Chapter 49 – Nevaeh de Montignac
When Nevaeh woke up the next morning, dawn was already way behind and the sun would have been high in the sky hadn't there been any clouds. She let Jesse snore away and went to put on some comfy clothes before walking out of her room.
She was just in time to see Silas and Ximena say goodbye to the queen and leave for their honeymoon in Hawaii. Two blessed weeks without anyone to bother them, away from the Palace, the cold, and the snow. She hugged them and waved as the car pulled out of the driveway.
"Nevaeh, dear," Auntie Lena said. "Why are you already up on your feet? Shouldn't you be resting?"
"Auntie," Nevaeh replied with a smile. "I'm pregnant, not dying." She sighed. "So, what now? Val and Essie are a thing. Only Nathan left, right?"
The queen sighed. "Yes, about that…" she trailed off shaking her head. The two women walked together to the queen's private Women's room. "I really don't know what he's doing. I talked with him the other day," she said sitting down on a couch and ordering breakfast to be brought there for her and her niece. "I said he needed to speed things up a bit and start thinking about choosing one of the four remaining girls, Pallas not included since she and Henri seem to be a thing, now…"
Nevaeh nodded. "Yes, they're a 'thing', as you say." She paused. "What did Nathan say?"
"That he would think about it."
"I see."
They chatted a bit more and then two maids came in with breakfast trays.
"What about you and Jesse?"
"What about us?" Nevaeh asked, sipping on some green tea.
The queen gave her a look. "You're two months and a half pregnant. Has he proposed yet?"
"No," Nevaeh said. "I'm not sure I'm expecting him to. He's a busy man and–"
"He had enough time to get you pregnant," the queen mumbled under her breath.
"Are you going to do that, too?" she snapped back, a little more rudely than she wanted to. "Sorry." She took a deep breath. "We haven't really talked about that, to be honest," Nevaeh finally said. "I mean, with Silas's wedding, Val's engagement to Essie, and the little fright we had the other week, we didn't really have any time to talk seriously about it."
"Hmmm," the queen said eating some pancakes. "Try to do that soon, Nevaeh. A duchess pregnant out of wedlock is not the best publicity for the royal family."
Nevaeh snorted. "What about Nathan? He sleeps around all the time! How is that good publicity for the royal family?"
Queen Helena swallowed her pancakes. "About Nathan, there's… something you should know."
Nevaeh looked up, curious. "What?"
"I told him that if he got a woman pregnant anywhere in Illéa – or elsewhere – when he wasn't married, I would have his testicles cut off, as well as his 'pocket money' taken away."
Nevaeh laughed, almost spitting out her tea. "Jesse would kill to know that."
"He must never know," her aunt said. "You are the only one who knows outside of Nathan and me. Not even Tobias knows."
"And Nathan never got anyone pregnant?"
"Not that I know of. And if someone claims to be carrying his child, trust me when I say I will do everything in my power to have a paternity test done." She paused. "And Nathan knows that very well."
"You wouldn't, uhm, cut off his balls, would you?"
Helena laughed. "Of course, I wouldn't. At the very least, I would have him pinned down by guards and have the doctor hold a knife this close to them," she said, holding her index finger and her thumb just a centimeter apart. "Besides, he knows what I'm capable of…"
"Do tell," Nevaeh said. "The juicier the better."
"Have you ever heard about how adult elephants can be tethered to a chair just by a simple string?" the queen asked.
"Yes," Nevaeh said, "because they've been attached with chains when they were babies and, in their mind, as they grow up, the string is the same thing as a chain, and they could never free themselves."
"Exactly." The queen paused, sipping on some coffee. "Let's just say that something happened when he was a kid and I threatened to cut them off, as I was holding a sharp letter opener. I swear, it was the first thing I grabbed on my desk, and he was butt-naked in my office, terrified and hiding his things with his hands." She chuckled softly. "I was so angry at him and I think he sensed that."
Nevaeh also laughed softly. "Poor kid. But it didn't stop him to have sex everywhere with every living woman, did it?"
"Not so much…" Helena sighed. "Anyway… I really don't know if he's ever going to settle down, have a wife – or at least a serious girlfriend – and let's not even start talking about kids."
Nevaeh giggled. "That's– a really funny story, to be honest."
"Yes, well, I can promise you that it wasn't really funny, that night," she said. "But thirteen years later, yes, it is funny."
-o-0-o-
After her breakfast and her talk with the queen, Nevaeh went back to her room. Jesse was slowly waking up from his slumber.
"Good morning, sunshine," Nevaeh said, opening the curtains in one swift motion, illuminating the room. "Oh, look, it snowed again," she said without any excitement.
"Mmmmm… close the curtains," Jesse mumbled. "It's too bright.
