Hello again! After a small break from writing, I am back! I was so busy with school these past days...You absolutely seem to love this story and I shall continue it when I have time again. I do enjoy writing this, hopefully you like it as much! I hope you enjoy! Don't mind the typos :) Stay safe!

Tuesday 6th of July, Downton Abbey

It had been five days now since the news had reached the public's ears.

And at Downton, the family was hosting a dinner party in the honour of Tom Branson's engagement to Ms. Smith. They announced it three weeks before the royal family had learned about the situation of the lost Princess of Scotland and it seemed to be quite a big thing among the people of England. The servants had done a nice job the last few days and now it was finally time to see their hands' work.

"Everything running smoothly?", asked Elsie Hughes as she stepped into the kitchen.

"I think so. I've sent the last course up just now. Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Oh, I wouldn't mind one. I've had quite the day.", Elsie smiled in appreciation.

The two friends usually had tea in the evenings, now that Mr. Carson had retired. They enjoyed a nice girls' chat. Elsie sat down on a chair that was laid next to Mrs. Patmore's desk in the kitchen.

"And how is Mr. Carson holding up? It's been a while since we've seen him here.", Mrs. Patmore asked, while pouring water into the kettle.

"He's quite well, thank you. He's been busy in the village lately, and it seems that he doesn't quite have time for me, his vegetable patch and the village committee.", The housekeeper joked lightly, they both knew she didn't mean it.

"It's nice to hear you say he has finally settled down with retired life."

"Can you tell?", Elsie chuckled.

Mrs. Patmore placed the kettle, now full of water, on the stove and walked over to grab a towel from her desk to dry her hands.

"Mr. Barrow was in a nice mood today.", the cook said, absent mended.

"I did see that myself too. He's been…Seeing this man from the Royal staff. I guess they've gotten quite friendly in the last year.", Elsie explained."And it makes me happy to see him happier at last."

"I quite agree. A happy butler means the staff stays happy."

Elsie shook her head at her friend's words.

"Do you want piece of the pie that was left-over from yesterday's dinner?", asked the cook, but Elsie just shook her head again.

"Well, that means more to me!", exclaimed Mrs. Patmore happily."It still astonishes me how much less food gets eaten now that Mr. Carson is gone…"

The last words went unnoticed from the housekeeper, as she was busy examining a piece of paper on the cook's desk. It was a magazine of Lady Edith's. Elsie was glad the girl had returned to her calling and kept publishing after she married, but that was not what had caught her attention…The magazine had a whole page full of the announcements from the Royal household and their court.

"They certainly don't talk of nothing else these days…", Elsie stated.

"It's weird, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, the whole business. How is it even possible to hide something so big?", Mrs. Patmore said.

"You are starting to sound like Mr. Carson.", Elsie laughed heartily."And we don't want that, now do we?"

"Agreed.", the cook moved to pour them both a cup of the warm tea.

The housekeeper took the tea gladly. She felt as the warm liquid spread through her body as she took a sip.

"Although I do agree with you, it's quite weird.", she finally said.

"What's so weird?", came a familiar, deep voice from the corridor.

"Mr. Carson!", greeted Mrs. Patmore.

"Mrs. Patmore, good evening.", Charles said and stepped into the kitchen, holding his hat with his left hand."I hope I'm not too early for our dinner?"

It had become a habit for Charles to join the staff for their dinner at least once a week, to save Elsie from having to cook dinner after a long day at work.

"You are, but don't you mind about that. I think I can manage to figure out something for you to do.", Elsie smiled warmly up at her husband, taking a sip out of her tea.

"I can wrestle you something to eat now, if you're hungry? I'm sure Mrs. Hughes could spare the minute to have an early dinner."

"Don't bother. I can wait.", Charles shook his head.

"As you wish.", Mrs. Patmore nodded before eating a forkful of the pie.

Elsie got up from her seat, carrying her empty teacup in her hands and placed it next to the sink.

"Thank you, Mrs. Patmore. It was nice to have a little chat."

"Not at all.", smiled the cook.

The couple left the kitchen to enter the corridor and Mrs. Patmore couldn't do but see the former butler's hand find it's way to his wife's waist, where it rested comfortably. The cook had to let out a sigh at the sight, before she turned to wash the dishes.

"Did you run out of things to do at the cottage?", Elsie asked her husband when they got to her sitting room.

"I did and it seemed that I just couldn't wait to see my wife again.", he told her, taking off his coat.

"I see. Well, to make you feel a bit better, I shall admit that I am happy to see you here."

"What a relief…", Charles stepped closer to her and grabbed her waist to make sure she wasn't going anywhere."I was scared you might think I was imposing."

"Never…You could never impose, Charlie."

She gently pulled him down for a kiss and he did just that, with no objections at all. When they broke apart, there was a smile playing on their lips.

"You are playing a wild game, Mr. Carson."

"But I happen to know my wife likes it when I play wild games."

"Do you?", Elsie teased.

"As it happens, I do.", Charles smiled brightly, releasing his grip of her waist."Did you have a nice day?"

