Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 223: Strip Off The Title?

Chapter 223: Strip Off The Title?

As everyone was a having a pleasant morning, Jordan’s morning was lazy. He didn’t know what he should do the entire day. Arthur didn’t want him to go to the company, but there are many important things to be handled today. His feet itched to just hop on his car and drive to work.

What will he do if I went there anyway?

And what happened to Sophia?

At the table as he had breakfast, father McAllister noticed his son still in casual clothes and in serious contemplation. His sisters weren’t here and so it was just him, his mother and his father that day.

"You’re not going to work today?" Mr. McAllister asked Jordan.

"No, dad... I was given a vacation since I am overworked," Jordan said. He couldn’t help but gulp and bow down as he lied to his father.

"You did a mistake?" his mother asked gently. "Don’t worry. It will get better."

"No, mum. I didn’t do any mistake... I..." Jordan pouted.

"Whatever you say," his mother shrugged. "The last time you took a day off was when you were in high school and you didn’t tell me the true reason then too," she complained.

Jordan’s hands holding the fork almost slipped. Back then he was suspended because of Sophia too.

As they were talking, his father received a call. There seemed to be some problem between the staff of one of their warehouses and it seemed like the situation got worse and the cops got called.

Seeing his father getting up without even finishing his breakfast, Jordan felt bad. "Dad, do you mind if I take care of it? I know the superintendent of police of that area and.... If you allow me, I can handle it," he hesitated to ask.

He wasn’t hesitating because it was a tough job. This is nothing compared to the work he does for Arthur. He was hesitating because he wondered if his father would trust him enough to let him handle it.

" Don’t bother, " his dad said indifferently and stood up and Jordan bowed his head.

Ha! I guessed right. Father would never trust me. He thinks I’m talentless.

"Darling, what are you saying? Weren’t you complaining last night that you had bad back ache? Why don’t you rest and let little Jordy handle this? Even the Duke of Oakley trusts your son, why can’t you?" his mother stood up and said holding his father’s arms.

There was silence for sometime. Mr. McAllister looked at his son with his chin buried in his chest as of he was ashamed to look at him.

" I know this is nothing for him. " his father’s voice broke the silence. "I didn’t think he’d be interested in all these..." he looked at Jordan.

Jordan’s eyes met with his father’s. He didn’t see any disapproval in his father’s face. He seemed more like he was feeling inferior? Why?

"After all, our company is nothing compared to the Northern Star. I mean, when have I ever brought an expensive gift for a worker in my company? Lord Brunton does! For Jordan’s capability and expertise... our company won’t be that challenging for him. He is a very smart and an adventurous boy. I cannot trap him in my little company," his father said and walked out of the dining hall.

His son is very capable and he had heard stories about him in the business world. His son loved working there. How will he as a father, bring him to his modest company? It would be like clipping his feathers so he can’t fly higher. He won’t do that. All his kids are exceptional. What more is needed for a father that to see his children flourishing? He really was happy with his life.

So this is why father never asked me to join his company? And not because he thought I was talentless?

Jordan felt like a warm spring was bubbling from his heart.

" Dad.... Wait... " he ran after him. "Wait for me!"

-----

Talia was brought to the Palace of Charentes, the Balstone city (Capital city of Rosandale) residence and the administrative headquarters of the Monarch of Rosandale.

All the while, she didn’t let go of the bouquet of roses in her hand and she stored the card safely in her purse.

Talia depended on Mr. Ed and followed him inside the Palace. She wasn’t acquainted with this place. By the entrance, here were many troops of the Palace guards with their colourful uniforms, saluting and welcoming her. The band even played a song.

Talia politely accepted their welcome and walked in. She knew they are not here for her, but for the King who will arrive in half an hour.

She was brought to one of the dining halls and only then she passed the bouquet to one of her staff and asked them to keep it in the room she is staying. Upon entering, she rolled her eyes seeing Lambert there.

"Well, hello! Welcome back, little Orangutan!" he didn’t hold back his snickers seeing her.

"I’m back, little brother," Talia pushed away his hands that were about to hug her and she bit her lips to stop herself from smiling seeing his face going red with anger.

Nothing gets him angry like when he is referred to as her little brother.

"I thought we decided that we are not to be referred as sister and brother," he said pulling out a chair for her to sit.

"And I agreed to be called an orangutan?" Talia raised her eyebrows as she looked at him. Her heart felt warm seeing him grit his teeth.

Your pain is my dessert, brother dear!

She held the chair as she sat.

Who can say, that guy won’t pull it out and make her fall on her butt?

As expected, as she was about to sit she felt a pull on the chair.

"Sir Robert, he is trying to make me fall by pulling the chair from under me," Talia didn’t wait to complain to Mr. Ed. She didn’t let go of the chair either.

Mr. Ed only sighed. Why is this situation eerily similar to the situation in his home when his daughter and son fight?

"Your Highness Prince Lambert, you cannot bully Princess Talia," Mr. Ed said. He really wished his children won’t fight like this when they are in their mid-twenties. That would be too... Troublesome.

"Ugh! Why are you with her Sir Robert? I’m going to talk to my brother and transfer you to my -"

"You wish!" Talia interrupted. "Let’s have a talk with our great grandmother and see who she’d side with!" she couldn’t help but smirk.

"Have a hearty breakfast, big sister. This little brother will wait on you," Prince Lambert said with a polite smile, hiding his anger.

Of course their great grandmother will side with Talia!

The smirk on Talia’s face froze and gradually got replaced by her twitching lips.

I am not your big sister!

She wanted to scream.

"That’s so kind of you, little brother. You should eat a lot too. Growing boys like you should have more. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day," Talia swallowed her anger and smiled politely.

