Sophie liked what she saw and after checking the shophouse from top to bottom she decided to buy it. It actually had 2.5 stories. The ground floor was beautiful with a big open space that she could use to open her tavern.
She just needed to redecorate and add appropriate furniture. She would buy several tables and many chairs. She also needed to set aside space for her staff to work and prepare food and drinks to serve.
The second floor had two bedrooms with several other rooms that could be used to house a family. Luciel and Jan would share a room and Sophie slept with her babies. They also would have a family room and a small lounge to unwind.
"When can I start moving here?" Sophie asked the 'owner'.
The man replied, "You can move in as soon as possible, Madam. We just need to finalize the purchase."
He took out the house deed and a scroll that explained their purchase contract. The 'owner' told Sophie he was ready to give her the house as soon as she paid the price.
Sophie turned to Nicholas and then whispered to him, "When will your treasury come with the money?"
"Uhm... very soon," said Nicholas to her. "What about the price? Are you okay with everything?"
Sophie nodded. She checked the offer given to her by the shophouse owner and sighed. The price was quite good for a place like this in this location. After she paid for the property, she would have to immediately find workers to help her renovate the place and then buy furniture.
Hopefully, everything would be ready in several weeks and she could move in with her children and then open her business. Fortunately, she didn't need to find staff to work for her tavern because Nicholas insisted to send some undercover knights to help her. He also would send a royal cook to train her cooks so she could have a successful food business.
"Please enjoy this tea," the 'owner' came with a tray filled with two cups of tea and gave it to them.
Nicholas accepted the tray and placed it on the table beside him. He gave one cup to Sophie and enjoyed the other one.
They drank tea together while having chit-chat with the shophouse owner. Half an hour later, the royal treasury came with a pouch of gold coins and gave it to Sophie.
Sophie thanked Nicholas for their efficiency and immediately processed the purchase with the owner. One hour later, she was the proud owner of the shophouse.
"Congratulations, Miss," said the owner with a broad smile. "This place is yours. I wish you much success in your business."
"Thank you," said Sophie. She felt relieved. Now that she already had her own place, she felt one by one her burden was lifted.
The owner gave her the keys and then left. There were only Sophie and Nicholas in the shophouse now. Nicholas saw her looking at the keys in her hand and she tapped her fingers on the table.
"What are you thinking?" Nicholas asked her.
"Uhm?" Sophie looked up at him and replied. "Well, I need to find workers now. I know I will have your knights working undercover as my wait staff, but I will need real workers to do the cleaning and cooking. I also have to find a connection to liquor and wine merchant to stock up."
"I know people," said Nicholas. "Do you want to meet them? I will invite those merchants to come here tomorrow."
"Yes, please," Sophie replied. She looked at the place one more time, took a deep breath, and decided to go back. Hopefully, Anne had not woken up by now and looked for her. She added, "Thank you."
"Don't mention it," said Nicholas. "This is the least I could do, Sophie. If it was up to me, I would love to take care of you and the children and you don't have to stress yourself with all this. But if makes you happy, of course, I will do as you want."
Sophie had decided not to rely on anyone. So, she was adamant about being independent. She realized Nicholas was helping her a lot to start her new life, but she hoped after her baby was born and she had worked on her business for several years, she could really be on her own.
Nicholas added, "However, please allow the children to come to the palace to study three times a week. They need to learn how to lead this kingdom in the future. They must not get away from their responsibility just because they get out of the palace."
Sophie nodded. "Okay."
"I also ask your permission to come here often," the king continued his words. "I am saying this now to avoid being awkward in the future. No matter what, you are the mother of my children. I need to always make sure that you are fine, because when you are doing well, the kids will be well too."
Sophie looked at Nicholas deeply. She really appreciated his help and initiative. He was always quick to take action. For example, as soon as he found out Sophie was abandoned by Leland he came to get her and the kids even though it was in the middle of the night.
He also tried his hardest not to cause her any discomfort. He was always respectful and did not cross her boundaries. Even when it pained him to let her leave, taking his kids with her, he didn't object and force her to stay.
He helped her cash out her jewelry and found this shophouse for her. He even helped her finalize the purchase and find workers. All he asked in return was for the boys to be allowed to go to the royal palace often for their study and for him to come here to visit them.
All sounded reasonable and Sophie couldn't say no to those. So, she nodded and said, "Okay."
"Thank you," Nicholas was happy to get her agreement. "Uhm... also my mother would love to see the kids often. Will that be okay with you?"
"Yes, yes, of course," said Sophie. She knew how much the old queen loved her sons. She also didn't want to deprive Luciel and Jan from the opportunity to spend time with their paternal family. She grew up with her aunt's family and they treated her badly. If only her grandparents were still alive back then, she was sure that her life would have been better.
She found out later in life that her grandfather willed all his fortune to Sophie, as his only son's child, but Aunt Helga and her husband took everything on the pretense of raising Sophie. Not only they snatched her inheritance, they also made her life suffer as she was made to work like a maid in their household.
So, having a bad experience with evil relatives, Sophie was grateful that her sons have a kind family who loved them so much.
"Then, I think everything is going to be okay," said Nicholas with a broad smile.
He decided that this would work for the best. Sophie could have what she wanted and he could still be around her and their children. Someday, when her heart had been healed and she was ready to open it again for a new love, he would be there for her.
"Thanks for everything, Nic."
"Ahh... this feels like a dream to be honest," said Nicholas with a chuckle. "I remember vividly our conversation eight years ago when you told me your dream and I promised to help you get a loan from the Rothschild. Now, you are working on your dream and you don't need the bank to help you."
He added, looking at her with a twinkle in his eyes that made him look so attractive, "I feel like we are going full circle."
Sophie smiled too. She remembered their conversation from back then.
Gosh, had it been eight years? How time flies!
"I think I am done here," said Sophie. "I have to see the kids. I will start working on the design and make a list of furniture to buy tonight. And then tomorrow I will meet the designer and workers."
"Yes, let's go home," said Nicholas.
They left the shophouse and took the old carriage to go back to the palace. On the way home, Nicholas asked Sophie what her tavern's name would be.
"Oh, I haven't thought of it," said Sophie. "I will think about it tonight."
"Okay," Nicholas thought for a second and then asked her again. "Would you like to have dinner with me and my mother tonight? She was worried when she heard about your plans to leave the palace. I want to explain to her about your plans and let her know that she can still see Luciel and Jan anytime."
"Okay," said Sophie. She realized she had been a rude guest for not even seeing the queen from the day she came. She was feeling so stressed and didn't want to meet anyone, which Nicholas and the queen understood.
However, now that she was planning to leave soon, she should at least see the queen as a courtesy.
.
.
.
______________________________
From Missrealitybites:
Do you have any ideas about the name for Sophie's Tavern? Write down your suggestions in the comment ^^
Follow current novℯls on f(r)eewebnov𝒆l