*finally uploads the chapter* Phew! I did it! I said I'd update this story at some point this Sunday – and I did, though a bit later than I had anticipated. It just seems that I suck at chemistry and the number of hours it took to do my homework was more than I expected…Well, anyways. The 33rd chapter is here now! Yay!

It's been a long while since I've last updated this story and it feels very refreshing to be back with my royals. And, this story has been in my mind since the unfortunate passing of Queen Elisabeth II, may God rest her soul. I will only say that I've missed this adventure quite a bit!

Today's chapter finds us with a main character death warning - it will be discussed in the chapter, though, nothing worse than that. I hope that doesn't scare you away...

Well...There's not much else to say, is there? I hope you all enjoy today's chapter, at least nearly as much as I did enjoy writing it for you! I won't make promises on any future updates, what with school and everything, but I shall try to write something as soon as possible! Now, take care and Chelsie on, my darlings! I wish you a very happy beginning to a new week :)

Monday 29th of August 1929, the Carsons' cottage

She found her husband in the garden the next morning. He smiled at her when she came to stand by his side, his hand coming to rest on her lower back without thinking.

"Mabel's finished packing our bags.", Elsie smiled, leaning into his side.

"I feel almost rueful to be leaving for London already."

"I know. But we've had a lovely time this weekend, haven't we?"

"My dearest, lovely is an understatement.", he was rewarded with a coy grin on his wife's face.

"Quite right." Elsie nodded."What are you doing out here anyway? Is everything alright?"

"Of course. I'm just taking it all in before we'll leave – if that's not too silly."

"Of course not. I think it's very sweet of you.", she smiled."We should cherish it all, you're right. Though, I hope you'll bring me here some another time soon."

"I should be delighted."

They exchanged glances before silence overtook them. There was nothing else to say for the moment as they both contemplated the past weekend and, hopefully, the many more to come.

Though, not long later Elsie cast a look at her husband and made a statement that broke the silence:

"We'll be in London in time for afternoon tea."

"Good for us, I suppose.", Charles said, looking down at her with a trace of sadness in his eyes.

"Well, with your sweet tooth…", Elsie left her words to linger in the air as he huffed."I'm only teasing you, love."

"I don't know what I've done to deserve such a thing.", he joked – slightly bitterly but it was barely noticeable.

"Hmm – well, that's not for you to know."

He beamed at her when she rose on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"I'll go get ready for the drive. Won't you come in soon as well? It seems like it's going to rain any moment now and I'd hate for you to catch a chill."

"I won't be long.", he reassured her.

"I'll see you upstairs then."

Charles squeezed her hand before watching her walk back towards the cottage and its welcoming warmth. Right before stepping inside, she turned to glance at him with a loving smile on her face and found him smiling at her – his smile very much matching hers.

These past few days have been wonderful, they both mused contently.

A short while later

"Is that alright, your highness?", Mabel asked as she finished the princess' updo – something simple for the ride up to Buckingham Palace.

"It's lovely, thank you, Mabel.", Elsie smiled, touching her hair with her hand.

"If there's nothing else you need, I'll make sure all the bags get taken, your highness."

"Of course, that'd be very kind of you."

"Not at all, your highness.", and with a curtsy, the maid left the room.

Not long later, Elsie ascended the cottage's stairs, her hat, and gloves in hand. She was greeted by her husband standing in the hallway.

"I thought I'd be ready before you, for once.", she stated, stepping down from the last step.

"The last time I checked, I didn't have such beautiful, long hair that needed taking care of."

"Very funny.", Elsie laughed, placing her hat and gloves on a side table near the front door.

"I should thank Mabel, by the way. She's very good at doing your hair, love.", Charles said, tugging at his coat to settle it over his shoulders and moving to help his wife with hers.

"I think so too. And it does save me some time, not having to fix it up myself I mean."

She let him place her dark brown coat over her shoulders as she slid her arms in the sleeves. In the process, he moved to turn her around to face him by her shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Mmm.", she hummed absentmindedly, buttoning her coat."Have they taken everything in the car already?"

"Oh, yes."

"Then shouldn't we head out there too?", Elsie suggested, lifting her gaze to his face when she finished with the last button.