The entire meal was finished with both of them acting in a passive aggressive manner. When written in a transcript without recording their facial expressions, their conversation would seem like that of a very caring brother’s and sister’s. But in reality, both of them were throwing daggers at each other with their eyes.

Both Talia’s and Lambert’s staff, couldn’t help but sigh seeing the Royal family members, who are the third and fourth in line to the throne, acting like spoilt little kids.

Why is the Princess getting back at the Prince now? She used to be more calm in the past. What should we do if their fight intensifies? Will it affect their duties? Will they ever get along properly? Or will their not so good relationship be ousted in public?

Talia was really not pleased to meet Lambert the moment she entered Rosandale. She was sitting in her room pouting. They had received news that the King will arrive soon and she would be needed to meet him in his office when he calls.

As she was waiting, she received a mail from Arthur. It had a pdf file attached to it and reading it, Talia’s lips curled up.

He’s going to vote out the nobles in the board of Northern Star and replace them with trusted people who’ve worked in the Northern Star for long.

Arthur called later. Talia told him how much she loved the flowers. But she asked him to not send flowers through the public anymore since she was told off by the Palace courtiers.

Arthur felt bad for putting her on the spot, but Talia shrugged it off. ’It’s not like they can fire me!’ she laughed and she couldn’t understand it when Arthur was surprised that she didn’t take it seriously.

It’s not like she has a thin skin! She can handle criticisms if they are valid.

Arthur then told Talia that her grandfather legally made him his heir to the Dukedom of Oakley. Hearing his panicked voice, Talia could only laugh.

Why was he surprised by my grandpa’s decision?

-----

Arthur this time walked through the high archways of the hallways leading to the Council meeting. His leather sole shoe made clicking noise against the checkered mosaic tiles.

His phone notification sound rang and he saw the text message from Archibald and he smiled with his lips pressed together.

[ It is done. Good luck over there.]

Unlike last time, he was not barging in, he was called in.

As he entered the big room, his eyes focused on Sophia who was also present there with her eyes red and face full of grievances. The two Lords - Lord Claremont and Lord Reiley who were suddenly voted out from the board were fuming and shouting at each other and Lord Brenner, who was another ex-board member of Northern Star was calming them down. Among the Lords, there were their assistants and some even brought their lawyers. It all looked very confusing.

"Your Majesty," Arthur bowed. Prince Edward really is not here and The King of Esteria actually is sitting in the council.

Wow! This is going to be so fun.

"We wished to contact the Duke of Oakley since we wanted to clarify something. But we couldn’t contact him?" The King, who actually seemed pale as he was sick, still spoke with authority.

" I apologise on behalf of grandfather, Your Majesty. Grandfather left for Rosandale to meet Talia and he can’t be contacted for now, Sire." Arthur spoke politely.

"What? How could he leave just like that? He never applied for Visa-" Lord Reiley bit his tongue and stopped himself from speaking further. He just agreed he’s been spying on Jerome Brunton.

Of course Arthur knew it, but he pretended he didn’t catch what he meant. " Talia got permission for her grandfather to visit her from the King of Rosandale since she was refused visa to enter Esteria. Grandfather plans to stay in Rosandale and get treatment for his illness as per Talia’s request," he answered politely.

Of course this is going to be the official statement which would be released... Now!

He checked his phone and as expected, a news article published official statement that Jerome Brunton has left Esteria to live in Rosandale with his granddaughter for the time being.

"How dare he betray his own country? He left with his title and money and ran to the neighbouring country we all hate?"

"Is he planning a coup?"

"What a traitor!"

All the Lords started talking to each other and the entire hall seemed like a market place more than the place of the highest power.

Arthur looked at Lord Wallace who was leaning back on the chair with his hands folded over his chest, silently. Lord Lockhart was in deep thoughts and his face, hardened by the military services he’s done, held no emotions and nothing could be discerned from his face.

"Calm down!" a powerful voice of Lord Brenner stopped others to silence. He then stood from his seat. "Your Majesty, what happened is unfortunate. The last time something like this was done... Unfortunately, the crown had to interfere and the Boswell family lost their title. I beg you to reach a wise decision."

There they go! Arthur’s anger rose and he fisted his hands.

This bloodsucking vampires who go after others riches! Piranhas! Vultures! Deplorables!

"What did grandfather do wrong?" Arthur asked. "He wanted to meet his granddaughter during the twilight of his life and so he should be stripped off his title and his wealth? What kind of justice is that?"

Everyone except the King, Lord Wallace and Lord Lockhart started shouting at him at the same time, making everything chaotic and he couldn’t understand a single word.

" It won’t be a problem if he wants to meet his granddaughter who is just a girl. But his granddaughter has been exiled from our nation and she has accepted the Royal title from another nation. Of course what he did is betrayal!" one of the many aides who was standing said.

"Exiled? Lady Talia Mary Ann Whiteford Brunton was exiled from Esteria? What’s with this new narrative?" Arthur raised his eyebrows. Amongst all other noises, his voice carried heavy authority making everyone else shut up and listen to him.

"Last time I checked, she wasn’t thrown away. She left Esteria, herself!" he snorted. "Am I wrong?" he looked at the King himself.

"She killed the Heir Apparent of Lord Lockhart and she was punished for it. It is a fact we kept within the council. The public is not privy to that information. Lady Talia is exiled from Esteria and she can never step foot inside our nation." Lord Brenner said gritting his teeth at Arthur and then he turned to look at the King, "Your Majesty, now that Jerome wants to associate with an exiled criminal, his title should be removed and his wealth should be nationalised."