บท 400: Chapter 400
*******Note from the author*******
We made it to 400 chapters!!! Thank you for reading this book and following along on the journey of all these characters that we have all grown to love. I enjoy writing it to see what's in store for them just like you do when reading it. Love to you all and thank you!
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"Christian! Why are you in workout clothes! We need to be at the gala in an hour." Pearl shouted.
"Gala? What are you talking about?" Christian asked, toweling his brow after his weight lifting session.
"The cancer event? The one Sophie's parents are hosting at the Bloomsbury? Christian I told you about this!" Pearl said. She wasn't happy with him and Christian could care less. He didn't want to go. It had left his mind the moment she had told him about it. Cancer research was extremely important to him, and he was a member of many charities and other committees involving the cause but Sophie and her family were not a part of that for him.
"I forgot. I can just send my regards via email. Or something." Christian said.
"You are the keynote speaker! You're going. Get dressed. We are leaving in 30 minutes." Pearl said. Christian rolled his eyes. He didn't have a speech prepared. He wasn't planning this at all. He quickly showered and threw on a tux. He met his mother and Dylan and Isla outside at the car and they headed to the event.
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They arrived to a press filled entrance filled with London's finest. It was a big turnout. Christian was lead in and brought to the side of the stage almost immediately.
"We would like to begin tonight's gala with our honored guest and speaker. He is a huge supporter of cancer research and has given countless hours to the cause. Please help me in welcoming, His Majesty, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, King Christian of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland!" The crowd roared with applause.
"Thank you. It is an honor to speak tonight for this tremendously important cause. As I find myself more and more involved in all of the aspects of this terrible disease, I am struck not just by the significant advances that are being made in research and treatment, but also by the hope and belief embodied by each patient and every dedicated medical professional even in the darkest of times. Despite the challenging times we are living in, it is so important we take the time to acknowledge the tremendous work that continues all around us, big and small. From universities to privately funded foundations dedicated to the cause but also small businesses, one of whom I have had the privilege to acquaint myself with, that is making wigs and giving away free tattoos to breast cancer survivors. We are all in this together. I encourage you to donate to this cause not only to work on curing this terrible disease but to continue to bring hope to those that need it most. Thank you." Applause roared again and Christian made his way off the stage and through the crowd to a closed off area where he could be greeted by the attendees.
"Christian." A voice said from behind him. Nora. He turned to see her standing there. She looked amazing in a red formal ball gown. Like the goddess she was. And she also looked like she was in absolute shock.
"Nora." He said with a huge smile. "What are you doing here?"
"I, I… sent you a text. I came with my friend and her husband. I wanted to surprise you but it turns out, I the one surprised. Are you really the, the king? Are you…?" She began.
"Christian! That was absolutely perfect! Thank you so much for coming and speaking tonight!" Sophie said, throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek. His eyes remained locked with Noras.
"Who is this?" Sophie asked. Christian moved her arms off of him. "Nora, this is Sophie." Christian said, still in shock.
"Hello, I am the girl he is seeing. Nice to meet you." Sophie said.
Nora shook her head and looked down.
"What? No. Sophie we are not seeing each other." Christian said.
"Ok, a couple of lunch dates, who needs labels?" Sophie said.
"Nice to meet you. I'm sorry. I have to go. Excuse me." Nora said, turning away and moving through the crowd.
"Nora! Wait!" Christian said. He moved through the crowd and followed her to a less crowded area by the bar.
"Nora. Please. Let me explain." He said.
"How could you keep that from me? You're the King of fucking England for god's sake! How did I not know?" She asked.
"Listen. I wanted to tell you. I tried to tell you." "When? When you were inside of me? Was I just some closet fling to get your rocks off on the side while you are little rich girls who are more ideal for you? I don't know what to say." She said.
"I apologize. I wanted to tell you. Nora. Please. Come to the palace tomorrow. We can't talk about it."
Nora shook her head.
"Look, there are many things we do not know about each other. And that takes time." Christian said.
"Like what? You know who I am. I was never dishonest with you." She said.
"What about Marcus?" He asked. His mother was behind Nora, motioning him to come and meet more people. He ignored her.
"Marcus?" She asked.
"Yes. I saw the messages. How he didn't know where you were. And how he didn't want you to go "there" again. Where is "there", exactly?" Christian asked.
She shook her head.
"Marcus is my brother." She said. Christian looked at her, surprised. "And "there" is deep depression. "There" is a nervous breakdown. "There" was a day, two years ago, when I tried to take my own life." She said, looking up at him, a tear now running down her cheek. He felt like a knife had been driven into his chest. He felt awful.
"I didn't know. I am so sorry." He said.
"I guess there are a lot of things we will never know about each other. Goodbye, Christian. Or your majesty. Or whoever the hell you are." She said and she walked around him and out the side door.
"Fuck." He said, running his hands through his hair.
"Christian, who was that lovely girl?" Pearl said.
Christian shook his head. He couldn't even say her name. He understood more now why Erik couldn't do the same.
"Come. I need you to meet some people from the institute." She said. He nodded and tried to pull himself together. At least until he could get the hell out of there.
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