Someone’s Someone

by Curious Girl

I've always been someone's someone. I will always be known as the sister of. The sister of the wonder child; the sister of the Nobel prize laureate; the sister of Princess Anastasia of Romanov; the sister of the next Queen of England; the sister of the Olympian... and the daughter of Troy and Gabriella Bolton. But I am so much more. I am Josephine Bolton.

49. Chapter 49

Who is the Duke of Clarence? We've got some exclusive informations on Josie's new husband that she managed to turn into a royal!

Everyone has been talking about Josephine Bolton, who has somehow - some people claim she did it by blackmailing the King - managed to snatch herself the title of a royal and a job as the president of the Commonwealth Trust. But what about her husband?

Who is Oliver Carlos Bolton, that is known as HRH The Duke of Clarence? Well, we've got the inside scoop on him.

Oliver Carlos Bolton is Josephine's first husband. After that wedding scandal, when she nearly married her ex-fiancé Edward Rothschild, she and Oliver reconciled. According to the website of the Royal Family and the very own about section on Clarence's website, Oliver was born in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He is two years older than his wife and has two younger brothers named Caio and Johnathan Rodriguez. Nothing is said about his parents, except their names Maria and Carlos Rodriguez. It is unknown if they're still alive and if so where they live. Oliver went to school in Rio, before moving to London where he met Josie Bolton. Allegedly, the two hit off right away but they split because the public pressure was too much to handle for Oliver and best friend Charlotte, also known as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Windsor, didn't like him. Then Josie met Rothschild, whom she agreed but did not marry in the end. Instead she and Oliver reconciled in his home country, where the Duchess did charity work for the Bolton Foundation. The couple got married in late September before announcing their joining to the British Royal Family in January. Oliver is the first Hispanic in the Royal Family's history, but it remains to be seen whether or not this new addition of diversity will boost the monarchy or be their downfall.

Team Clarence is a peacock market! Why experts dubbed the Clarences after a business term rather than the hypocrites term that's used by others

Team Clarence have been dubbed a lot of names in the first ten weeks of their time in the British Royal Family. After being called hypocrites, fake royals and narcissists, the Clarences can now add peacock market to the list. What is a peacock market you ask? When markets are overvalued and the stock valuations are inflated by central bank policy. The phrase suggests a lot of puff and very little substance.

Ouch. Sounds like a perfect description of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Clarence?

We shall see. Tomorrow, the fresh royals will have their first engagement within the country and the protection shield of the Royal Family, that is those who are still working members.

The Clarences are back in London!

According to courtiers, The Duke and Duchess of Clarence have landed on the private Farnborough Airport, which is located to the southwest of London, and is designed exclusively for business and royal aviation. The airport is known for its luxurious lounges, commitment to guests' privacy and highly personalised service. Passengers can drive directly to the tarmac or spend time enjoying complimentary refreshments in the comfortable lounges. Guests travelling on to London who would like to avoid traffic can take a helicopter directly to London Battersea Heliport. However the Clarences took their helicopter to the Kensington Gardens before jumping into a silver Range Rover. The car with blacked out windows drove them directly to Clarence House, which was just eight minutes away at this point. Showing their good manners, The Duke and Duchess brought a souvenir from their nine week long trip to East Africa. His Majesty was very delighted about their visit, welcoming them with a warm embrace. After a cup of tea and some biscuits, the couple then embarked on their way to Chestnut House, their official home within the ground of Hampton Court Palace - this time by car and not by helicopter.

---

Josephine

We drive down a road that's embraced by blossoming chestnut tress as the name of the street would suggest. Beautiful pink and white blossoming tress frame Chestnut Avenue, the street that leads home.

Home in Home Park on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace.

"Welcome Home, Your Royal Highnesses." With a smirk on his lips, Ralph stops our silver Range Rover Sport in front of Chestnut House, our home. I can't believe my eyes!

I get out of the car and stare at the dream house that Marco and his team have built while Oliver and I were in Africa for the last three months.

