章 433: Chapter 433
"Holy shit." John said as he walked into the main foyer of the palace. "This place is unbelievable."
"Yes. I thought the same thing when I came here for the first time." Pearl said with a smile.
"Sorry your highness or your queenness. I'm not sure how to address you, I'm sorry." John said. Marcus, Nora's brother, stood silently. He looked as though he was still in shock.
"Pearl. Please call me Pearl. And your daughter will soon be called Queen." She said, looking back at Nora who stood beside Christian.
"John. I'm John. And this is my son, Marcus. We are honored to be here."
"It is an honor to have you in our home. The country's home. This is Auggie, the King's right hand. And this is Erik, our head solicitor." Pearl said, motioning to them both.
"Wonderful to meet you." Auggie said.
"Yes. Welcome." Erik said. Isla curtsied and hugged them both. "I'm Isla, Christian's sister. I'm a princess too but we don't even bother with that." She said. She handed Marcus a rose she picked from the garden.
"Welcome." Marcus smiled and thanked her.
Christian gave them a tour and settled them into their suite at Kensington. Later that evening, he pulled Nora into his arms as they watched the fireflies dance in the large palace gardens.
"Do you think they are comfortable?" Christian asked.
"Yes. I believe they are."
Nora said.
"I'd like to offer them a home in Ireland. It's away from palace life but close enough for them to visit often and stay with us for holidays." Christian said.
"Maybe we can discuss that with them tomorrow?" Nora asked.
"Yes. I am working during the day but after you give them a tour of London, we can meet for dinner and discuss it." He said. Nora smiled and kissed him.
"I love you." She said. "I am so happy."
"So am I." He said. "I cannot wait to give you and your family the world."
"I already have the world. I have you." She said. He kissed her and picked her up, into his arms.
"Put me down!" She giggled, swatting at him.
"Not a chance." Christian said, spinning her around and taking her inside.
Pearl stood on the balcony of her room, listening to the laughter coming from the garden. She sighed. She remembered being in love like that once or twice before. It wasn't easy for her. None of it was easy, but she was grateful for the moments like that. She walked into her room and looked at her packed bags. They were leaving in the morning. She pulled out the drawer to her nightstand and grabbed the pack of cigarettes stashed there. She rarely smoked but the night was almost magical with the clear view of the stars. She walked down to the garden and lit one, taking in a deep breath.
"They will kill you, you know." A voice said from behind her.
She turned and saw Erik sitting on a bench at the edge of the rose garden.
"I hear that but yet, here I still am." She said with a smile.
"Better give me one, then." He said. She smiled and handed him one from her pack. She offered her lighter but he pulled out his own.
"Ahhhh man. It's been awhile." He said, inhaling deeply. "Good night for a fag if there ever was one."
"I can remember many good nights for a cigarette." She said with a smile.
"Yes." He smiled. "What one was your favorite? We always talk about the terrible things. The times we remember most are always the bad ones." He inhaled again. "What about the good? Hearing the kids laugh and carry on, made me a bit nostalgic, I'm afraid."
She looked off into the sky, smoke swirling around her.
"Italy." She said quietly. He nodded but didn't respond. Couldn't respond. Those were his favorite memories with her as well. Tuscany. Rome. Venice. It was their country. And it was so lovely it physically hurt to remember it.
"Mine too." He finally was able to say.
They finished their cigarettes in silence, staring up at the sky and remembering, regardless of how painful it might have been to do so.
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