Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 321: A Visit To Remember

Chapter 321: A Visit To Remember

"I’ll meet him and I will be polite with him. I know I represent the Royal Family of Rosendale." Although Talia really didn’t want to be giving this promise, she did as it is what was expected of her.

Talia didn’t understand why the King of Esteria is so hell bent on meeting her. This time, he went through the proper channels and phoned Louis himself for a meeting with Talia. She couldn’t put off the meeting anymore.

She was already planning to visit Esteria to visit Arthur’s father who was going to surgery the next day. She also wanted to do one another important thing - visit Cyrus’ grave. During her previous stay in Esteria, she was surrounded by reporters and she couldn’t visit him. But now she wanted to do it first thing.

She wanted to put Cyrus’ death behind her; this time for good and move on. She would never get over what she did and stop feeling guilty about it, but she did what she did and it was for protecting Cyrus’ son. So she can live with it.

The day after the Ball, there was an exclusive in the Esterian newspapers about a leaked letter The Marquees of Ashwood sent to the King of Esteria. Talia could say it was a pretty smart move as the particular ’excerpts’ from the letter rehashed that the King already verbally approved of the cancellation of engagement between Sophia and Arthur.

People who were already with not good opinions about the Council and the King, caught up on it and were dissing the King and the shameless Clairemont family for still not announcing what was promised.

Of course some people speculated the ’leakage’ of this letter now as a foreshadowing of what to come – another engagement announcement, but this time it would be between Talia Brunton and Arthur. Some assumed it is to protect Talia, who was photographed to be very close with Arthur in the Rosendale Spring Ball.

Some were blaming Arthur for throwing Sophia under the bus for Talia. But most of them were pleased that Arthur and Talia might get together.

A couple days later, along with the announcement for the cancellation of engagement, the Palace released a statement that they had decided to bring certain changes to the way the Council operates.

The whole of Esteria was speculating what those changes might be. Some speculated that they will abolish the council altogether and some said that there won’t be much done and this is just a stunt to keep the people occupied and to distract them from the documentary scandal since they now cannot blame Talia and the Northern Star for everything. Some wished for the abolishment of the Monarchy altogether.

Talia was a bit curious about the timing of the King’s insistence that he meets her. She wondered if he wants her voice to calm down the voices against his precious Council. She was also was surprised with the lack of drama from the Clairmont family after the engagement was broken publicly.

She talked to her grandfather about it. He was in deep thoughts and Talia swore she saw a flash of ruthlessness in her grandpa’s eyes. But then he told her that she cannot speak on behalf of him to The King.

Talia guessed that The King wants to ask something of her grandpa and since her grandpa is refusing, he is trying to use her. But she decided to follow his advice.

She also thought that her grandpa would return to Esteria since her issue with the death of Cyrus was resolved and also he is starting to feel better as his illness is controlled. She was surprised her grandfather not bringing up his return to Esteria.

Talia visited her great grandmother too and she was in high spirits after the Ball. Talia heard from her staff that The Duke of Luxxenshire was negotiating terms with the Palace for peaceful transfer of his title to his heir - Walter. He wanted no corruption charges for him and also accepting the bail request for his son Asher.

Although Talia wanted The Duke to serve in prison too, she knew the Institution would go easy on him considering his rank and age. And to publicise the corruption of a Duke would be shameful for the monarchy too.

But she wanted the Duke to pay back every money he earned by corruption with interest to the people in one form or another and Louis felt it is only reasonable. But The Duke didn’t want to part his money. So the negotiations were still going on with complaints against The Duke and his family piling on.

On her way back to her place, she came across Lambert. He seemed out of it the past week, ever since the Ball. He didn’t even mind when she sat on his favourite bench in the garden the other day and left without saying anything. She inquired his staff and they’d been saying he’s not eating properly and even missed his target practice a couple days. Plus he isn’t ’going out’ anymore.

There is something wrong with him!

"Lambert!" Talia blocked his way. He didn’t even notice her. She thought she must be masochist to miss his snarky remarks these past few days. She felt like it isn’t even Lambert anymore.

"Talia! How are you?" He asked with a polite smile and Talia felt her skin crawl. She remembered him talking about aliens with her previously and wondered if he came up with those weird theories because he himself was one.

Was he replaced?

"What are you doing here alone?" he asked looking behind her.

Raphael, Mr. Ed, and Amy who were behind her blinked.

Lambert on the other hand, hasn’t seen Jolene for a week already and he missed her. She is not entering the Palace anymore and he didn’t want to go meet her in her office either. He hoped for an accidental meeting, but nothing happened. She isn’t calling or texting him either. It made him feel empty.

The Princess is alone? Then who are we? Ghosts?

"I met with grandpa and Gigi ma." Talia answered, furrowing her brows. There was something off about him and she couldn’t figure it out.

"Oh?" He nodded. "Then carry on! I heard that you’re visiting Esteria. Good luck!" he gave thumbs up signal.

"Lambert, are you oaky?" she asked holding his arms as he was about to leave.

"I’m fine..." he got his arm out of her grip and looked at her weirdly. "What is it?"

"After I return, let’s have drinks together in the terrace, like that other day, okay? We have to arrange for that surprise party for our great grandma and grandparents." Talia patted his arms. She wanted to remind him that if he wanted to talk, she is available.

Lambert stared at her for some time and his lips curved up with a grateful smile. He can handle his emotions, but this offering from his cousin made him feel more assured and happy. "Sure," he wrapped his arm around her neck and kissed her forehead.

Talia rubbing her forehead where he kissed her watched his leaving back with a frown between her brows.

What’s with him?

This time Talia took Bear with her and she left for Esteria in private jet. Her visit to Esteria was kept a secret. Along with Bear, Talia brought another thing with her – Cyrus’ locket. She till then felt like she doesn’t deserve to carry to even touch it, but this time, she found it was easy for her to wear it.

After all, Cyrus did entrust his family with her, by passing this locket to her. She felt proud wearing it.

As she stepped out from the jet, she couldn’t contain her smile seeing Arthur. As they were on their way to their Castle, Talia requested Arthur if he could bring her to Cyrus’ grave.

Arthur was stunned and for him it came out of nowhere. But judging by her reaction, it seemed like she had put a lot of thoughts to it. He knew she doesn’t even visit her mother’s grave as she feels very uncomfortable visiting graves. For her to ask to visit a grave – she must want to move on!

She didn’t attend Cyrus’ funeral and she never got to visit his grave after that either since she was not allowed in the country.

He called the Lockhart family to ask for permission. His family, the Brunton family and the Lockhart family who were active participants in the feud had private cemeteries for their respective family members since due to the feud, even the graves weren’t spared by the other side. The Lockhart family’s graveyard was behind their mansion and they would need permission to visit the grave.

Cyril was the one who replied him and he told that the groundskeeper was informed and they can go there anytime they want. Making sure no one was following them, Talia and Arthur went to the grave after buying Cyrus, his favourite flowers - roses.