Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 436: Engagement Photograph

Chapter 436: Engagement Photograph

Talia and Arthur went to meet her great-grandmother. Arthur had come to visit her for the Engagement announcement photoshoot. Ever since the launch of the initiative, Talia started wearing the ring all the time.

Lambert who rarely cares about jewelry held her hand and kept on staring at her ring. "Do women like bigger stones?" he asked.

"You’re planning to propose?" Talia asked excitedly.

All she got in return was a knock in her head and Talia decided to probe Jolene later. She used her people to gather information from Lambert’s household and she learnt that Jolene’s been staying a lot of nights in his room and his people are getting the vibes that Lambert is serious with Jolene since The Prince had never brought a woman to his place before.

Well, another Royal Wedding is coming soon... I should clear his way soon so he could get married...

Talia really got happy.

Her great-grandma had mild flu. Talia wanted to visit her and Arthur joined her. Although she was sick, her great-grandma was in high spirits talking about the engagement and Talia was relieved.

Talia informed that Lambert seemed happy too and her great-grandma’s mood got much better.

With only five more days for the announcement, the photographer was a lot more stressed than Talia on the day of the photoshoot. Of course, he would be because of that photograph that has to be nothing less than iconic.

That photograph will be made to commemorative stamps celebrating their wedding and possibly printed on the commemorative teacups and other products that would be released celebrating their wedding.

And it is a well-known fact among the photographers that the Princess is not very comfortable around cameras and would have trouble looking natural staring at the lens. The photographer who took her portraits over the years was a living witness for that. It is hard to get a good, relaxed portrait of her.

All the iconic photographs of The Princess Royal were taken without her knowledge as everyone knows. She’d get stiff and nervous when she stares right at the lens and the picture will come out as fake.

"We should have done this at least a week before." The photographer said anxiously.

"Frankie, do you think our Princess needs to have her pictures touched up that much? She has a naturally beautiful face and-"

Raphael started to sing praises of Talia as Mr. Frank Trudor retorted. "Yes, she has a very photogenic face. She is one of the prettiest women alive with a golden ratio accuracy of 93.4%. And she has amazing skin. I was-"

He paused as he saw Talia and Arthur walking into the room.

"Hi, I was in awe seeing the engagement photos you took of Louis and Cordelia. I’m happy you agreed to take our picture too. We’ll be in your care."

Talia shook his hand politely. "And I heard you’re Raphael’s cousin? That’s a nice coincidence."

Mr Trudor was pleased with the recognition given by Talia and he smirked at Raphael who was scowling at the side. He then engaged in small talks in a cheery tone to set the mood as he did his stuff with his equipment.

The picture was taken in one of the Drawing Rooms with green background and Talia was wearing a pale blue dress and Arthur was wearing a charcoal-grey suit which was his favorite.

"It will take only five minutes or so, right? Let’s take Bear for a walk in the garden after that. The weather seems nice," Arthur said and Talia nodded.

Mr Trudor saw the confidence in both of their faces and he felt like this shoot will go better.

The checks were finished and as Mr Trudor gave the signal, Talia and Arthur stood at the spot he asked them to.

Arthur’s hand was around her waist and Talia’s left hand was over Arthur’s chest with the ring in full display, as they both stared straight at the lens with a smile.

Both of them had pretty similar thoughts...

Finally! We are official! Everyone else... Back off! He/She is mine alone!

They were diligent in perfecting this pose in front of the mirror. They tried different poses and finally agreed on this one and they were pretty happy about this.

"This is good!"Mr Trudor smiled and Arthur relaxed.

"Thank you," he held Talia’s hand to leave, but Talia understood from the photographer’s face that he doesn’t think the picture is good?

"But we can take an epic picture!"

Mr. Trudor said making Arthur disappointed. "Did we shut our eyes or something?" he walked to the monitor to have a look.

"It’s perfect! This is enough." Arthur called Talia and she liked the picture too. They looked like a perfect couple.

"Of course, this is perfect. But... Let’s smile some more." Mr. Trudor said politely.

"Sure," both Talia and Arthur came back to the spot and gave another pose.

"Chin up, Your Highness..."

"A little more smile, Lord Ashwood..."

"Your fingers look stressed... Relax..."

"Just one more... Look at each other..."

"A little touch-up please..."

"Remove your suit jacket..."

"One more... Put your arms around..."

"Lord Ashwood, you look angry... Please smile..."

Angry?

Talia turned to look at Arthur and of course, with his jaws clenched, he looked mad. Even she, who has a lot more patience than he does, felt tired and irritated. They’ve changed poses and places for a long time.

Has it really been more than an hour?

"This is enough, don’t you think? The first picture was good. Just use it or any other picture after consulting with the Palace officials."

Talia waved her hand and ended the photoshoot. Raphael tried to stop Frank Trudor but failed.

"That first picture looks confrontational! Both of you are challenging the world together. You’re saying ’Come at us if you dare!’ in that picture when you have to say ’We looove each other sooo much... we can’t help but show it to the world...’ . You have to look cute and cuddly-"

"Mr. Trudor, I know you’re an amazing photographer and you got our feelings right. We do want to tell the world that we are stronger together and we have that confidence because we love each other." Arthur interjected him and walked to the window.

Cute and cuddly? Since when do I have the face for cute and cuddly? I am called the Bear King for f*ck’s sake!

Talia heard Arthur grumble under his breath. She knew this guy has gone over the edge and she understood him.

She gave her angelic smile that makes anyone reciprocate it. "I’m sure there is the photograph in one of the hundred pictures you’ve already taken, Mr. Trudor."

"As you say, Your Royal Highness."

Having no other way, the photographer had to bow out. He had never seen such a couple who struggle to get their pictures taken.

He tried... he made them rest, he made them converse with each other... But the moment they looked at the camera, their smile would change to a smirk.

He could agree... they can pretty much replace any supermodel out there with their symmetrical face and that proud smile.

But the Palace wanted a cute couple who are so in love; which they cannot be portrayed as, even after all his efforts. Even the King and the Queen Consort got it right within minutes.

Do these two even love each other? Or is it just a political marriage like some say?

Talia walked to the window seeing Arthur staring out, fisting his hands. She stood in front of him and leaned on him. The sky had turned gloomy and there was snow falling like cotton, covering the ground.

Arthur was really mad as he was getting ordered around by the photographer. He felt the first picture was perfect and couldn’t understand the need for any more pictures. Also, he saw Iris getting tired and it made him more irritated.

As he was still grumbling in his heart, he saw the petite figure slipping in between the window and him. Her fresh scent entered his senses and as he felt her back supporting on his firm chest, he felt his anxiousness calming down.

He placed his left hand on her shoulder and his right arm wrapped around her waist. His lips curved to a smile as she placed her hands over his hands and he saw her face blooming to a smile.

"It’s snowing. We cannot take Bear for a walk anymore," she pressed her lips.

He softened up seeing her long curved eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly. And a blush crept up her cheeks. The snow from outside got reflected by the lighting giving her face a nice colour.

"But we can do other fun things if we go to bed," he whispered in her ears.

"Can’t you think of anything else?"

"Not when I am with you." He smiled.

"Well..."

The entire room was filled with commotion as the photographer was collecting his pieces of equipment with the help of his assistants. But at that moment they heard nothing as they were in each other’s embrace.

Raphael saw his cousin’s face brightening up seeing the couple standing by the window. For him, this scene is nothing new. He has seen them far more intimate, but he could see his cousin thinking like he has found the Jackpot.

"Look here, please!"

The photographer clicked the moment both of them turned and there it was... An iconic photograph, worthy to be used to commemorate their wedding.

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