It's a beautiful red bricked home with two breezeways that lead to the left and right wing. I love the row of white transom windows with elliptical fanlights and the glass pointed roof of the two breezeways. It opens up the whole space and looks so welcoming. The transom windows of the horizontal home are the same as the ones in the breezeway and the two vertical home bases that are connected to the home base with the breezeways. The window shutters are white, just like the porch. The white double front door is made of glass and wood. It's arched and there are pink peonies in the glass arched frame around the double doors. The flowers grow up to the top of the arch where it meets our royal coat of arms that's also been custom made with stained glass. Underneath the glass of the double doors, there's a brass door knock in the shape of bee.

The white pointed roof looks fabulous against the red bricks. It matches the six transom windows of the square shaped base, the breezeways and the four transom windows of the two wings. There is even a row of pink peonies growing around the house like a fence. The smell is just heavenly!

A rather wide path leads to the garage, which was built underground. Our home has two upper levels and three lower levels, the lowest level is just for car parking. It fits 25 cars, which for the size of our family is very much appreciated. Not that they can't park at the official parking spot of Hampton Court Palace, just the walk from there to here would take them 45 minutes.

I can't believe this is our home!

"It's absolutely stunning!" Oliver breathes out.

I nod, "Better than the drafts." I agree with him. Much, much better than the drafts!

"Your keys." Ralph hands us two brass keychains that have three brass keys and a chestnut as a keychain. Chestnut House.

"Let's go inside!" Oliver grabs my hand and drags me down the stone pathway that leads to it dream home while another two Range Rovers arrive with our luggage.

My eyes scan the beautiful colourful glass peonies in the arched frame around the front double doors. "The glass is so stunning..." It's going to look breathtaking when the sun hits them!

"Look at that bee!" Oliver grins as he puts the key into the locket. "Ready?"

I nod and he unlocks the door. He pushes it open and I watch it reveal a beautiful foyer with hardwood floors and the beautiful staircase that leads to the upper two floors. A stunning crystal chandelier is hanging from the ceiling. It illuminates the light grey walls that soon will be filled with a picture gallery like in my childhood home.

"Oh, I like it! I like the staircase and that chandelier!" My husband walks into our home and looks around. There's space for shoes, coats and jackets from guests underneath the white staircase.

Big white arches lead to the breezeways on either side. I like that there are no doors. It opens up the connection between the two wings of the rest of the house even more. The breezeways start on either side and lead to the media room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and sunroom on the right and the two studies, laundry room, mud room, library and indoor pool on the left. The light in here looks fabulous!

I walk through the foyer and enter the great room that has a view over the patio. The white window front looks like an endless row of transom windows like in the front facade but they're really folding doors. The patio looks amazing! It's blossoming with lavender, roses and wisteria that are growing over the pergola. Because of the horizontal shape of the main house, the two slim breezeways and the vertical houses that create the wings of the uniquely shaped home, we have two nooks. The left nook is the perfect area for a barbecue and freshly baked pizzas from the pizza oven. The outside dining table is perfect for sixteen people that can enjoy freshly baked pizzas from the pizza oven or steaks from the barbecue. Even the water fountain in the back looks stunning with those Portuguese tiles that have hand painted royal blue flowers on it.

In the area around the French double doors that lead to the kitchen is a little herb garden with sage, oregano, thyme, rosemary, chives and big aloe vera plants. The right nook creates a little escape for some peace. I love it!

It's the perfect area to host outdoor parties. Our very own Mediterranean oasis.

"Wow, the patio looks amazing!" Oliver breathes out. "Reminds me of the Mediterranean home you grew up in."

I've never seen it that way but the patio does have a touch from my childhood home. "It's so perfect!" I agree with him before having a look at the formal living room. We have a huge white marbled fireplace with a matching mantelpiece and built-in bookshelves on either side, two huge comfortable light grey coloured L shaped sofas with lots of fluffy blue pillows and a glass coffee table. In the right corner is my black Bechstein piano in front of the white panels. The white walls look perfect against the dark wooden floors.

We have a few beautiful lamps in the ceiling but I think we won't use them because of this beautiful glass front. Once those folding doors will be opened, the living room will be transformed into an outdoor space as well.

I can't believe this is our forever home!

"Do you want to check out the right wing?" Oliver asks me.

I nod. "I can't wait to see what Marco did!"