"It's time to get up," she said. "Do you know what time it is?"
"No, and I don't care."
"It's 11:15." But Nevaeh didn't want to spend energy on trying to get him out of bed. Instead, she headed to the washroom to take a bubble bath and relax after the busy and emotional wedding of the previous day. It was Sunday, anyway, so she had absolutely no obligations whatsoever.
When she had sufficiently soaked, that the bubbles had disappeared and that her skin had become as wrinkled and soft as raisins, Nevaeh climbed out and dressed in something really nice. She had started buying maternity clothes online, because now that everyone knew about it there was no use hiding it, anyway, right?
She was just putting on some pearl earrings, sitting at her vanity table, when Jesse walked in, showered and changed, and with his hair dripping a little on his shoulders. Nevaeh smiled at him through the mirror.
"You finally decided to get up," she said, teasing him.
"Yeah." He slipped his hands into his pockets and crouched next to Nevaeh. He wrapped his arms around her middle, resting a hand on her baby bump, and placed a soft kiss on her neck. "I thought that since you would be clean and smelling good that I should, too."
"I see," she said, leaning against him. Then she saw the little blue box Jesse was holding in front of her. She stared at it for a few seconds, none of them talking. "What is this?" she whispered, terrified of what was happening.
"Open it," he said.
With trembling fingers, Nevaeh pulled the tiny white ribbon and popped the lid open. In a slit in the middle of the white velvet-lined box sat a golden ring with blue topaz in the middle and two tiny white diamonds on each side. Nevaeh held her breath.
"Nevaeh de Montignac, my love," Jesse said, still behind her and holding on to her, "will you marry me?"
Nevaeh let out her breath. "I'm surprised you're not asking me during a live Report," she said.
Jesse chuckled softly and shifted his position to kneel with one knee in front of her, her hand in his. "You would have killed me on the spot, so I'm stacking all the odds in my favor."
"I see," she said. She looked at Jesse's soft hazel eyes and a surge of love for this man and the father of her baby filled her heart all at once. "Yes," she said, with a hand on her belly. "I'll marry you, Jesse Flynn."
Jesse let out a relieved sigh and let his head fall on her belly. "Thank God," he humbled. Then he took out the ring from the small box and slipped it on her finger before kissing her. Nevaeh smiled and kissed him back. She just loved how his aftershave smelled, and his skin was so soft and at some point, during their kiss, they had exchanged place, where Jesse was sitting on the chair and Nevaeh was on his lap, both legs on the same side.
"I figured that we should get married quickly. You're already almost three months far…"
Nevaeh rolled her eyes – yes, even if it wasn't ladylike – and sighed. "It's not as if we can organize a wedding in a week, Jesse. Planning a wedding takes time."
"I know," he said. "But it can be done in a month–"
"A month? Are you crazy?" she said, putting a hand on his forehead. "No, you don't have any fever, and–"
"Look, hear me out," Jesse said, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I talked with the wedding planner who worked on the Xilas wedding and he said he could maybe do something for us, under a month."
She shook her head. "A month from now is February 18th–"
"14th, actually. I thought Valentine's day would be nice." He paused, waiting for Nevaeh to say something. She didn't, so he continued. "What do you say?"
"What if I wanted a huge wedding with lots and lots of people and in a huge cathedral and with a banquet and everything?"
"Uh – I– then I guess we'll have to wait–"
"I'm messing with you," she said, planting a kiss on his lips. "Valentine's day, in less than a month, sounds perfect. A small church, a small wedding." She smiled. "It's perfect."
"Are you sure?" he asked, searching her eyes.
"Yes." She nodded. "I need to call a couple of friends in France because I'm not doing that without them," she added. "Manon and Adeline. They'll be my MOH and bridesmaid."
Jesse nodded. "Excellent. I can't wait to meet your friends– wait. Do you think they'll like me?"
"They don't. Ever since that thing," she said, referring to her fall on the Report, "they don't particularly fancy you. And I'll never hear the end of it either, but I can't do this without them by my side."
"I see," he said slowly. "I'll have to be extra nice to them, then."
"Yes." She laughed softly and kissed the tip of his nose. "Come on, let's go join some other people, otherwise we're never going to do anything today."
Jesse snorted as Nevaeh stood up. "I have ideas of stuff we can do." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively with a wicked grin.
"Please," Nevaeh said, walking towards the door. "Don't tell me you've been learning Nathan's trade, too?"
"What?! No, of course not!" Jesse ran after her and they headed out to see if there was anyone to hang around with, but the palace was eerily empty and silent for a Sunday afternoon. They decided to go take a walk outside before coming back inside for hot chocolates and comfy blankets in front of a fireplace before dinner.
