Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 309: Feeling Lonely In A Sea Of People

Chapter 309: Feeling Lonely In A Sea Of People

Her Grandpa wasn’t supposed you attend. Even this morning, he said he was not going to attend due to his health and other reasons. His health was pretty fine the past few days and Talia guessed it should be the ’other’ reasons.

The Spring Ball of Rosandale is an annual event and the only invitees are the nobles and select citizens of Rosandale. Surely a Duke of Esteria cannot attend and her grandpa who is a traditionalist won’t barge in breaking traditions, even if he was invited. It is for the same reason, Talia didn’t ask to invite Arthur and she asked Arthur if he was invited, out of curiosity. True, she wanted Arthur to be invited since he’d be her life partner, but she didn’t think too much when he assured her that he was not invited.

The Duke of Oakley!!!

Her grandpa’s arrival was announced, prompting chatters among the crowd. Talia found that the Nobles are staying at a distance as if they were standing in solidarity with the Duke of Luxxenshire, who attended the Ball with the Duchess. It seemed like he wanted to fight for his place and not give up it to Walter yet. But Cordelia’s family, Celine and Jolene’s family socialised with her and Talia didn’t mind the others.

Talia herself didn’t know why the Royal family has to subtly announce now that her grandfather is part of their family too, but she was glad he was here. Talia walked to him and hooked her arms around his arms before he bowed to her. "I’m glad you’re here, grandpa!" She smiled gleefully.

"Did I surprise you?" he asked kissing her cheek and Talia nodded. "You look so beautiful... I’m..." Jerome couldn’t let his words out as his eyes clouded. Sure he has seen his granddaughter all dressed-up, but never in such a formal setting. "I wasn’t fortunate to see you Debut, but now my heart is pleased seeing you like this.."

Talia hugged her grandpa. She forgot she never débuted into the society like other Noble Ladies since she left Esteria at sixteen. She didn’t Debut in Rosandale either since she left for her studies. She felt like today was in a way like her Debutante Ball too.

Just as they were speaking, Lambert entered the Hall. In his navy military dress uniform with golden braids and a bunch of medals pinned on his chest, he very well looked like a Prince from fairytales. "You didn’t bring her?" Talia asked as he greeted her and he looked to his side with a smirk.

"Or did I?".

Talia once again wanted to bang her head for being too curious. Jolene and Celine were closely following her and Talia passed a tissue to Jolene who suddenly had a bout of coughs.

"Are you sick? Do you need medicines?" Celine was worried and Jolene assured she was fine.

Lambert was followed by The Dowager in her bright purple dress and Talia and Lambert went to greet her.

"The arrangements are resplendent this year," The Dowager didn’t hold back with her praises as Talia greeted her with a kiss. Talia thanked her great grandmother and she didn’t forget to put good words for her Ladies in Waiting who helped her with it all.

As soon as everyone saw The Dowager’s entry, all the nobles came to her to be greeted. That time, the announcement of the King and the Queen Consort were announced. Louis was wearing his military uniform too and Cordelia was wearing white and both of them complimented each other.

As everyone greeted the King and the Queen Consort, followed by The Dowager, Talia and Lambert. Talia was surprised the Dowager kept on bringing up her in the small talks with the aristocrats, forcing them to interact with her.

Looks like Great grandma is doubling down on her support for me today!

The aristocrats on the other hand felt like they were being warned. They thought by taking a stance against The Princess Royal, they might make the Royal Family heed to them. After the accidental death of the previous Monarch in a devastating crash, The Dowager had turned a blind eye to all the corruptions and at times even helped in cover-up. But now it seems like they won’t turn a blind-eye anymore.

At first it was the toast by The King and after that, the dance started. At first it was a Polka Waltz by the welcoming committee of the Spring Ball. It was followed by a romantic Waltz by the King and Queen Consort. Talia and Lambert joined the joyful Quickstep that followed.

Afterwards others joined the dance floor and like any party, there was free flow of alcohol. Talia after dancing with her grandpa for a song, sneaked to the back and took a comfortable seat to avoid getting asked for dance. She was surprised to see Jolene sneaking in there too.