We walk back into the foyer and through the left breezeway. I just love all this natural light! At the end of the breezeway is a staircase that leads to the master wing, as Marco called our space upstairs. Unlike the grand staircase in the foyer, this one is not made from white marble, it's a wooden staircase with glass railings. The way Marco designed the staircase is incredible, it looks like the stairs are hanging in the air! It's so sleek, modern and different from the main staircase in the foyer. I can't wait to check out the master wing, but first I want to see the rest on the main floor.

"The staircase is pretty cool!" Oliver says with a smile before we head into the media room. The white wooden double doors have the same elliptical fanlight as the transom windows do. It's stunning how Marco connects the inside and outside so easily and beautifully. It's a big room with a white wall that serves as a screen space. On the dark blue antique wooden sideboard stands the sleek projector that together with the hidden surround system will create a cinema like experience. We've chosen to not go with the classic cinema seats, but instead opted for big comfy teal coloured sofas that are deep enough that you can fall asleep on them. Just like in a real cinema, we have spotlights in the floor and ceiling. There's built in storage for board games, books and lots of photos. The transom windows let in lots of sunlight, but the light can be completely shut down with special blinds that have a thermo coating on the outside, so the heat will stay outside.

"Are we going to watch Jumanji tonight?" Oliver asks me with a grin on his lips.

I return his grin, "All three of them with homemade salty popcorn, pickled gherkins and almond butter."

My husband frowns at me, "Pickled gherkins and almond butter?"

I shrug, "Pregnancy cravings."

Oliver's smile is so beautiful. "Pregnancy cravings are good."

"Let's check out the dining room." I drag my husband through the room until I open another set of French double doors with an elliptical fanlight. We enter our formal dining room. It's a spacious room with a big oak wooden square shaped dining table that seats 22 people in the ivory covered chairs and benches that were custom made. The white rug with a royal blue floral pattern is from Morocco, just like the hanging pendant above the table. A white marbled fireplace looks great against the light grey walls that have a white panelling on the bottom.

"That's very nice." I mumble as I walk past the ivory benches that are luxuriously tufted with rolled arms and supportive back. We chose to mix benches with the chairs, instead of 22 chairs. It looks a little more relaxed and if we need more chairs, we can always get some from the other rooms. The dining room has access to the patio via a white French door. The view into the patio is just as beautiful as the view into the Hampton Court Park through the transom windows on the other side. Bloody hell, I can't believe this is my home!

"Do you think 22 are enough?" Oliver chuckles.

"You'll see how helpful those benches and chairs will be on birthdays, Christmases and all other celebrations."

"Let's see the kitchen!"

"Oh yes!" I grin as we step into the room that's the heart of the home: the kitchen. After seeing Marco's ideas for the kitchen we decided to go for tiles that look like herringbone parquet flooring in a walnut colour. They are the perfect contrast to the sage coloured cupboards. The hanging cupboards have a textured glass front that has a diamond grid design. It makes the kitchen look antique while staying modern at the same time. The countertops are white marble with a light grey swirl and match the backsplash but the centre island is a massive dark masterpiece of art in marble. It has a swirl of black, light grey and sparkly emerald green in the stone. Nature is really incredible! It makes the focus point of the whole kitchen. The special marble stone is used on the massive kitchen island as well as the table in the breakfast nook that's inside another island near the transom windows. The bench that's built into the island is white and tufted, just like the benches in the dining room. But the chairs on the other side are a deep pink velvet in the shape of a shell with brass legs. I never would have picked these dark pink velvet chairs but the contrast between the sage cupboards, the hardwood floors, the special marble stone on the island and breakfast table, the white marbles countertops... it's phenomenal! There's a huge skylight built into the ceiling from which a big chandelier hangs from in the shape of rose petals that sparkle. It gives the room even more natural light and in the night we can always switch on the chandelier and all these spotlights that Marco built into the hanging cupboards. I can't wait to hear the rain clashing against the windows. It's my favourite sound.

The two sinks with the brass fixtures built into the island and into the countertops in front of the transom windows match the long thin handles of the sage green drawers and cupboards. Even doing dishes will be fun with the view over the patio. There are double ovens, a gas stove and a massive fridge, which is hidden behind the sage doors. The whole kitchen is bathing in sunlight as there are rows of transom windows in the wall that's the facade but also in the inside wall that's facing the patio and the skylight above the island. The panelled walls that don't have any windows have a few walnut wooden shelves that have been oiled twice so it looks a little darker. Cookbooks and plants are sitting on the shelves.

