Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 402: Confrontation

Chapter 402: Confrontation

Fred doesn’t have to apologise.

That’s what she thought at that moment. But when she saw the little blue velvet box in her bag, she had that sinking feeling in her heart once more.

Can I wear the ring now that I cleared my misgiving with Fred?

She opened the box to look at the perfect ring. It still looked so unreal and magical. But the ring still felt heavy for her. That’s what she’s been feeling all these time... heavy!

Why? Do I have more to say to him?

She placed the ring in the pocket of her dress. She’s been carrying this ring around with her all the time for the past four months, wondering when she’d feel ready to wear that ring in her finger.

She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

Why isn’t he asking about the ring? By now he should know I am having the ring, right? Ah, even if he asks about this ring, what would I reply? What do I really want? Why am I confused? What am I confused about?

In the dinner table, both of them chatted about mundane things. Arthur told her that his assistant is going to have a shotgun wedding since she became pregnant accidentally. Talia talked about Lambert and Jolene and how is it possible for Jolene to join the family.

"Redheads are going to rule Rosandale Royalty!" Arthur did a victory dance. "It’s time for the gingers to rule the world like we are meant to! Bwaahaahaa!" he laughed like a villain in children’s movies.

"Yes, in a world where there is no harsh sun," Talia giggled. "Both Lambert and I have brown hair. And since you’re a genius in biology, don’t you know the probability that you pass down your gingerness is very low?" Talia gave a mocking smirk. "If redheads want to rule the world, they need to breed more redheads first!" she laughed.

"I, Arthur Frederick, first of his name, King of the bears and slayer of dragons will be addressed as ’His Gingerness’ henceforth until the day the sun rises in the West. Let it be known to all heathens!!! Bow to His Gingerness Arthur Frederic of Bearbrooks! Kneel before this Lord of Gingers, you lowly maiden with the prettiest eyes in the kingdom... "

Arthur went on with his ramble. He even tied the table cloth around his neck to look like he was wearing an Imperial Robe and placed a little bowl on his head to mimic a crown. Talia ended up laughing out loud holding her stomach. She laughed till she cried.

"Stop it, Fred!" Talia tapped the table but he didn’t stop. Even Mr. Ed, who could maintain his stone-face in almost any situation, couldn’t hold back his laughter. He bit his lips hard to not laugh.

After making her laugh for half an hour, Arthur asked her for a walk in the garden. He was happy to see her unadulterated joyful laugh. It’s been a while since he has seen her laugh from her heart.

Yes, the world calls him a King. But for his Queen, he won’t think twice to become the court jester.

And he wanted to show her the blooming of Kadupul flowers since this is a full moon day. He missed it the other day, but he wanted to show her what he wanted to.

He also wanted to talk to her about the ring she keeps carrying around in her pocket all the time. With the misunderstanding between them cleared, he wanted to propose this time.

Talia was stunned standing in the middle of hundreds of those beautiful white flowers blooming slowly under the bright shine of the moon. She has never seen this flower in person, but she knew the scent. As the flowers bloom in unison, a very divine scent spread in the garden.

He wanted to bring me here the other day, didn’t he? Was he planning to propose to me surrounded by these flowers? The flower that is said to be a divine flower?

It would have been so romantic standing in the moonshine surrounded by these blooming white flowers while he kneels in front of her with an open ring box... He would have said heartfelt words on why he wants to share the rest of his life with me making my heart pound.... I would have jumped in joy and shouted it in the rooftops.

Wow! I missed it!

"Each plant gives only hundred flowers and this would be the last bloom this year. I wanted to bring you here for the first bloom, but I am glad we could be here for the last bloom of the year," Arthur held her hand.

The last time he was here, he was not in the best mood. He was in a lot of stress, but still it was fun being with her.

"I wanted to talk to you about the surgery that day at the beach and then bring you here to propose..." Arthur stood in front of her and held her hand. Talia’s heart pounded hard.

It’s happening... its happening... is he going to propose now? But I have the ring! Don’t tell me he bought another ring? But I like that ring! I don’t want another ring.

No...I can’t let that happen!

She tried to get her hand out of his hold, but he was not willing to let her go.

"Fred, what are-"

As she was speaking, her phone vibrated and she used that as an excuse and got her hand freed.

"It’s Louis..." she got confused but she answered the call. He is not someone who’d call during nights.

"Your travel to Basmia is planned to the finer details. We’ll be announcing it to the public tomorrow and you’ll have to leave in a month. Have you told Arthur yet?" Louis came straight to the point.

"Yay! I’m leaving for Basmia in a month!" Talia shouted waving her hand. "There, I said it." She chuckled.

She didn’t understand why Louis kept on insisting she needs to inform Arthur before planning to leave. It is her work travel. She is not a child to get permission! And since when did Arthur stop her from doing her work? He’s not such a man.

Well, that’s what she thought. But her smile froze seeing the man in front of her with clenched jaws, fisted hands and literally going red with anger.

"Umm, Louis... I’ll call you back," she gulped.

"I knew it. He’s mad, isn’t he?" Louis sighed. "Remember you asked for the tour and we cannot change our plans now. Tell him we have arranged the security very well." He ended the call.

"You’re going where?" Arthur asked in a soft voice and Talia gulped out of fear.

"A royal tour to Basmia. We’ve been planning for a month."

"A month? And you didn’t bother to tell me?" he gritted his teeth and he raised his voice. "Are there no men in that family? Why do they send you where there is trouble every single time? Do they want you dead?"

"Fred!" Talia stopped him from speaking further. She didn’t like it when he talks bad about them. She knows how much they love her. "Lambert was the one who was supposed to go. But the Basmian parliament decided it would be feasible for me-"

"So you agreed to go? Do you even know how unsafe that country is, Talia?" Arthur rubbed his face. "You wanted to run away, didn’t you? That’s why you agreed for this tour. Why? Why can’t you tell me what is bothering you without running away? How many times will you run away from me? How many times should I chase you around? Why can’t you stay by my side?" he held her shoulders and shook her.

He saw the trace of fear running in her face when he talked about proposal. She didn’t want him to propose to her.

So she planned to run away already?

"Run away? Do you know what you’re saying, Fred? It is just a tour for a week. I am going to return after seen days. How is it running away?" Talia raised her voice.

It did hit her heart when he said ’run away’. She did want to have a break from every familiar place to free her mind.

A short escape.

Am I running away?

"You are running away, Iris! Running away from me once more. Otherwise you wouldn’t have hid the ring from me." He stared right in her face and Talia felt her hands tremble as she was confronted about the ring.

"What ring?" her voice shook as she spoke.

"That ring..." he pointed at her pocket. "That ring you carry around with you all the time. The same ring that you know that I designed as a proposal ring... the ring you refuse to wear and refuse to return. What are you planning to do with that ring, Iris?"

Talia grabbed the ring box and took a couple of steps back in a protective stance.

"I don’t know..." her voice quivered. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

She really didn’t know.

"Give it to me," he held out his hand and took a step forward. He could see she was distressed and he didn’t like to see her that way.

"No!" Talia held the box in her hand and held it close to her heart. Her eyes filled with tears and shaking her head, she took another couple of steps back.

"Careful!"

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