The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 150 : Who? Luke Jones?

Lady Shanit Lidwig's statement was followed by a stunned silence.

Catherine was the first to react with a "Yess!!" on seeing her mother's acknowledgement of Dusk's status. She was going to have a Sister-In-Law! Her mother's attitude and dislike for her brother choosing a commoner instead of a Princess of another country was the biggest worry Catherine had for Dusk.

Rosemary, on the other hand started worrying because she knew Dusk was still unaware of Luke's identify. She smacked Catherine on her shoulder indicating she needed to restrain herself.

"What did you say, Your Highness?" Dusk asked at last.

Shanit sighed, "Look Dusk, I know you are from an ordinary family, I know you already find these things are luxurious. But by our standards they are not. You need to start acting like a member of the Royal Family and be a part of our society if you don't embarrass us in public. Stop hiding behind this pseudo liberal attitude. I WILL have a word with Crystala tomorrow, though. She should have made you change places as soon as she came here.

"No Dusk, I cannot allow you to stay here. We will move to a hotel immediately. I will have Imperial Security book suites for you all. Tomorrow we will get apartments that are more suited to a future Princess."

The same term seemed to have come back again. Dawn had earlier told her that Catherine said she would be a Princess soon. Now Lady Shanit was saying the same thing...

"Your Highness, I think there is some misunderstanding." She tried. Lady Shanit looked at her confused. After all, how much clearer could she be?

"Your Highness, I do not understand what you are saying. Yes, over the last few months, the business we run has become large. I have been fortunate that the 3 Princesses have trusted me to take care of larger and larger businesses. My friend Luke has also helped. As a result, we have become larger than anyone would have expected. But that does not make me a Princess... At best, I will be a Duchess if the Emperor still does not agree to withdraw it."

"The Duchess is only a temporary title for you." Shanit said with obvious impatience. "When you get married, you take the name of your husband. In the same way, you will take the title of your husband. What is so difficult for you to understand?"

"Your Highness," Dusk replied in a voice, just above a whisper, "I am not engaged... No one has asked me to marry, nor have I agreed to such a thing. I think someone has misinformed you."

In a way she felt relieved. At least she would be able to get the matter cleared up and go back to a normal life. Yes, obviously Catherine would have to go to a better accommodation, and she would be upset, but that was not so much a problem for her as it was for Catherine. In any case, Lady Shanit will not be there all the time, so it is likely that Catherine will still spend a lot of time in 285...

"What do you mean?" asked Shanit.

"I mean, I have not agreed to get married, I am not engaged. So, I think you can stop worrying about my status, behaviour or its effect on the Royal Family. None of the Princes from your family have shown the slightest interest in marrying me." Dusk said with more confidence. She wondered why every member of the Royal Family had such odd quirks.

"You do not wish to get married to my son?" Shanit asked, incredulously.

"WHAT? NO!"

"Why?" Shanit asked, now very angry.

"What do you mean why, Your Highness?"

"What is the reason for your arrogance, Dusk Hale? The money? The achievements? Do you think I am a fool, that just because I am not involved in active politics, I know nothing? Everything you have today is given to you by us... I mean the Royal Family. Do you deny that? You think that now you are rich my son is below your worth? You think a Prince from a bigger nation will come and marry you? There is no one bigger than the Royal Family of Bravadia!"