"Oh, wow I love it!" I breathe out as my eyes scan the kitchen again. I can't believe this is real!

This is ours!

"I think the brass handles look good with the cupboards in this sage tone." My husband agrees with me as he touches the long brass handles. There are hidden features like a drying rack, extra wooden cutting boards that are stored vertically underneath the sink and can be pulled out if needed. A special place that holds the paper towels is built into the kitchen island as well as charging stations and warming drawers. The stainless steel sink is a Galley Sink which is like a working station in itself. The 9 Tool Culinary Kit included with IWS-7-S features a versatile dual tier design which means the culinary tools slide above and below each other on upper and lower tiers. The culinary tools include a reversible basin with side drain, dual tier cutting boards, dual tier drying rack, colanders with non-slip handles, bowls with lid and non-slip bottom, upper tier cutting board, upper tier drying rack, dual tier platform for colander, mixing bowl and lower tier platform for colander, mixing bowl. The Elevated Drain Cover conceals the drain while still allowing water to flow freely. This is wicked! I didn't even know such a thing existed!

There are even walnut vegetable boxes built into the kitchen island and two dishwashers because Marco knows I hate a sink full of dirty dishes. Marco really thought of everything and all build it into our dream kitchen.

There's a breakfast bar on the left side of the door in the same style as the rest of the kitchen cupboards. It has my old coffee machine, a toaster, a Blendtec blender and lots of mugs, bowls and containers to fill with homemade cereal.

There are even brass elephant hooks for aprons and kitchen towels at a white panelled wall next to the French door that leads to the sunroom.

"Look at the hooks!"

My husband's smile widens as he sees the elephant hooks. "Bringing a bit of Africa home."

"Where is the entrance to the pantry?" I ask as I look around. As promised, Marco hid the entrance with a door that matches the other cupboards and fridge. Everything is concealed with cupboards except for the wine fridge, the 48 inch wide sealed burner range top with 6 burners and infrared griddle from Wolf and the two matching built in ovens from the same brand. The ovens are at eye-level next to each other so we won't have to bend down like in a traditional stove and oven combination. There's no hood but instead the slim stainless steel extractor is build into the ceiling, so the view of the patio is not ruined. Marco even thought about building pot fillers above the stove. They're moveable faucets which you use to fill the pots with water. It saves us from going back and forth between the sink and the stove with the pots all the time. It's absolutely genius!

There is absolutely nothing I would change about this kitchen. It's my dream kitchen!

I walk over to the massive island and pull a few drawers open. There's one specially for our sharp knives, plastic cutting boards for fish, diary and meat underneath, wooden cutting boards, one drawers for pans, pots and lids... Marco is a genius!

Oliver opens a few of the floor-to-ceiling-high cupboard doors, revealing a massive fridge full of fresh fruit and veggies. Marco must assume we're vegetarians because there's no meat or fish in the fridge. "That's definitely not the pantry." He shuts the door of the fridge and opens another one, revealing storage.

I pull another door open, revealing the entrance to our pantry. "Found it!" I cry out before entering the massive room that's fully stocked with items that can be bought in bulk like rice, flour, nuts, seeds, pasta and everything else we might ever need.

"Wow, Marco definitely didn't disappoint when he said he's going to build us our dream pantry." Oliver thinks out loud.

"No, he definitely didn't." I breathe out loud as I scan the whole pantry. Everything's organised in glass jars that are standing in wooden shelves. It's the perfect pantry.

We walk out of the pantry and Oliver shuts the door, that seamlessly blends into the other cupboards. I can't wait to start cooking here!

"Lets have a look at the sun room." I say before walking over to the French double doors that lead into the sunroom, that has stunning coloured glass. Our royal coat of arms is painted into the glass of the pointed ceiling. The way the sun shines, our royal coat of arms is creating a stunning colourful shadow on the floor of the white marble tiles. But the view over the Long Water is breathtaking! The pure nature that surrounds our home is so beautiful to look at. The furniture in here reminds me of a beach house with the wooden sofas, chairs and tables. There's even a few plants in here. I can't wait to enjoy my coffee here every morning or do yoga at sunrise.

