Everlastingly Loving You - Chapter 64

As said before, there were many reasons as to why Nicholas had returned to Beldovia.

He’d purposely left Sanguis for a breath of fresh air.

Leaving his family was a delight. Being a royal was as though you were trapped in an unbreakable cage.

For Nicholas, it wasn’t being a royal that made him feel trapped. It was his family.

It was known Nicholas was the black sheep of the family, despite being its closest male heir to the throne. By order of birth, he was first in the line of succession, everyone knew that. He was Prince Nicholas of Sanguis. His family treated him that way. As if his only purpose of living was to rule Sanguis one day, and nothing else.

His youngest sister was one of the exceptions when it came to his family. Her being the youngest meant she’d likely never have to sit on a throne, something Nicholas was content she wouldn’t have to worry about that, nor would she have to worry about her onerous duties and giving up her life for the crown.

Olivia had also been the only person he missed when he returned to Beldovia to resume what he started. Of course, there were a couple of other people he considered close enough to be family, but that wasn’t of great importance, for the time being.

Currently, Sophia and Nicholas were in another one of the palace’s other dining rooms, enjoying brunch together, as friends.

Sophia was having a panettone french toast with mixed berries, pairing it with a strawberry mojito, keeping things alcohol free after what happened with Clarisse the previous night.

She sliced down and across her toast, making no effort to start a conversation as both she and Nicholas enjoyed their brunches.

Nicholas dug into a scrumptious dulce de leche bread with drizzles of coffee icing, pairing his brunch with a simple mimosa.

“Any upcoming events?” Nicholas asked.

“Not that I can think of, no,” Sophia answered before taking a sip from her mojito.

She began to mull over it.

“Scratch that, we have a garden party to attend,” Sophia said.

“A garden party,” he said, amused.

“And why are you so cheery?” Sophia asked, confused.

“Garden parties are horrendously boring, and what’s worst? We’re required to dress in pastel and neutral colour schemes,” Sophia tsked.

Nicholas tried not to smile.

“Exactly,” he said.

“I don’t do well with pastels, what more floral print,” Sophia whined.

Nicholas chuckled softly.

Sophia glowered.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” She asked.

Nicholas took a sip of his mimosa, “Guilty.”

Sophia crossed her arms, pushing her plate away from her.

“Damned pastel colours,” she grumbled, getting up from her chair, placing her napkin on the table and storming off.

Once she noticed Nicholas hadn’t followed suit, she asked him in vexation, “You coming?”

Nicholas hesitated.

He looked at his plate, mumbling a couple of words before he got up and followed her in exasperation.

What a waste of a perfect brunch.

“Seeing you in pastels, that’s going to be interesting,” he admitted, walking beside Sophia.

“Do you know how much of a creep you sound when you say that?” Sophia asked Nicholas.

“A total, total creep,” she whispered.

Nicholas shrugged.

Sophia sighed exasperatedly.

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Sophia took pride in her chosen ensemble for the garden party. It was sure to make her stand out from the pastel-wearing crowd during the garden party.

The garden party, yes.

Every year, Beldovia’s monarch would welcome tens of thousands of guests to spend an afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Windsor Palace, the home of Beldovian history, and also where Sophia and Louis would visit annually ever since they were little kids.

Sophia had to admit, she was a tad bit excited to return to Windsor Palace, it was far homier than the Beldovian Palace had ever been. She knew Louis shared similar sentiments.

“Bold outfit choice,” Nicholas noticed.

It wasn’t exactly garden party attire

Sophia shrugged coolly.

“How else could I make a statement,” she said, looking glamorous in a retro red midi dress that had a double-breasted blazer-style top, completed with preened lapels, and shoulder pads. The midi dress transformed into a pleated skirt from the waist down, finishing at the knees. She paired the ensemble with a pair of retro red block heels, a matching clutch bag, and dainty pearl drop earrings.

She decided it was best she went hat-less and had her hair in a neat bun.

Although Nicholas thought it wasn’t something most royals would opt to wear to a garden party colour-wise, he had to admit, Sophia looked stunning.

“After you,” Nicholas told Sophia courteously, opening the car door for her.

Sophia gazed thoughtfully at Nicholas, “You don’t look so bad yourself,” she told him before she ducked and entered the car.

Nicholas took his top hat off before he entered the car.

“Windsor Palace,” Sophia ordered the chauffeur, who nodded at her order.

Nicholas had a question in mind.

“All yours?” Nicholas asked.

Sophia shook her head. How she wished it so.

Reality could be depressing at times, especially when things don’t go the way you want them to.

“No,” she said bitterly.

“It’s Emilia’s.”

“Eighty-seven thousand square feet and Emilia owns it all,” Sophia grumbled, arms crossed. It was hers and Louis’ by right. Their father had owned it whilst he was still alive and walking, but Emilia had been his beneficiary once he passed.

Much to Emilia’s gratification, she’d scored the entire estate. Something she never allowed Sophia to forget.

She and Louis were given other estates. She’d inherited Cantlingham Castle once her father had passed, and Louis had inherited Alterwood House. But, Emilia had won. She’d gotten the one estate that meant something to both her and her brother. It was unjust.

Julia had decided not to attend the garden party; Sophia and Nicholas were told it was because it’d be held on Emilia’s turf, but, that hadn’t been the full story.

It’d also been since she had business to attend back at the Beldovian Palace that was strictly confidential.

Oh, what did Julia have in store for them, and what was so important that she missed Emilia’s garden party exactly?