-o-0-o-
Now that there were only four official Selected remaining on Nathan's list – even though Pallas was still here because of Henri, and Henri was still here because of Pallas – everyone ate at the same table, royals and Selected alike.
From her place at the large round table, Nevaeh noticed that Nathan was really in a gloomy mood, despite the pretty ladies at his sides. He was pushing his food around his plate, keeping his eyes on his fork, and barely sipping on his wine.
But he was the only one like that: Valerian and Essie were being cuties as always; Pallas and Henri were talking about engineering stuff – turned out she had lots of ideas to start a small business – that no one understood; Jen, Gail, Mor, and Emelda were talking about Silas and Ximena's wedding, talking about the dance, the music, the food, and more; the queen was in an intense conversation with her sister, and her husband was talking with the queen mother. So yeah… everyone was doing their own thing.
Nevaeh gently clinked her spoon on her glass, grabbing everyone's attention. "Everyone, we have some news," she started. Next to her, Jesse became a deep red, not realizing she was going to announce it that very day. "Jesse proposed this morning, and we're hoping to get married next month."
"Congratulations!" Helena said, toasting her glass of wine to her niece. She nodded to Nevaeh, and Nevaeh suddenly wondered if she had had a word with Jesse as well… but probably not. When would she?
"In a month?" her mother said. "But there are so many things to do!"
"It's doable, mom," Nevaeh said.
"I'm so happy for you guys!" Val said, coming around the table and actually hugging her fiercely. "Congratulations!"
"To the happy couple!" Uncle Tobias added, also toasting his glass to them.
The remaining Selected clapped and toasted as well–
BOOM.
Nathan slammed his fist on the table, making everyone jump and all the glasses and silverware rattle. "That's it, I'm done," he said. He pushed himself from the table with such force that the table itself moved a couple of inches and his chair fell to the ground.
"Nathan–"
"No, mom, I'm done," he gesticulated as he talked. "I'm sick of all this stupid Selection. I did it because you wanted us to do it. You wanted three Happily Ever Afters, well now Silas is married and on his honeymoon; Valerian is engaged; Hell! Even Nevaeh is engaged AND expecting a baby– I'm sorry, but that's just too much." He huffed and walked away. Then he came back and addressed his girls specifically. "I'm sorry, but I'm done. I guess– I guess you can all go home and go on with your lives. Gail, if you need any money, just text me. Mor, good luck with your next movie or whatever. Emelda, I hope you make it again in the next Olympics." He paused and his gaze fell on Jen. "And Jen," he said, laughing softly but without humor. "May the Force be with you."
"And also with you," she replied a faint smile on her face, but also a little surprised.
With that, Nathan was on his way, to God knew where. He left only a shocked table and silence as his footsteps resonated in the hall, just outside the dining room.
"What just happened?" Valerian asked, breaking the silence.
"I guess he just terminated the Selection," Gail said. "And good riddance. I was beginning to get really bored." She put her napkin beside her plate and stood. She curtsied to the queen. "Your Majesty, it's been an honor, thank you for your hospitality and for bearing with us… and him… for this long." She curtsied again before walking out, following in Nathan's example.
"But– Gail wait!" Emelda said. She looked around the table, not really knowing what to do.
Jenissa put a hand on the Gymnast's arm. "Drop it, Em," she said softly. "It's time for all of us to go home, now." She looked at the actress next to her. "Mor?"
The blonde woman nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she replied softly.
"I was– I mean we were this close," Emelda said, holding two fingers close. She sighed. "But I guess you're right."
Queen Helena still hadn't said anything, and to be honest, Nevaeh didn't think there was anything left to say. They had tried to make Nathan settle down and fall in love, but it had backfired on everyone.
"I'll go talk to him," Pallas said, standing. She didn't wait for anyone's input on her decision and just walked away after the prince. Nevaeh wondered how close these two were since they had gone on several dates.
-.-
"Nathan, wait!" Pallas said, practically running up the stairs, pulling herself onto the railing as she went.
"Nope, I'm done," he called back.
But Pallas climbed to the third floor and just saw him going into his room. She followed him and knocked on the door that he had left ajar. She walked in without an invitation and just stood there, her arms crossed over her chest. "What the hell are you doing, Nathan?" From what she could see, he had taken out a suitcase from his walk-in closet and was piling clothes in it without even thinking.
"I'm getting out of here," he said. "There's no way I'm staying around all this nauseating love." He made a gagging sound to emphasize his point.
"Nate."
"What? I told you how I felt about 'love'," he air-quoted, slamming a shirt in the suitcase. "And I'm out of here."
Pallas walked towards the suitcase and took every item out before folding them nicely and putting them back in. "Where are you going to go?" she asked softly. If Nathan needed time and space, then he should take it. His mental health was more important than anything else.
