Chapter 424

Nora walked into Christian's study before dinner.

"Is it ok to come in?" She asked shyly. He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms.

"I missed you today." He said with a smile. "How did it go?"

"Christian, it went so incredibly well. I love your mother and your sister is quite literally the most perfect person on the planet. I cannot believe how lucky I am." She said, squeezing him tightly.

"That makes me happier than you realize." He said.

"She made me a dress. She designed it herself and for me into it."

Christian pulled her away and looked into her eyes. "I cannot wait to see you in it on the day you become my wife." He said, moving hair from her face and kissing her forehead.

She sighed. "I love you."

"I love you, too. We have to schedule a press conference or interview to announce the engagement. It's huge and I owe the country the knowledge of my intention. I also owe it to you to tell the world." He said with a smile.

"Wow. That sounds so official and public and terrifying." Nora said with a fake smile.

"Yes. I know. But, you are marrying a king. It will be a large wedding. Televised. Your life from now on will be that way, you know." He said, pouring himself a drink.

"Right. Of course." Nora said, but he could hear the worry in her voice. It bothered him. He didn't want her to not look forward to her wedding day.

"I'm going to go upstairs and take a long bath. It's been a day." Nora said.

"Alright. I will be up soon." Christian said.

She nodded and left him on the study. He felt uneasy about it all for some reason.

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"Good morning, Christian." Pearl said the next morning at breakfast. "Where is Nora?"

"She is sleeping in a little. She flies back this afternoon and the jet lag has caught up with her."

"She leaves today? How dreadful. When is she returning?" Pearl asked.

"Two weeks from now. She is interviewing managers for her business so she can spend more time here." Christian said, sipping his tea.

"Will she be selling it soon?" Auggie asked.

"No. Why would she?" Christian asked. There was a silence in the room. Pearl put down her cup and wipes her mouth.

"Christian, being a queen is a full time job. Believe me, I was naive enough at one time to think I could have a career and perform the duties needed. I was wrong. Very wrong. That being said, there is no reason the idea of what she does couldn't be made international. She just won't have the time to run them." Pearl said, and Christian could tell she was being as diplomatic as possible.

"I intend to sell them after we are married. But only after I've established a shop here in London." Nora interrupted.

"Nora. Good morning my love." Christian said, kissing her cheek. "I thought you were sleeping in?"

"The ringing in my ears from being spoken about woke me up like alarm." She said with a sarcastic smile. Auggie and Pearl looked down.

"I'm sorry, Nora." Pearl said.

"No worries. I'm sure it will happen often now. Anyway, I was hoping I could spend some time with the busy king this morning before my flight?" Nora asked.

"Of course. My schedule is completely clear until take off." Christian said, picking her up and twirling her around.

"Fuck man, don't you have a room here? Like 85 rooms or something? God, go there." Alexander said, interrupting them.

"Lex, what are you doing here this early?" Christian asked.

"I though it was time to start enjoying breakfast with my beautiful family." Alexander said with a straight face. They all looked at him, stunned.

"Just kidding. I tied one on last night in Camden town and I haven't slept so I thought maybe some greasy bacon might help with the hangover. Looking great Nora, how are the privileged treating you?" He said, shoveling bacon and toast in his mouth.

"Alex, what are we going to do with you?" Dylan asked dryly.

"The same as usual. Roll your eyes a lot and desecrate my name after I leave. Until then, I'm here for all the fun and frivolity." He said with a big, mouth full smile.

Christian and Nora excused themselves and spent the day in bed. "Pack your things when you are home. I want you to move here now instead of at the end of the summer after the wedding." Christian said.

"Christian, I have a whole life there. A home. A business."

"Your life is with me, now. Come here and live with me." He said, pulling her to him and wrapping his body around hers.

"Are you sure we should do that? What about the press? The public?" She said sullenly.

"I don't care." He said.

"Yes. Yes you do." She said, getting up and packing her things.

He watched her. Something was off. Something felt off. He drove her to the private plane and said goodbye. "I love you. I will see you soon." He said, kissing her.

"I love you, too. And yes. Soon." She said, getting on the plane. He watched as it took off from the runway and flew out of sight. All of sudden, it hit him. He knew then what was wrong. And he was going to make it right.