Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Richard’s POV

We arrived at the Palace few days after and we were welcomed by my mom, dad and other important royal cabinet members.

My mom couldn’t stop gushing about Vanessa and her grandchild. I knew how much it was difficult for her to accept that the relationship between her and I might change after my biological mother had surfaced, still I didn’t let it bother me.

We were eating at the dining table when one of my uncles started up a conversation that he couldn’t finish.

“When are you going to meet up with your mother Richard?” Uncle Thomas was a distant relative. He was more of dad’s childhood friend than family. Even though I never had any string attached to him or any of his families, I had to respect him and knew he had to know his boundaries too.

“My mother is right here, so what are you talking about?” I purposely said that as I understood his question very well.

“I mean your biological mother, Richard. A woman can bring up a child but that doesn’t say mean she’s the child’s birth mother” He said.

“Well! Coming from a man who abandoned his own children to lust after girls young enough to be mother’s last child isn’t a surprise. Fools are not just born, they are also brought up” That came from my mother and that stopped me from saying a word.

She continued, “I also heard that was the same way your father deserted you and your mother to date a child old enough to be his granddaughter. Instead of you to worry so much about my family issue, why don’t you worry about the generational pedophile that your family is busy breeding?” I quickly placed a hand on mom’s to stop her from saying further.

“Uncle Thomas, it’s either you stop saying nonsense or you leave this instant” I requested.

“He’s my guest, Richard. I have the right to tell him what to do” My Father cautioned me and turned to him. “You’re in my house, give my family some respect”

The issue closed at that but my mom won’t stop glaring at him.

My father tried to break the tension by having small talks with Vanessa and Racheal.

In between meals, he suddenly asked for me to see him in his study room.

“Sit down Richard” My father gestured for me to sit immediately we got inside the room.

“Is everything okay?” I asked when I saw the worried expression on his face.

“I’ll be making a huge decision for the Royal Household tomorrow Richard. Be prepared. No matter what happens, don’t fret and don’t shake” I knew what he was talking about, I knew I couldn’t delay it any further.

“I’ll be prepared Father. All I need is your blessing”

“That you’ll have”

…………………...

“Will you prefer to meet your brother here or at the restaurant tomorrow?” My father asked.

I was silent for few minutes, thinking about the best answer I could give him. It was beginning to get on my nerves.

“Is it necessary for me to meet him?”

“Yes! Because he’ll be stated as a Royal tomorrow and I want you guys to meet and talk before I make my announcement” he explained

“Maybe you should announce him as the king and let me go back to my life with my girls in New York” I requested.

“I’ve watched you both grown up to be fine men. He’s more like you, Richard. You’ll love him and I know who’s meant for what and what. Don’t jeopardize your birth right, Richard” I nodded and knew it would be a baseless argument if I continued.

“Vanessa is a good woman” he suddenly remarked.

“She is” I stood up to leave his study room. I was about to walk out of the door when he called my name.

I turned to him and he said “Don’t make the same mistake I made, Richard. If your happiness is with her, hold her tight and don’t lose her” i never planned on losing her.

With everything so fast paced, I knew I had to do something.

I got back to my side of the palace and went straight to Vanessa’s room. She was with Racheal in the bathroom.

She was wearing a robe and my body ached for her, knowing how naked she would be underneath the robe.

“What took you so long?” She suddenly asked.

“I was talking to dad about stuffs” she nodded and went back to bathing Racheal and getting her ready for bed.

After I had helped to get her into her pajamas, I told her a bedside story and before we knew it, She was out like a light.

Vanessa wanted to get into her own side of the bed, when I pulled her hand.

“Sleep with me tonight, please” I pleaded

Her breathing was loud and I knew she was confused.

“No pressure, babe. I won’t do anything you don’t like”

“It’s not like that, I don’t think I can control myself around you” I laughed at that and we made our way to my room. It was directly opposite to Racheal’s room. We even had to put a baby monitor, Incase she wake up in the middle of the night.

We got into my room and I quickly made my way into the bathroom to have a shower.

When I got back, Vanessa was sitting on my bed while flipping through the channels on the TV.

I purposely dropped my towel and she blushed when our eyes met. I wore a simple pant and decided not to wear a shirt.

“We need to talk Babe” I told her and she dropped the remote.

I dipped my hand into my pocket and brought out a small box. I gave it to her and when she opened it, a gasp escaped from her mouth.

“I’m sorry this is not as grand as you expected it but I want you to know that every bit of this moment is something I’ll forever cherish. I’ve been planning on doing this for a while now but I guess time is not on my side to plan the best proposal any woman had ever had. You’re the best woman for me, Essa. You made me feel things in ways nobody else can. You gave me hope, you gave me light and you gave me the strength to move on”I was already on my knees beside the bed.

After she had told me at the hospital about how her mother had disowned her because she couldn’t make it to her father’s burial, I had reached out to her to try and change her mind. But the woman was stubborn, claiming she’ll never take her back as a daughter.

I was able to reach her sister who promised to show up someday for her sister.

“You gave me the best gift, Vanessa and you are my best gift. I don’t want to go into the world without you. Vanessa Decruz, would you do me the honor of being my wife?” She was already in tears and I quickly got up from my position to wipe away her tears.

“You don’t have to say Yes, Vanessa. No pressure baby, No pressure”

“Ja, Si, Oui, Evet, Sim, Tak, Ya”I was confused for a while.

“That’s Yes in seven languages. Yes, I’ll marry you” I was lucky to be able to call this woman mine. I’m the happiest man on earth for this chance.

“Thank you for making me the happiest man. Thank you”

Pulling her into a deep kiss, I removed her robe and grinned when I knew I was right.

I took the moment and made it mine. Not scared or baffled about what tomorrow may bring. I decided to enjoy the night with my best woman beside me.