Chapter 209

"Do try to calm your nerves, love. It is going to go well." Erik said as they pulled into Kensington Palace. They were scheduled for their first interview as an engaged couple and Pearl's nerves were getting the best of her. "I'm not good at this. Every interview I've given since this all started has felt like an interrogation." Pearl said, shakily.

"Ok. Deep breath. Let's figure out a plan." Erik said. He always seemed to understand how to navigate her anxiety. "When a question is asked that you feel uncomfortable with, make a signal so I will know to answer it myself." He said.

"I know! Tuck your hair behind your right ear. When I see that, I will answer immediately."

Pearl looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you, Erik." She said.

They walked into a large, elegantly decorated sitting room. There were lights and cameras set up. A man greeted them, introducing himself as the producer. Then a woman came over, a person Pearl recognized from television, introducing herself as Lydia, the one who was going to interview them.

They were settled and several lighting tests were done before a final go ahead to begin from the producer. There was a bit of scuttle and then they started.

"Your Royal Highness, Pearl Clarke, congratulations to you both" Lydia said.

"Thank you, Lydia." Erik said.

"May we please start with the proposal and the actual moment of your engagement? How did it happen? Was it a big event or more intimate?" Lydia asked. Pearl felt ok with this one.

"It was a complete surprise. It was just after a night out for dinner, I woke up the next morning, splashed some water on my face and looked down, seeing this beautiful ring on my hand that wasn't there when I fell asleep. I was in shock. I turned around and Erik was standing there, proposing." Pearl said.

"Yes. I wanted Pearl to feel the proposal was as organic and as genuine as possible." Erik said.

"It definitely felt real. And absolutely perfect."

Pearl said.

"How did you first meet?" Lydia asked.

"I first saw Pearl over a year before I actually met her. The company she worked for was hosting a charity event for the New Hope Foundation, a charity I began years ago. The key note speaker was in an accident on the way to the event, so there was a scramble to fill in the time. The event coordinator wanted to put on a good chat, so he asked a few people to speak about their experiences." Erik explained. "So the first one up was this tiny woman, looking so timid that a strong breeze might blow her over. She began to speak and her words just, just filled my heart with so much compassion and admiration. So much courage in such a small package, it moved me." Erik said. Pearl watched adoringly as he spoke of her.

"Then we officially met in Los Angeles several months ago. I was in town for my birthday and she was shooting a music video. We ran into each other by coincidence. More than once, actually." Erik said.

"Yes. And Italy was also pure coincidence." Pearl agreed, smiling.

"You ran into each other again by coincidence?" Lydia asked.

"Yes. I was on an extended vacation in Italy, fighting exhaustion, when my friend and I were having dinner at the same place Erik was. It was incredibly fortuitous timing." Pearl said.

"Yes, you were first noticed out together in Rome at the polo charity event." Lydia said.

"Yes. That was an incredible couple of weeks." Erik smiled, looking at Pearl. Pearl nodded and blushed.

"You both have really challenged stereotypes. Pearl is in a band, Poems for Wolves. It's a hard rock band that has skyrocketed to stardom over the last year. A prince and a rock n roll star. How is that working?" Lydia asked.

"It has definitely kept things interesting, that's for sure." Erik said.

"And it's a huge change, you're getting a new country out of it. A husband obviously, but will also be giving up your career, eventually. How are you dealing with that probability?"

"I guess I don't see it as giving anything up, I just see it as a change. A way to use a newly found voice and platform to help change people's lives for the better. A new chapter in the book of my life." Pearl said.

"I cannot tell you how excited I am to see her in this new role as a member of the royal family. The things she will do. She is bright, kind, giving and understanding, all of which are excellent qualities for a member of any family to have and for the world to know." Erik said.

"So many rumors about you and Holden Tomlinson have circulated. Anything you want to take this opportunity to clear up or speak to? You had announced that engagement and marriage not long ago. How did that come to be a lie?" Lydia asked.

Pearl tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I think there is an immense misconception men have about women involving love. Some men try to use hearts and tender things as ways of trying to win and keep a woman. The marriage was never legal, and without Pearl's knowledge, just making her even stronger because of it."

Erik said. "But if I have learned anything from Pearl, it's this; all we as humans desire and need to feel, is cared for and appreciated for who we are. Not to have someone necessarily understand us but to have someone say they are willing to try to understand." Erik said.

"That was beautifully stated, your royal highness." Lydia said.

"And Pearl, you saved Erik's life not that long ago, by putting yourself between him and a speeding car. What went through your mind in those moments before you lunged at him, moving him out of harm's way?" Lydia asked.

"I didn't want him to be hurt. That's all that flashed through my mind. Prevent him from being hurt." Pearl said.

"But YOU were hurt. Brain injury and broken bones. Did you second guess your actions after you woke up?"

"Not at all. I'd do it again, in a second."Pearl said.

"Well, you both seem to be so much in love. It's admirable." Lydia said, wrapping up the interview.

"Do I do ok?" Pearl asked on the way home.

"You were wonderful." Erik said. "Absolutely perfect."