Buenos tardes, mis amigos! Hello there, I am finally back to writing after a rather long break from it! I am already publishing the 15th chapter to this story? Didn't I just start writing it? Anyways, coming back to writing means I have also started school for the semester! I will try to squeeze in some time to write, because I just have so many new ideas for new stories, but I won't make any promises…I hope you enjoy this little chapter, and please do leave me a review to let me know what you think! Please excuse any typing errors, there's always at least one of those! Stay safe lovelies, I'll see you soon! 3

Two weeks later, Friday 3rd of August, the Carsons' cottage, Yorkshire

Two weeks had passed since the Carsons had visited the king and queen of England, and they had, as planned, gotten home one week after their arrival in London. They had spent the following week planning and preparing for the future, everything that would come with it. Elsie had also received a letter from Queen Mary, where she kindly explained what would come next: They would move to the castle, be presented to public, there would be a ball and they would settle down for royal life. That's what is expected from them.

It hurt her a bit. Many a woman and man would be glad of such opportunity, but Elsie was not used to the great glory, balls and dinner parties as the hostess, which she knew would one day fall on her shoulders. She had spent a lot of time in their sitting room in their cottage, or her office at the Abbey, just thinking about the future. A completely new future. And it wasn't just the thought of a new start that made her uncomfortable…Hurt, but as she had admitted to Charles, no person would get over the fact that they weren't loved by their parents. That's how she saw it. The king and queen would of course tell her it wasn't the plan for her to be left there. But things…Went awry. Badly so…It was hard for her to believe such a thing. How was it exactly possible for her to be forgotten there? Why didn't they tell anyone? It didn't make any sense. Surely, they would have retrieved her back to the palace after the attack was over, announced her to the public?

"Penny for your thoughts?", that was Mrs. Patmore from the other side of the small kitchen table, sipping her tea.

"They're not worthy of it.", Elsie sighed.

The cook had come over to help the couple clean up the cottage, which was extraordinary kind of her. They would be going up to London next Monday and there was a lot to be done in the meantime.

"I suppose you got a lot on your mind."

"One could say that, yes."

"We'll have everything ready on time, so you shouldn't worry too much.", Beryl said.

"I know. But it's not that what is making me anxious.", Elsie said absentmindedly before standing up, her teacup in her hand."Well, I suppose we should get on. Charles will be home in a minute. I can't let him think we've only been sitting, drinking tea the whole time."

Mrs. Patmore scoffed as an answer as they made their way to clean up the table.

"When will you be presented?"

"I'm not entirely sure.", Elsie told her, putting away the small jar of cookies."It won't be long after we've moved in."

"It's very exciting."

"Exciting is one word for being scared to the core, Mrs. Patmore."

"You'll do well. If someone can handle a challenge like this that is Mrs. Elsie Carson!", the cook beamed.

"I appreciate you saying so, Mrs. Patmore, but I'm not so sure."

"We'll you won't be alone, you've got your butler to stand by your side, aren't I right?"

The two women fell into a silence. The running water from the tab was the only sound in the small kitchen, and when Mrs. Patmore turned around to face her friend, only to see her biting her lip, she frowned, realizing she had said something wrong.

"I'm sorry.", Elsie murmured, turning away.

"Don't be. I know you have a lot on your shoulders."

"That's an understatement."

"It must be scary…"

"It is. And I'd rather not go through it right now.", the housekeeper said, rubbing her forehead.

"I know."

And another silence followed. This time they both felt no need for words, until Elsie spoke again.

"We always talk of me these days. I want to hear what's going on in your life."

"Well, that's hardly very interesting in the moment!"

"Tell me, have you seen Mr. Mason lately?"

And so, the two friends fell into a comfortable conversation once again while they cleaned up the kitchen. Even when things were changing, they still found great pleasure in the little things friendship offered. Neither of them even realized the tall figure of Charles Carson hovering in the doorway, looking adoringly at both his wife and her best friend.

Mrs. Patmore left not a moment later, upon Charles's arrival home. He had been in a village committee meeting the whole morning, allowing some free time for the ladies. He was now sitting, eating lunch with his wife, in their very own kitchen.

"You got quite a lot done in my absence.", Charles looked around the tidied kitchen.

"We did. Mrs. Patmore was of great help."

