Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 278: Facing Her Demon

Chapter 278: Facing Her Demon

On her bed, holding her in his arms, with her mesmerising scent lulling him to sleep, Arthur felt very blissful.

How long have I been dreaming about this again? TEN YEARS! And it finally came true! She’s here, with me.

"Fred..." Her low voice made him come out of his bliss. He is happy, but she seemed out of sorts.

"I feel weird stepping here after a long time. This place looks very surreal... I mean, I recognise everything and I know I’m back home... But I feel unfamiliar at the same time if it makes any sense," she said with her eyes closed.

When she walked through the garden and the long hallways of the castle, she felt like she was in a place where she doesn’t belong anymore. She felt distant.

and he hugged her close. " At least I recognise most people here and their usual affection gives me more sense of familiarity. Sebastian is very happy to see me, isn’t he? And Mrs. Grey, I didn’t think I would see her with her head full of grey hair. She used to maintain her appearance very well in the past and I thought she’d cover her greys, but she still looks awesome. She sat by the bathtub watching me, like she used to. And Mr. Swenson remembered to bring me my favourite roses... "

Talia went on and Arthur listened to her silently caressing her hair. As she spoke, he remembered the story of ’The Sleeping Princess’ he read to his niece. The bad fairy curses the Princess and the prophesy is fulfilled and the Princess falls asleep for a hundred years. The good fairy thinks ahead and makes everyone in the kingdom sleep together with the Princess so that when the Princess wakes up, she won’t be feeling alone and lost with no familiar people around her.

Jerome Brunton knew it didn’t he? Loyalty is not the only reason he kept the staff working in the residence from leaving or retiring, isn’t it? Jerome didn’t have superpowers like that fairy to freeze time, but he wanted to keep his home as identical as possible for his granddaughter’s return. He wanted his granddaughter to feel familiar in her home when she returned.

That kind of love for Talia and wisdom that made him make plans for the distant future... Arthur admired Jerome more and more.

He felt like he had a great responsibility towards Talia. The one thing Jerome asked of him was to make Talia happy. He knew he still has room to grow. He still gets jealous unnecessarily and made her cry.

He was loved by his family, but no one had coddled him this much. But she is used to this kind of codling, isn’t she?

I should change my ways. She grew up surrounded with love and will expect more from her life partner. I should pamper her more than her grandfather.

And that headaches I get... Maybe it is time for me to actually listen to the doctor. Ah... Should I really go to a hospital?

---

"Are you sure it is fine?" Talia asked Arthur sitting beside her in the driver seat. She knew the gates of the castle is surrounded by reporters. And to be driven by Arthur is a statement by itself - Arthur will be supporting Talia all the way.

With Sophia still claiming the title of Arthur’s fiancee, Arthur’s presence with Talia in her personal visit to Lord Lockhart will cause a stir for sure.

"I’m a good driver. Don’t you worry," Arthur said with a smile and patted her hand. He promised he’d be with her and so he will.

"Thank you, Fred." Talia said with a smile, holding that big hand enveloping hers and her eyes misted. He might think it is not a big deal, but for her, his presence itself is a big strength.

"Iris... Don’t thank me with words," Arthur said after looking at her for a moment. For her to thank him... It felt odd for him. He doesn’t need her thanks when he is doing it for his sake. It feels like she is distant. "Maybe you can show me your gratefulness in bed tonight," he raised his eyebrows playfully and Talia chuckled as her face went red.

"Fred, you idiot!" she punched his arm and with an exaggerated shout of pain, Arthur started the car.

Talia waved back to the staff gathered by the main door and they waved back. They all were pleased by her return and wished for her stay in the castle forever.

Talia’s wish was the same too. To stay here whenever she wanted.

As expected there were hundreds of cameras clicking away as they left the gate and many asked questions to her, but Talia ignored them all.

Talia’s hands gripped Arthur’s hands as they entered the Lockhart residence that had many reporters too. Talia was asked by Lord Lockhart to meet him in his house since he wanted to talk to her without interruptions.

She had rarely entered the residence of the Lockhart family since Cyrus always stayed with her or in his private apartment. Entering the big black iron gate, and looking at the stone mansion at the distance, Talia’s heart raced. The place always gave her the creeps with the gothic architecture and the various statues of weird creatures.

Both Talia and Arthur were welcomed politely by the butler and were brought to the study of the master without any delay.

Both waited at the little reception room beside the study where Cyril and Vivian were already waiting. Talia nodded at Arthur who was very concerned and almost picked a fight when only Cyril and she are told to get inside.

"I’ll be fine, Fred. Wait for me." she hugged him. More than for assuring him, that hug was for herself to gain some courage. Taking in the musky scent of Arthur, she did feel confident.

"Call for me if you need help." he whispered in her ears, squeezing her in his arms and she nodded with a smile.

It’s not like Lord Lockhart will execute me in his study! Or... Will he?

Taking in a deep breath, Talia walked through the big door following Cyril who was silent the entire time. Talia in her nervousness, didn’t notice the very confused Cyril.

"Get in only if you can hold your silence!" the unimpressed voice of Lord Lockhart rang as the door closed behind her and Talia paused her steps with a gasp.

Her eyes met with the sharp eyes of Lord Lockhart, sitting in an armchair and Talia gulped and felt her entire body freezing up. Her hands had gone ice-cold already and she knew her face had gone pale.

"I won’t say anything even if you’re wrong, Father."

Cyril was the one answered with a slight sarcastic tone and only then Talia realised that Lord Lockhart directed those words at Cyril and not her.

"Here, sit." a soft voice made Talia aware of another person in the room.

Camilla? Why is she here too?

"Thank-" Talia cleared her throat as it had closed entirely out of fright. "Thank you." she tried to smile but she couldn’t move her muscles as if they were all paralysed. She felt her entire body hurt and her joints felt like they were cranky.

Talia! Compose yourself.!

"Have some tea," Camilla’s voice made Talia gasp once more and with great difficulty, she got the teacup. She could hear the slight clattering of the cup against the saucer and she felt ashamed of herself. Taking a sip, she placed the cup on the table and took in a deep breath and looked at Lord Lockhart.

This is good. Finally I can know what actually happened to Cyrus. I can finally know why Cyrus made me pull that trigger, begging me. This is good. Finally I can get a closure. This is good. This is good.

Talia took in deep breaths and she soon had actually felt better and she wiped the perspiration formed on her forehead with her hands.

"So you do feel guilty for taking my firstborn’s life with your hands," Lord Lockhart’s sneering voice hammered Talia’s heart.

"Yes, sir. Guilt is all I have felt all these years." she spoke clearly.

It is time to make everything clear.