ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 90

" Hello , Uncle Nicholas," Prince Cedric said with a near shyness as he approached his godfather who had just entered the foyer with a young boy in a wheelchair.

Nicholas's face spread in a joyous smile as he saw the young man who had always been his favorite of Alaric and Eloise's two sons. Rowen was a fine young man as well but not very interesting to talk to. Rowen was more like wallpaper or antique furniture. Just there. Where Cedric had a very decent brain in his head and strong opinions on the world at large no matter what issues he might have emotionally. Nicholas often secretly considered it a great sorrow that Cedric had not been born first. He worried for his friend Alaric's country under a future King Rowen. Hopefully Alaric would have long long satisfying life.

He stepped forward and gracefully bowed before the young man whose face flushed red slightly. Then ,  upon straightening up , Nicholas said," Welcome to my home , dear boy. " Looking at Alan , who was divided between curiosity of the new guest and texting Theodore about him coming over that night to watch Dr. Who , Nicholas continued on ," Alan , this is His Royal Highness Prince Cedric of Eldermere. Prince Cedric, this is Alan Kendall. Alan and his mother are my guests here as well. In fact, I am going to be wed one day to his mother Ariel. "

Cedric nodded at the boy. " Good to meet you, Alan. And , yes, Uncle Nicholas, my father the king has told me of your engagement to the American woman. Congratulations, sir. "

Alan nodded back, feeling self conscious as he clung to his cell phone. " Hi. I can't bow. Sorry, your highness. "

Cedric gazed at Alan with much compassion in his eyes. " It is fine. I get so tired of all that royal protocol business really. Bowing at me. Using my title. It does get old very fast but it is my life, isn't it, Uncle Nicholas? Even as the lowly spare. Also , inside the house you don't have to call me your highness. Or Prince Cedric. Cedric is acceptable. Of course, in public we have to obey protocol. "

Nicholas said," Have you settled in , son ? My sons Alexi and Maxim are most likely still at the company but they should be back this evening. And, eventually, I would like you to meet my other son Nigel. I think you will like Nigel. "

As he rolled his chair towards the newly repaired elevator, Alan murmured," Yeah , Nigel is fire. "

Cedric nodded. " I most likely will. I do remember Alexi and Maxim. Although the last time I saw either was at the christening of young Boris. I believe that is Maxim's youngest child? And, yes , I am settling in quite nicely in the guest house. Thanks to your very helpful butler Saunders. "

Cedric regretted mentioning the butler almost as soon as the words left his mouth. The tall handsome man with the eyes that seemed to see right through him to his very soul. The man whose perfect dark suit Cedric wanted to rip off him. The man who Cedric wanted to throw to the marble floor of the foyer and have his nasty nasty little way with until he screamed his name and for mercy. Mentioning and thinking of that man was the very last thing he needed to be doing.

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         ( Texts )

Ned Barker : We have arrived in America.

Private Number: Good. Now it is time for the next installment of the plan to begin. Prince Cedric must eventually die. Inside America where none of it can be traced back to the homeland. The truth must die with him. For the good of the country.

Ned lowered the cell phone down as he stood in the bedroom assigned to him in the too puny for his liking guest house on the estate.

Yes , he thought to himself. Regretfully the spare would have to perish to protect the royal family and the country Ned loved so much in his heart and soul. But, how exactly should his death occur? And , how soon ? He did not think it should be a rushed event or the authorities of justice inside America might become suspicious as it were.

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Josephine stood in the kitchen. Her only desire was to get a drink of water to take an aspirin for her pounding headache. Her plans were not working the way she had originally crafted them. Her imbecile stepbrother had destroyed the kidnapping by allowing Ariel Kendall to be rescued although he was also dead now with no trace back to herself. And , Ariel was now to wed Nicholas which meant she was no longer a threat to Maxim's affections. All she had to do was remove Natasha from his life and slide herself into it as his wife but that silly Natasha had decided to stop taking the medicine ! What to do? , she mused as she poured filtered  water from the tap into a glass. Another kidnapping was not feasible. Not so soon after Ariel. How to rid herself of this nuisance woman?

Then suddenly an older unknown woman in a worn looking tweed suit practically wandered into the kitchen looking lost.

The woman saw Josephine and smiled warmly. " Hello there , dearie. Are you the cook ? I wanted to talk to you about my Cedric's dietary needs. He's such a very picky eater, he is. Always been. Since he was a boy. "

Josephine thinned her lips at the obnoxious old woman. How dare she call her a mere servant? , she inwardly fumed. " No. I am not the cook. Of all ridiculous thoughts. I am Josephine Petrova. I am the governess to the three Volkouv sons of Maxim Volkouv. Who ,may I ask , are you? "

The woman laughed softly although her old blue - grey eyes shone with shrewd wisdom as they regarded the arrogant young woman before her." Glad to meet you, dear. I am Willetta Wallace. They call me Nanny because that's what I am. The nanny to Prince Cedric of Eldermere. "

Josephine narrowed her eyes at the old woman. A nanny? Another nanny?