"I guess so, a little hectic, but it was alright in the end."

"Pleased to hear that."

"And did you get on well in the village today? I heard Daisy tell Mrs. Patmore earlier that she saw you in the post office, looking not to pleased with everything.", Elsie tried her best to hide her mirth."Did Mrs. Wigan tests your patience once again?"

"Oh, how I wished to say a few chosen words to that woman…"

"Don't get yourself all worked up with something that you can't control Charlie. I still don't understand what she has done to you that makes you hate her like you do."

Charles just huffed at her words, knowing well enough she didn't understand this, but he would never admit that aloud.

"I did see Mr. Willis."

"What did he want?", Elsie asked.

"Well, he knows you are…The same age that the Royal household request should go report themselves to the police. And he's waiting to have you visit, so he can send your information to the Royal court.", he explained."I know you've been avoiding it."

"I haven't been avoiding it. I just simply don't have time Charlie. And what good would it do?"

"…Maybe my wife is the princess...?"

"And that would make you a prince.", Elsie whispered against his lips."My darling. And I'm sure you would enjoy that..."

Charles placed his lips on hers to kiss her again, but the knock on her sitting room's door made them jump apart. In the big house there was never a moment for yourself, Elsie sighed before she quicky made it to answer whoever was at the door.

"Yes?", came her voice.

The door opened slowly, and Anna popped her head inside the room.

"Mrs. Hughe-Oh Mr. Carson! It's lovely to see you.", Anna said upon seeing the former butler, who timidly bowed his head.

"You as well Anna.", he said.

"Did you need help with something?"

"Oh no Mrs. Hughes. I just came to say that Lady Mary made it to bed early, she wasn't feeling too well. I've already seen to her and I thought we might head home already.", the younger woman explained.

"And his lordship?", Elsie asked in her best housekeeper voice.

"Mr. Barrow agreed that he would take care of him. Little Johny is getting so fussy I'm afraid I have to get him home."

"Well, I don't see any problem in it. Thank you for letting me know.", the housekeeper smiled warmly at her.

"Thank you.", Anna nodded and turned to close the door."Good night then Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Carson."

"Good night.", the couple answered in unison.

Once Mrs. Bates had closed the door and walked down the corridor, Elsie turned back to her husband;

"You got me around to it…I shall go see Mr. Willis tomorrow, or the day after, when I get the time, alright? Will that put you at ease?"

Charles smiled, before he asked more seriously;

"When were I not at ease?"

The next day, Wednesday 7th of July, Downton Abbey village

It was quarter past five in the evening, and after a long day of work, the housekeeper was on her way to meet the Downton police officer, Mr. Willis. It was now six days after the news from the Royal household had reached Downton and as it was ordered that every woman at the age of 60 to 70 should send their personal information to the Royal Court through the police, Elsie Hughes-Carson was entitled to do that herself too.

She had gotten the permission from Lady Grantham to leave earlier, after she had of course finished her duties at the house, to get home before the dark. She was now walking through Downton village, heading towards the small police station on the main street. When she came close enough, she glanced to have a look at the sign hanging from the side of the old building. Downton Police Station it read. Elsie took a hold of the door handle and pulled the door open, setting her foot inside the building.

"Mrs. Hughes!", greeted the officer happily.

Mr. Willis had gotten to know her quite well during the war of the Bateses' innocence and these days he always greeted her with the utmost respect.

"Good evening Mr. Willis.", Elsie smiled slightly towards the man as she walked to the small desk in the corner of the room."I heard I am supposed to fill something here, so you can send it to the Royal Court?"

"You are correct. Just wait here and I'll fetch it for you, Mrs. Hughes.", Willis said politely and walked off to the back of the building.

Elsie looked around to see a familiar face sitting on a bench by the wall.

"Mrs. Baker.", Elsie smiled her greeting.

Mrs. Baker was an old lady, the wife to one of the village committee men, someone who Elsie had gotten to know when she married Charles.

"Mrs. Hughes. How are you? It's been quite a long time.", Mrs. Baker said.

"I am quite well Mrs. Baker. I heard from Mr. Carson that your son has moved to London, am I right?"

"Oh yes, James. He moved there just three months ago and he's already doing splendidly.", she told, a smile creeping in the corners of her lips.

"Well, I am quite sure of that. James is a lovely young gentleman. And how is your husband?"

"Mr. Baker is quite well, thank you."

Elsie had always liked her. Mrs. Baker was a woman who was especially kind and polite, and she never hesitated to help anyone in need. She reminded the housekeeper a lot of Lady Merton. They shared many abilities and virtues.

"And what pray tell are you doing at the police station, Mrs. Baker?", Elsie asked politely.

"I came to fill the form that they will send to the Court. It's a funny business."

"I shall agree with you in this, Mrs. Baker."

"And here we are!", Mr. Willis walked back into the waiting room, holding two pieces of paper in his hands."You can both fill these in and I will take them to the post office to be sent to London after you're ready."

"Thank you, Mr. Willis."