Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 368: Affirming His Position

Chapter 368: Affirming His Position

When Talia woke up, Arthur had already left for work and she lazed around in the house in the morning. She took a long bath just because she was bored. As she was soaking, she noticed the hickeys all over her body and a smile bloomed in her face.

Last night was pretty awesome! A child after two years, huh?

She gently caressed her flat abdomen. She couldn’t help but grin imagining herself being pregnant and the reaction Fred would have when she breaks the news to him.

As she was in her dreams, she received a call from Mr. Kinsley. He wanted to bring Arthur to his shop for measurements. Talia had already given Arthur’s measurements that she got from his tailor, but the annoying perfectionist Mr. Kinsley wanted to take the measurements himself.

Talia knew she cannot keep the secret anymore and decided to tell Arthur. She wondered what his reaction would be. Everyone in the family knows about the Investiture, except Arthur. Even the Royal Palace of Esteria is informed and they have given their approval.

Maybe it is time to give a formal announcement.

For some reason, Prince Edward invited her for a private talk, when her people went to the Palace and Talia tactfully rejected his offer. He didn’t bother her afterwards either and Talia almost forgot about him.

In the afternoon Talia went to Northern Star bringing lunch as usual. The workload has reduced after the issue with the shipyard is settled and the quarterly audit is finished. But still he had a mountain of workload and with Peggy helping him, he was not that burdened.

"Come with me," Talia dragged him with her after having lunch and Arthur followed her without saying a word.

In the elevator, his lips curved seeing her holding his hand with both of her hands adoringly. She was wearing the little earring he bought her during their recent trip and was wearing a dress today. She was watching the numbers changing in the display, and he watched her forgetting to blink.

Yesterday they had a big fight and they reconciled at night. He didn’t let her sleep as they made love and in the morning, without even saying a word, he left for work. The real reason is he didn’t want to disturb her and he left a note for her. He didn’t do anything romantic or as a surprise for her after their fight. He thought she might be pouting. But looking at her acting like usual, his heart started pounding.

It is so easy being with her, isn’t it?

He only puts little efforts to their relationship and that is enough for her. She doesn’t have to put much effort either. The little flutters of her eyelashes and the pretty smile on her lips are enough for him.

He didn’t think they are being lazy, but more like they are like old couples who had good understanding. They have their fights, but they can talk it out and she is mature enough to understand his tantrums. She has accepted him for who he is and she understands the situation around them pretty well. Otherwise, who’d be happy without going on a date?

I’m not going to find anyone else who’d suit me better than she is, right? I did good waiting for her.

"What?" Talia was in her own thoughts wondering about his possible reaction but she could feel his burning stare, and asked. "Is that-" she knitted her brows seeing the little wound in his bottom lip. It must have been from when she bit him last night. "I’m sorry, Fred," Talia traced her index finger gently on the wound. If felt deep and her heart hurt.

"Idiot, I love you." Arthur’s eyes softened seeing the sadness in his eyes. He didn’t understand why she might be sad. He considers this as a mark of love.

"It doesn’t hurt," He held the back of her head and gave her a deep kiss. He was surprised she didn’t try to break away from his embrace. However when the elevator beeped as they reached the parking level, she pushed him immediately and took a couple of steps away from him.

How adorable!

"You know no one else uses this elevator, right?" he asked and chuckled seeing her running away from him.

I will definitely do it with you one day in the elevator!

---

"You were planning this for how long? Does anyone else know? Why is this necessary?" Arthur asked a string of questions as Mr. Kinsley was taking his measurements.

Talia was sitting in a couch with her legs crossed and watching the big guy, flustered out of surprise. She could understand why he tries to surprise her. Although he was ranting how this Investiture is unnecessary, she could see the happiness in his eyes.

"Her Highness also embroidered a part of your robe with her own hands," Mr. Kinsley said while signalling the cameraman to focus on Arthur.

Apparently a documentary is being made celebrating the bicentennial anniversary of The Solarium Crafts and Mr. Kinsley wanted this investiture apparels to be part of the documentary. In exchange for keeping his silence with Arthur until she reveals it, Mr. Kinsley offered a deal for her to appear in the documentary. He also offered her a ten percentage discount and a dress for the Investiture Ceremony that matches with Arthur’s clothes.

Talia who liked the deal, agreed to it. After all, she’d be mentioned for just two and a half minutes in that one and a half hour documentary. Just like she supports and promotes designers from Rosandale, she decided to promote this awfully talented designer from Esteria too.

"Alright, I agreed to pictures only and no videos of Arthur. Delete the footage!" Talia stood up and covered Arthur.

"But-"

"No buts, Mr. Kinsley. I agreed only for a ten second video, five pictures and my voice recording for a minute. You can have the staff talk about me for the rest of the time. Arthur cannot be involved. Use a mannequin to show the finished robe." She spoke firmly.

Mr. Kinsley nodded dejectedly. He knew she cannot be trifled with. She is not someone who depends on his measly discount and a dress. What she does can be considered free PR for his shop. He knew her appearance for a minute is worth millions and she is gracious enough to do it for him for nothing. He didn’t want to push his limits and sent everyone out.

Also a contract is signed and he will be sued to bankruptcy if he broke the contract. And... Why do I feel a murderous aura around me? Is it the Marquees? Oh! It is him!

"Can I see her embroidery?" Arthur asked and as soon as Mr. Kinsley left the room, he pulled Talia by her waist and placed a kiss on her forehead. "So this is what you were up to, hiding in a separate room? And all the staff knew it and kept their silence to surprise me?"

"Yes, how do you like the surprise?" Talia asked with a smile. She knew deep down Arthur still felt like he doesn’t deserve to take the title from her grandfather. He still thinks that she should be the one inheriting it. "Fred, you are the heir to the Dukedom of Oakley. So don’t think otherwise. I was so glad when you shouted that you’re the future Lord of the Castle last night. I bet my grandpa would be happy hearing-"

"You heard it?" Arthur was surprised. This naughty girl heard it and she still didn’t open the door?

"You screamed it out loud. The whole castle probably heard it," Talia chuckled.

"I thought I was getting neglected after your arrival and I felt lonely last night without you by my side." Arthur hugged her and whispered in her ears.

"Aww, poor Freddy bear," Talia patted his back. "We were trying to surprise you. Did you feel lonely? I’m sorry."

Arthur was a little embarrassed she was talking to him like a little boy, but then he found a way to make lemonade out of the lemon.

"Yes, I was feeling very lonely." He slumped on her shoulder and made sniffing noises. "How are you going to comfort me?" he wrapped his arm around her waist.

Talia could understand what this sly guy was doing and slapped his hands away. Mr. Kinsley showed her embroidery to Arthur and she was very happy seeing his eyes getting clouded. He was lost for words and he held her hands and kissed it. It conveyed the feelings he wanted to say.

"You don’t have to push yourself to do something like this for me in the future, Iris." Arthur said holding her hands on their way back. He remembered how tired she was in those days. He didn’t like her suffering for him.

"I’ll do what I want," Talia answered and kissed him in the cheek, Arthur rolled his eyes.

"I don’t care then."

"Okay," Talia happily leaned on his arm.

---

Days passed and Talia was surprised that she was not called back to Rosandale yet. Also Lambert’s trip to Trenton was postponed.

Talia asked Celine and Jolene to find the reason since no one told her anything. Celine was kept in the dark too, but Jolene somehow found the reason.

Death threats!

When Talia asked Cordelia, she said that the nature of the threat is kept as a secret, but Louis is extremely cautious.