Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 446: Save The Last Dance For Me

Chapter 446: Save The Last Dance For Me

Talia couldn’t handle the pouting of Arthur anymore. He was turning his face away and wasn’t even speaking with her. He even pretended he has a lot of work to do. She wondered if it was because the Palace aides were stern in refusing his stay in the Gresford Palace before the wedding.

But what can she do? The orders came straight from her great-grandmother!

Talia decided to cook dinner for him to make him feel better. She rarely cooks whenever she is in the Gresford Palace, and that day the kitchen staff were surprised.

She prepared his favorite meatloaf and mashed potatoes from scratch. She also made white chocolate mousse which is his favorite.

Her heart got heavy because of Arthur’s silence; she wanted to make him feel better. She hoped the meal would be enough, but she wanted to make sure he feels better for sure.

He mentioned the motorbike ride specifically. Realizing that might be the reason for Arthur sulking, Talia decided to handle it. Just because the guards refused to give in, she didn’t want to give up.

She called Jolene to ask her where she is that night. Jolene was in her home, and Talia didn’t want to disturb her. But upon Jolene’s insistence, Talia ended up telling her everything.

"He is still refusing to give you the keys? That ungrateful McFarty!" Jolene fumed with anger.

"Wait for me, Talia. I’ll teach that stingy rascal some lessons!"

Before Talia could say anything else, Jolene ended the call. Talia didn’t want those two to have a fight for her.

Talia entered her room taking in a deep breath. She saw Arthur leaning on the back of the chair, massaging his forehead. She stood behind him and started massaging his head.

"Does it hurt?"

After his surgery, she still couldn’t help but get scared every time he gets headaches. But the doctors say that it is not problematic.

"No, I was just thinking."

Arthur held her hand and pulled her to his front. Wrapping his hands around her waist, he rested his head on her abdomen.

"Hmm... You smell like food," he said sniffing her clothes.

That nostalgic scent of his favorite food made him calm down immediately. He was overwhelmed with the never-ending list of rules to be followed in this place. Like a fool, he showed it on her.

"I cooked for you," Talia caressed his hair and placed a kiss on his head.

"Did I make you sad? I am sorry for over-reacting," he pulled her to sit on his lap. Closing his eyes, he took a good whiff of her scent.

In a week, we’ll be husband and wife!

"You did over-react," Talia said as she wrapped his arm around his neck.

"It’s the twenty-first century and they are still following rules from the fifteenth century. Why are you putting up with it at all, Iris? The Talia I knew, used to love breaking rules and was defiant to the authorities."

Talia kissed him on the cheek with a chuckle. "And then she became an adult."

"You know it, Fred. These archaic rules are only minor inconveniences considering the great work I can do under this institution. And I kind of like the fact that I don’t have to make a lot of decisions," she shrugged and Arthur laughed resting his head on her collarbone.

"You really are not that good with choices," he kissed the nook of her neck. "If I didn’t push you to open up, you’d still be thinking that I abandoned you."

"I..." Talia paused and pondered over his words. "Let’s go. Let’s not let the food go cold," she stood up.

She knew he is right. If he didn’t barge in her apartment that day, her life would be very different now.

"What a sly woman..." Arthur got up laughing at her.

"Oh, please. Should I thank you?" she rolled her eyes trying to hide her blush.

Arthur hugged her from behind and acted limp. Resting his chin on her shoulders, he let her drag him through the long hallways. His mood got a lot better and he became his usual self.

They had dinner joking and teasing each other. Arthur ate a lot more than usual and leaned back rubbing his stomach.

"Come on, let’s practice our wedding dance once more," Talia extended her hands and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"No more! We’ve practiced the same thing more than a hundred times. I don’t want to."

"We only went to ten classes and practiced only a couple of times. How-"

"No, we did it at least a hundred times!" he insisted.

"Fine, don’t dance. I’ll dance with Sir Robert," Talia looked at Mr. Ed who came in to talk about something. He was surprised but held out his hand giving a side-eye to Arthur.

"Turn on the music!" Talia said and the kitchen staff joined in dancing to the tunes.

They danced for ten minutes and Talia was surprised Arthur still was not joining. The dance party soon became large as the other staff in the house joined. Everyone was very busy for the past few weeks in the preparation for the wedding and this dance party made them relax.

There was laughter and enjoyment. Talia asked to bring out the good wine she stored and toasted with her staff for all their help. The kitchen staff prepared cheese to go with the wine.

Arthur silently watched the love her staff has for her. There was reverence and admiration in the way they acted with her. He knew he is in no way as good as her with his employees. His employees fear him.

She is a lot like Jerome Brunton in this regard too.

Her chief of staff came with a wrapped gift box and Talia was surprised.

"We all decided to give it for your bridal shower, but tonight seems more apt. Congratulations, Your Royal Highness," she said politely and Talia accepted it with a smile.

"Now I feel bad for not giving you anything," Talia expressed her feelings.

"We greatly appreciated the hefty bonus we received, Princess. We don’t want anything more. Give us more bonuses if you can," one of the younger maids who already got tipsy said in a loud voice.

Sensing everyone getting stressed out for that poor little girl, thinking she might have offended her, Talia waved her hand.

"As long as you are happy!" she said with a smile and asked them to continue playing music.

The party went on for almost an hour and Talia would often gaze at Arthur unwaveringly. He would smile at her and he still wasn’t joining her and Talia stopped expecting him to join.

Talia rolled her eyes at Bear who was curling up in the corner, sleeping even in this commotion.

The playlist that was playing ended and as they were choosing the next song, that familiar voice she enjoyed was heard.

"You can dance every dance..."

Talia turned to look at Arthur holding out his hand as he sang the song. Talia’s staff howled and started clapping as Talia placed her hand over his.

Singing the song himself, Arthur danced with her. Talia couldn’t hide her blush as he twirled her around.

"...so darlin’, save the last dance for me."

As they finished dancing, all the staff scattered out. Arthur did subtly tell them that this would be the last dance after all.

"What a cheeky guy," Talia hugged him around his waist.

"I can’t believe I have to wait for one week before seeing you again... Next time we see each other, we’ll-"

As he was speaking, Talia heard her phone ring and walked to the table to pick it up. Arthur stared at his empty hands with disbelief.

Here he is, trying to talk to her and there she is running to answer her call. Who is that important person she is ignoring me for? Heh! See if I forgive her for this!

Arthur glared at Talia.

"What?"

"Really?"

"How?"

She was asking blunt questions and he couldn’t figure out who she was speaking to, but she seemed very happy and it made him feel bad.

"Fred, come on!"

After ending the call, she held his hand and started running in the hallways and he followed her.

"Careful, don’t rush..."

He voiced his concern, already forgetting his "anger".

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