Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 369: Setting The Record Straight

Chapter 369: Setting The Record Straight

A formal announcement of the Investiture of the Marquees of Ashwood was announced from the Oakley Castle in the morning papers and also in the social media. There were many who were overjoyed by that announcement but there were still some who were bitter about it.

However, Talia didn’t understand the worry some had for the Dukedom’s financials to have such an extravagant celebration.

Did they forget the Duke is a multi-billionaire?

A very few even went far and talked about how Arthur has betrayed his ’Boswell’ family and some were laughing that the Brunton family has lost the feud now that a Boswell is the Brunton heir. They even congratulated the Sinclair family for losing a battle by sending out their son, but winning the centuries old war by making the lost son as their enemy’s heir. They said now that the Boswell blood will be the heirs of everything that were once Brinton’s.

Talia ignored these kinds of vile comments. None of them know her family or Arthur’s family. Both families don’t give a rat’s a** about the feud anymore. For these people to hang on to it only makes them pitiful.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but it hit her nerve when some started saying that Arthur shouldn’t have made a big deal about having an extravagant Investiture since it will hurt Talia – the true heir, especially when she was driven out of Esteria for the sake of finding Cyrus’ killer which in turn led to her losing her inheritance. These sorts of comments got a lot of likes in social media and although her PR knowledge told her to ignore it, she couldn’t accept it.

Talia was surprised by the blind support she receives from the public these days unlike in the past. She remembered Rebecca’s words,

’You have "stans" now, Tallie!’

It seems to be true.

Even if they are thinking they are talking for me and supporting me, they are wrong! They are wrong to attack my Fred.

There were many facts wrong in such statements and she knew the tabloids will start publishing those comments as articles. There will be some people who’d believe such articles and they will keep on saying that Arthur ’stole’ something that belonged to her.

She knew when the documentary from The Solarium Crafts is released; it would clear the fact that she was the one who arranged for the Investiture rather happily. But still, she felt the need to address this issue directly before people are misled by tabloids.

She knew there were newspapers reaching for comments before they publish their articles. And so after consulting with the Rosandale Royal PR, she issued an official statement to be posted in the social media and also in the newspapers.

[HRH The Princess Royal of Rosandale is pleased with the announcement of the Investiture Ceremony of The Marquees of Ashwood. "I am very delighted and eager to join a joyous celebration in the Oakley Castle; a place close to my heart, after a very long time." The Princess told the Communications Director of the Gresford Palace. ]

And so her statement became the headlines of the evening papers and Talia had a smile as she sipped tea in the garden. She was able to express her viewpoint in this issue and it made her happy.

Stop bashing my Fred, dear Stans!

As expected it was taken well and no weird tabloid articles were published against Arthur.

"You’ve worked hard today," Arthur returned from work early and kissed her cheek before sitting opposite her.

"Not really," Talia poured a cup for him and he received it with a smile.

"Now that you’ve mentioned Oakley Castle as ’the place close to your heart’, making your motherland happy, your fatherland won’t be pleased." Arthur took a sip of the tea and smacked his lips as he liked the flavour of the tea.

He had recently started mentioning Rosandale as her ’fatherland’ since she is related to that country through her father.

"Ah..." Talia sighed. She had almost forgotten about the Rosandale people by now. "But Oakley Castle is where I grew up and the place where I’ll live in the future with you. It IS a place close to my heart!" Talia said and saw Arthur’s expression turning sharp like a predator’s. She knew that look. That look means if they were in their room, she’d be stripped naked and lying under him by now.

Arthur was really holding himself back since they were in the garden. He wanted to kiss her badly. Just some months ago, he was the one trying to do all kinds of things for her and now she’s been doing all these things like Investiture and handling the public opinions about him, even though he never asked for it.

I love her so much.

"Maybe we should get married in Rosandale to pacify the people of my fatherland." She said as a joke, and Arthur nodded.

"Maybe we should." Arthur’s serious face confused Talia, but she didn’t think much about it. She is in no hurry to think about the venue of her wedding.

"What are those documents you tired to hide from me?" she asked as she couldn’t hold back her curiosity.

The previous day in the office, he hid a stack of documents from her. She knew everything happening in the company, but his secrecy made her curious.

"I’m hiding an illegitimate child of mine." Arthur said with a smirk and Talia rolled her eyes.

"I don’t remember giving birth."

"And hence an ’illegitimate’ child." Arthur looked serious. He wanted to know her reaction.

"Oh, really? Did you donate your sperm or something? I thought they won’t reveal the donor’s identity even then..." Talia went to serious contemplation.

I said that I have a child with another woman. Even this doesn’t provoke her and she thinks of ’sperm donation’ before thinking ’cheating’? Just what kind of saint have I found for myself?

Arthur was touched and didn’t want to tease her anymore. "Silly, don’t rack your precious brain. I haven’t donated anything. I am trying to find the burial place of your grandmother – Princess Lillian. I wanted to keep it a secret until I find out. But guess I can’t surprise you anymore."

Talia felt a mixture of emotions. She didn’t think Arthur would be doing something even she hasn’t considered to do. She thought she loved her great grandma. She knew how Princess Lillian is a festering would in her Gigima’s heart. And yet she didn’t think that maybe knowing where the Princess is buried may help bring a closure in that old lady’s heart.

Fred is really great!

"Are you succeeding?" Talia asked. Princess Lillian lived in Esteria during the war and there aren’t any records about her in Esteria. After more than five decades, it would be hard to gather any details.

"Little by little... I’m not sure. Most people from that time are dead. Don’t let your family know, alright? I don’t want to raise their hopes in case-"

"I know. Thank you, Fred," Talia held Arthur’s hand. She really was grateful that he is making such efforts for her family.

"What’s with you saying "sorry" and "thank you" these days? I don’t like it." Arthur slapped her hand. He was actually feeling little guilty.

He is trying to find the burial place of Princess Lillian not entirely out of the goodness of his heart. He knew he will get the approval of the entire family, if he gets the approval of the old lady. And so he is trying to get on the good terms of that old lady by doing this. It is a selfish act and Talia thanking him, made him feel guilty.

"Fine, I won’t!" Talia agreed although she didn’t understand why he asked that of her.

About the other issue, Talia knew since she published the statement with the approval of the Royal PR, they will handle it and she didn’t care about that issue.

And as expected in Rosandale, the media romanticised her statement tying it with her dating Arthur. The comments were filled with teasing.

Oakley Castle is not only the Princess’ birthplace, but also the residence of the man of her hearts. Of course it is no surprise the Princess’ heart is close to that place!

With just five days for the Investiture, Talia thought she’d be allowed to bring her grandpa back from Rosandale, but Louis told her that Lambert will join her grandpa here.

Louis also said that Lambert will be staying in the Oakley castle and will be representing the Royal family in the Investiture.

"You’re not coming?" Talia was a little disappointed although she knew as a king of another country it won’t be proper for Louis to attend this ceremony.

"You understand, right?" Louis’ voice was apologetic. "Lambert was allowed because it is the Investiture of the man you’re serious with. Ah, Mary... Why can’t you marry someone from Rosandale to make it easy for me? Your wedding...Ah! Thinking of the commotion the courtiers are going to cause for your wedding makes my head hurt." Louis sighed.

Talia and Louis talked for some more time and although she tried to get information about letting Lambert stay longer in the Oakley castle, Louis carefully avoided it.

It should be about the death threats, right? Is Lambert sent here for safety? Is it the Duke of Trenton? Or is it Belfauger again?

"Be safe and keep Cordelia, Gigima and the Princes safe, Louis." Talia told Louis.