Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 356: Getting Abandoned

Chapter 356: Getting Abandoned

Talia tried to avoid Lambert after that. She was scared if he’d hit her back or do something to retaliate for hitting him in the face. She still didn’t think she did wrong, but she knew she didn’t have the strength physically to face his retaliation.

Jolene stopped visiting her after that but talked to her often. She said she is getting off alcohol for now and so far she is doing well.

Talia asked Celine about the situation in the Duchy of Trenton. Of course if her great grandma wanted to change the Duke, there must be some corruption that needs to be brought to light along with her personal preferences.

As expected there was corruption. The Trenton area is famous for their sheep and wool. Apparently the Duke is not paying enough when he buys the wool from the farmers, but sells it at market value, pocketing the extra income for himself. Since there are no others who can buy the wool from the farmers as the Duchy belongs to the Duke, what the Duke decides becomes the price affecting those who raise the sheep.

Celine and Talia tried to figure out how they can help the people. Talia had already decided to push Lambert to go on a visit to the Duchy of Trenton to put stress on the Duke. With him spouting nonsense like ’abdication’, she thought he needs to get back on track.

Weeks passed and the reunion was just a couple days away. Louis was adamant in not letting Talia leave for Esteria even after she pulled all the tricks from her sleeves. Even the elders didn’t fall for her antics making Talia’s confidence waver. Louis even refused Arthur when he talked directly with him. Talia thought Arthur would put up a fight with Louis, but he backed off easily after asking him once.

Just what is he thinking?

Talia still haven’t told Arthur about his Investiture ceremony the Oakley Castle is preparing for, under her guidance. She knew her grandpa still gives input to the staff and she didn’t mind it and felt reassured that the end result would be amazing.

Meanwhile everything in Esteria was calming down. The mastermind for the blast was determined as Sophia. Sophia was confirmed to have become a nut-case and was sent to an institution for treatment. Cyril told Talia that he had arranged for a special nurse for Sophia himself and Talia was pleased.

It may be cruel to torture an already unstable person, but that cannot mean she can get away easily after trying to kill her. Also Talia believed if Sophia gets reminded of her often, there is a possibility she can turn sane sooner or she might accidentally reveal something from her memory. Talia still didn’t believe the blast was entirely Sophia’s idea. The one who cannot even mix chemicals in the chemistry lab for school experiments couldn’t have become that well-versed in making explosives watching videos in the internet.

And on other news, Jordan’s father was announced as an Earl replacing the fallen Clairmont family. Vivian and Marcella looked adorable in their dresses and Elizabeth was wearing pantsuit as if she was defying the dress-code. As King Titus introduced Jordan as ’Lord Jordan’, Talia could see Jordan cringing hard and Arthur had a pleased smile.

What a weird guy he is! She thought looking at Jordan and seeing the childish smirk on Arthur’s face others interpreted as a gentlemanly smile, Talia shook her head.

Both are weird!

"How long are you going to hide from me, orang-utan?"

Talia felt her skin crawl hearing Lambert’s voice in her reception hall. She glared at Raphael for letting Lambert in, but then she knew he cannot actually refuse a Prince even if he’s her assistant.

"Why are you here?" Talia carefully stood by the door. She cannot outrun him and in case he wants to hit her, she can at least have a head-start until Amy helps her.

"Great grandma was worried after reports reached her that we are fighting. So I visited you." He pointed at the chair in front of him. "Aren’t you going to take a seat?"

"Of course," Talia with a polite smile sat on the chair gathering her courage. She hoped he won’t attack her when he is here to please their great grandma. She wanted to tell him something in private and so she sent her staff out.

"How is it going with that woman? Did you talk?"

"No, we haven’t met after that," Lambert looked a lot composed than the other day making Talia doubtful. But she didn’t want him to abdicate his role for her and she decided to talk to him.

"Just let her go, Lambert. I don’t think she’s the one. She seems to be blaming you a lot when she never bothered to confess her feelings, in the past. You cannot read minds and she cannot blame you for ignoring her. It’s not like you broke her heart by belittling her feelings after she confessed-"

"If she had confessed, with the relationship I had with her that time, I’d have laughed at her face. Maybe that’s why she didn’t confess in the past." Lambert bowed his head in shame, interlocking his fingers together. He was sure that would have been his reaction if that ’Rusty’ who always quarreled with him, confessed to him.

Well! So he really was an a**! But he still cannot think about abdication.

"Never mind the past. Even now she doesn’t want to be in a serious relationship with you. How are you going to convince her and show her your sincerity? If you’re serious about abdi-" Talia didn’t even want to say that word. "If you actually do you-know-what and go to her, wouldn’t she feel like she’s getting forced to accept you? This is not a drama. This is real life and she seems like a smart woman. She won’t be happy if you left everything for her, but would feel burdened and coerced. So think it through."

Lambert sat silently for sometime as if he was pondering. "You didn’t speak about this to anyone else, right?" he stood up and walked to her.

He knew Talia is right. Jolene fainted hearing what he said and if he actually abdicates, she will definitely push him away further.

What can I do? Should I just give up?

Talia crept to the back of the chair seeing the approaching figure.

Is he going to put a bullet through my head to keep the secret? After all, two can keep a secret if one of them is dead!

"Keep it a secret, please." Lambert patted her head and Talia slapped his hand away reflectively. Lambert didn’t say much after and left.

On the day of the reunion, Talia had lost all hopes that she’d ever go there. Arthur also seemed very busy these days with Jordan leaving. He still didn’t trust his new assistant that much and ended up doing all the work himself. Talia tried to change his mind about the new assistant, but he couldn’t trust that assistant. Even through the screen, Talia could see he was tired and over worked. She didn’t want to disturb him anymore.

After lunch, Lambert came to her place and asked to join him for a ride. "I’ll show you the wonders of the world!" he said with an exaggerated bow and Talia who was bored, followed him. Although she was surprised by the lack of security detail following them, she didn’t think much since she thought they aren’t going far.

"You’re going to kill me! Stop the car!" Talia screamed as Lambert’s Bentley Flying Spur reached the top speed of 340 km/hr. He was driving fine until they reached the outskirts of the city but once they got to the freeway he started driving like a maniac.

"I’m going to throw up all over your car!" Talia pretended to gag seeing Lambert laughing at her.

She thought he’d slow down, but he didn’t. "I can clean the car afterwards. It would make a much better memory if you puke. I can laugh watching the black box footage for the rest of my life," he chuckled covering his mouth.

"Please be careful and watch the road! I don’t want to die like this with you."

Talia gritted her teeth to keep her from throwing up after what seemed to be an eternity for Talia, the car stopped by a lake after leaving the freeway and travelling through some old road for a while.

Talia immediately got down from the car and ran to the bushes by the side. Her stomach was really churning and she felt unwell.

I should blame only myself for trusting that Lambert. Ugh!

The scenery was really nice and the little noises along with the scented spring breeze ruffling her hair, made Talia feel better immediately. Still showing her back to Lambert, she enjoyed the scenery. She didn’t want to look at him.

She took some pictures using her phone and decided to send to Fred, but there was no network connection.

What kind of...

*Vroom*

She heard the revving of the engine and before she turned to look, the car disappeared in a curve.

Did... did that guy – my cousin...did he bring me to the middle of nowhere and left me?

Why? For hitting him?

What should I do?