Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 323: Missing Prince

Chapter 323: Missing Prince

The fragrance of the flowers from the gardens, the scent of the freshly cut grass, the gentle warmth of the morning sun – Talia was delighted to sit in the garden early in the morning. She wanted to sleep in for a bit, but Bear woke them up for a walk.

Her lips curved up seeing Arthur playing fetch with Bear. It looked very harmonious seeing her man playing with her dog. Arthur still grumbles each time he sees the dog, but she knew he is pretty fond of him. He grumbles with his niece and nephew too, but only she knew how much he loved them. Bear really liked Fred too.

A man who is good with dogs and children... Aren’t I lucky?

"You’re sure? You don’t need me to be there with you? I will stand in the background if you want," Arthur really wasn’t very confident sending her alone to meet The King of Esteria.

"It is fine. There will be plenty of cameras around us as it is just a photo-op to make it seem like both monarchies are getting along. We have no agenda to discuss as Louis never gave me one. King Titus may be the one coming up with something and I can’t give any definitive answer as it is not my position to give any answers. He knows it too. This whole thing is just an unnecessary PR stunt." Talia shrugged.

"He might talk about the Northern Star though. Announcement regarding the nationalisation of Northern Star hasn’t been made yet." Arthur pondered out loud.

"Don’t worry. He will get no promises from me if he hopes to make a deal with me." Talia was sure about it. "Grandpa made sure that I won’t be representing him."

"He said that?" Arthur raised his brows. How could Jerome say that to his precious granddaughter?

"Yes, you are his heir, Fred. You keep forgetting that. I no longer represent the Brunton family as per the law." Talia felt her need to state it clear to Arthur.

"But you are a Brunton..." Arthur felt a little prick in his heart. He understood it all, but still when she says it bluntly like that, it tugged his heart.

"Yes, and I will be treated as one by everyone. But legally, I have no rights to the Brunton family."

"You still own the Northern Star," Arthur’s tone became soft as he couldn’t accept it all. He felt like he has stolen her status for himself.

Wealth is secondary. But the legal right to everything she was born into is now in his hands.

"Idiot! Don’t sulk!" Talia kicked his leg, making him scream. "I know I do. It’s not like I’ve become poor or anything. The stocks I own in Northern Star are worth billions. I myself have some millions which I earned personally, saved in the bank and some are invested in other stocks. And I’m a Princess with sure access to wealth! Also once we marry, I’ll own half of everything you inherit-"

"Everything," Arthur interjected her. "Once we get married, you’ll own everything of mine and me too."

The morning breeze gently ruffled his hair as he had an expression of assurance. It was not lip service and he meant everything he said.

Talia was stunned. "Everything? Including the properties and assets you bought with your money?" she asked.

"For whom did you think I bought them all, silly?" Arthur chuckled and held out his big hand and caressed her cheek.

Talia was ashamed of herself as she leaned on his shoulder. Here she is, thinking that she is being so magnanimous because she was not going to ask for a pre-nup and there he is, willing to give her his everything.

Who is the better person here?

From skipping meals for buying her a necklace, to saying she owns everything of his...

He’s the one who has done a lot for her.

"I feel so little in front of you Fred. At times I wonder if I deserve you at all," Talia’s eyes clouded when she said that. She really felt that way. "I’m sorry I’m not perfect." She wrapped her hands around his arm.

"Are you..." Arthur held her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "Don’t cry for this!" He felt bad seeing her eyes with tears.

"You will never go wanting for anything, Iris. This I promise. I know you felt like you had nothing when you left Esteria and that’s why you hold on to your money like that. Don’t feel bad about it. Although I rose to where I am with my own efforts, I never was in the danger of perishing if I failed. But for you... You wouldn’t have been allowed to fail either but that’s not what you thought at that time. It’s okay... Don’t feel bad about yourself. I understand. You can save as much as you want like a squirrel, if that makes you feel safe."

"Ah! You’re speaking like a man now!" Talia buried her head in his chest. He is not wrong there. He nailed her insecurity perfectly.

Running away from her wedding, standing by the creak, not knowing what to do with nothing in her hands... She didn’t want to end up like that ever again. That’s why she was always careful with money.

"What do you mean ’like a man’? I am a man! Or what did you think of me as? A boy?" he pouted.

"A boy? You’re more like a toddler throwing tantrums most of the time," Talia chuckled wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. Seeing his expression, she knew he is not pleased and is going to do something to her and she started to run.

"You are a toddler! Your entire family is a toddler! I’m a man! I’m a man!" Arthur ran behind her shouting and Bear – the loyal guardian, followed Arthur, barking at him. Even if Bear liked Arthur, Talia was his master and his loyalty lay with Talia.

"Your dog is attacking me! Help! Iris! Help!"

Arthur ran behind Talia who was running away with a giggle in that freshly mowed lawn. Sebastian who was watching from the distance had a very delighted smile.

"It’s been long since we have heard the laugh of our Little Lady. I hope she laughs like this for the rest of her life. What say you, Mrs. Grey?" he looked to his side and smirked seeing the old lady wiping a tear drop from the corner of her eye.

"Is she ’little lady’ now?" Mrs. Grey raised her eyebrows and Sebastian gave an awkward grin. For them, she’d always be the ’Little Lady’.

"She used to be like this when the Lady was alive..." Mrs. Grey continued. "Unfortunately with the death of Lady Maria, it felt like the light of the Brunton household was extinguished and the little lady lost her smile. But now the light has returned. " she spoke sniffing as she had tears of joy. But then her voice hardened.

"However, it is inappropriate for two grown adults to run in grass like disobedient children." Mrs. Grey the strict governess couldn’t help but find the need to discipline them making Sebastian roll his eyes.

By now Arthur had tackled Talia and both of them rolled on the lawn while Bear was still barking at Arthur who according to him was hurting his master.

*Cough*

Mrs. Grey and Sebastian both averted their eyes as Arthur started to kiss Talia now pressed under him.

"They should at least have two children by now and... " Mrs. Grey cleared her throat once more as she took a glance to her side and Talia was wrapping her arms around Arthur’s neck as their kiss intensified. "I think by the way they stay together all the time, we can expect good news soon." Mrs. Grey brightened up.

"So be it, Mrs. Grey. So be it." Sebastian was delighted seeing them getting along. He could imagine more little ladies and masters running around in the home and in the gardens causing ruckus like how the little lady used to do.

They are a little brazen forgetting there are other people here, but they are a young couple and it is their home. They are entitled to do what they want.

After breakfast, with her assistant and securities, Talia visited the King of Esteria. She was welcomed with the proper respect of a Princess from another country and they were all brought to the white drawing room for the press to take pictures of them shaking hands and discussing the bond between the two nations.

After half an hour of those diplomatic charades is over, as Talia expected, she was asked to the office of the King for a private meeting. Mr. Ed joined her and Talia didn’t feel insecure or threatened. On the contrary, The King looked worried.

"I did what Jerome wanted and announced the cancellation of the engagement between Arthur and Lady Sophia. So why wasn’t Edward returned to me?"

The King came straight to the point. Talia, who was pretending to be sipping tea, felt her heart skip a beat. Not showing her surprise, she placed the teacup on the table.

Edward is missing? And The King thinks grandpa has something to do with it? Is it his assumption or there was such dealings between grandpa and him?

Grandpa wouldn’t have used coercion as a means. Even if he did, he wouldn’t have used Edward! Even if he used him, he would’ve kept his word!