Chapter 223

Later that evening, Pearl knocked on the door to the large office in the home. Sebastian opened the door and asked if she was ok.

"Yes. Yes I'm fine. I wanted let you know that I invited a couple of friends to London. To help. My best friend, Dylan. And my assistant, Iris. They can both be fully trusted. I just want to make sure it's ok with you that they come here, if not, I can arrange a hotel for them." She said.

"No. Don't be ridiculous. Bring them here." He said.

"Thank you, Sebastian. For everything." She said.

"Of course." He said.

"No. Really. I know that Erik wasn't there for you when you needed him the most and I want you to know how noble it is of you to do for him what he wasn't able to do for you." Pearl said. Sebastian looked down.

"The thing is, I'm not exactly the wonderful man you think me to be. I'm not. I didn't do it for him, you see." He said. "I'm doing it for you."

Pearl felt her breath catch for a moment and her heart begin to race. "Well thank you, regardless. I know Erik would be grateful. As am I." She said, turning to walk away.

"You're welcome." He said.

***************************

"Dylan." Pearl said and ran to his arms. "Oh god have I needed you."

"I'm here. I'm here." He said. "What the hell is going on?"

"Iris. I'm so glad you flew in." She said.

She led them to a living room where Sebastian and Jim were waiting for them.

"Dylan, Iris, this is Prince Sebastian, Erik's first cousin." Pearl said.

"Your highness." Iris said. Dylan shook his hand. "Nice to meet you." He said.

"Yes. Good to meet you." Sebastian said.

They all sat awkwardly in the room for a long moment.

"So, what's going on?" Dylan asked. "Where's Erik?"

"A week ago, Erik woke up early and told me he had a meeting with a diplomat in France. Not long after, he was kidnapped by an unknown person or group and held for six days without letting anyone know their intentions. Yesterday, he was tied to a post in an abandoned building and left there to die, when explosives detonated, killing him and several men attempting to rescue him." Pearl said, stone faced. She was now numb and felt like who and whatever she was before wasn't there currently. She felt like she was out of herself.

"What? What the fuck?" Dylan said.

"Oh my god, Pearl. Oh honey. Are you ok?" Iris asked.

"No. I'm not." She said. "And I need you all to promise me, promise you won't tell a soul. We aren't releasing anything to the media yet." Pearl said.

"Of course." Iris said.

"And there is one more thing. One more thing you have to promise me you will keep secret." She said to them. "That includes you Bash. And you Jim." She said.

"Yes. I promise." Sebastian said. Jim nodded.

"I found out from the doctor yesterday that I am pregnant. A month along. I'm carrying Erik's child." She said.

"Oh my god. Wow. This is, a lot. This is crazy Pearl." Dylan said, standing up and walking to a window, pacing a little.

"Pearl. I don't know what to say. How awful. Something so amazing happens and you can't even feel joy about it." Iris said.

Pearl felt that she wanted to cry, but couldn't. She had nothing left to pour out. Something about finding out this child was inside of her made her feel a wall of defense form around her. She had to be strong again now. Not just for herself.

"A baby. You're carrying his child?" Sebastian asked. "A royal child. If Erik was alive, this child would be the second in line to the throne of England."

"Yes. I guess that as well." Pearl said.

"It will never be considered legitimate. It won't be considered a true heir if it is born out of wedlock." Sebastian said.

Pearl hadn't though about that. She hadn't thought about anything.

"Oh. Well, I guess he or she won't be considered an heir then." Pearl said, it may have been a big deal to Sebastian and his family but it wasn't to her. "I just want to wait to tell his family. To tell anyone other than you all."

Sebastian nodded. "Your secret is safe with me." He said.

"What do you need from all of us." Dylan asked.

"Just support. I wanted to have you here. I missed you and it's been awful." She said.

"Of course. I meant what can we do to help?" Dylan clarified.

"I don't know. I'm not sure of anything anymore."