"Did you say something, Your Grace? I am sorry, I didn't hear you..." Sophie asked the queen politely. She thought Queen Marianne said something to her but she couldn't hear her. So, to avoid being rude for not listening to the older woman's words, Sophie asked Queen Marianne to repeat what she said.
"No-nothing... I was just remembering something unimportant." The queen waved her hands awkwardly and reach for her wine glass and took a big gulp. The three lycans in the dining room, however, heard her words very clearly and their faces beamed.
Nicholas was glad to receive his mother's open support to get back together with Sophie. He remembered in the past he was so worried about bringing Sophie to his family because he thought his family would be against him falling in love with a commoner girl. That's why he decided to marry her secretly before he would take her home.
In his mind, it was a way to make sure his family would have no choice but to accept her. However, only after it was too late and he got separated from Sophie, he realized his mother didn't mind him marrying down.
Queen Marianne supported him to marry Karenina who came from the lower nobility because she saved him. Marrying Karenina, a viscount's daughter was almost no different from marrying a wealthy commoner, which again, basically meant nothing to someone in his position.
He regretted being separated from Sophie, but he actually thought marrying her when they were really young was the single best thing he had ever done in his life because, thanks to that, they now had two beautiful sons together, and Sophie and he were now bound forever as family, being co-parents to Luciel and Jan.
Luciel and Jan exchanged glances. They heard their grandmother's complaint and smiled. They, too, would love to see mommy get back together with their daddy. Why wouldn't mom and dad do it for their sake?
It would be great to be a family again.
Before, Luciel and Jan would never think of pushing Nicholas to reunite with Sophie because they loved and respected their stepfather who had become their father figure from day one.
However, when Leland openly abandoned them and their mother, the boys' hearts were wounded and they couldn't see him the same way again.
Sophie was not the only one who felt hurt by Leland's actions. Luciel and Jan too.
Now, secretly, they wished Sophie would just consider accepting Nicholas' offer to stay in the palace. Wouldn't be it good if Sophie and Nicholas could meet every day and interact closely? Perhaps that was what Sophie needed in this difficult situation.
She could use a shoulder to cry on and a helping hand. Why not let Nicholas be that person for her? Nicholas was not a stranger. He was her husband, even though they had not been a married couple for eight years.
Surely spending a lot of time together would be good for Sophie and Nicholas to rekindle the love they had in the past... At least that was what the boys were thinking.
It seemed, out of everyone in the dining room, Sophie was the only one who didn't share their sentiment. She didn't hear what the queen said, and didn't even think in that direction. Her mind was busy making plans for her new life outside of the royal palace soon.
Sophie furrowed her brows and turned to Nicholas. She was surprised to see him smile faintly, and she could see the same expression on her sons' faces. She was in awe when she noticed how much Luciel and Jan looked so much like their father and even their personalities were very similar.
This scene before her made her think about how nature was so amazing. She could see Nicholas in her sons because they were spitting images of each other.
Suddenly, her heart was filled with so much sadness.
Seeing Nicholas and his mini-mes, Sophie was reminded of her children with Leland. Anne and Jack had not shifted so she couldn't see their human forms. However, their wolf forms were very similar to Leland's wolf.
She couldn't wait to see them when they turned five and transformed into humans. They would surely take after Leland in appearance. She would have a part of him with her and she could see him every day.
Gosh... why did she miss him so much?
She was hurt and betrayed by his actions and his words, but she couldn't bring herself to hate him. She actually hated herself for still loving him and was saddened by his departure.
There was a huge void in her heart that felt so painful like a gaping wound that kept getting bigger and bigger.
And what about her unborn child? What would happen to him?
Sophie pressed her chest to control her emotions and stop herself from crying. She must not shed tears in front of other people. Her children would be sad to see her cry, and Nicholas might not let her leave the palace, because he was worried about her condition.
"The food is good," Sophie said suddenly to change the topic. She looked at the queen and faked a smile. "I would love to get the recipe from the cooks. I plan to include it in my menu."
"Don't worry about it," said Nicholas. "I told you I will send the royal cook to train your cooks at the tavern. So, you can sell the best food in Lievstad."
"Thank you," said Sophie. "I can't wait to interview the workers to hire."
"We can talk about the recruitment process after dinner in my study," said Nicholas. "What do you think?"
Sophie shook her head, "Uhm... maybe half an hour after dinner? I need to check on the babies first."
"Sure, no problem," said Nicholas. "I can also come to your place and have the discussion over there."
"Okay, sounds good," Sophie replied.
Dinner went well and they talked a little bit about the current affairs and Sophie's plan with her tavern. Queen Marianne no longer intervened and guilt-tripped Sophie into staying. She watched Nicholas and Sophie talk about her plans and their children while Luciel and Jan chime in from time to time.
Suddenly, the queen understood that her method was wrong. She was too pushy and annoying. Nicholas was handling the situation really well, in her opinion.
Queen Marianne was proud of her son who always looked so calm and accommodating of Sophie's wishes. By letting Sophie go and supporting all her decisions, Nicholas actually gave himself more opportunities to be with Sophie.
Since he showed that he was on her side and would support her no matter what she decided to do, Sophie's trust in him became bigger and bigger. She trusted his opinion and his sincerity. And it would be really good if Nicholas wanted to convince Sophie to get back together with him.
Slowly, Sophie would see how reliable and trustworthy he was. And when the wounds in her heart healed and she could trust someone again, she would definitely open her heart to him.
When the time came, Nicholas could find his way back into her heart. Queen Marianne could hope to see the two reunited, and perhaps officiated their marriage as the king and queen of Riga?
***
"I am sorry, Anne and Jack are just sleeping," said Sophie when she came out of her bedroom.
Nicholas was waiting for her in the small lounge outside her room. The quarter given to her to stay in the palace was really big with two bedrooms, one for her and the other for Luciel and Jan, a big balcony, and a small lounge for her to relax.
"No need to say sorry," said Nicholas. "Have a seat."
He took out a note and pen and started scribbling there. He wanted to help Sophie with the business plans.
"What are you doing?" Sophie asked Nicholas in amusement. She sat beside him and watched what the man was doing.
"I am helping you with the plans," said Nicholas with a smile. "Tomorrow we will meet the builder to discuss renovation so the shophouse can be turned into a nice tavern. And we will have to get a designer to create the interior plans for the tavern and your accommodation."
Sophie nodded. "Yes. Also buying furniture, hiring people...."
"I know a good furniture shop. I can accompany you to go there after we meet with the builder."
Nicholas explained the work and the people they would have to meet to finalize Sophie's tavern. And then they made schedules and rundown of things Sophie needed to do.
Secretly, Nicholas thought that they were really going full circle. It felt like they were a newlywed couple who was making plans for their new home.
He remembered when he and Sophie got married, they didn't have anything. After the wedding, they went straight to live in Sophie's parents' hut in Blackwoods. It was a humble abode that didn't even have a new bed for newlyweds.
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