Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 271: Stubborn Heart

Chapter 271: Stubborn Heart

Are you okay?

Those words... Talia didn’t know why those words seemed like a little raft that found her when she was drowning in water.

"..."

Talia opened her eyes and looked at Celine whose eyes were filled with concern. Fixing her hair that was ruffled by the wind, she looked very worried.

Talia didn’t want to spoil Celine’s good mood by telling her about the article. Talia also worried if Walter would be suitable for Celine if he is responsible for the article. So, until Mr. Ed finds out who is responsible for the article, she decided to keep it from Celine.

"Shall we leave?" Talia asked Celine. She wasn’t sure where she should go now. Back to her home or to meet Fred. She didn’t know if Fred would come meet her even if he knows that she has arranged a date with him. He seems to have given up on her for something he read in a tabloid magazine.

"Talia, what is it?" Celine held Talia’s hands. "You don’t look fine. Who called? What did they say?"

Talia took in a deep breath. "Nothing, let’s go," she decided to leave this place as soon as possible. As they were talking, Talia noticed Walter walking towards them with a big smile and that made Talia angry.

Is he flaunting, she thought.

"You are hiding something, Talia," Celine shook her head, not willing to let her go. Talia with a sigh looked at Celine who was adamant.

"Here..." Talia said nothing and passed her phone to Celine and let her decide for herself. "I have no idea who’d have done this. I already confirmed that it is not from our side."

Celine scrolled through Talia’s notifications and how that one article had lead to a lot of other articles that added a lot of speculations. And the articles from Esteria were so hurtful.

As someone who saw Talia getting affected badly with guilt regarding this day, Celine felt angry by those articles.

But who’d have published the first article? Everything else followed the first article.

"Just wait a minute..." Celine said suddenly and called someone in her phone as if she had realised something.

She walked a distance and Talia didn’t follow her since it seemed like she wanted privacy.

She only heard bits and pieces and she could infer she was talking to her eldest brother Andrew. Sooner the conversation between them turned heated up and Celine started confronting her brother.

"Didn’t know Lady Celine could turn feisty, like a sun," Talia heard Walter’s voice beside her and felt his shadow enveloping her, hiding her from the sun. "She always striked me as a ’moon’- true to her name, with her siblings protecting her like the halo around the moon."

"Oh, her name doesn’t mean moon. She doesn’t spell her name S-E-L-E-N-E. She spells it C-E-L-I-N-E, which in French means ’heavenly’. But you’re right, I’ve never seen her feisty." Talia corrected him. Although she believed Walter might be responsible for leaking picture of them, she still didn’t have any proof and so she didn’t want to confront him about that.

"... I’m not coming home!..."

The wind brought Celine’s voice and Talia walked towards Celine. Talia missed the stunned emotion apparent in Walter’s face.

Her name means ’Heavenly’ too? What are the odds? Look at her, acting like a graceful warrior.

When Talia got closer to Celine she could hear everything she spoke clearly. Celine was standing with her back to Talia and she didn’t see Talia approaching and

"... I know what I was getting in, Andy. I knew he was in love with her and I..."

"I knew it because she told me! And you hurt her! Did you realise what you’re doing?"

"To protect me? So you will hurt another girl for protecting me? I never thought you were such a cruel man, Andy! I hate you!"

"No! I’m going to stay in Luxxenshire. I’m not getting back to you people. I am the Princess’ lady in waiting and I will do my duty."

"Ha, I’m not scared of father! I don’t care about you! I’m going to stay here! Send me my clothes!"

From Celine’s end of the conversation, Talia could understand that it was Celine’s brother who wanted to spread relationship rumours between Walter and her.

To protect her?

Talia wasn’t in the mood to deep dive into the mind of Celine’s brother. But Talia was very pleased that Celine got angry at her brother for her sake. Celine stood for what is right, like always. She is a very good person.

And Talia felt relieved that Walter had nothing to do with it. He is a gentleman. Those two will make a good couple.

After Celine ended the call with her brother, she apologised profusely on her brothers behalf.

"He thought that I’d change my mind of I know the fact that Walter likes you. I didn’t know Andy knew Walter had a crush on you. I’m sorry, Talia. My family doesn’t like Walter’s family because of the Duke and Judith. Asher and Josephine are bad people too. I didn’t think he’d hurt you trying to protect me. He thought he is protecting me by keeping aaay from Walter. He thinks what I have for Walter is ’puppy love’ and it will go away... " Celine was actually feeling very apologetic.

Talia really couldn’t be angry at her anymore. Celine insisted on staying in Luxxenshire to make sure all the investigations are going on properly and to collect other grievances of the people.

Talia couldn’t accept her decision. " Come on Celine. You cannot stay here alone. It is not safe to stay alone here. I know you want to spend time with Walter. But you cannot stay in some unknown place. Your protection is important-"

"I’m staying here to be of help to you, Talia. I want to share your burden and help the people along the way too" Celine interjected and Talia was stunned.

