Chapter 25 – Bellamy
BELLAMY
The contractions stopped on their own and they released me from the hospital the next day.
Sebastian stayed with me and wouldn’t leave my side, but there’s a fissure between us.
A crack neither one of us knows how to fill.
Part of me thinks we just need time. That if we can just hit an easy patch, it’ll all come back together.
I came home to Welcome Home, Mommy signs and lots of hugs and snuggles and kisses to the belly.
Sebastian told them they had to take it easy on me.
Rowan seems to be keeping his distance, and I wonder what Sebastian said to him.
Rowan never believed in the curse before, but I think he’s been converted to the dark side.
It’s not who I am. It’s not how I want to live my life.
And I have to find a way to make it better for everyone, to prove to them that there is no curse.
Which is why two days later when my ankle is back to normal, I’m pushing myself to be as well.
I’m fully aware that I’m living under an umbrella of denial.
I haven’t entered my father’s suite since his death.
I avoid that part of the palace like the plague.
But I refuse to believe that the things that have been happening to us are part of some unseen, nefarious force when life happens to everyone.
It’s been a really rough few months is all, but amid that, there’s also been magic.
The children are happy and thriving. They love Arthur. The twins are healthy and looking good. So even with the bad, there is good, and I refuse to overlook the good in favor of the bad.
With that, I agreed to meet with Charlotte.
Sebastian is all over me to take care of myself, and while I want to be the mom who does it all, I know I can’t if I want to have a healthy pregnancy and start the scholarship in my father’s name.
So here I am.
About to meet a woman who could potentially move into the palace and into our lives.
It’s with that thought in my head that I hesitate at the heavy oak door, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. A part of me still resists the idea of bringing a stranger into our home. But Sebastian’s not-so-gentle insistence that we need help is becoming harder to ignore.
“It’s just a meeting,” I mutter under my breath, reaching for the ornate doorknob of Sebastian’s study and turning it.
“Ah, Your Majesty!” A cheerful voice greets me as the door swings open to reveal a woman in her early thirties with a kind smile and twinkling gray eyes. She curtsies—far better at it than I ever was—and then extends her hand. “I’m Charlotte. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Hello,” I say, shaking her hand and finding my smile is more natural than I thought it would be. There is something about her warmth that instantly puts me at ease. “Please call me Bellamy. I hope you weren’t kept waiting long.”
“Not at all. I was just looking over these amazing books. I’m assuming they’re all first editions.”
“They are.” Then I laugh. “Actually, when I first met the king, he caught me red-handed flipping through one.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh. I’m assuming by your tone that didn’t go over too well.”
“Nope. Not at all.”
She laughs. “I met him once when I was younger, maybe twelve or so. I doubt he remembers, but I remember telling my father that he was the most intimidating man I had ever seen, and that was saying a lot considering who my father is.” After the words rush out, she immediately slaps a hand over her mouth and blushes.
“I’m so sorry. I hope that didn’t come out as rude or disrespectful. ”
I shake my head, waving her off. “Not at all. He was definitely the most intimidating man I had ever met.”
“Oh good.” She laughs and shakes her head in a self-deprecating way. “You know what I meant.”
“I do. Would you like something to drink? Some water, tea, or coffee?” I ask as we sit down, noticing how easygoing she seems to be.
“Tea sounds lovely, thank you,” she replies and freezes when I stand. “Oh wait. You’re the queen. Shouldn’t I be getting the tea?”
“I like doing it,” I assure her, going over to the bar Sebastian has in here and making her a cup, then getting myself a water because caffeine makes my heart race like I’m running a marathon now.
As I pour her tea, I can’t help but study her.
I’ve read her résumé, and though she’s about ten or so years older than me, our backgrounds are very similar.
College and teaching English in a foreign country after being raised by a single dad.
There’s something about that that endears her to me a little.
“So, tell me about your experience working with children,” I prompt, handing her the porcelain cup.
“Ah, well,” Charlotte begins, taking a sip of tea before setting the cup down on the coffee table.
