Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 395: Belfauger In The Ball

Chapter 395: Belfauger In The Ball

Talia wanted to ask Jolene about her doubts, but she felt an intense stare on her back. She realised it was the Duke of Trenton. Her great grandma came to her side and Talia stopped thinking about everything else.

A picture that was offered to release to the media from the Palace contained a snap of The Dowager holding Talia’s hand as they walked down the stairs. When her great grandma asked for her support to get down from the stairs, even Talia was surprised, since her Gigima always walks on her own.

Little did she knew that It would be interpreted as an official statement from the Dowager that Talia would be the one who’d carry on her mantle in the future.

When Talia read about it in the papers, she herself was impressed by the subtle way the Dowager is sending such a strong message. She cannot release a statement regarding this, but she conveyed her message nonetheless.

A ball was arranged in the Luxxenshire Estates a day later and Talia attended the ball with Lambert. Louis and Cordelia didn’t attend the ball.

Talia as usual was greeted by everyone and she noticed the Duke of Trenton already at the open bar. The Duchess tried to approach her, but Talia noticed some of the royal aides who came with her, stopping the Duchess from getting close to her.

Talia was advised by Louis not to get closer to the Duke. Talia could understand Louis is trying to hide something from her, but she didn’t know what. But when Lambert came to the Ball in his military dress uniform, complete with his handgun, she understood they might be planning something.

Lambert was staying at an arm’s length from her all the time. She noticed the people around the Duke were talking loudly about her with reverence, riling up the Duke.

As she was wondering, she heard a disturbance in the hall and noticed a man in suit entering the ballroom. Although he was old, he had a very youthful and radiant aura. The whole hall paused to look at the man who was welcomed personally by Walter and Talia walked further into the hall.

What is Arnold Belfauger doing here?

"Wow! It really is Mr. Belfauger! He’s one of my heroes," Lambert whispered in her ears. "He raised an entire country from poverty after investing in their lands. He funds to major cancer research institutions, and he – You should know it all, right?"

Lambert had a wide grin on his face and Talia took a gulp of the wine in her hand.

He killed your parents and grandparents, Lambert. Would you admire him this much if you know that? Or will you use that handgun you have, on him?

Talia held back her urge to tell the truth to the star-struck Lambert. She knew Lambert would shoot before he thinks.

Walter introduced Arnold to Lambert first as Talia tried her best not to get close to him. Lambert was all smiles and was blushing as he was talking to his ’hero’. That shameless man showed no remorse in his face, seeing the son of the couple he killed for no reason.

Despicable low-life!

From their conversations Talia understood that Arnold Belfauger is trying to negotiate with Walter to invest in his brewery to make it an international brand. Talia knew it would be a better opportunity for Walter to expand his company, but she didn’t want Belfauger to have anything to do with Rosandale. And she wondered about the sudden interest of Belfauger in a company based on Rosandale.

She thought it was suspicious but she knew she cannot interfere with how Walter does his business.

"Princess Talia!" he held her hand and kissed it. Talia was thankful for the gloves she was wearing. But still she felt like little worms are crawling at the spot she was kissed.

"Mr. Belfauger, have a nice evening," Talia said with her usual polite smile and moved away.

She removed the gloves she was wearing and chucked it in the bin with no second thoughts. The action she thought was discrete was noted by the sharp Celine.

"I told you she doesn’t like Mr.Belfauger. She is not someone to have this strong a reaction for a fellow competitor of her grandfather for the richest business owner in the world. I don’t think he’s a good man. A couple of decades ago, he had some ethical complaints against him in certain mining countries, which were later magically forgotten when he started a foundation and started funnelling money to the politicians of those countries. He might have used slave labour. Don’t accept his blood money."

Celine whispered in Walter’s ears and he let out a sigh.

"I never was intending to accept his investment. I don’t think he is serious about this investment either. He gave a feel that he wants to attend this Ball and now I can see he wants to do something with the Princess," he pulled Celine to a hug. "Let’s dance. Prince Lambert is with the Princess. They know what to do."

Talia had another set of gloves to change and wanted to get some air. But she stopped hearing the loud voice of the Duke of Trenton.

"The adulation the traitor who abandoned her country and her granddaughter receives when the loyal ones are thrown to the wolves... Surely this is such a bizarre world where loyalty to the crown means nothing anymore!"

Alright! He wants to bring up my grandmother Princess Lillian? And is he insinuating the crown didn’t help him even though he was loyal?

She could understand he wants to provoke her to a reaction. And she knew although some nobles aren’t saying it out loud, they are having the same sentiment. There were forty five percent nobles who voted not to bring Princess Lillian back to Rosandale. That is a lot of opposition.

Is he trying to bring that topic up for discussion once more? Isn’t his mother the one who tricked Princess Lillian to abandon her duties and leave the country? What a scum to try and sow division among the nobles using a dead person!

"Princess Talia is a great asset to the monarchy. Why are you bringing up the past? Someone help him out. He’s drunk." Lord Allard was not impressed by the uncouth behaviour of the Duke of Trenton.

"Who is drunk?" the Duke laughed out loud. "Although, the requirement for getting a Dukedom posthumously in this kingdom is killing oneself with alcohol. It doesn’t matter even if their mother is a traitor. Ah, the state of this kingdom!"

Everyone who heard what the duke said became silent as they were stunned.

Who in their right mind would speak ill of the dead parent and grandparent of someone right in front of their face? And that too to a Princess? Is he courting death?

Talia smirked hiding her anger. She was angry when he brought up her grandmother, but she became livid when he brought up her father.

No one has the right to talk bad about her father.

She wanted to walk away first, but she didn’t want to anymore. She could feel Lambert standing behind her. Walter and Celine were standing perplexed by her side.

"The Duke is partially right. My father had a problem with alcohol after my mother’s death," Talia spoke politely with a smile, hiding her rage. "But he was wrong when he said my father was invested a title because of that. Speaking of parents and titles, I learnt that it is an open secret that the Duke’s father got his title by sending the alcoholic Duke of Trenton to an early grave by pouring him alcohol." Talia turned back to face Lambert,

"Lambert, was there a proper investigation that time regarding-"

Talia’s words were interjected by the sound of glass breaking and a loud shout.

"You b*tch dared to talk about my-"

Before Talia could react, she saw Lambert taking his gun out of his holster.

*Bang*

Talia winced as she heard the loud bang of the bullet leaving Lambert’s gun and at the same time she was pulled behind Lambert.

She couldn’t see anything as Lambert blocked her view. But she heard a thud, followed by some screeches of women and gasps of men. Soon it was followed by the loud wail of the Duchess of Trenton.

Talia was surrounded by ten of her protection officers and she was escorted out of the ballroom. There were a lot of cameras pointing around and the reporters who were in the ball were all scrambling around to get their station to give the first, detailed report of the incident at the ball.

Isn’t this a little excessive?

Talia sighed as she was brought to her car.

She was told that the Duke of Trenton tried to attack her with a broken piece of glass and Prince Lambert shot right between his eyes in self-defense.

Yeah, that’s going to be the official story, isn’t it?

She bit her lips as she saw Arnold Belfauger standing at the entrance.

"Can you join me for a ride?" he asked with a smile. He had his armed bodyguards with him and he pointed at his armoured car.

"Sorry, I’m a bit shaken with what happened before. We can schedule an appointment later," Talia politely declined his offer.

"Please, Ms. Brunton," he blocked her. "Drop me at the Durmingham Road." He waved at his bodyguards and walked towards her car.

Ugh! Why is he insisting?