"Nice... still lots of space." Oliver comments as he walks through the room. "Oh, our coat of arms looks really good in glass, don't you agree?"

I tilt my head up and look at the massive royal coat of arms. It's a surprise from Marco and a wonderful one. When the sun is going to stand high, the colourful glass will shadow our royal coat of arms on the floor. "I do. It gives the room it's very own uniqueness."

My husband walks over to the French doors and opens them before stepping outside. The sound of tweeting birds and water fills my ears. It's nature's very own soundtrack.

I follow him outside and step on to the perfectly trimmed grass. The Long Water looks so peaceful and I can see the river Thames curling its way through my hometown. I used to see it from my penthouse, that Oliver once called my very own castle in the clouds. This... this feels way better. This house feels like it's one with its surroundings. I love it!

I turn around and look at the back facade of our forever home. It's stunning with the red bricks, white transom windows, the two breezeways and the sunroom and the indoor pool area at the end of the two wings. It looks lovely with the glass ends that's full of transom windows so it matches the red bricks. I love the whole concept that's our forever home. Especially the patio.

And we haven't even seen all of it. There's still so much to discover on the main floor alone!

"Want to check out the left wing?" Oliver asks me with a smile on his lips, holding out his hand.

I grab his hand, "I think you have to pinch me, just to make sure I'm not dreaming."

"I know, it feels surreal."

"It absolutely does." I agree with him as we walk through the grass, passing the patio. I can hear the water fountain with the stunning floral Portuguese tiles. I can't choose my favourite spot, everything about this house is breathtaking! "We have to send Marco flowers and a thank you basket with wine or bourbon or something."

"Honestly, I think he would prefer some really nice diamonds." My husband chuckles.

I frown, that's a sentence I thought I'd never hear from my husband. "I'm sorry?"

Oliver opens the white French doors of the indoor pool area, "Marco revealed to me that he and his wife use diamonds to... to get into the mood."

My eyes widen, "Marco has a diamond fetish?"

Oliver nods as I step into the indoor pool room. There's a huge square shaped pool with a jacuzzi and lounge chairs. Just like in the sun room, Marco used white marble tiles, but he created a frame with the Portuguese blue floral tiles that we used for the water fountain in the patio. There are big palm trees to give this a resort feeling. The whole glass facade can be folded, so the indoor pool can be turned into an outdoor area. Marco's design ideas are genius!

"Do you think we could add a slide?" Oliver asks me.

I laugh, "Oh no! If you want to have some fun, you can always go to my parents' water park." It's just a twenty minute ride away from here anyway. This will stay a slide free zones. It's for relaxation, not endless fun.

"We'll see what you say when our children will ask you the same question." My husband remains stubborn. It's why I love him so much.

"I guess we will." I insist as we walk past the pool. The wall that holds the door to the hallway is completely mirrored to make the indoor pool area look even bigger. I open the French double doors and walk into the laundry room. It's a big room with two washers and dryers, a big sink and a folding island in the middle. There are open shelves on one side of the island that's filled with big colourful towels, ready to be taken on the way to the pool. The island functions as a natural divider between the actually laundry section and the walk through section to the indoor pool. Everything's quite bright with white walls, white round marble tiles and light blue cupboards. The big sink is tiled with beautiful light pink square shaped tiles in different shades. The tabs are a brass colour, creating a contrast to the white panelling of the walls. This is probably the chicest laundry room I've ever seen!

"This is almost too beautiful to be used for laundry only." I breathe out.

"Well, you won't be doing laundry here."

"No, but the maids will love it here." I agree with him.

Oliver opens the dark wooden mahogany door with an elliptical fanlight and we step into the library, that looks like it's straight from the Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It's a massive room with a spiral staircase in the middle. It has mahogany steps and a beautiful black wrought railing, which leads to the first floor, the kids' wing as Oliver and I christened it. The beautiful build in shelves, that are full of books, need a ladder because they're so high. A big brass globe is standing in front of the transom windows of the outer facade, creating the perfect contrast to the wooden floors. Across the massive black marbled fireplace are a red velvet sofa and armchairs for cosy nights in. The double French doors that give access to the patio are held in the same mahogany wood as the shelves and floor, so everything transitions seamlessly. The little nook that's been created outside is styled with a round table and chairs from France. The pergola creates enough shade with the lilac wisteria, pink peonies and vineyard growing up the wood. It's the perfect area to read these books outside.

