CHAPTER 438: ENGAGEMENT INTERVIEW (1)

"I’m not insecure, but I want you to say it," Arthur added and Talia nodded.

For him to say that it is not because he is insecure, it should mean he is a little insecure. Although he is confident, the constant voices screaming at him saying she is marrying him only because he weaseled himself into the Brunton family and conquered the Northern Star, might get to him.

And some even say he pretends to be in love with her for her money. She knew she is someone with a lot of faults but is she that unlovable? If a man fell for her, must it be for her money?

Since he asks her to speak her heart, she knew he’s planning to do the same and she didn’t even ask him.

They rarely show public displays of affection and it is because of Talia’s preference. Maybe because of that, some still doubt if they are a couple. But still, some casual interactions between them in their past public appearances showed how close they are. Those moments are shared by her fans excessively on the internet.

All things aside... It is their Engagement Announcement Interview and she can be open about their love. He will be too.

"You’re wearing a blue tie although it is a darker shade than my dress!" she was pouted. "And it’s a dark grey suit as usual."

"Why do you like grey suits this much?" she complained as she helped him tie the knot for his tie. "Trinity Knot or Eldredge Knot?" she asked.

"Grey suits my pale skin and isn’t this a formal interview? Do a Full Windsor Knot." He fixed the stray hair hanging near her ear.

She did her hair and makeup herself and he couldn’t understand how her hair is so perfect as if ten fairies worked on it. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair, but then he knew he’d awaken the monster inside her if he ruins her hairstyle now. And so he held back.

"Okay..." Talia concentrated on tying his tie and Arthur watched her.

"You’re breathtakingly beautiful, Iris..." He said and she paused her action and looked at him with a smile.

"You’re mesmerizingly handsome, Fred."

"I’m thinking of calling you by your name in the interview. I don’t want others to know my pet name for you." He said and Talia hummed.

"Then I’ll call you Arthur... By the way, do you like getting addressed as Frederick Boswell by the papers? Louis suggested it’ll remind people of your Noble lineage. You know my great-grandmother’s paternal grandmother was a Lady from the Boswell lineage, right? What was her name?"

"Lady Catherine."

"Ah, yes... Catherine... That is my great grandma’s name too. And, was little Kate named after her?" she looked at Arthur and he nodded.

"Yes, as a nod to our last female descendant." Arthur looked at her expecting her to continue what she was speaking.

"Right, your name... I told Louis to either use your full name with your title or just Arthur Sinclair, Marquess of Ashwood in all the official documents and press releases. What do-"

"You spoke my heart, darling," he placed a kiss on her forehead. It made his heart warm as he realised how much she knows him even though he rarely talks about these issues with her.

He never was a fan of the ’Boswell’ name although he is a direct descendent of that bloodline. Maybe it was his grandfather’s supremacist views regarding the ’Boswell’ name that made him feel bitter about that name.

That name reminds him of the lashes he got from his grandfather for ’bringing shame to the Boswell name’, and he’d avoid getting called by an entire nation by that name. Also, he has made himself an icon with his name Arthur Sinclair. He’d prefer to be addressed with that name.

"Shall we?" Arthur extended his hand and Talia hooked her arm in his with a smile.

"Yes, dear."

The Press meet was set up in the White Drawing room of the Palace since it had better natural light and it is the room that is used traditionally for Engagement Announcements.

"Here we go," Talia took in a deep breath as the door in front of her opened. No matter how many times she has done it, it never gets easy for her to stand in front of a bunch of people with cameras flashing.

"Don’t mind them. They’ll just take our pictures," He bent and placed a kiss on her cheek just as the door opened. Talia heard the murmurs of the reporters and his brazen act just then made her go all red.

Hooking her hand around his arm, she walked into the room with the smile mixed with her blush and the flashes went off along with the sound of the shutters.

The photographers asked Talia to show them the ring clearly and Talia proudly showed it to them. She saw the glee in the reporters’ faces as they took the pictures.

Guess Engagement Announcement makes everyone happy!

After taking enough pictures, they were led to another room where everything was set for the interview. Talia gripped Arthur’s hand hard and he patted her hands and offered her a cup of water which greatly calmed her nerves.

Both of them sat on the couch comfortably, when the reporter started asking questions.

"Everyone’s curious... Your announcement came out of nowhere... When and how did it happen?" The interviewer asked.

Talia smiled looking at Arthur and he nodded at her signalling her to speak. "First... I’d start with an apology and ..." she wetted her lips seeing the surprised look of the interviewer.

"Actually we have been engaged before my tour to Basmia. So... It’s not..."

"That long?"

"Yes, in fact I was not expecting Arthur would propose that day... It was so unexpected as I thought of it as a regular date. But..." Talia turned at Arthur and gave a smile. "He brought me to the island he bought in my name... There were the ’Queen of the Night’ flowers blooming all around me...the entire place was illuminated in moonlight...It was magical. And Arthur got on one knee... It was very romantic, very special."

"It should be special especially getting an island named after you, Princess Talia." the interviewer said with a chuckle.

Talia’s face lit up with a bright smile and her face blushed. "It definitely is. I’ve found me a man who treats me so special." She looked at Arthur and he had a very proud smile.

"It was my luck I found you."

This is what she had planned to say in her interview and Arthur rolled his eyes when she talked about it. But he approved saying that she has gotten good at lying.

Was Talia feeling bad for lying? A little, yes.

But then, she didn’t want to air her incredibly complicated life story in detail to the public. The public always wants a fairytale romance and stability, and that’s what she will give them.

And she is not lying about her love for Arthur or the commitment they have promised for life. In a way, she is not lying about the most important thing. Hiding little details of their private life, and keeping it for themselves is not a sin.

It’s not like it changes anything about their love.

Yes, she felt a little bad, but not bad enough to lose her sleep over it. And Arthur, truly didn’t care.

"And..." The interviewer urged her to speak.

"We... we didn’t want to take the focus away from my tour at that time and so we both decided to keep it a secret until I return and then..."

"The unexpected happened..." The interviewer gave an awkward chuckle.

She got kidnapped and it was not the right moment to announce the engagement.