He was looking at her with pure adoration in his eyes.

"In a moment. I just want to hold you here for a minute longer."

"Well, I don't think I'm in any position to interfere with your wishes, your highness.", she teased – and no, she really didn't have anything against being held in his strong arms.

"Hmm, I should hope not.", he murmured as he leaned down to capture her lips.

They broke apart at the sound of footsteps coming towards them from the upstairs staircase. It was Mabel, apparently collecting the last of her own luggage.

"Your highnesses.", she curtsied and then hurried past them to give the couple the desired privacy.

Elsie, having turned her attention towards the younger woman, made it to face her husband once more once Mabel was out of sight.

"We really mustn't keep them waiting any longer.", she said gently.

"Let them wait."

He seemed to have no intention of moving from their position – his arms still securely holding her by her waist.

"What on earth has come over you today?", his behavior was amusing her, and she asked this with pure wonder.

"Can't a husband want to show love to his wife?"

"Oh, believe me, he can. I'm just surprised, is all.", Elsie shook her head.

"Well, then, be surprised all you want. And if you do not mind, my dearest, I shall continue to show my love to you for at least two minutes right now, thank you."

A wide grin spread across her face at his words:

"Oh, I do not mind, Mr. Carson. Not at all."

He kissed her again before they finally said their goodbyes to the cottage and the three cars drove off into the distance. Behind them was left the lone cottage that would keep reminiscing memories of the past few days till the end of its days…

Meanwhile at Downton Abbey

"Mary dearest, are you alright?", the voice belonged to Lady Grantham who had come looking for her eldest daughter in her bedroom and was now standing in the doorway with a worried look on her face.

"Oh mama-", Mary mumbled and stood up from the bed, her hand coming up to wipe at the tears on her cheeks before properly turning to face her mother."I'm sorry. I didn't hear you come in."

Cora showed her daughter a smile.

"I thought you'd be downstairs with the others already."

"I was. But when you hadn't appeared in the library yet, I was sent to come and find you. We'll be late for the service."

Mary nodded absentmindedly but made no move to leave the spot she seemed to be glued to.

"I know you miss your grandmother very much, darling. And so do we all.", she took a few steps towards Mary, her hands coming up to touch both of the younger woman's arms in an attempt to bring her some comfort."But you mustn't let it consume you."

"I know, mama. I just…It'll be different without her here."

"Yes, it will be. But she'll be forever in our hearts and live on in our memories. She'll never be forgotten.", Cora brushed a hair from her daughter's forehead and tucked it behind her ear.

It hurt Cora greatly to see her daughter so wound up, so heartbroken. And she could do nothing to make her feel better. At least not right now.

"Do you think she'd approve of what we've done for her, mama?", Cora was a bit taken aback by the question."With the funeral I mean."

She smiled at Mary, her hand coming up to cup her cheek.

"Oh, of course, darling. You've done a very good job. With everything.", her voice was nothing more than a whisper.

"But I'm so scared, mama.", Mary sobbed, tears starting to form in her eyes."I don't know what to do."

"Shh. It'll all be alright. I know you'll make her proud, Mary. That I'm sure of."

And the mother enveloped her daughter in her arms.

The Downton village

Charles had insisted they drive through the village to see how things were there.

"It would be an additional risk, your highness.", the chauffeur had said hesitantly when the prince had voiced his wishes.

"Oh, just do it. We'll take full responsibility.", Elsie had huffed, well snapped more like.

"Very well, your highness. But we'll have to make it quick, or we'll miss tea when we get to London."

"Whatever you say, Mr. Wells."

"Take a left turn here.", Charles had instructed, and the chauffeur had taken a sharp turn to obey the prince's direction.

Elsie noted the village had not changed much during their few week-long absence. She found herself somehow reassured by this.

"It's not changed, not really.", Charles' voice brought Elsie back to the present from her musings and she turned her head to face him.

"I noted that myself…Though now I feel sort of silly to have even thought it would be. We've not been gone for long."

"No. Though it has felt like a new eternity, hasn't it?"

His wife simply smiled at this.

"Is the village always so quiet on a Monday morning, your highness?", they were interrupted by the chauffeur.