"Look!" My husband says with his finger pointed at the ceiling.

I tilt my head and look at the curved ceiling that's been hand painted with golden stars, creating the sky at night. This is truly a majestic library. It's out of this world beautiful! "Marco overdid himself in this room... I couldn't even imagine a better looking library!"

I think this is my favourite room of the whole house!

Oliver's green eyes are still scanning the curved ceiling, "Oh my God!"

"What?"

"I knew I've seen those stars constellations before but it just hit me! This is the sky on our wedding day. Ralph gifted us the print, remember? Marco used that as a template to create this!"

My chin falls open, "We'll buy him all the diamonds in the world!"

My husband chuckles before looking back at me. "Marco's one of the best people I ever met. His knowledge of details is amazing. I mean, have you seen the little lamps that stand on the wooden square shaped tables? They look like from the library at Oxford university. In fact, I'm pretty sure he bought the same ones! And the massive globe! I wouldn't be surprised if this once belonged to some kind of museum!"

"Marco's a true perfectionists." I smile at my husband, still in awe of his room... of everything we have seen yet.

"Let's see what he did with our studies." Oliver says after a moment of admiring our library.

I nod and follow him through the rest of the big library. He opens the big mahogany double doors and we enter his study. The room oozes with masculinity with its leather and wood furnishings, books on the wall, boxes of cigars and a stocked bar. Everything from dark leather chairs and burgundy wooden desk to softer shades of grey of the carpet underneath the desk, this is a room where a man of royalty works in.

"Now that's what I call a study!" Oliver grins like a Cheshire Cat that's got the cream. I think he just found his favourite room of the house.

"It's pretty nice." I admit. The transom windows let in enough light and the big green plants are the perfect ascents of colour. "But I think my study is going to be even better." I mock him and stick out my tongue before turning around. The wall that holds the door to my study, is a stunning piece of art! Marco left this wall completely white on purpose, so it would blend in the double doors to my study but also to create a 3D embossed wallpaper with two peacocks that stare at the doors from either side. It's so beautiful!

"Is this a wallpaper?" I ask, totally in shock. Just when I think Marco can't surprise me anymore, he does!

Oliver walks over to the wall and touches it, "No, it's not a wallpaper. This is real!"

"No!" I breathe out before touching the wall. It's definitely not a wallpaper. These peacocks were build by hand on those two walls. They look stunning even without any colour. The light and shadows create the perfect art piece for this room!

"Marco is amazing! Where does he find all these people?" Oliver asks as I open the doors of my study.

I get greeted by a light room with built in book shelves, lots of light from the transom windows and a wooden desk with brass legs. A crystal vase with fresh pink peonies is standing on top. A row of octagon shaped lights hangs above my desk. There is a hand painted wall behind my desk and the brown leathered chair, that shows a yacht on the rough sea in a pastel navy blue on a light grey background. The lower 1/3 of the wall has a white panelling. I have a massive white marbled fireplace with a sofa across it, in the same navy as on the wall painting, between two transom windows. A white round marbled table is functioning as a conference table in the corner. It has six velvety chairs around it in the shape of a shell. Just like my desk, the chairs and the table have brass legs and there's a light grey rug underneath. The light grey is the perfect contrast to the dark wooden floors.

"Nah, I think my study is better. I really like the wall art, though." Oliver breathes out before embracing me with one arm. "Marco gave a subtle nod to your yacht obsession there."

"It's not an obsession, it's a hobby." I disagree with my husband. "But I like the wall art. It's very pretty. I hope you don't mind that I got the bigger study."

My husband chuckles, "No, but perhaps I'm going to work from your sofa here."

I smile at him, "I know I keep repeating myself but I just can't believe this is real!"

He squeezes me softly in response, "I can't either."

We walk out of my study and stand in the breezeway that has a door to the mud room, which is just in front of my study. I guess Marco used this wall to create the wall art behind my desk in my study, since the other walls have either transom windows with a white marbled fireplace in between or the doors that lead to Oliver's study.

