Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 381: Fighting Back

Chapter 381: Fighting Back

After they reached Rosandale, they were given a day of rest. Talia’s aides informed her that Louis has started to leak news about the government take-over of the wool business. Just like Talia proposed, groundwork for the cooperative department for trading wool is being set up in the Trenton Duchy.

Louis is doubling down on the Duke of Trenton? Good! We cannot be pushovers for long, can we?

Talia was all smiles.

As she as lounging in the garden in the evening, she received her weekly call from Rebecca.

"Did you know Tallie? That club you visited with Joe that is owned by one of your Dukes... Joe heard the higher-ups are planning to investigate the group of clubs as there are reports of illegal activities." Rebecca spoke in a hushed tone.

"Take it with a grain of salt as it came from my mother-in-law. She knows I’ll speak to you about it and as always your monarchy will try to save their reputation by interfering. Maybe her husband purposefully sent her to me so that he would get paid to hush up the investigations by Louis. I think he might preside over the probe against the club, if launched. Do you know anything about it?" Rebecca asked.

After Talia’s visit to Rebecca, Joe’s mother started visiting her often. Joe had forbidden his parents to visit his home. But his mother would come secretly when Joe is not around claiming she wants to take care of Rebecca. Talia expressed her concerns towards the sudden change in attitude of that haughty woman. Rebecca the ever kind ’angel’ doesn’t trust her and couldn’t forget how she humiliated her in the past either. Still she accepts her in her home and Talia could only ask her to be careful.

"What kind of illegal activities?"

This was the first time Talia heard of it. It made her wonder if Louis is actually going offence on the Duke by attacking him on all fronts.

"I’m not sure, but it is said that someone who caters to nonces has set his base in one of the clubs." Rebecca whispered.

"Nonce? Cryptographic nonce? Number only used once?" Talia truly didn’t understand how this is connected to the clubs.

"You-" Rebecca held herself back from cussing. "A pimp for nonces as in ’kiddie diddlers’."

Talia felt her head spin. "Isn’t that a very serious accusation? Wouldn’t that destroy the name of the club entirely?"

"Yes and hence there is the talk for a special probe from the Federal Bureau under a Senator. But still Tallie, the Duke has ways to shirk responsibility by claiming ignorance. He cannot know what every person visiting his club does in their spare time..." Rebecca tried to play the devil’s advocate for the Duke thinking Talia is worried for him.

Wow! Louis is giving the death blow to the Duke. If his club is investigated for harbouring criminals and that too harbouring someone everyone despises, the Club will have no way to save its reputation unless a very talented PR firm is involved.

Feldstein Associates can save the reputation of the club, but if Joe’s father presides over the investigation, Joe won’t be able to represent the Club for legal reasons and it won’t be good optics.

Did Louis plan all these?

If it is all Louis’ plan, with everything on the line, how desperate will the Duke of Trenton be now?

"Pretend you didn’t speak to me about this, Rebecca," Talia asked her and Rebecca agreed. After talking to her for a while, Talia ended the call.

Now she could understand why Louis sent Lambert out of the country and under the wing of Brunton family. He wanted all the resources to protect his wife and kids since he was making very dangerous moves against the Duke.

If we are called back, he will go forth with the plan?

The next day, both Talia and Lambert were called to meet Louis in his office. Little Henry was playing in the office and after greeting his uncle and aunt, he was brought back for his tuition.

Louis looked worn out and sombre making both Talia and Lambert feel bad for him.

Louis told them about having an Investiture for Walter Trembley since he is taking on his duties as a Duke as his father stepped down from his role. It was not planned as an elaborate affair as Arthur’s Investiture, but as a small ceremony with the King investing the title and a party afterwards in the Luxxenshire Estate.

"That’s all?" Talia felt a bit disappointed. When she was ’ordered’ to visit the King, she thought he’d talk about the Duke of Trenton. Is Walter’s Investiture that important to be informed by the King himself?

"Why? What else did you expect?" Louis had a calm smile as he sat with his elbows on the table and his fingers were interlocked. "I wanted to see my siblings in person after not meeting them for days. And since both of you went on vacation for months, you have a lot of duties to complete and both of you should work tirelessly in the next couple of months."

"That is not a problem. But I heard there might be a probe from the federal bureau of A- Country against the Clubs owned by the Duke of Trenton. Do you know anything about it?" Talia was straight forward.

Lambert had an awed expression and Louis had a proud smile. "Your sources are not wrong. The director of A-Country’s Federal Bureau contacted me as a courtesy, since they had received some serious complaints about a guy who frequents that Club the Duke of Trenton owns. I gave them my promise that the Duke will help the investigators in every way possible. After all a guy involved in trafficking little kids for promiscuous activities should be brought to justice and Rosandale stands behind the Duke to bring that pig to justice."

"Oh, spare those words for the press release, Louis. You really found a way to bring him to his knees?" Lambert laughed.

"He was very courageous when he threatened my family. He should be able to handle the federal investigations too." Louis scoffed. "I cannot stand silent when my family is threatened. It is time to fight back. After all, I am the King and I have more connections and authority than a Duke who serves me."

"He made threats?" Talia raised her brows. He threatened little boys who are not even five yet?

"Yes! That...prick!" Louis stood up from his chair and walked to the window, fisting his hand. "He tried to start a hate campaign against you using the press and he actually tampered with Lambert’s car. He should face how tough life is without my protection, before I watch him die in the most miserable way." Louis gritted his teeth.

He got this angry for us? Talia was a little surprised and she turned to see Lambert with a contemplative look.

"My ladies in waiting will need protection." Talia requested. "Especially Celine. She helps me a lot and she might have caught the attention of that scum."

"That red head might be in danger too as she runs her mouth supporting you not minding who she talks to." Lambert followed Talia’s statement immediately making Talia a little sceptical of this guy. "The other day she grabbed a guy by his collar for stating that you’re more loyal to your grandpa than to your King."

"I’ll see what I can do about it." Louis said taking his seat. "You can leave now."

Both of them turned to leave but Louis’ crisp voice made Lambert pause. "Not you Berty."

Talia wondered what Louis had to secretly talk to Lambert. As she got out in deep thoughts, she was startled realising a tall figure approaching her from the side.

"Lord Rodenberg, Good morning." Talia smiled and Walter gave her a bow. Talia guessed he must be here to discuss about his Investiture ceremony. She had nothing to speak to him and tried to walk away but was stopped by him.

"Your Highness, I have something to talk to you about."

"Sure, speak frankly," Talia although was surprised, decided to listen.

"That..." Walter hesitated for a moment but then he cleared his throat. "Princess Talia, I would greatly appreciate it if you stop crediting Celine for her work she does for you. It makes her the target of certain bullies."

What? Did something happen to Celine without me knowing?

Talia was stunned. The tone Walter used that had a tinge of anger and blame making Talia a bit agitated.

"Is this your request solely or did Celine asked you to speak on her behalf?" she spoke in the same tone he spoke.

Walter looked stunned for a second probably because he didn’t expect Talia to speak in that tone, but Talia fixed her stare on him.

"It is my personal request. She gets the same threats as you by virtue of association, but she does not have 257 protection officers protecting her 24/7."

He still spoke in the same tone keeping the eye contact.

Although Talia was pleased by his care towards Celine, she didn’t appreciate him requesting this behind Celine’s back.

"I am not some lowly creature to take credit for other’s hard work, Lord Rodenberg. And Lady Celine knows very well the risks involved by associating with me and still she stays by my side willingly. Hope you learn to appreciate her decision."

Talia walked away in larger strides hiding her anger.

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