. But now, Louis is King and standing beside Louis, Cordelia has the same status as Louis; the status of a Monarch. Talia is still a Princess and so she must curtsy to them.

But since she is a Princess by blood, she need not curtsy to Cordelia if she was not standing beside Louis. That’s how it works. The rules might be archaic but Talia liked the rules and so she followed them.

Cordelia hugged them both with no intention of letting go. "I missed you guys so much!" she held them both in a bear grip.

One look from Louis, the unnecessary personnel left the room and Louis had to pat his wife’s back to make her let go of her friends whom she is meeting after a long time.

They were served tea, and Cordelia sitting with her knees together and her chestnut hair in a bun, was more interested in Rebecca. Her deep blue eyes were dilated out of excitement as she talked about pregnancy with Rebecca.

Soon the place was filled with laughter and merry chatting between two long lost friends. Both Louis and Talia felt left out.

Talia didn’t mind. She often talks to Cordelia and she visited some years back and met with Cordelia, but Rebecca didn’t have the chance to meet Cordelia even once these past years. And with her busy schedules and time difference, they didn’t get the chance to phone each other much either.

"Your Majesty, Lambert..?" Talia asked. If he was here, he should be here to welcome her. But he is not. He was the one who made the negotiations for this trade deal. He should be here when the deal is to be signed. So where is he?

"He was called back. You know the Protocol... The Palace must host at least one adult Royal at all times," Louis answered taking a sip of tea.

" He made the deal happen. I should have been called back, " Talia felt regretful.

King Louis looked at Talia who seemed guilty for a second. " Come with me to the study, " he got up. His voice was stiff and loud ; he didn’t request, he commanded.

Both Cordelia and Rebecca paused their chatting and looked at Talia. Cordelia saw the stiff face of her husband and knew he was cross. She got a bit worried for Talia.

"It’s fine. I’ll be back soon," Talia assured them both and followed Louis to the study. Sir Leonard Calvet, Louis’ personal secretary and his right hand man, opened the door for Talia and bowed for her.

"Sir Leonard," Talia smiled and stepped inside the study and heard the door lock behind her.

Louis showed her a chair and Talia sat comfortably.

" ’She spoke a few sentences and got herself great deals from President Carter’ , Lambert told me. From an unilateral deal to a free trade agreement... That expedious change in President Carter’s attitude can’t just be attributed to Lambert’s negotiation skills, I suppose," King Louis said and Talia just looked at him without saying anything with no ripples in her face. She didn’t know where he is going with this.

Is he saying I overstepped my boundary, humiliating Lambert?

" It could be considered a fortune I was attacked by a Senator’s son that day then," Talia smiled to ease up the stifling atmosphere.

"Your grandfather seems to have a lot of influence in the business world," King Louis said visibly disappointed with a sigh and leaned at the backrest of his chair.

Talia could now understand what he meant. He thinks her grandfather’s influence is what got what she wanted rather than the influence of the Royal family. That might be true since President Carter knew her grandfather better than the Royal family.

"My grandfather has an influence in this world and carrying his name, I do too," Talia stated the obvious. She didn’t think King Louis is jealous of her, since he holds immeasurable power and authority all over the world. His influence might be more than her grandfather’s.

" I helped Wallace Pharmaceuticals explicitly using my grandpa’s name. But the trade deal... I think President Carter needed the deal to go through for his re-election prospects. I come with both, Your Majesty. One cannot separate me from my grandpa’s influence and the Royal family’s influence. I carry both names and I hold myself having double responsibility in diligently upholding the honour of both respectable names." Talia spoke honestly.

" You heard her, Leo? " King Louis chuckled looking at Sir Leonard.

" Yes, Your Majesty. You were right. Princess Talia reacted the exact same way you said she would ," he said with a bow and Talia looked at both of them who seemed to be sharing some inside joke.

" Aye.. She wants to uphold the honour of both names... " he sighed.

" You brought me here to mock me?" Talia was stupefied. This guy was teasing her?

" Why are you this wound up, Mary? Just enjoy life a bit. Go out... Commit some mistakes, live life... Do whatever I cannot do... " he shook his head.

As a first born and someone in line to the throne, he had to control his life and live in a particular way taking responsibilities of his own actions. She on the other hand, has the privilege to live her own way. Why isn’t she utilising it?

" I am living my life the way I want, alright? You don’t have to worry," Talia loosened up and leaned at the back of her chair. "What do you want me to do? Go do drugs, get ridden like a town bike or go around showing my power to random sycophants?" Talia asked and was more angered seeing Louis laughing.

She has killed a person and that is something she could never get over. Now he wants her to be more frivolous?

"Why not?" he laughed. "Sir Robert feels like his capabilities aren’t tested now that he is looking after you. He might get bored looking after you. Too much perfection is boring!"

"Should I become difficult for the sake of Sir Robert proving his capabilities?" Talia rolled her eyes seeing Louis still laughing.

His little sister is way too responsible.

"Brace yourself for that day when I announce I’m going to marry a Boswell." Talia smiled seeing Louis’ laugh stopping.

"You’re sure of him, huh?" Louis asked.

"Yes," Talia said with a nod. Louis stared at her for sometime and then turned to his side and held his hand out. There was an odd smile in his face and Talia couldn’t understand what it meant. Sir Leonard passed a document to Louis and Louis gave it to Talia.

"This is the list of properties owned by our Royal family. In our family, every Royal property will be under the King’s supervision and only funds will be awarded to the other family members. Take a look."

Talia could understand the power the King holds. He even can decide the funds his family gets. He even rules his family members. That’s a lot of power!

She gave a cursory glance at those list of properties and she was surprised. They owned shares in many major corporations and owned properties in almost every country in the world. They can never go poor!

"You are not going to ask about your funding?" Louis asked and Talia just stared at him.

Is this really necessary?

"You’ll be given staff and an office in the Palace. I’ve allotted the Gresford Palace for you. You can renovate it to your pleasure. Also, You can choose the charities you desire to support. Your staff will include a dietician, secretary, assistant, accountant, makeup artist, hairstylist,..."

He went on and Talia looked blankly at him. So I’ll be given funds and I need to pay for them, right?

" Can’t we talk about this later when I reach Rosandale? " she asked. So she has to run an office? Being a Princess is a job too?

" I’m excited to see what you can achieve, Mary. I know you can do a lot with your wisdom and influential names. So hold your head high and take your wins. Wear them as a badge. You got our country this deal and this is your win. Be proud! Don’t think about the past. Look for the future."

Louis said with a smile. He didn’t want to scare her off with her workload now. But he sincerely hoped she accept her responsibilities wholeheartedly. She really can achieve a lot. She is smart and she has the master key to open all closed doors.

His great grandmother is even thinking of passing her Duchy to Mary Ann.

"I will" Talia nodded, "I hope I will not disappoint Your Majesty in the future too," Talia didn’t refuse him. She wanted to do something productive with her name too.

But her past... Can she get over it?