"I trust she were. How are you today, my darling?"

"Why do you ask?", Elsie looked up from her plate, staring at his face.

"No reason. You're my wife, aren't I allowed to ask you that?"

"Well um- I'm fine, thank you."

"I'm glad to hear that.", he smiled, before continuing."I'll walk you up to the Abbey and I think I'll go speak to his lordship while I'm there."

"Why? You don't have to say if you don't want to.", Elsie asked, but rushed to reassure him quickly.

"It's about the cottage. I was hoping they could keep it empty after we've gone."

Her face softened immediately at his words. He knew how to make her smile. She had been sad on another night, that they would lose the cottage.

"I would love that. I feel bad we've to move. This cottage was- is, a place that I've come to love."

"It's a place where we have learned to love each other.", he said."I agree, it should always be ours."

She just smiled at him when he said that.

"Ours. What a funny word.", she sighed.

"How so?"

"Well, we've never had anything of our own. This place was always just us. Our things and stuff that meant something to us. I would hate for all those things to be gone."

"I'll make sure they won't. Not if it means so much to especially you, my darling."

"And I love you for it. So very much."

"I know you do.", Charles whispers, holding his hand out for her to take, which she did."And I've also decided to do one more thing for you."

"And what pray tell is that? You've done so much already, Charles, I feel like I'm starting to owe you.", She laughed.

Her laughter filled the room, making him smile at her. Whenever he could make her laugh like that, he considered himself a winner.

"I know you've been very…Hurt, and disappointed, over a certain matter about this whole royal business…I want to repay you, on your parents' regard, and I am going to hire a detective to find out what exactly happened back in the day. Would you mind that? I know it's a lot to take in, but I think you need to know the truth."

The look on her face told him everything and as she hurried to kiss his lips, he knew his plan was accepted.

"I don't know what to say, only that I don't have anything to thank you with.", Elsie beamed, as he pulled her to sit on his lap.

"You don't need to thank me. It's enough you agreed to be my wife."

"There was never any other answer for that question."

She leaned to entwine her lips with his, in a deep, long kiss. In the middle of wooden crates and boxes of photos, vases and other belongings, they felt complete, no matter of the future, because in the end, the only thing that matters, is that you're not alone to face that future.

Friday 3rd, back at Downton abbey, servants' lunch

The servants, excluding Mrs. Hughes-Carson, were sitting around the long table in the servants' hall. Everyone was having conversations of their own, happily chatting away.

"Anything new on the papers, Mr. Bates?", asked young Andrew from the other side of the table.

"There is really nothing else, but the news of the princess, covering the pages.", answered Bates.

"Who knew it was that Mrs. Hughes all along?", snorted Madge.

"Madge, respect.", scolded Anna."Mrs. Hughes is a wonderful woman and you know that. She doesn't deserve your behaviour."

"Yes, Mrs. Bates."

"Well, I doubt any of us expected what has happened. Let us hope it will not affect us in a great manner.", stated Mr. Barrow.

"I heard Mrs. Hughes talking to her ladyship the other day. They're leaving on Monday. I feel sad to see her go."

"I agree. Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson have always been at Downton. It's hard to imagine the place without them.", said Daisy, who just came into the room to bring some more bread."But I don't think it's fair. Why aren't I the princess?"

"She's entitled to her title, she was born into it.", explained Ms. Baxter.

"I know, but why her?"

"Daisy, get back into the kitchen and stop being disrespectful!", shouted Mrs. Patmore from the kitchen.

"Yes, Mrs. Patmore."

Daisy was gone in a blink of an eye.

"I got an idea. Why don't we throw her- and Mr. Carson, a goodbye party? Maybe we could invite the family too, give them a proper farewell."

"What a great idea! We could decorate the servants' hall and Mrs. Patmore could cook her favourites.", Ms. Baxter joined in on Anna's idea of the party.

"I'm in!"

"What if she doesn't like it? I mean, she is going to live in a palace!", worried Madge, not exactly sounding very worried.

"Madge, do you want me to report you to Mrs. Hughes?", Mr. Barrow said coldly.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Barrow. Of course not."

Anna turned to face her husband's smiling face. She knew he agreed with the idea of a farewell party. They were all (well, most of them) sad to see the couple leave, but at least they'd leave with style and dignity.