Chapter 330

"Isla, Christian get over here now!" Pearl called out.

The two toddlers were chasing a butterfly around in the meadow behind Balmoral Castle.

"Isla, you are filthy and I can't believe you have ruined another dress you little tomboy." Pearl said, taking her hand and walking them inside. She asked Tia to take them upstairs for a bath. "But mum! I not want to hab a bath!" Christian stomped. "You are 2 years old. You stink. You smell like a foot. Now go and play in the tub with Tia." Pearl sat down and rubbed her growing belly as drank a glass of cold lemonade, cooling off from the summer sun.

She felt hands come from behind and on her shoulders and then down to her tummy, caressing and rubbing it.

"How was your nap?" Pearl asked.

"I come here to rest but I can't seem to want to sleep. It takes time away from being with you." Sebastian said, kissing her lovingly and a bit seductively.

"Now listen to me. You have two filthy, spoiled and beautiful children upstairs and another son on the way. I think we need to discuss your need to be around me so much." Pearl said, smiling.

"Oh no. I told you, I'm never going to be able to keep me hands off of you. You knew that and still asked me to marry you." He said, laughing and sitting down.

"I did." She said, pouting.

"And yet, you married me anyway, queen Pearl." He said, looking at her devilishly. He got up and put on Chopin. He knew what that did to her.

"Take me upstairs." She said.

"Gladly." He smiled and picked her up, carrying her up the stairs to the bedroom.

"Daddy!" Little Isla said in her one year old voice, running across the hall, completely naked and covered in bubbles.

"Who needs romance, anyway?" Sebastian asked, laughing.

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"Someone is here to see you both." Jim said, interrupting dinner.

"Alright. Send them to the study." Sebastian said, putting his napkin down.

They walked in to find Q sitting in a chair.

"Hello Q. How have you been?" Sebastian asked. "Good. I apologize for interrupting you on holiday but there is an important matter that I need to discuss with you both." He said.

Pearl thought about he last couple of years. Sebastian's father had been extremely ill, but he managed to muster up the energy one last time to crown his son. He anointed him with oil and presented him with the royal regalia, marking the formal investiture of a monarch with regal power. The monarch's consort was also crowned, as queen Pearl. They were married in a small ceremony in Scotland only weeks before. Sebastian with full Scottish regalia and kilt. It was simple and beautiful. They were able to make Christian legitimate based on what had happened.

They were considered to be Saint-like, not only in Great Britain but around the world. They were highly esteemed and loved. Sebastian was an incredibly kind and strong leader. They had these last couple of years of peace. She didn't want anything to come between them now.

"What is it?" Sebastian asked.

"We have a situation. In France. The president's son has been taken. I thought maybe the two of you could help with this, being so good at.... sleuthing. Under the radar, if you know what I mean... " Q said.

Sebastian looked at Pearl and then over and the Sherlock Holmes collection on the shelf. He waited for her answer. She nodded.

"Yes. I think we might be able to assist you in this endeavor." Sebastian said.

Pearl smiled. "Let's see the folder, Q." She said.