Princess?

Chapter 81

Camilla's P. O. V.

"You're incredibly beautiful. I mean, my gosh. How in the world did I ever get so lucky?"

I laugh, "I ask myself that same question every day."

Julian leans forward and kisses my bare shoulder, "What time is it?"

I look at the clock, "1 in the morning. Do you want to go to sleep?"

Julian smirks and shakes his head, "No. I don't. "

I laugh, "Me neither. "

"Did you ever think that we would be able to get married?"

I shake my head, "No, I didn't"

"I didn't either. "

I cuddle into his side, laying my head on his chest. He runs his fingers down my bare back, making me shiver.

"Are we going to get a honeymoon?"

Julian laughs, "Of course we are! I was thinking we could go to Monaco. That way we aren't too far from here in case we need to get back quickly. "

I sigh in content, "That sounds great. I love you. "

"I love you too, my darling. And I'm going to do better with balancing work and family. I will "

I nod, "I hope so"

***

"Good morning, Your Majesty"

I nod my head as Derek bows at me. When he stands up, he sits down across the table from me, "Good morning, Derek"

He looks at me, "You look tired."

I grin, "Yes. I didn't get much sleep last night. "

As if on cue, Julian walks in. Derek raises his brows, "Ah. Now I understand"

Julian walks over to me and sits down next to me, "Good morning, My Queen"

I smile at him, "Good morning, Your Majesty. "

Julian starts eating, "Is John awake?"

I frown, "I sent him back to bed. He has a fever. I'll go check on him later"

"And Charlotte?"

I sigh, "Still sleeping. Nanny said she had a horrible night. "

Julian looks at me in concern, "I wonder if she's sick as well. Something must be going around the castle. "

I nod, "I hope they get better. Your coronation is tomorrow. "

Derek looks up, "What's tomorrow?"

I smile and set my hand on top of Julian's, "Tomorrow is the day that Julian will officially become King of France. "

Derek furrows his brows, "Wait, I thought you already were?"

Julian shakes his head, "No, my cousin Louis was King. He died and I'm next in line"

Derek points at me, "You were married to Louis?"

I nod, "Yes. But now I am marrying Julian and we will rule together"

Derek nods, "so John and Charlotte are really Louis' kids?"

I bite my lip, "No. John is Julian's. Charlotte is Louis'"

I can see the look on Derek's face so I quickly say, "It's confusing, yes. But it's a long story. With lots of different parts to it. It's not important now. "

Derek nods, "Of course. I understand. "

A guard walks in and announces, "Lord Sebastian, Your Majesty"

Julian jumps up as a man walks into the room. Julian goes to him and pulls him into a hug. When he pulls away, he says, "Camilla, this is Bash. My brother"

I stand up and Bash quickly bows, "Your Majesty."

I grin and go give him a hug, kissing his cheek, "Bash, it's so great to finally meet you! Please, come sit"

I grab his arm and pull him over to the table where we all sit down. Derek stands up, "I'll leave you guys. "

He bows to Julian and me before leaving the room. I quickly say to Bash, "An old friend of mine from America. "

He nods in understanding, "My Queen, in all of Julian's letters, he told me there were no words to describe your beauty. I find he was quite right"

I blush, smiling at him, "Oh Bash, you're too kind. I'm so happy that we finally get to meet! I've heard so much about you"

Bash rolls his eyes at Julian, "I'm sure some bad things?"

I shake my head, "On the contrary. Julian has told me about how you're the best hunter and fastest rider he's ever known"

At that moment, the door opens and in walks John in his sleeping clothes, rubbing his eyes, "Mommy. Daddy."

I scoot my chair back and let him get on my lap, kissing his forehead, "What's wrong sweetheart?"

John looks up at me, "I had a bad dream and now I'm scared. "

I rub the tears off his cheeks, "Oh sweetie. Everything is okay. You're safe. Me and daddy would never let anything bad happen, okay?"

John nods, sniffling. Julian stands up, "Cmon John. We should get you back to bed. I'll read you a story-"

"Wait. This is your son? My nephew?"

I turn and look at Bash, who's looking at John. I smile, "Yes. This is our son, John," I look down at John, "John, this is your Uncle Bash. He's your father's brother"

Bash reaches out, "May I?"

I carefully hand John to him. Bash cradles him in his lap, "Hi John. I'm your Uncle Bash. I'm so happy to meet you"

I smile at Julian as John seems to take a liking to him. After a few minutes, Julian says, "Okay Bash. I really need to take him to bed. He's sick"

Bash nods and hands him to Julian, who leaves the dining room. Leaving Bash and me by ourselves.

Bash says, "My brother was smitten with you from the first second he layed eyes on you. He wrote to me often. Still does. And every letter, before Louis died, would drone on and on about you. About your looks, your personality, every feature about you was described in perfect detail. I feel as though I've known you for a much longer time. "

I laugh, "You embarrass me. I'm sure you got sick of hearing about me"

"On the contrary, actually. I looked forward to his letters. I looked forward to hearing about what you did that day to surprise him. I rather enjoyed reading about his love for you. "

I laugh, "I fear that Julian shared a little too much detail in his letters"

Bash grins, "Its okay. I'm his brother, after all. Did Julian tell you, though? That I'm his half brother? We share the same father. Not the same mother"

I raise my brows, "No! I had no idea."

He nods, "Interesting. But yes, I'm his bastard brother. Which makes me nothing in the eyes of the people and in the eyes of the church"

I laugh, "I'm nothing in the eyes of the church. At least you have some royal blood in you. At least you're French. I'm neither of those things. "

Bash shrugs, "People love you. They worship you. They admire the American Queen who gave up her life and country to serve ours as her own"

I tilt my head, "People say this about me?"

He nods, "Absolutely. And I admire you as well. For following your heart and knowing to choose Julian over Louis, ultimately. You've made my brother very happy. And I love my brother"

I smile, "Yes, of course. And so do I. You know, I would love to meet your mother."

Bash furrows his brows, "You've met my father and Julian's mother?"

I shake my head, "Yes, I have. And his coronation is tomorrow. I assume they'll be here."

He nods, "I think so. And my mother as well. "

I grin, "Oh great! I'll get to meet her!"