Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 419: Silent Tears

Chapter 419: Silent Tears

Arthur understood what she spoke before was not nonsense.

By saying Ralph pointed his weapon against a Royal, she made sure it was on record that Ralph is a criminal who tried to kill an Internationally Protected Person and he should be handed over to Rosandale Government as per Protection of Diplomats Convention.

In truth, the militia also aided in Talia getting kidnapped by Ralph.

And so, she didn’t want to let go of the Basmian Government for letting the militia go rampant and not warning against her people against visiting places where there are known militant activities.

Since her tour was something the whole world was interested in, her kidnapping was already a trending topic. It brought out many low-life tabloid articles, but it was more impactful than that.

The last interview she gave about building schools and hospitals in the rural areas was aired and it prompted a phenomena overall and her charity foundation has received millions of dollars in donations in just a day from charitable people all over the world. And the money is still pouring in.

The journalists who travelled with her, interviewed the villagers she met previously and they all tearfully pleaded with their government to handle the militants and bring back their ’goddess’ safely.

These pleadings from the people united the world leaders in condemning the ineptitude of Basmian Government in controlling the militias in their country that are affecting the life of common people.

Arthur knew it would be Louis and his father’s emotional statements, followed by President Antony Carter condemning the militia, that made the other world leaders to join.

#BringbackPrincessTalia is the number one trending topic in the world.

In just a day, she has become an influential figure in the global level.

Arthur didn’t know if she guessed what might have happened in her absence.

Ah, what is he thinking?

Of course she would have guessed Louis wouldn’t have given out Ralph’s name out to the public already. That would be giving Ralph the name recognition he wants. Then they’ll have to talk about his hate for Brunton family which would open the gates to many questions.

And, militia is a broad term and if they say a single person’s name, it would be shameful to the people who were protecting her making them seem weak. Of course Louis won’t let his best people get mocked by the world.

And she wants to make sure it stays that way and it shows how patriotic she is.

Ugh, patriotic..? It should be because she has plans to take care of Ralph herself. That’s why she wants to keep Belfauger away.

"We cannot extradite Ralph in secret, Mary. You know the little thing called diplomacy," Louis sighed.

Now that she is safe, he needs to release a statement and a lot of diplomacy is involved in every step from now on.

"Fine then, I’ll ask my Bear King then. He’ll find a way." she snorted.

She knew Ralph’s name wouldn’t have been released till now and she didn’t want his name to be released.

"I don’t want to revive a dead person and raise him to a patron saint for my enemies, Louis. He’ll stay dead to the world and I want to watch him die for real. He’s mine to take care of, and I care about no diplomacy." Talia passed the headset without even expecting his answer.

She knows as the Head of State, Louis cannot do whatever he wanted. But Fred can.

"Ma’am. His Majesty..." The comms specialist passed the headset to Talia and she got it.

"I’ll do what you ask, Mary. Return to Rosandale immediately after... Are you okay? You’re not hurt anywhere, right? Oh, Mary... I don’t understand why you’re suffering all the time. Edna said that our great grandma haven’t stopped praying ever since you went missing and Lambert...I had to tie him up to stop him from ’having a talk’ with Basmian President and he wanted to be there. I haven’t slept in a day and I saw Cordelia sobbing in silence when I met her for lunch. Your grandpa had a mild heart attack but he is fine now... I am glad you’re safe, Mary. I really am. No matter what, I will not send you anywhere anymore..."

Louis kept on talking and Talia pulled a chair to sit. She knew her family would have suffered almost the same suffering as her mentally. She knows how much they loved her and suffering comes with love.

Grandpa...

Thinking about her grandpa made her bile rise.

"I haven’t eaten anything in a day. My head hurts. My clothes are still wet. I’ll talk to you later, Louis."

Talia said and all she heard was silence from the other end and she passed the headset to the comms specialist thinking the line went dead.

She didn’t know Louis was silently crying.

Arthur, who was listening to everything, carried her without giving her a warning. He brought her out and she saw a little tent was getting put up. Seeing them getting near, some ten soldiers gave a salute and formed a perimeter around the tent.

"Shall I call the doctor?"

"No, I want to clean myself first."

Talia wanted to change first. She knew even after some minutes in the river, she still stank.

"Okay. Let’s get you warmed up first," Arthur got her inside the tent and she was surprised to see a big bucket of warm water already there with a set of her clothes.

"You want boiled egg or ramen? I think soup or porridge would be better for your stomach," he turned to leave.

She seemed fine and he took the liberty to touch her like usual and he felt her flinch the moment his hands touched her.

She said she was hungry and he could smell something bad in her hair. And...

He wanted to cry seeing her in that state. He hated himself for letting her end up in this state.

Once again he felt this deep pain in his heart seeing her suffer when he could do nothing to help.

He wanted to kill Ralph for putting her through this, but since she wants to take care of him herself, he didn’t want to ruin her fun.

"Fred."

Her meek voice made him stop.

"Help me..."

He turned and looked at her. Her eyes were red and her skin looked pale even in that dim lighting. She was unbuttoning his coat and he saw her fingers shaking and it was hard for her to even unbutton.

He wanted to run to her and help her, but he was scared he’d scare her once more.

"Tell me what you want me to do." he spoke as softly as he could.

There were very few situations he had faced when he felt entirely clueless about the next step. And this is the worst of all.

But he decided to take it step by step. He can ask her what she wants him to do and he’d do just that.

"Fred..."

Talia extended her hand. She knew she has no need to be scared of Arthur, but when he touched her suddenly she could not help but wince. She knew Arthur realised it too and he is feeling bad about it.

He’s Fred... he is my Fred... I don’t want to push him away...

Arthur walked up to her and held her hand rather cautiously. He was relieved when she didn’t get scared now.

"I am sorry, Fred. I am not doing it on purpose."

She said and tears formed in her eyes. "I am sorry... just... don’t touch me out of nowhere... I’m sorry for saying this..."

"Okay, I’m going to unbutton the coat now." Arthur said and reached out to her hands holding the button. Her hands were cold as ice and he saw some scratches on them.

What cruelties did you suffer when I was lingering to get to you, Iris?

"Hands up. I am removing this cloth." He then said.

She did everything he asked for like an obedient child but she refused to look at him.

It’s fine.

"You are going to take a bucket bath... the temperature is just right. Come on, sit in this stool..." he brought her near the bucket. There was only some soap available and they didn’t even have shampoo.

He observed if there was any resistance from her, but she didn’t say anything. It didn’t seem like she wasn’t forcing herself either.

She was really silent with her head bowed. It hurt him to see the woman who so brave some moments ago looking so defeated now. But he knew she shows this side of her only to him. And he has to help her heal from whatever made her this way.

As he washed her, he saw the numerous scratch marks in her body. When he touched her head he could feel dried blood and he found the wound. Although the gash wasn’t deep, he could see she has bled a lot. And there were some bumps in her head.

That nasty sunnovab*tch had hit my Iris! Good thing she shot his fingernails and let him stay in pain.

His eyes filled with tears. He could understand she let him do this to show him her sufferings as she couldn’t talk to him. He appreciated it.

She didn’t like it when he hid his pain and she is showing him her pain this way.

"He touched me everywhere..."

She broke her silence after a long time