ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 75

" Good  day ,  Alaric ," Nicholas said on his cell phone as he reclined back in his king sized bed. He furrowed his brow slightly. It had been ages since he had heard from one of his very his oldest and most trusted friends. The last contact he had with the man he had known from their long ago days at Oxford had been in the very traumatic and difficult days after Jenessa had passed away. He had been in the middle of rather critical diplomatic meetings in his own country of Eldermere which was a small but historically very powerful and prominent country near the United Kingdom. He smiled just thinking of Eldermere ; of its rugged cliffs , rolling hills and magnificent coastal villages that had captivated him and his first wife Irena to the point that they had purchased a small cottage there in the village of Thistle -On-The-Wind. Ariel did not know it but he planned on them honeymooning at Thistle in that cottage. He thought she would quite enjoy it. It was a very peaceful atmosphere there. He also smiled at the memory of his friend who had written him the most heartfelt letter after Jenessa's death. King Alaric of House Ashton and ruler of Eldermere. In public he would never address the man as Alaric. In public on the very rare occasions they crossed paths the tall stocky and outdoorsy looking man was forever " Your Most Royal Majesty " or " Sire "with a graceful bow before him.  But in private the man was just Alaric or sometimes merely Al. " It has been a long time , old man. How are you ? Queen Eloise ? The princes ? Well , I do hope. I have been  following closely very much the trade negotiation deals between America and Eldermere. They appear to going well and as planned. " 

King Alaric laughed heartily. " I am doing very well as is my lovely wife Eloise. She is as usual the true crown jewel of the family and country. She performs many charitable functions. She is currently very involved with local councils establishing pet friendly green spaces and wildlife friendly gardens. Crown Prince Rowen is also well. He and Princess Eve are expecting their first child in just a month. Rowen is not adapting as well to the nervousness but Eve is quite strong and surefooted about it. She is another treasure like my Eloise. " 

" And young Cedric ? Is he also well ? " 

Alaric paused briefly which was very unusual for the extremely confident man. Then he spoke once more in an equally halting tone of voice. " Cedric is..... very much a grave disappointment to both the House of Ashton and the country.  Thank goodness he is not the heir but merely a spare. He is not as confident as your own Alexi or as hard working as your Maxim. At twenty five  he still has no true purpose or determination to learn about his many varied responsibilities to the country as well as to the family. All he thinks about is partying. And , getting himself involved with..... the most unsuitable of companions. If you only knew how often I had to smooth certain circumstances out for him , Nicholas. "

Nicholas laughed. " Well , my friend , the apple does not fall far from the tree , as the Americans say. I remember you in Oxford. Bit of a wild one you were. " 

" That may be true but I also calmed down after graduation when I wed Eloise and prepared to produce heirs. Cedric has no desire to calm down. Very much the opposite really. "

" I can understand that. Maxim is always very good but I too had my moments with Alexi especially in his university days. And , there was of course Roman. " Nicholas felt his mood lowering greatly at the mention of his troubled to the point of instability late nephew. May he somehow rest in whatever peace he might find in the afterlife. Nicholas crossed himself before saying , " Is there anything I can do to assist with the young Cedric ? " 

" I was hoping you would say that , my dear friend. Nicholas , I do not wish to intrude upon you and your family. Especially since I heard of your two children on the way and this engagement to another American woman. And , you talk about wildness. You still have a little wild in you. " Alaric laughed casually before returning his voice to its serious and somber original tone as he said , " But to return to my younger son. I wish to send Cedric to stay at your estate in America. Officially he will there to learn about international business and such as that. You do know how the media is whenever that boy moves. But ...... but in reality I am sending him there to escape a rather awkward situation he created. I am sending him there to you to learn from your own sons and decide what his future shall consist of. A proper future. After all , it is very much time for him to settle down with an appropriate bride and bear heirs. "

Nicholas murmured ," That should be no issue , Alaric. We do have fifteen bedrooms here. And , a guest cottage on the grounds that may also be suitable for his privacy and any servants he may bring along with himself. When should I tell the staff to expect Prince Cedric ? "

Alaric laughed once again. " Well , next week. Cedric shall be arriving in America next week on Monday. No matter what he chooses to believe. "