Okay... Won’t she be of more help by helping me with the arrangements for the Spring Ball, than being here?

Before Talia could speak, Celine continued, "I’ve stayed in my room for long enough, Talia. Now I want to do something productive with my life. Allow me to do my duty."

Talia was more stunned to say anything.

Since when did Celine turn this dutiful?

That’s when Talia heard footsteps from behind her and she shook her head seeing Celine blushing.

What an awesome actor she is!

Even Walter was stunned by what Celine said. "Lady Celine, your family won’t be happy with your decision. And for an unmarried Lady to stay alone in a place..."

"Why would I be alone? I can stay in the Wintmer Castle. Can’t I?" Celine looked at Walter.

"Wintmer Castle? How will that place be safe for you when there are investigations against the Duke?" Talia didn’t like that idea.

" Won’t you protect me, Lord Rodenberg?" Celine asked and Talia’s mouth opened in astonishment.

Goodness! She is so forward! Amazing!

"... I... Me? " Walter was equally stunned. " I’m sorry, I don’t live there anymore. I live in a Villa in the outskirts of the city. I do have an empty cottage near my villa, but-"

" Then I’ll stay there. It’s settled. And don’t worry about my protection. My father will send private security for me even if he doesn’t like what I do." Celine said with a big smile and started playing with her phone.

Talia realised that Celine is doing exactly what she did when she was a teenager and didn’t know how to deal with this.

She is so stubborn. All for her love.

Talia couldn’t help but admire Celine. And her doubts flew away.

Don’t I love Fred? I will fight for my love too!

Talia asked Mr. Ed to deal with Celine’s family and left in the Royal helicopter. Amy was with her. After switching the helicopter midway, she travelled to the Oakland Isles.

Talia didn’t know the small place with a small house her grandfather mentioned was actually a big mountainous island with an area of more than a hundred acres. And the house was a big mansion which was built in the rocky terrain with modern architecture.

It looks like Tony Stark’s mansion from Iron Man!

Talia could see the resemblance.

Was this design under Fred’s influence?

She wondered and thinking about Arthur, she felt her heart jumping out of her chest out of nervousness.

Talia took a deep breath and entered the house. She had asked her grandpa not to have anyone disturb her and so she expected an empty place.

But when she entered the house that was open after Amy checked for it’s safety, Talia was stunned to see thr petals of red roses laid as a carpet, that led from the door through the stairs and to the... Master Bedroom.

On the bed, there was a big heart made with the rose petals and there were many perfumed candles lit seeing a very romantic ambience.

Oh, grandpa!

Talia shook her head.

The house seemed like there was no one, but Talia could smell the scent of food from downstairs.

I wanted to cook!

Talia with a sigh, followed the scent and found the kitchen.

"Chef Fernando?" Talia recognised the chef. He used to work in the Oakley castle and she loved his dishes.

"The chicken roast is in the oven and the other dishes are also ready. Dessert is in the freezer. Enjoy your dinner, Your Highness," the chef bowed and Talia didn’t have the heart to be disappointed anymore.

She nodded and soon she could feel the entire mansion emptying up.

Everything is ready, except for Fred! What should I do if he doesn’t want to come?

Talia felt her heart sink and she felt cold. She jumped up and down trying to warm herself up.

I’ll trust him.

Talia wore the cherry red short spaghetti strap bodycon dress with low back. As she was lining her eyes, she felt her hands shake and her eyes clouded remembering their last phone call. The tone he spoke really hurt her.

After trying a couple of times to get her wings right, she decided to curl her hair.

But she couldn’t concentrate and so she decided to call him once, to give him a heads up.

Her heart broke to pieces when he didn’t answer her call even after she called him three times.

Fred.... Why? Why did you give up on me?

She stood up from the vanity and walked to the balcony in her room. To her front was the roaring sea and below her was a deep pit.

She felt cold and so she covered herself with a coat and stood in thr balcony, letting the cold breeze slap her face. Her long hair danced to the tune of the wind with no restraints.

What should I do? If you don’t want me anymore, what should I do?

Before she knew it, tears dropped from her eyes and the cold wind splattered her tears into droplets and carried them with it.

Once again, she felt abandoned. Like that day when she got married.

If only I knew it was you, I wouldn’t have left! I wouldn’t have dated other men, Fred. I meant that when I said it.

But I didn’t know... I dated other guys when we were married. Can’t we be together now because I was stupid before?

Fred why?

Ah... Here I go... Crying again...

But you were right about one thing Fred... I get what I want. I’m not giving up on you!

I’m the Princess of Rosandale and I will do what I want. If I want to visit a country without visa, I will! I will face the consequences after I meet you.

I’ll go to Esteria and pick you up myself. I’ll see if you have the heart to refuse me if I go there myself.

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