Sophie nodded. She would buy a place for herself and her children. Hired some maids to help her and started a tavern business. That was the thing she had always wanted to do and she did some research about it in the past.
She just needed some help with some of the processes, but she was confident she could do it for the most part. She didn't mind if Nicholas would help her because she respected his presence as the boys' father who must want to contribute to his sons' wellbeing and care.
If Nicholas would provide her with secret protection, she would welcome the gesture because she also thought it was best if the children were safe. She didn't care about herself, but if she being safe and well meant her children would be safe and well too, then, she would accept a helping hand. Just for the kids. Not more.
"I have some jewelry that I can sell to raise some money to buy a home and start a business," Sophie explained.
Nicholas looked at her deeply. "Business? You want to work?"
Sophie nodded again. She reminded him, "Yes. Do you remember our conversation when we first met again in Hastings, you were visiting your uncle, Baron Ferdinand."
Of course, Nicholas remembered everything about her now. After he regained his memories, slowly, every single piece of memory from their time together returned to him and gave him consolation. He swore that no matter what, even if someday he became old and senile and he forgot his own name, he would never, never forget her.
"You mean... the tavern?" Nicholas asked her. Sophie smiled faintly and nodded to confirm. The king smiled too. Ah, the memories of that time when they had a picnic in his uncle's castle yard were so pure and beautiful. He wished he was there with Sophie now. He said in a nostalgic tone, "You still want to open a tavern, after all these years?"
"Yeah. I never got to do that, so I can see it as my chance to finally realize my dream," Sophie replied. "I am now older and smarter to hold a business. I also have the capital and the means to do it."
She added, "Plus, I learned the secrets to making special ale that the lycans love. I am sure humans would love it too. It would be a popular drink and my tavern will make a lot of money."
Nicholas looked at Sophie with his heart filled with warmth. She seemed excited about her plans and it subsided her sadness a little bit. Nicholas realized this was for the best. Sophie needed something to do to distract her mind from her pain and her sadness. She must keep herself busy amidst her difficult situation.
If Nicholas forced her to stay here, in his palace, doing nothing, she would have so much idle time to grieve, and perhaps she would fall into depression. He glanced at her stomach which was still flat and wondered what her baby would look like when they were born.
Lycan's pregnancy took only five months max. So, if she was 2-3 months in, she would give birth in two months. Now, Nicholas understood why Sophie wanted to start as soon as possible. She wanted to finish all the preparation before she gave birth to her baby.
"Can't you wait...?" Nicholas asked again, trying to bargain. "Maybe after the baby is born?"
Sophie shook her head. "No. I want to start right away. I can't deal with moving and starting a business with three babies. I also want to keep myself busy so I don't have to keep thinking about Leland."
Sophie took a deep breath when she mentioned Leland's name. She was trying to forget about him so she didn't have to keep feeling the pain, but it was so damn difficult to do.
"I understand," Nicholas hurriedly decided to comply with her request to let her go. He didn't want her to keep thinking about her mate who had hurt her so badly. "I will help you find a nice house and a good location for your tavern. However, you have to allow me to send some knights to go undercover and work for you in your tavern. They will wait tables for you and do whatever you need them to do."
"Huh?" Sophie thought Nicholas would send his knights to take residence around her place and protect her family in secret. However, he actually would position them to work as her staff?
"They are... knights. Do you think they can do hospitality work?" Sophie remembered most of the knights working as the king's guards were fierce-looking. She didn't want them to deter her customers if those knights stayed in her tavern as workers.
She said, "I want to make honest money from honest customers. That's why I want this business to work out. I don't want to rely on your money to support me."
"I will choose the good-looking ones to attract customers," replied Nicholas who seemed able to read Sophie's concern. "I have some female knights too. They will be happy to do this assignment. I will not support you with money because you seem very offended if I did. So, I will just support you with manpower. What do you think?"
Before Sophie could reply to Nicholas' question, Anne woke up and whimpered. She nuzzled her nose on Sophie's stomach, and then she sniffed upward, looking for her breast. Unconsciously, Nicholas followed the pup's head movement and now his eyes were fixed on Sophie's chest.
He felt so embarrassed when suddenly the image of Sophie being naked under him came to his mind. Gosh.. she was so beautiful, so alluring, and they were so in love. Their wedding night was wonderful.
Even though they already had sex before they got married, what they did on that night was truly special. Maybe because it was the consummation where they conceived Luciel and Jan. He was not sure why, he just knew it.
Their lovemaking was wonderful and it had created two beautiful sons that meant the world to him.
Nicholas felt his throat dry when his mind was filled with regret again. This made him feel really sad. He had scolded his young self many times over for letting go of such a wonderful wife and two sons, even though it was unintentional. He felt so dumb and useless.
"I think Anne needs you. We can continue this conversation when you are done. I will be waiting outside with the boys," Nicholas got up and rubbed Anne's head gently, nodded at Sophie, and turned around to leave.
Before he opened the door, he turned around and spoke to Sophie, "Please think about my offer. I just want to make sure you and the kids are safe."
Sophie turned to him and nodded. "I will. Thank you."
Nicholas smiled and opened the door. He stepped out and closed the door behind him. Outside, he saw Luciel and Jan playing with their baby brother in the corridor. Luciel had transformed into his wolf form and he bit Jack on his nape to take the baby with him. Jan walked with them with his hands inside his pockets.
Meanwhile, Sophie nursed her daughter and pondered her conversation with Nicholas earlier. She really appreciated his response and the help he offered. She was glad that he didn't force her to stay in the palace, using his sons as an excuse. This made her feel very relieved and realized that Nicholas was really mature and respectful of her wishes.
She decided to accept his offer.
***
When Nicholas informed the queen that Sophie and her children would move out of the palace soon, Queen Marianne passed out. She tried to use her poor health as an excuse to coax Sophie to stay, but this time Nicholas didn't allow her.
He still remembered what happened years ago when his mother tricked him to propose to Karenina and promise to marry her because the old queen made him think she was dying. Nicholas still couldn't forgive her for that.
However, since he was a filial son, he didn't call her out on that and just stop believing her words if she tried to do it again. This time, he took action and didn't let his mother see Sophie and act weak and sick to pressure the woman to change her mind about leaving and starting a new life outside the palace.
"Please, mother. She has enough on her plate now, don't add to her suffering by pretending that you are dying," said Nicholas to his mother who was crying in the corner of her room because Nicholas asked her to stay there and not see Sophie.
"What are you talking about?" The queen looked up and pursed her lips. "Do you think I am pretending? Luciel and Jan are my heart and soul. Without them, there is no reason for me to continue living..."
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