"Europe. France, probably." He paused. "I'm sure Henri can give me a few addresses to go hide at. Some friends who'd be happy to have the Fallen Prince of Illéa." He snorted. "I mean, it can't be worse than before the Selection, right?"
Pallas smiled. "You're not The Fallen Prince, Nate." She paused, trying to fold a suit jacket so it couldn't crease too much. "Add in some bathing suits," she said. "Nathan, can I ask you something?"
He came out of the closet with five bathing suits. "What."
"Did you fall in love?"
"No!"
But Pallas sensed that he had answered a little too quickly and now he wouldn't meet her gaze. "All right," she said. "At least take Henri with you to France. You can't speak a single word of French. He can."
"Yeah, I know." Nathan sighed and added a few pairs of shoes to the suitcase, too. "I doubt he'll want to come along now that he has… you know… you?"
Pallas rolled her eyes. "Pu-lease, Nate. You know Henri would love nothing better than to tag along with you to France. Besides, I'm sure he'll survive without me, and I need to finish my college year. As soon as I can go back on campus, I'm going."
"Why didn't you leave the Selection sooner?" he asked, sitting on his bead. He had calmed down a tiny bit and wasn't slamming clothes in the suitcase, anymore. "I mean, you have Henri and all…"
Pallas shrugged. "You didn't eliminate me, and I knew that if I left, I'd be going home, and I'd miss being with Henri. We got to know each other much better these past couple of months."
"Good for you," Nathan said. "But that's not for me. And probably never will be." He closed the suitcase. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Milady, but I have places to go." He took his phone and dialed something before putting it to his ear.
"Henri? Yeah. Wanna go to France for a few months?" Pause. "Yes, tonight." Pause. "No– I mean, I'm gonna get the jet for us. We can be off in a few hours." Pause. "Yes. Okay, see ya." He hung up and looked at Pallas. "Well, I guess I'm taking away your boyfriend for some time."
Pallas shrugged. "I'll see him when he comes back, and now I can focus on my studies." She took a step towards Nathan. "Hey, be careful out there, okay? Don't do anything stupid and please keep an eye on Henri for me. Don't let him do anything stupid, either? Okay?"
Nathan took Pallas' hand in his and squeezed it once. "I'll try," he said. "I'll be drunk most of the time, but I'll try to bring him back in one piece."
"Thank you." She placed a kiss on his cheek and walked away. Now she needed to talk to Henri. She went back to the dining room but found that practically everyone had left, abandoning the table with half-eaten plates. The only person still there was Henri, and he was spinning his knife between his fingers.
"Nathan asked me to go to France with him," he said without preamble.
"I know, I was there when he called you."
"He listens to you, now?" Henri asked.
"I think so, yeah," Pallas said. "But that's because I also listen to him and try to understand him." She paused. "He's terrified of falling in love and with all the happy endings around him – Xilas, Val and Essie, Jesse and Nevaeh, and us – it just makes him sick. Like physically sick. I don't know why." Pallas sighed and poured herself some wine. "I'm guessing he fell in love with one of the girls and he just doesn't want to admit it, so he's running away from his feelings."
"Loin des yeux, loin du cœur," he quoted in French.
"What?"
"It just means something like 'out of sight, out of your heart'," he said with his cute little French accent that always made Pallas smile.
"Oh, you mean out of sight, out of mind," she said. "I see." She sipped on her drink. "Just– keep an eye on him okay? He may need some time and some space from all… this," she said gesturing at the palace around them, "but he still needs to come back."
Henri turned towards Pallas. "Between you and me, who do you think he fell for? Because he hasn't told me anything..."
"He hasn't told me anything either, but I'm putting my money on Morrigan. Though I know for a fact that she's the only one he didn't sleep with, and maybe that's why he's tired of this whole thing. I don't know…"
"Hmmm… My money's on Jen." Henri also sipped on his wine. "Anyway. I need to go pack my things, I guess."
Pallas nodded. "Me too. I'll head home tomorrow, I think, and then I'll be back on campus."
Henri gently grabbed her and put her on his lap. Without a word, he kissed her, and she kissed him back. She knew it was some kind of goodbye kiss since she didn't know when she'd see him again. After a few moments, they broke apart and rested their foreheads together.
"Please be careful and don't do anything stupid, in France," she said. "He's older than you, but be the bigger man, okay?"
Henri nodded. "I'll try."
'Try'. Was that the best her boyfriend and her best friend could give her? She would have to take that; it was better than nothing at all…
Oopsie... Nathan just snapped, didn't he...? Was that what you were expecting...? or not? Let me know!
Also, JESSAEH are engaged! yay!
Thanks for reading and reviewing ;) See you on Saturday! (and don't forget to check out Friday's Sister chapter, the third par of the prologue with the third kid! ;) )
