Chapter 11 - Trusting

When Jasper came back he found the twins in tears.

At first he was worried but then he saw Eleanor smile at him from the couch.

The look Liam gave Jasper this time was still not the friendliest but he seemed to have calmed down his dislike for his new brother in law a bit. Eleanor probably asked him to.

Shortly after Jasper had returned Liam said goodbye and left, not without hugging his sister again and making her promise to come to the Palace soon.

„Are you alright? "

Jaspers question didn't surprise her. She must look funny with her eyes al puffy from crying.

„I'm fine. More than fine actually. "

Wth that she got up from the couch and Jasper followed her back into the bedroom.

„And what are we going to do now? "

„I'd have an idea"

With that Jasper pulled his wife closer and wrapped his arms around her.

She did want to stay with Jasper.

She really did.

The only question was, did he as well?

There was so much doubt in her head. How could she trust this man?

Damn trust issues.

In the meantime Jaspers lips had wondered lower, their Attention all on that sweet spot on her shoulder, that he knew she loved so much.

It cost her all selfcontrol she had left but Eleanor managed to push a very surprised Jasper away from her.

Before he could say anything Eleanor had turned around and dissapeared into the bathroom.

Jasper sighed as he heard the shower turn on. For a second he concidered joining her under the hot water but instead he decided to make some breakfast.

So when Eleanor emerged from the bathroom she was greeted by the heavenly scent of fresh pancakes, coffee and tea. With damp hair and bare feet she went to the kitchen.

Jasper was currently pouring himself some coffee but she could see he made her some tea as well, the teabag still swimming in the mug. Sometimes she did have some coffee in the morning but hot tea will always be her favourite.

He didn't set the table yet, so Eleanor decided to do it herself. She ignored her husbands grin as she roamed through one cupboard after the other, on a Mission to find some plates and cutlery.

„You know you could just ask and I'd show you where everything is? "

„Nope, I got this. "

With a sigh he put his mug down and opened a drawer and a cupboard on the right ride of the fridge.

„I didn't need your help."

She begun to set the small kitchen table without accnoleging him any further but he crossed her plans once again by pressing a kiss to the back of her head.

„Just remember for next time. "

„What are you planning on doing today?"

Eleanor didn't answer immediatly. Instead she took another big bite of pancake in her mouth, chewing slowly.

Jasper sighed.

„You can't hide here forever, Len."

„I know, I know. And I also know I need to talk with my mother but I really don't want to. "

„Well, you should talk to her soon, before she orders me to be arrested for treason. "

„She wouldn't do that. You are still married to me and she wouldn't risk causing a scandal. "

„Are you sure she wouldn't though? "

Eleanor thought about it for a second. Jasper was right. She had to talk to her mother before she took matters in her own Hands some way. Maybe she wouldn't have him arrested, but Eleanor was sure she'd find another way to deal with the situation.

She sighed before taking the last sip of tea.

„Could you drive me there?

„Sure, Do you want me to come with you? "

„Actually yes. If I'll go alone she will probably just lock me up in the Palace and never let me out again. "

„Well, I'm not sure if I can do much if the queen decides to do that but okay. "

„Wow. Are you not supposed to protect me or something? " she smiled at him while he put their plates in the dishwasher.

He just laughed.

Half an hour later they sat in the car on their way to the Palace. As Jasper didn't work at the Palace anymore he wasn't just allowed to park his car where he usually did so Eleanor has to call a very grumpy Ted, asking to be let in with her husband.

Jasper could tell she was more than nervous. She kept fiddling with her phone the entire way there. But what could he do? Truth be told he was just as nervous as she was, if not more.

„What are we going to say to her? I mean we can't just tell her what happened, can we? "

„Actually that's exactly what we are going to do. Tell the truth. "

„Are you sure, Jasper? Because I am very much not. "

„Yes I am. Think about it. We got drunk and got married. There is absolutly no way to say this differently. But on the other side we already took care of the divorce papers and have not been seen by any Paparazzi. That's good, right? "

„Well, it's better than nothing I suppose."

They continued driving in silence.

Back at the Palace Eleanor felt weirdly out of place. Her entire life she had lived here, played in these halls with her Brothers, fought with her mother over basically everything. But today it was if everything was different. As if it was a new place. Never before had she felt like a stranger in her own home.

Ted had been waiting for them by the back entrance. He had remained mostly neutral as he told them where the Queen would be waiting for them, but he couldn't help himself from glaring at the former Bodyguard just a bit.

Eleanor never let go of her husbands hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. He smiled at her but she could see the worry in his eyes.

"There are our happy newlyweds. Any plans on the honeymoon yet ore are you going to make that decision drunk as well?"

It was hard to miss the angry sarcasm in her mothers words.

Eleanor didn't say anything while Jasper was just about to bow as he used to still working at the palace.

"Oh cut it Frost. We don't have time for that."

"Mom, we have everything under control. We only waiting for the divorce papers to sign and then everything will be over. No one will ever know it happened."

"Don't play dumb, Eleanor. It's only a matter of time until someone will find something. The press is only looking for an opportunity to bring our family down. "

"What do you want us to do then? What's done is done and we are dealing with it the best that we can."

The only thing holding Eleanor back from storming out of the room once again was Jaspers hand on her knee.

The queen closed her eyes for a second.

"You are right. I wish you wouldn't have gotten married in the first place. And I wish you had a better taste in men than to choose a bloody American. But to be clear, if the press finds out about this the monarchy might not survive the backslash. So until the two of you are officially divorced you will keep your head down and pray for a god damn miracle."