"Where is Celine?" Jolene asked swirling the glass of wine as she sat beside Talia.

"She’s dancing with her brothers and probably stay there until Walter asks her. You’re not dancing?" Talia asked.

"No! No one suits my taste..." she looked at the hall where a lot of couples were dancing. Some men were asking women to join them and there were some bold girls asking their crushes for a dance too.

"No one?" Talia raised her brows. "Your "buddy" is not here?" Talia whispered.

"Where is Sir Robert?" Jolene was obviously trying to change the topic.

"He’s with his military buddies. He’s not the ’buddy’ you’re talking about, right?" Talia asked. She believed Jolene might be lying and even if she didn’t, she knew Mr.Ed won’t have an affair. But still what would she know?

"God! No!" Jolene cringed ."But..."He" is here. However, I’m not going to dance with him. That’s the point of a f*ck buddy, right? You only meet for s*x and don’t have any other emotional attachments with them." Jolene said with a shrug.

"You were real when you said you’re.." Talia raised her brows.

She is serious?

"I am speaking the truth! Why? You’re going to fire me?" Jolene asked taking a gulp from her glass and Talia felt a tug in her heart seeing the emptiness in Jolene’s eyes.

"No, as long as both are consenting adults, I can’t judge. But Jolene..." Talia held Jolene’s hand. "Why do I sense loneliness in your eyes?"

"You can?" Jolene laughed wryly.

Yes, she was lonely in this sea of people; and tired. The fate of hundreds of workers now lie in her hands. How could she relax and think about herself? She, like most, has a first love. Even if he loves her back, can she leave everything to go behind him?

"By the way, I’m angry at you for not introducing me to the God-king. You introduced Celine and not me? Talk about being partial!" Jolene pouted with a smile.

"God- who?" It took a moment for Talia to register whom Jolene mentioned. "I’ll bring you to him." Talia stood up and gave a hand to Jolene. She looked like she was upset about something and Talia wondered if she should ask her about it. "You can talk to me if there is something bothering you, Jolene. Don’t suffer alone, okay?" Talia patted Jolene’s hand and she sighed.

"Okay, fine."

Both of them scuffled through the crowd and got to Talia’s grandpa, who now was surrounded by a lot of men. They were all wishing well for his health and some were praising Talia. Noticing Talia coming towards him, Jerome excused himself and walked towards her.

Talia introduced Jolene to her grandpa and like a person who had met their celebrity crush, Jolene got frozen and spoke jumbled sentences with a wide grin on her face, giving Talia an urge to laugh, but she held herself back.

"Lady Jolene! You’re the one taking care of Montefort Finances, right? MaryAnn spoke highly of you. I’m glad to meet such young and accomplished friend of my granddaughter. Here, take a seat," Jerome eased Jolene with his gentle tone. This is not the first time he’s having people nervous to meet him.

Jolene got eased up soon and started to talk normally about her business.

"MaryAnn why don’t you-" Jerome said looking to Talia’s side and Jolene had a playful smile on her face looking at the same direction at Jerome. Talia turned back and looked at the direction. The entire hall was filled with lot of people. Men with military ranks were wearing their military dress uniforms and others were wearing dress suits and nothing was unordinary. Confused, she looked back at her grandpa. "Bring Grandpa a glass of warm water." Jerome said and Talia nodded.

"Don’t let him drink alcohol, Jolene," Talia asked before she left.

As she tried to find a waiter to ask for a glass of water, she felt like she she saw a familiar, tall, redhead at the corner of her eyes and immediately turned to that direction only to see an old bald general. With a polite nod, silently chiding herself for always thinking about Fred, she searched and finally found a waiter. After asking her to bring a glass of warm water for her grandfather, she decided to spy on Lambert to find out that mystery woman he is hiding.

"So, here you are!"

A sneering voice was heard from behind her and Talia held back her urge to roll her eyes as she noticed at least three cameras pointing at her and turned.