Everlastingly Loving You - Chapter 77

That was all that was on his mind, making it up to Sophia.

He was baffled when Ava asked him if he’d like to be her date. How dare she?

She was partially responsible for the mess he was in.

He glared at her, pulling her over to a private room so they could speak.

“STOP!” He yelled.

“Stop with all your silly antics, Ava, just stop,” he said, his tone void.

“If this is your way of making me fall in love with you it won’t work.”

“Trying to shoo away my partner-in-crime will not work either.”

“So stop. Just stop whatever else you’re planning.”

“Before I’ll have to make you leave Beldovia.”

“Because I will if you continue,” Nicholas said, exuding an aura of intensifying rage.

She wasn’t the one to blame, but he couldn’t help it. He knew she did it purposefully; he knew her.

“As you said, you knew me since I was little. But that’d also mean I know you.”

“I know you made her overhear that conversation.”

“I know you’ve been trying to irritate her the past two weeks.”

“I know all of that and I’ve put up with you.”

“So help me I’ll make sure you never see the light of day if you step another toe out of line.”

“So don’t pry into my relationships if you know what’s best for you, that, and if you’d like to continue living your life,” Nicholas told her.

“Got it?” He growled.

Ava curtly nodded, flipping her hair right before she walked away from Nicholas and into the reception hall.

Nicholas felt slightly satisfied having dealt with Ava. Now, all was left was to find Sophia.

Nicholas entered the reception hall.

He ignored the royals bombarding him with multiple questions, his only goal to find Sophia in what seemed like a sea of people that were trying to find their seats and choose who they’d sit next to.

It was a simple task; Sophia was easy to spot, her outfit of the night was to put it lightly, immaculate.

For the wedding reception, Sophia had chosen to don a light blue floor-length gown that had an a-line silhouette, a plunging v-neck tulle bow shoulder straps as well as a statement open back and low-cut sides.

She walked around, arm in arm with Louis, even though the only thing Nicholas could see at that moment was Sophia.

She looked effortlessly and breathtakingly beautiful, ethereal even. She made a statement with her ensemble. Once Nicholas found her, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

His heart somewhat fluttered, and it seemed as though time seemed to momentarily stop.

Sophia seemed fine without him, he didn’t want to spoil her fun by asking to talk to her.

Everyone couldn’t get enough of her outfit, asking her who styled her, only to discover she’d handpicked everything herself.

He studied her face from afar.

His heart screamed at him to take a step closer.

His head told him to keep his distance.

He watched as Sophia took a glass of champagne from a waiter who held a tray of champagne glasses.

“Nicholas? What are you doing, standing?” Julia asked, concerned.

“Something wrong?” She asked next.

Nicholas shook his head, “Nothing’s wrong.”

Julia wondered what was it Nicholas was looking at before she realized it was a who; her granddaughter.

She made Nicholas sit down next to her and explain what the hell was going on, even after Nicholas insisted it was nothing she should concern herself about.

Nicholas was certain Julia would’ve made him switch tables or slapped him after he told her everything, but she remained cool and collected.

“Well, that couldn’t possibly be true now could it?” Julia asked, her lips pursed.

“It isn’t,” Nicholas said with a curt nod.

“Sophia must be pretty upset,” she predicted.

Nicholas nodded once more.

“She is,” he confirmed.

“So, what are you going to do about it?” Julia asked calmly. So calmly it was frightening.

One would think Julia would’ve been more upset once she’d found out her granddaughter had been used by the man she thought was the closest she had to a son, but no. She stayed eerily calm.

“Sit still and pretty, or plan?” Julia asked.

Nicholas stared at her.

“You’re not upset?”

Julia chuckled.

“Me? Upset?”

“Why would I be?” Julia asked with a laugh.

“It’s a miscommunication, Nicholas darling. A simple miscommunication between the two of you, nothing more.”

“So she overheard that marquess friend of yours accuse you of using her.”

“There are people dying out there. Not to mention, I’ve known you were using her from the start,” Julia said nonchalantly.

“I beg your pardon?”

Julia stared at Nicholas.

“You never came all the times I’ve asked you. Yet the minute your kingdom’s in war, you come running here.”

She patted his back.

“Of course, using her was motive for you to come to Beldovia, say, bait.”

Nicholas stared at Julia.

How’d she known so much?

Julia chuckled, as though she was reading his mind.

“I’m Julia Windsor.”

“I know all,” she said theatrically.

Nicholas scoffed, “What else is there to expect from you?”

Julia ignored his question.

“But you’ve stopped being with her to use her, no?” Julia asked him, seeking validation from the Sanguisian prince.

Nicholas nodded. Julia was right. Frighteningly right, as always.

Julia resisted the urge to smack Nicholas right then and there. So he admitted he did use her in the first place.

“You care about my granddaughter, so do something about it, I can’t help you here,” Julia said.

“I care about both you and her equally, but if you do something foolish and actually hurt her… then that changes.”

Julia then studied Nicholas’ pale face.

“If you’d like you could try after the wedding reception,” she offered.

“Give her some alone time before trying,” she said so as to see if he’d follow his own instincts or follow her advice.

Of course, Julia knew Nicholas was hurt.

Hurt that Sophia had believed what Ava had accused him of doing without hearing what he had to say. Hurt she wouldn’t spare him a glance and seemed perfectly fine with what she’d just learnt when Julia knew that definitely wasn’t the case.

“But that decision lies with you and you only.”

“So it’s up to you.”

“You choose what you want to do.”

“So you have yourself to blame in the unfortunate case anything goes awry,” Julia said bluntly.

Nicholas seemed unbothered over Julia’s words. She was his mentor, after all, he’d gotten used to Julia being completely blunt.

He turned to thank Julia, before noticing she’d disappeared from sight.

‘And there she goes,’ Nicholas mumbled.

‘What am I going to do?” He asked.

He could usually think of an efficient plan, but when it came to this, he was clueless.

He hadn’t any idea what to say or do.

He didn’t think apologizing would work, nor did he think it was best Sophia was left alone for now. That’d only worsen things.

He was unsure, and he had no one to turn to.

Julia had given him advice as to what to do.

He wished for someone to tell him what to do, but a part of him knew… if he was waiting for someone to tell him exactly what to do, why bother at all?

He knew it’d be best to leave; he hadn’t even paid any attention to the wedding reception. He hadn’t joined in on the toast, nor had he touched anything on his plate. He hadn’t notice being served his food either.

He fidgeted with his fork.

Ava neared his table and tried talking to him.

She began, ‘Nich–‘

Nicholas got up and left. Not today.

Ava sighed exasperatedly.

“Oh come on!” She cried, gathering the attention of a couple of nearby royals.

She looked at them.

“Mind your own business,” she grumbled as she plopped on a chair.

Nicholas ignored her as he walked out of the reception hall as discreetly as possible, so as to not disrupt the wedding reception.

He thought he’d have better luck if he tried once Sophia returned to the palace, so he’d head back for the meantime and plan.

He’d made it all the way to the hotel lobby, and was ready to leave before he heard someone call his name.

He turned around; hoping – no, wishing – it was Sophia.

He was quite disappointed to see Louis.

He asked, “Here to beat me up?”

‘I deserve it anyway,’ he grumbled.

Louis furrowed his brows, crossing his arms.

“I’m not here to beat you,” he shook his head.

Nicholas would’ve easily stopped him, besides, all he came to do was talk. Nothing else.

Nicholas blinked.

“If not, I should be going,” Nicholas said as he opened the car door.

Louis knew he had to do something about it, to stop Nicholas from leaving. It was his only option.

He began, “If you get in that car in hopes she’ll forgive you, she won’t.”