"No, not particularly.", Elsie said."Not unless there is a gathering which everyone's attending. Then the village can get quite quiet and empty."

"A gathering?"

"Yes. A wedding, perhaps, or sometimes a funeral. It's not unusual for the whole village to be invited, not since everyone knows everyone."

"Ah, well that makes sense.", Mr. Wells conceded, steering them into the main street.

Only a few people here and there were present, getting on with their day's work.

"What do you mean?", Charles asked, his eyes brows raised as he glanced out the window and at the passing post office.

"Only that Ms. Rutt mentioned a funeral to be happening today. Said she'd heard about it in the village."

"Oh?"

"Apparently there was quite a lot of talk about the deceased lady, Rutt mentioned she was quite liked around here."

"Did she say who's died? Surely not lovely old Mrs. Matthews, she's such a kind woman.", Elsie immediately felt a bit bad – she had always liked the woman."She wasn't very well when I last saw her but I never thought she'd pass so soon."

"Name doesn't ring a bell. Oh no, it's not her, your highness."

"Oh – well that's a relief, I suppose.", the princess let out a relieved breath.

They were just now driving past the village churchyard when Charles flashed his caring wife a smile and made it to ask their chauffeur a question:

"Who is it then, Mr. Wells, if not Mrs. Matthews?"

Mr. Wells took a moment to concentrate on the road – Charles and Elsie both noticed there were quite a few cars parked alongside the road. They recognized the Crawley family's two motorcars amongst the rest. However, once past the church and the packed road, the chauffeur spoke up.

"Uh – some old lady, she was. I think her name was Grantham, or something similar…", he trailed off, seeming to be trying to think.

"What?", Charles burst out, but his question went to deaf ears as the other man rambled on.

"Ah yes! The Countess of Grantham – no, no that doesn't sound quite right…Eh, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, that's it. Or was it Crawley instead? I'm afraid I don't quite remember her name."

"Are you quite sure?", Elsie asked, casting a sideway glance at her husband.

"Quite, your highness. It's all over the newspapers around here. They say she was quite a formidable woman, though I couldn't say, your highness.", Mr. Wells kept on talking as he steered them out of the village.

Elsie turned to face her husband in the back seat, her hand coming to take his slightly shaking one into hers between them. His face was almost emotionless, and her heart broke for him. The dowager had been a big part of his life and now he'd learned she was gone. It was a shock.

"Charlie?", she asked quietly but he didn't say anything, just stared at her."I'm so very sorry."

His façade broke a little at her words and she felt him squeeze her hand. It reassured her enough so she could turn back to address the very confused chauffeur. She surprised even herself with how determined her voice was when she spoke.

"Mr. Wells, could you please turn the car around?"

"Your highness?", Mr. Wells met her gaze through the rear-view mirror with raised eyebrows.

"Mr. Wells, it seems we'll not be leaving for London quite yet. So please, turn the car around.", Elsie repeated and cleared her throat to get rid of the lump that had formed there."And please, have someone call Buckingham Palace to let them know we need them to bring us both a set of black attire for teatime this afternoon."

The chauffeur fell quiet as his gaze fell back on the road.

"Do you understand, Mr. Wells?"

"Yes, your highness. I shall make sure it gets done."

"Good.", Elsie said, her voice cracking ever so slightly as she did.

"Are you sure, love?", she heard her husband ask her.

Elsie turned her face towards him and felt herself nod.

"I am. It's only right.", she said gently."For you…And for her."

"Oh, Elsie..."

He brought her gloved hand to his lips and planted a lingering kiss on top of her knuckles. She forced a smile at him – even though she knew it did not bring him the solace he perhaps wished for.

"What would I do without you?", he whispered as he lowered her hand from his lips.

This was not, by any means, what they had imagined the day would bring…

Past teatime, Downton Abbey

The funeral service for the Dowager Countess of Grantham had ended hours ago and whilst the staff returned to the Abbey, the Crawleys had headed to Lord and Lady Merton's for an early luncheon. It was well past teatime by now and Barrow had been anxious for the family to return for quite some time.

To be frank, Barrow had never been so happy upon seeing his employers' cars coming up the Abbey's driveway. Well, never had he been in such a situation before either.