"I guess my study isn't bigger than yours anyway. It just looks bigger." I say as I look through the French door that leads into the mud room.

Oliver opens the door, "That's the mud room?"

"Yes." I say as we walk into the slim and square shaped room that has the stunning Portuguese tiles and white built in cabinets that feature open shelves with the same brass elephant hooks as used in the kitchen, but this time they serve as a hanging feature for coats and jackets. The wall across the built in shelves are the remaining three white transom windows from the facade. Underneath the windows is a padded bench to put on shoes. There's even a classic ceramic sink build into some cabinets to wash off muddy shoes. Another door leads outside.

"I like it"

"I think this is the smallest room we have." I breathe out. "But also one of the prettiest."

We walk out of the mud room and through the breezeway that leads to the foyer. Our steps echo through the rooms that are our forever home.

"Do you want to check out upstairs?"

"I want to check out the master wing." I breathe out. I don't really care about the guest bedrooms on the first and second floor of the main house, although I'm sure Marco did some serious magic with these rooms as well.

"Right, you want to see my surprise for you." Oliver's lips curl into a smirk.

I totally forgot about the surprise! "I'm dying to find out!"

Oliver and I walk through the right breezeway again before walking up the glass staircase with wooden steps. We enter a huge carpeted foyer that holds white double doors with the same curved silver handles that are used through the whole house. The walls are panelled in a sage green and a big crystal chandelier in hanging from the ceiling. The lights from the three transom windows give enough sunlight, so the chandelier is sparkling nearly as much as my engagement ring and wedding band.

"Ready?" Oliver asks me before placing his hands on the handles of the double doors.

I nod, "Yes."

My husband opens the door and we get greeted by the most beautiful master wing I have ever seen! The first thing I see are a row of transom windows and a seating area. The floor has the same beige carpet as in the foyer upstairs. The walls have a beautiful soft grey panelling and the ceiling is curved just like in the library but this time it's fully made of glass, so I can look right up to the sky. Another surprise from Marco. And it's absolutely breathtaking! I can't wait to watch the stars at night with my husband curled up next to me in bed or for it to rain so I can hear and see the rain drops clashing against the glass. I love Marco so much!

The massive bed has white bedding, a curvy headboard made of wood and lots of pillows. A wooden nightstand is on either side of the bed and a padded bench is in front of the bed. Across the bed is a white marbled fireplace with an octagon shaped mirror above it. There are doors on either side of the fireplace. One must lead to the bathroom and the other one to our two closets, the royal one and the non-royal.

"So, where's your surprise?" I ask as my husband's still staring at the ceiling. I hit him slightly to get his attention.

"What?"

"Your surprise, where is it?" I ask again.

"Yeah, sorry I got lost-"

"In the beauty that's our home?" I ask with a smile on my lips.

He nods, "Yes."

I walk over to the left door next to the fireplace and open it. There's a small hallway with a round ottoman on hard wood floor that leads to another set of two doors: our wardrobes. The right walk-in wardrobe is for the royal fashion while the left walk-in wardrobe is for non-royal fashion. Behind the ottoman are our wedding outfits in frames on display. My stunning Elie Saab lacy dress and Oliver's magnificent black tuxedo have been put in two mannequins in customised cabinets between the two doors, between these two lives that we live. We're bound by marriage, an union for life that has a royal and a non-royal side. It's a very thoughtful way of showing this. I really like seeing my wedding dress like this. It was one of the best days in my life so far.

"Which door?"

"Left." Oliver tells me as he follows me into the little hallway. It has a stunning ceiling rose that's full of lavender and roses and the walls have white panelling.

I open the white left door and switch on the lights as this room doesn't have any windows. I get greeted by a long square shaped room with hard wood floors, an island in the middle and white cabinets build into the walls. Our clothes are already hanging in the cabinets or are folded into the drawers. "Where's the surprise?" I ask him confused. As far as I'm informed, this room looks exactly like we designed it with Marco. It's sleek and luxurious, specially with the white marbled island in the middle.

My husband walks past me, past the island and stops at the floor length mirror at the end of the wall. Then he presses a button that's hidden behind the mirror. Suddenly, the mirror swings open and another door appears out of nowhere. This door is dark wooden, a stark contrast in the light room.