“I’ve been working with children for as long as I can remember.
I started out babysitting for my neighbors when I was just a teenager and later went on to study early childhood education at university.
After that, I spent several years teaching kindergarten in France and then transitioning over to teaching English. ”
“I spent much of my adolescence in France before coming to Messalina for college. What made you go there to teach?” I ask, intrigued.
“I’d lived in Messalina my whole life and the idea of moving to a new place, a new country, one where I spoke the language, seemed like an adventure. I also followed a man there after university, so that didn’t hurt either.”
I giggle lightly. “And are you no longer together?”
“No.” She smiles wistfully. “That ended years ago, but I loved France so much, I stayed. It was simply wonderful. The children were so eager to learn, and the culture was beautiful. I especially loved the food. Similar to what we have in Messalina, but also different. The croissants, the cheeses, the wines… It’s a magical place, and I think everyone should have the chance to experience it at least once in their lives. ”
“I agree,” I exclaim. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and for a moment, I’m dragged back in time to when I was a teenager, strolling down a quaint French street with the scent of fresh bread filling the air and a book in my hand. “What made you move back to Messalina?”
For a moment something flickers in her eyes, but it’s gone so quickly that I’m not even sure I saw it.
“It was time to come home. I missed my father and my country and was looking for something new. Teaching young minds is such a rewarding experience,” Charlotte continues, her eyes shining with passion.
“There’s nothing quite like watching a child have an aha moment when they finally grasp a new concept or gain confidence in their abilities.
But as much as I love being in the classroom, I think I also needed a break from it. ”
That I get. I can’t help but smile as I listen to her speak.
She’s so like me, and though she is a bit older, I haven’t met anyone I’ve connected with this quickly.
I have Althea, but she’s also much older than I am and Sebastian’s aunt.
There is something about Charlotte that makes me feel like everything will be okay.
That our children will be safe and happy in her care.
The resistance I’ve been feeling all but evaporates, replaced by a sense of hope and possibility.
“Your love for children really shines through,” I tell her, my voice sincere. “And I think that’s so important in someone who will be caring for any family, but ours especially, given our particular situation.”
“Thank you, Bellamy,” she says, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I agree. I grew up with a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility, especially to the royal family. It’s what my father has dedicated his life to, and he imparted me with those same values.”
As we sip our drinks and chat about the children, I find myself growing more and more comfortable with the idea of this kind, slightly awkward woman becoming a part of our world.
And though there is still a small voice in the back of my mind whispering doubts and fears, I can’t deny the connection I feel with Charlotte.
“Would you like to meet the children?” I ask when we finally hit a lull in our conversation, which seemed to take on a life of its own.
Her face brightens. “I’d be honored.”
I lead Charlotte through the palace up to the third floor of the library.
It’s become not only my sanctuary but the children’s.
They love spending time up here now. Althea is reading a book on the window seat while Phaedra and Sabrina paint on the art easels.
Zayer constructs something that could be a dinosaur out of Legos while Arthur plays with a rubber ball, batting it back and forth before tackling it.
“Hello, my darlings,” I call out. “I have someone whom I’d like you to meet.”
“Bonjour, mes petits,” Charlotte greets them, her voice warm and melodic. She walks over to them, standing a few feet away, which I appreciate.
“Hello,” Phaedra greets her formally, ever the queen-to-be. “I’m Princess Phaedra of the house of Alarie. This is my younger sister, Sabrina, my baby brother, Zayer, and our pet ferret, Arthur.”
“Hello,” Charlotte says, giving them a curtsy. “It’s lovely to meet you all. Would you mind showing me what you’re painting?”
Phaedra throws me a look and I nod, but Sabrina doesn’t even bother to check with me. No shocker there.
“I’m painting Arthur swimming in the ocean. He did that on our trip.”
“Oh, how fun. I bet he was good at it.”
Sabrina nods earnestly.
“What about you, Your Highness? What are you painting?” she asks Phaedra, who launches into a story about a princess living in a palace.
