Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 253: Misunderstandings

Chapter 253: Misunderstandings

After waking up, she felt a little better. She still wasn’t feeling fresh. She wanted to talk to Arthur, but he already mentioned that he’d be free only after dinner and so she didn’t want to disturb him.

As Talia was wondering what she should do to change her mind, her ladies in waiting visited her.

"I should have warned you about Lord Asher Trembley, Talia... I know for a fact he didn’t just tease you. I’m sorry this happened to you. Thankfully Prince Lambert was there..," Lady Celine said holding Talia’s hand.

Talia had already asked her ladies in waiting to forgo the formalities when they are alone. Lady Celine is twenty six like Talia and she cared a lot about others even though she grew up in a shielded way. She was sweet and soft like a bunny. Talia really loved her.

"I’m fine... Nothing bad happened and that’s all that matters." Talia started to console Lady Celine who looked more worried than herself who was the victim.

"He’s a jerk... Always was and always will be... A beast like him should be neutered for the safety of women, " Lady Jolene said with contempt apparent in her face, contorted with disdain.

Hmm... Does she have first-hand experience with Lord Asher too? How hurt was she?

As Talia was wondering, Lady Jolene continued, " I had a chance that day. But that slime escaped and he never even turned at my side again. F*cking b*stard!..." Lady Jolene continued with her cusses and Lady Celine covered her ears. She is not used to hearing these kind of harsh words.

"I’m glad you could escape him," Talia was actually relieved.

"Oh no... That bastard wasn’t trying to get me. It was another woman I work with. I was there at the right time, thankfully. My father talked to his father the Duke of Luxxenshire but it led nowhere. I think if he was strict with his son, he wouldn’t have turned out the way he is now. His mother, Duchess Judith is... She was an actress before and the Duke divorced his first wife after having an affair with Judith and he pampers Judith and her children... They have a daughter Lady Josephine... There was a very nasty debate in the past whether to allow noble ranks and titles for the children of the second wife of the Duke when the legitimate wife’s son is well, but in the end, the Duke got what Judith wanted and got her children titles. He pampers them too much they all think they are beyond any criticism. My father even talked to His Majesty, the King, but no one took any action against Lord Asher," Lady Jolene explained to Talia while Lady Celine looked very uncomfortable listening to someone else’s story.

What a very good girl she is... Talia couldn’t help but admire Lady Celine.

Talia had met the Duke’s family before, but she didn’t knew of all these details. It was news to her.

"It won’t stay like that for long..." Talia tapped the table with her fingers. She really wanted to bring Lord Asher to justice. Just because he is a noble doesn’t mean he can get away with his crimes.

Talia’s thoughts were broken by Lady Jolene’s rather unamused voice. She spoke as if she was hurt deeply and yet tired to laugh through it.

"Ah... The precious Princess got hurt by a bad man and so he must be punished. Now that he tried it against his sister, His Majesty won’t have a choice, right? As if being violated would affect less if you’re a serf! The hypocrisy-"

"Lady Jolene!" Lady Celine raised her voice surprising Talia. "Know you’re speaking to the Princess Royal and mind your words!" she seemed pretty angry. "The Princess is talking for all of the women. So what if your previous attempts of bringing Lord Asher failed? The Princess is saying she’s going to try the same. Shouldn’t you be happy if your intention is for the women to be safe from Lord Asher in the future and for him to face the consequences of his past actions? Does anything else matters?" she almost chewed Lady Jolene’s head off and Lady Jolene was too stunned for words hearing what Lady Celine said.

" Calm down, Lady Celine, "Talia poured water for the two ladies. The last thing she needed was a fight between her ladies in Waiting and that too for her.

" I can understand your frustration, Lady Jolene.. " Talia explained herself ."My intentions are the same as yours - to stop him from claiming victims in the future. As you see, I’m very pretty and he is not the first scumbag I’m meeting in my life. And I would have get him killed if I wished for today. After all the King loves me. But I wanted to handle it properly and so I pretended to act the way he wanted me to act. So-"

" I understand, Talia... And I apologise for dumping my frustration on you... I acted like a petulant child. Not my fault though... I blame my red hair, " Lady Jolene raised her hands with a playful smile and all three of them laughed.

This is not the first time they’ve seen her shoot her mouth. But Lady Jolene has a good heart and they can get along.

" Isn’t the Duke’s family doing the beverage business..? Beer is it?" Talia asked Jolene. Only by squeezing their purse, these kind of people will be made to come in line.

"It’s the Marquees of Rodenberg who built that business. The Duke gets grants and taxes and rents from the people of his fief." Lady Celine answered and her blue eyes had a very exited glimmer to it as she spoke. Maybe because they laughed so much, there was a blush formed on her cheeks.