Chapter 360

"I see Dylan just left. Hopefully he talked some sense into you." Charles said.

"I put on the call light. Where is that exercise bloke that keeps wanting to get me out of bed? Bring him in here." Sebastian said.

"Very well, your majesty." Charles said.

A few minutes later, two people and a doctor arrived in his room.

"I hear you are wanting to see us?" The doctor asked.

"Well, here I am. I want to get out of this bed and see what my legs will do." Sebastian said.

They all looked at each other.

"Well? Get on with it then!" Sebastian demanded. And with that, they all worked together to get him into his chair, beginning Sebastian's journey to healing.

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"Dylan." Pearl said as she found him in the garden with Christian and Isla. They were planting flowers and Dylan was showing them how to put the roots properly into the ground.

"Unnca Dywan!" Christian shouted as he held up a marigold.

"Yes. Just like that. Great job little man." Dylan said as he patted his head.

"Hey Pearl." Dylan said.

"The garden looks beautiful!" Pearl said, clapping her hands.

"Tanks mummy." Isla said with a dirty-faced smile.

"Dylan, can I talk to you?" Pearl asked.

"Sure. Give me a sec." Dylan said, handing Tia the shovel in his hand.

He took off his gloves and wiped his hands.

"What's up?" He asked.

She pulled him into her arms and hugged him.

"I don't think you will ever understand how much you mean to me." She said. He hugged her back and held her as long as she would let him. Finally, she broke their embrace and looked at him.

"I love you, Dylan. You are friend, lover, confidante, all of what my family should be all in one. I can't begin to explain how important that is. Thank you for trying to help me. For being wonderful to these kids… "

"Pearl, you don't have to say all of this." Dylan put his hands on her shoulders. "I'm not going anywhere. I am frustrated. I am sad for you. I want you to be taken care of. Happy. I hate what you've put yourself through, what these men have put you through. Some days it just… gets to me. But I'm here." He said.

"You could have a life, you know. Somewhere else. Away from my drama and bullshit." She said.

"Yes. I could. But unfortunately I am unable to do that. I have tried, you know." He said with a smile.

"Even traveling? You could travel and see the world. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?" She asked.

"I don't know. Where are you?" He asked. She felt the tears fall and she hugged him again.

"I don't deserve you, Dylan." She said.

"I know." He said with a smile.

"Unnca Dywan!" Christian said, motioning him over.

"I have to get back to some important matters of the crown. Have lunch with me?" He asked.

"Yes." Pearl said, smiling and wiping her cheeks.