Althea comes over and stands beside me, giving me a look. “She made it up here. I wasn’t sure you’d get that far.”
“Me neither,” I admit in a low tone so only she can hear. “But I like her. She…reminds me of me.”
Charlotte crouches down on the floor with Zayer. “Can you show me your favorite toys?”
He eagerly drags her over to the wall of bins stuffed with toys and starts opening them up, one after the other. Arthur scampers over, sniffing her, and then he climbs up her back.
“Arthur!” I chastise.
“It’s fine,” she assures me, picking him up and placing him on the floor in front of her.
“Arthur likes you!” Sabrina announces, beaming.
Charlotte laughs, gently scratching Arthur’s head. “He’s an adorable little creature,” she remarks, her eyes meeting mine for a moment before focusing back on the children.
I can’t help but notice how effortlessly Charlotte connects with each child. She listens intently as Sabrina regales her with tales of Arthur’s adventures, nods encouragingly as Phaedra shows off her latest drawings, and joins Zayer in building his dinosaur.
I’m so lost in the scene unfolding before me that I don’t notice Sebastian slip into the room until he places a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Seems like they’ve taken quite a liking to her,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. It’s the most intimate he’s been with me since we got home from the hospital. I nod, biting my lip as I consider the implications of what I’m witnessing.
“Your Majesty.” Charlotte stands and curtsies at him, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. “Thank you for having me in your home today.”
Sebastian walks over and shakes her hand. “The pleasure is ours. Welcome. I’ve known your father my entire life.”
“Yes. He speaks very highly of you. I’m grateful he suggested me for this position. I’ve loved meeting your wife and children.”
“Thank you,” he says, visibly pleased by that before he rejoins me.
“You two go talk,” Althea suggests. “I’ll stay here.”
I thank her and then Sebastian and I slip out, heading across the hall into a bathroom.
“She seems lovely,” he notes.
“Sebastian…I think Charlotte might be the one,” I admit softly, my voice tinged with both relief and uncertainty.
“Are you sure, Bellamy? You had reservations about hiring a nanny and after meeting the first one, you’re already sold?” His tone is gentle but firm.
“You’re the one who wants one.”
“Because I think we need one, but you also don’t have to hire the first one who comes along simply because she’s the one I suggested.”
“I know,” I agree, leaning back against the door. “But seeing her with the children…it feels right. She’s kind and experienced, and she lived in France just like I did. There’s a connection there that I can’t ignore.”
Sebastian squeezes my hand reassuringly. “If you believe she’s the right fit for our family, then I trust your judgment. I think you’d be harder to please than I am at this point. Hell, I hired you.”
I laugh, reaching out and smacking his shoulder. “Ass.”
“That’s King Ass to you.”
“His Royal Highnass.”
He laughs, coming in and crowding me against the door. “How did I ever smile before I met you?”
“You didn’t,” I remind him. “The first time I saw you smile I didn’t realize you had that many teeth.”
His forehead drops to mine. “Do you still love me?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” And since this is the most he’s touched me in three days, I’ll take Charlotte and hiring a nanny as a win.
“Are you sure?”
“About you or the nanny?”
“Don’t be cheeky.”
“Oh, but it’s so fun.”
“The nanny, my love. The nanny. Are you sure?”
There is no hiding the hope in his eyes.
“No. I’m not. Not even a little. But I know you’re right that we need a new nanny and Charlotte feels like the perfect fit. She reminds me of me.”
“Oh great,” he deadpans. “Does that mean she’s going to mouth off to me?”
“A nicer version of me,” I amend. “And no sleeping with this one.”
He rolls his eyes, making sure I see him do it, and his lips slip to my neck. “Only ever you.”
“Excellent. I’m holding you to that. So do you want to tell her or should I?”
“We’ll do it together,” he says and pauses, a smile lighting his handsome face. A real smile. “We’re hiring a new nanny.”
“I know.” I just hope she can help us fix what seems to want to break.