Everlastingly Loving You - Chapter 89

“Jaxson asked me out today,” Clarisse told Sophia.

Sophia was choosing which pair of heels she’d wear for the banquet when Clarisse had told her the shocking piece of news.

“He what?” She asked.

“He asked you out?” Sophia asked, blinking.

“Really now?” She questioned.

She picked a pair of heels, remaining silent. She kept her thoughts to herself.

“No no no no why are you not speaking?” Clarisse asked frantically.

“I’m picking out a pair of heels for a banquet, it requires focus,” Sophia said, speaking the partial truth.

“And?” Clarisse asked.

“And?” Sophia asked in return.

“What do you think?” Clarisse asked, seeking Sophia’s opinion.

“I have no business in this,” Sophia answered nonchalantly.

“You’re my best friend, of course, you have business in this,” Clarisse reasoned.

“So tell me what you think!” Clarisse proclaimed.

Sophia chuckled.

“You aren’t actually going to ignore this question, are you?” Her best friend asked.

Sophia tilted her head to the side, “Watch me.”

She entered the changing room.

“Oh come on!” Clarisse exclaimed.

“It’s your business, you don’t see me asking you regarding Nicholas do you?” Sophia asked.

“So you’re no longer ignoring me?” Clarisse asked hopefully.

“I still am,” Sophia answered from the changing room.

“In everything Jaxson related,” she added.

Clarisse pouted.

She needed Sophia’s opinion – did he like her?

It was too soon to tell.

She stared at her chosen gown for the banquet.

She hadn’t changed yet.

She took her gown and headed for another changing room, as well as a pair of matching heels.

“Here,” Sophia handed Clarisse a pair of earrings, “It suits your gown.”

Sophia’s hand hovered over dozens of earrings.

‘Which one,’ she wondered.

“Dressing to impress?” Clarisse asked.

Sophia smiled, “Yes actually.”

It was her and Nicholas’ first ever royal event after… the kiss, and everything else. She wanted it to be extraordinary.

“You’ll look amazing regardless of what earrings you choose to wear,” Clarisse insisted.

“I’m certain Nicholas thinks so too,” she added helpfully.

“How do you know what he thinks?” Sophia asked.

“Because, it’s common sense,” Clarisse snapped.

“Now, we have a banquet to attend and a prince who’s likely already waiting for you,” Clarisse reminded.

Sophia looked Clarisse up and down.

“Fine, let’s go,” Sophia sighed.

Clarisse smiled cheerfully.

__

“Why hello again,” he greeted.

Sophia greeted in return, “Hello handsome.”

“Someone’s looking great,” Sophia praised, adjusting Nicholas’ tie.

Nicholas kissed the back of Sophia’s hand before admiring her ensemble.

She wore a simple burgundy blood-red evening gown that was off-the-shoulder, with red pumps. She purposely dressed simpler than usual, so as to not garner as much attention as she usually did.

“I’d continue to praise you, but we have a banquet to attend, remember?” Nicholas reminded her.

Sophia nodded, shutting her eyes.

“Right,” she agreed.

“The banquet,” she said, reminding herself.

Nicholas looped his arm with hers.

“Come on,” he encouraged her.

“You can do this,” he encouraged, cheering her on.

“One banquet, Windsor, it’s one banquet.”

Sophia beamed, “Mhm.”

“But, I have an idea.”

“What do you say… we make our debut?” Sophia suggested.

“That we’re courting?” Nicholas asked.

“You read my mind,” Sophia said.

They exchanged a look.

They walked towards the banquet hall.

It was a given the banquet was held at the Beldovian palace.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Prince Nicholas Richard Alexander Maine Ambrose and Duchess Sophia Helena Victoria Belle Windsor,” the herald announced.

The two walked in the hall, surprising the guests. They’d never walked in an event together before.

And as icing on the cake, Sophia kissed Nicholas on the cheek.

Julia smiled from her seat.

Clarisse sat beside Louis – who she hadn’t spoken to ever since their previous encounter – grinned smugly at Sophia.

“Go Sophia,” she mumbled.

“Indeed,” Louis added.

“So are we not going to talk about how you and he were…”

She made a gesture with her hands.

“I did not–”

“Are you trying to convince me to unacknowledge what I saw with my own eyes?” She asked.

Louis lowered his head, placing his head on his hand.

Sophia and Nicholas joined them at their table.

Clarisse grinned.

“Sophia!” She exclaimed.

“You should hear about what–”

“Claire,” Louis warned.

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

Nicholas’ gaze darted between Louis, Clarisse and Sophia.

“I refuse to get involved,” Nicholas admitted, “So I’m going to get some drinks.”

