Chapter 342

The restaurant in town was small and quaint. Sebastian had rented out the entire place and had candles and flowers placed everywhere.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight, my radiant wife?" Sebastian said.

"Yes. A few times, actually." Pearl said.

"Good. Because you do." He said. He pulled out her chair and she sat down, looking at the spread on the table. Bottles of wine and flowers and candles lit the room all aglow.

He poured her a glass of wine and slid a small box over to her.

"What is this?" She asked.

"I didn't do it right. I never gave you a ring." Sebastian said, looking at her excitedly. "Open it." He said.

She looked at him. "I don't need a ring. I have a band. And the necklace. Your mother's necklace." She said.

"Open it." He said again. She did and inside the box was a an enamoring 5 Carat pear shaped blue/gray diamond three stone platinum engagement ring. This incredible center blue diamond was accented by two pear shape diamonds on both sides. Inside, "We are ours, always." Was engraved along the band.

"Sebastian. It is, it's beautiful. Thank you." She said, placing it on her finger and wiping her eyes.

"I had it custom made. The blue diamond is the color of your eyes." He said. "My favorite thing to look at."

She smiled and took his hand. "This life, with you, is my favorite thing." She said.

They ate a wonderful dinner and drank wine. It was such a perfect evening. Later, when they arrived back at the castle, Sebastian carried her over the threshold and into the main floor master bedroom.

He lifted her dress over her head and kissed her. Running his hand along her side, he noticed something.

"Pearl?" He asked. He turned her to the side and read the words tattooed along her body, running from her rib cage down. "In nomine amoris ego semper custodiat te. 3.1"

"Pearl?" He asked again, choked up, his eyes welling with tears.

"Happy anniversary, my love." She said. It was the Latin inscription on the blade she gave him the first Christmas she knew him. "In the name of love, I will protect you always."

He kissed her and pulled her into his arms. "My friend. My love and my life." He whispered as he picked her up and laid her on the bed.

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Mary walked onto the main terrace to bring them tea. Pearl looked down at the beautiful ring on her finger and smiled.

"How are you this morning, my queen?" Sebastian asked.

"I am wonderful." She said, smiling and kissing the end of his nose. He laughed and smiled back.

His phone rang and he looked down.

"I have to take this." He said, looking serious.

"Ok." She said.

"This is Sebastian." He answered. "Yes. Of course. When? I'll be home in two days. We will discuss it then. Yes. Please set up a meeting. Alright then." He said and hung up.

His brow furrowed and he looked upset.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"We have a situation in the Middle East. The US is sending troops and I am going to meet with commanders of the British armed forces and Samuel when we return to see what their take is on it." He said.

"Ok" Pearl said, touching his hand. "I'm sure it will all be alright." She said. He nodded but still seemed uneasy.

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After much needed relaxation in the hot tub, sleeping in, massages and the Italian sun, they were on their way back.

"I wish we could just stay here." Pearl said.

"Hahaha. You say that about Scotland, too. I think you are just ready to retire and embrace country life." Sebastian said, patting her leg.

"I think you're right. I've had enough drama for a lifetime. Let's just run away to the country with our beautiful babies and never look back." She said, looking up at him blissfully.

"Soon, my love. Soon." He said. But she knew that was a lie. They were royals for life now and the simple life wasn't in either of their fates.