Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 399: Opportunity To Escape

Chapter 399: Opportunity To Escape

Talia looked down at Lady Edith who looked much worse than the day she last met her. She couldn’t even get up and she was brought to the funeral in a wheelchair.

"I did help your family." Talia said with a very concerned face, holding the hands of Lady Edith.

Of course there were photographers picturing every movement of Talia. Talia’s presence in the funeral would be considered a proof of her dignified grace and class.

After all the Trenton family has done a lot of harm to Talia and her family.

"I spoke with the President of A- Country and helped unfreeze the accounts tied to the clubs your son owned. Your daughter-in-law and granddaughter used that money to pay back the debts your son owed to the crown and they have left Rosandale already." Talia spoke softly.

"Who cares about those two? My son is dead and my grandson...My grandson was pushed to suicide. If only he was-"

Seriously, this old lady must be a sociopath! She only cares about her male heirs and doesn’t care about the other family members? What a bigot!

"My great grandmother wanted me to pass you a message, Lady Edith." Talia leaned closer to her ear. "It was not a suicide, Lady Edith."

Talia could feel Lady Edith holding her hand pretty hard. But her strength was not that great and Talia easily got out of her grip.

"Did you hear me, Lady Edith? Your grandson was killed inside the prison. The women of your family left Rosandale agreeing that they will never return. Your daughter-in-law won’t attend her son’s funeral because she got ten million dollars to leave Rosandale. Do you remember my great grandma’s words, Lady Edith? There is no family left to attend your funeral. But don’t worry. You will be given a fine pine coffin by the hospice management. You really should have thought twice before starting to hurt someone else’s children, Lady Edith. Your bad deeds do catch up to you. May you rot in hell."

Talia said all this without a change in her expression. Lady Edith was too stunned to say anything and stared blankly.

In the following days the Trentons were removed from the succession of the Duchy of Trenton and the announcement of the next Duke of Trenton was put on hold. Under Talia’s advice, Lambert was given the responsibility of taking care of the Duchy in the absence of a Duke.

This was planned to ease the people up to accept Lambert as the Duke in the future. Since this the first time something like this is tired, they needed to take as much as time they needed to execute the plan flawlessly.

Lady Edith died in a couple of weeks and as promised, no one attended her funeral and she was buried in the common cemetery used to bury people who are not claimed by any relative. She was buried as Edith Pembrin as her title of ’Lady’ was taken too.

Lambert didn’t talk much about Jolene to Talia. Jolene was entirely oblivious to the plans of the Palace to make Lambert a Duke. Louis and Talia were under the impression that Lambert has no idea about their plans either.

Talia didn’t accept Jolene’s request to quit and made sure Jolene has to visit her often. She wanted to know if they still love each other.

That day she saw Jolene and Lambert meeting in the hallways accidentally and Talia almost broke to tears seeing the emotional reunion of the separated lovers. She knew by their reaction that it won’t be long before they get back together.

Talia hadn’t returned to Esteria for two months by now. She really was busy working. Plus she feared to face Arthur for some reason she couldn’t grasp. She didn’t like spending sleepless nights there either.

Arthur came to visit her every weekend and they’d spend time together. When Arthur was with her, her insomnia returned making her afraid. She was so afraid that her health got affected. Her doctor had to prescribe some stress relief medications for her.

What was she scared off? She couldn’t find out no matter how deeply she thought. It only gave her more stress.

As days progressed, she herself realised that she is distancing herself from Arthur. She feels nothing but fear when he kisses her and she preferred staying away from him.

Do I not love Fred anymore?

That night this question kept her awake for a long time, and made her get drenched in cold sweat.

It can’t be possible, right?

It was morning when she woke up from a pretty vivid dream – a nightmare. They were at a beach laughing and playing and suddenly a heavy wind blew and right in front of her eyes, Arthur crumbled into little golden particles and got mixed with the sand. She tried to find him, but all that was left was sand.

She sat on the bed wiping the perspiration on her forehead. The temperature had started to dip as winter approached and yet she ended up in this state.

She heard her phone vibrate and seeing Arthur’s picture blinking on her phone, her lips curved to a smile.

"Fred!" her voice was chirpy.

"My sweet Iris," his voice was cheery.

She placed her hand on her heart that was racing. As usual his voice makes her heart beat go belligerent.

I still love him, right?

Whenever she is on the phone with him, she doesn’t feel anything but happiness. But the moment she sees him, her heart will go all scared.

Why? What is wrong with me?

Standing by the window, Talia took a sip of the chamomile tea. All the leaves of the Autumn Blaze maple tree have turned red painting a very beautiful picture. There were some of her staff standing with their easels and painting the beautiful scenery.

Taking in the pleasant scent of autumn, Talia closed her eyes.

’This weekend we are going back to Iris Isles.’

Everything was fun as they chatted in the morning, until Arthur said it. She wanted to refuse, but before she could speak, Arthur continued.

’I have something important to show you. And it is non-negotiable’

That place... that beach... It scared her.

She really didn’t want to go back there. She hated that place now as much as she appreciated it when she first went there.

Why does he want to go back there? Is he not scared of that place? He almost died there!

And if four months ended, should we...

-----

Arthur fixed his hair that got ruffled by the wind. Standing at the roof of the Northern Star office, he took a glance at the cityscape. Theirs was the tallest building, and standing there made it seem like he was on top of the world.

The Ferris wheel by the river was turning slowly. He has ridden only once on it and it was with his Iris. They bunked class and went for a ride in the Ferris wheel.

Iris...

He knew there is something bothering her. At first he thought she was stressed over his recovery, but in four months, he has recovered a lot. Every test report came back normal and he even found his head feeling light. He is functioning at full capacity and he felt really fine.

She knows it, and yet in her eyes he saw some fear. She is trying to hide it and subconsciously avoids him.

He didn’t know how to assure her that he is fine.

And about the other thing, he has his ’urges’, but stating that four month thing, she is keeping away from him. She doesn’t even initiate a kiss and even if he kisses her, she pulls back or would kiss him half-heartedly.

They sleep in the same bed and she won’t even touch him accidentally.

Everything hurt him. He wondered if she became tired after she took care of him after his surgery. He behaved like an a**. He knew it.

Did she grow tired of loving me after my shameful behaviour?

But he wasn’t willing to let go just like that. He has tried to talk to her calmly, but she isn’t honest with him. There is only one way to get the truth from her.

To provoke her!

She becomes extremely honest when she is angry. He didn’t want to stress her to get the truth, but he doesn’t have any other way now.

It is to save our relationship.

-----

When Talia finished the cup of tea, she was informed Louis was in her drawing room. Wondering what made Louis visit her residence in the morning, Talia got to the drawing room.

"We are arranging for our official visit to Basmia."

Talia nodded as she already know about it.

"They are asking for you."

Louis knitted his brows with displeasure.

"They might think that since I am a woman I’d be a pushover and they can easily manipulate me," Talia shrugged.

A corrupt nation like Basmia won’t have many rights for women. And she was told that women are considered as fools and second-rate citizens by majority of the people there.

Maybe that’s why that nation isn’t developing.

"I’ll go," Talia said and Louis shook his head in disapproval.

They rejected when he offered a visit and he didn’t like their insistence in having Talia as their guest.

"It’s not safe there. I’ll cancel the trip altogether," he stood up.

Talia on the other hand found this as a perfect opportunity for herself.

An opportunity to escape!