“Martini?” He asked Sophia.

She nodded.

He left swiftly after.

“Why doesn’t anyone ask me if I’d like drinks?” Clarisse pouted.

“Louis would, if he were on speaking terms with you,” Sophia reasoned.

“So, why isn’t he on speaking terms with you?” Sophia asked, brow-raised.

“Someone’s got to tell me eventually or I’ll find out on my own,” Sophia reasoned.

Clarisse pursed her lips.

“Well, Louis here…”

“Are you really going to do this to me?” Louis asked Clarisse, groaning.

Clarisse shot Louis a look.

“Fine.”

“FINE!” Louis exclaimed.

“I slept with my date.”

“But he isn’t the marquess, he’s… a random guy I met at the bar when the marquess didn’t show up,” Louis elucidated.

Sophia blinked.

“Come again?” She asked weakly.

“You slept with someone?”

Clarisse patted Louis on the back.

Sophia felt her overprotective sisterly instincts kick in.

“Who?”

“What sort of family does he come from?”

“What’s he like?”

“What’s his age?”

“What’s his–”

“Slow down,” Louis told his sister.

“I’ve barely gotten to… know him,” he admitted.

Sophia exhaled sharply.

“You’re an adult, you get to do what you want to do,” she managed to say.

Louis blinked.

She was taking things better than he thought she would.

Luckily, it was then Nicholas returned with two martinis in hand.

He offered Clarisse his martini, which she gladly accepted.

“Why thank you,” she thanked him.

She mouthed to Sophia in a humorous manner, ‘He’s a keeper.’

Sophia chuckled.

“So, back to the questions I was asking,” she reminded Louis.

“What’s his name?” She asked.

“Marcus, his name’s Marcus,” Louis answered.

“Marcus Lemaire.”

Sophia nodded, “Alright, and his likes?”

“Dancing, baseball, and a couple of other things,” Louis answered.

Sophia narrowed her eyes. An odd range of hobbies, but she could do with that.

She glanced at the stage. Emilia was awarding someone with a medal.

(Author’s Note: Keep in mind, the Beldovian banquet was a sumptuous feast held to celebrate an occasion. This time, it was to award medals and trophies to people who deserve them.  Emilia was awarding them, so she chose not to include Sophia in anything – something she appreciated. Then she got to spend time with her friends and Nicholas.)

An hour had passed by – an hour Sophia had spent grilling Nicholas for details and more information.

Who knew a date could’ve led to that?

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m in need of the restroom,” Sophia said, excusing herself.

She pushed her chair away and left.

She found the majordomo in the kitchen, ordering staff to bring more glasses to the banquet.

“Guillermo, I’m in need of your help,” Sophia admitted.

Guillermo bowed.

“Whatever is it you need, your grace?” He asked politely.

Sophia inhaled. She was sure she’d do it.

“I need you to run a background check on someone.”

“And might you elucidate who is this someone?” Guillermo asked curiously.

“A man by the name of Marcus Lemaire,” Sophia answered.

Guillermo knitted his brows. The name sounded oddly familiar to him.

“Report back to me once you’ve gotten a report as to who he is,” Sophia ordered.

Guillermo nodded.

“Of course. Right away, your grace,” he said, bowing before he left.

Sophia smiled relievedly, seeing as one task of hers could be lifted off her chest.

She didn’t know much regarding this Marcus Lemaire. He was attractive, he had brown hair and brown eyes, he liked baseball and dancing, that was all she knew.

She needed more, especially after what’d happened with Leo, she couldn’t take any chances.

She couldn’t have cared but since it was Louis, she did. He was one of the few people she cared about, she wouldn’t leave anything out.

She wanted to know exactly who he was, knowing damn well it wasn’t simply a coincidence he showed up when the marquess didn’t. There had to be an explanation.

She then returned to the banquet hall.

“What did you do?” Nicholas asked, catching on to her. She was on to something. The Sophia he knew wouldn’t sit idly by and watch as her brother got closer and closer to a man she knew nearly nothing about.

‘Later,’ Sophia mouthed.

‘Alright then,’ Nicholas mumbled.

Clarisse raised her eyebrows.

“I just realized we never got the chance to wish you both congratulations.”

“On courting,” Clarisse added, the words coming bitterly out of her mouth.

Nicholas thanked her.

Sophia placed a hand over his.

“I’ve got to go,” Sophia said.

“They need me over at the stage,” she elucidated.

She was completely unprepared – Emilia did it purposefully, catching her off guard, putting her on the spot and watching while she completely humiliated herself.

But she was not going to allow Emilia to win. Ever.