The butler quickly made his way toward the front door as the two cars came to a stop and the chauffeurs moved to open the doors.

"Barrow.", his lordship greeted solemnly as he stepped out of the first car.

"Your lordship, your ladyship.", the butler bowed his head as the couple walked past him.

Barrow made it to hurry after them.

"Cora, I think I'm going to head upstairs and lie down for a while before dinner."

"Right you are.", lady Grantham forced a smile.

"Um, milord?", Barrow cleared his throat.

"What is it, Barrow?", the lord snapped."I do apologize."

"That is quite alright, milord."

"Was there something you wanted to say, Barrow?", Cora asked more kindly.

"There was – is, milady."

"Well, go on then."

"There are visitors for you, milord."

"Oh, not today.", Robert frowned.

"Barrow, can't you tell them to come again some other time?"

"What's going on?", asked lady Hexham as she, her husband, and her sister walked over to where the other three were conversating.

"Barrow has just told us we've visitors."

"Today? Don't people know we're not exactly in the mood for chatting?", Mary sighed as she made a move to walk inside the house."Just tell them we won't see anyone today."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, milady.", Barrow said hesitantly.

"Why?"

"Well, milady…-"

"Barrow is there something you're not telling us?", Robert asked, starting to lose his temper with his butler."And who are these guests anyway? It seems all very hush hush."

The butler went silent, looking as if he was somewhat confused.

"Barrow?", lady Grantham asked."Who are these visitors? And why can't you just send them away?"

"Milady, I can't send them away, because these visitors I am talking about are their royal highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Scotland."

All five members of the family turned to look at the butler, thoroughly surprised and confused.

"The Prince and Princess of Scotland?", bellowed the lord of Grantham.

"Barrow, why didn't you say?"

"Where are they?", Cora asked more calmly, yet no one could mistake the excitement in her voice for anything else.

"In the library, milady. They arrived just half an hour ago."

"What on earth are they doing here?", Robert asked.

"Well perhaps we should ask them that question, papa.", Edith concluded with a faint smile.

Lord and lady Grantham, as well as their daughters and lord Hexham, made their way inside the house and towards the library. Barrow hurried to open the door for them but there was no time for introductions as the family rushed into the room.

And just like the butler had told them, the Crawleys found the prince and princess of Scotland in their library. Upon their entrance, the prince, who had been looking out of the windows, turned their way and at the same moment, his wife stood up from her place on one of the red couches she'd been sitting on.

"Your royal highnesses.", smiles lady Grantham as she bended to a curtsy before the two royals – the rest of her family followed her lead."What a lovely surprise."

"Please, lady Grantham.", Elsie said politely."The pleasure is all ours."

"If you don't mind me saying, your highness, we weren't quite expecting you to pay us a visit.", said Robert Crawley from next to his wife.

The princess flashed him a smile:

"It wasn't on our schedule either, lord Grantham, not more than a few hours ago."

The lord looked slightly confused by this and Elsie made it to explain.

"The prince and I learned about lady Grantham's passing only this very morning, you see. A great shock as it was, somehow it has brought us here."

"That is very generous of you, your highness.", Edith spoke up.

"It is the least we can offer to your family during this hard and trying time, lady Hexham. And we have both been wanting to come back to Downton Abbey someday.", Elsie told them."I do hope we are not imposing."

"Not at all, you are very welcome, your highness. Though, I'm afraid we're not much of company right now-"

"And we are not exactly supposed to be here, lady Grantham. We should be in London as we speak."

"Your highness?"

"This should remain a secret, but my husband and I have spent the past few days away from the palace and had a sort of vacation, as they say. To get away from everything for a while at least. We've been staying in our old cottage."

"Oh, how lovely.", Bertie Pelham smiled.

"We were on our way back to London when we heard the news."

"And you came here instead of going back to Buckingham Palace?", it was the first-time lady Mary spoke during this entire time.

"If that doesn't sound too much of an imposition to you, lady Mary?", the princess asked kindly, expecting the young woman to reply with something less than polite.

"No, I don't think it does.", Mary surprised them all."I am very glad you are here, your highness. The both of you."

And all Elsie could do was flash a smile at the lady.