Chapter 245

"We are finalizing the guest list. Being that it is last minute, and still a state affair with Erik as the heir apparent, we are not making for many happy acquaintances." Frances said, at lunch.

They had arrived at Buckingham palace.

"We will need you to chose the flowers and we will need to increase the security detail. Will you be arriving in a carriage or car to the ceremony? Music for the ceremony? Performers for the reception? And what of the wedding breakfast? I think we will likely have six hindered there and three for the reception party. Then there is the television producer arriving Friday to go over the details of the cueing and timing, being that it will be nationally televised."

"Well, Pearl and I will need to see the florist this week. And we will talk about all of this and let you know, mother." Erik said.

"Let me know? I hope that is soon, son." Frances said.

"Yes. We will." He said, standing up and leaving. He was meeting with his father in the offices there to discuss state business.

Frances continued to list all the things they had to accomplish in the three weeks leading up to the wedding.

Pearl began to feel warm, and anxious. "Excuse me." She said, standing up and walking out of the dining room. Fi and Iris looked at her, and she told them she was fine. Just warm.

She walked out into the garden and took a deep breath. She walked along the rows of flowers and trees, thankful for the distraction of their beauty. It looked like it might rain, the sky a lovely shade of blue gray. It rained a lot in England, she had discovered.

"You've been out here awhile. Care to talk about it?" Sebastian said, walking out to where she was standing.

"No. Not really." She said, looking away.

"Alright then. Care to walk silently along these rows of beautiful flowers and not talk about with me?" He said, holding out his arm. She smiled and nodded, taking it.

They walked for several minutes. The air was crisp and smelled like heaven.

"One of my favorite things. The smell in the air, right before the rain." Pearl said.

"Yes. An aromatic warning to grab a brolly and cover your hair." He said, smiling. "This wedding, is it not what you expected?" He asked.

"I didn't really know what to expect." She answered.

"You had to have realized what comes along with marrying the heir apparent to the throne of a country?" He said, stopping and looking at her.

"I know it sounds naive, idiotic even, but I really didn't. I just met a man I fell in love with and wanted to marry. I don't see him like that. I never have. It's not a good thing, I know." She said, sitting down on a bench.

"It is a good thing. It's the best thing... for him. Not for you. Does he realize how this is taxing on you?" He asked.

"No. And I don't want to tell him. He's so excited. Helping. Having his moment. I don't want to be the cause of any strain right now. He has been through enough." She said.

"Ok. I can understand that." He said. "But, if you were mine, I would want to know anyway. And, I would marry you anywhere and anytime and all of this wouldn't matter. Shouldn't matter. I would leave right now and take you to some small church in Scotland...And marry you like King James and Margaret Tudor. That being said, it isn't me you are marrying. It's him. His place in society and politics is much greater than mine. And he has a responsibility to the country. The world. And that is your responsibility now, too." He said, looking out at the garden.

"So, your advice is for me to suck it up, buttercup?" She asked.

"Yes. It is. But I do think you should talk to him about it." He said.

"I will try." She said.

He looked at her and for a moment, she thought he might say something else but he didn't. He just looked at her and then looked away, deeply in thought.

"Bash, you may be the best person I know." She said.

"Yes. Best remember that." He said with a snarky smile, kissing her hand and taking his leave.