"Well, your surprise certainly starts interestingly." I say with a smirk on my lips as I walk through the room.

"The key to the room should be in the first drawer on the far left in the island." My husband tells me.

I follow his directions, open the first drawer of the island and grab a stunning old key. It's golden and looks so antique! "This one?"

"I hope." My husband says as I hand him the key. He puts the key into the key hole and twists. There are three clicking sounds hearable before Oliver presses the handle down and opens the room.

All I see is darkness. It looks like a black hole, not like a surprise. "Switch on the lights."

My husband bites on his lower lip, "I took a risk with this, so if you don't like this room than we can always use it as something else. Especially with the rape that happened, I would totally understand if your tastes have changed. We could use it for extra storage if you don't like it."

I frown at his words, "Oliver, what is this?"

"After we visited the sex club, I gave you a promise. I promised you to try-"

I walk past my husband into the darkness, switch on the lights and gasp as the room is being brought to life right in front of my eyes. There are stunning emerald silky walls with a floral pattern that have a dark mahogany panelling on the bottom third. There is not one central light, but lots of warm light sources that highlight the different features of the room. The light sources are like lots of jewels in brass and see through alabaster. They emphasise the richness of the room. A row of spotlights is illuminating the beautiful handcrafted mahogany cupboards that run along the walls of this room. The cupboards only get interrupted by tall glass cabinets or an empty space with an emerald velvet wall with brass hooks on it. There are a few modern chandeliers, made out of the same see through alabaster as the spotlights, hanging between some of the big glass cabinets. There is no art, because this whole room is the piece of art. The ceiling as well as the glass cupboards have the same rich mahogany coloured wood, just like the floor. A big emerald green leathered canopy bed is standing in front of the mahogany panelled wall across me. There are brass constructions with floggers, whips and other bespoke sex toys about five metres in front of it. The handles are made of mahogany, which makes them not only looks expensive but also incredibly beautiful. I'm sure the many sleek looking drawers of the cupboards hold more toys. A big emerald leathered couch is standing next to the bed, big enough to fit four people. An emerald velvet bench is standing to my right. It has brass legs. A mahogany cross with leathered loops is across it. And a strange construction of brass octagons with leather loops on the top and bottom, that's higher than me is in the room as well. "Holy shit!" I breathe out in shock. I am standing in my very own fucking room!

"Josephine-"

I hold up my right forefinger to shut him up. I can't believe this! I have to explore the whole room before being able to talk about it. I have to take it all in, absorb all of its beauty...

I walk over to the left glass cabinet next to the door and open it. All sorts of tools and toys that I've never seen before hang neatly beside each other. They get illuminated by LEDS lights like pieces of art in a museum. I close the glass doors and start pulling out the slim drawers underneath. Butt plugs in all shapes and materials are laying on emerald velvet inserts. They look like expensive jewels, something absolutely priceless. All the drawers have the soft closing mechanism that is used for the kitchen.

I walk over to a wall full of brass hooks that are empty. They're not used to hang any props or toys, their use is for something else. I know that right away because of the arrangement in which they've been placed. It's not neatly in order, it looks random at the first glance. But as I lift my arms to reach the top brass hook, I notice it's been arranged for my body shape. It's a fucking wall!

Can this get any better?

I walk over to the next set of drawers and pull them open one by one as well. I see nipple clamps in all variations laying on the same emerald velvet inserts. I don't know how but they look beautiful, like pieces of art.

I push the drawers close and walk over to the next section that has a tall glass cabinet again. I open the doors and stare at different tools that are hanging on brass hooks. I don't know what they are exactly but I know I'm excited to use them.

I close the doors and start opening the next set of drawers. Dildos. All kinds of dildos. Interesting.

I walk further into the room and stop at the hooks that hold all different kinds of handcuffs next to the bed. Some are padded, others aren't, but they're all so beautiful...

I place my hand on the emerald leathered bed and push it down. It's hard as expected. The four mahogany posters of the bed have brass loops on them. Probably for the handcuffs. I walk past the bed and notice a row of hanging ropes in beautiful apple red, royal blue, emerald green and purple hanging in another glass cabinet. They have different thickness and are made from different materials.

I feel like a five year old in a candy store!

I turn around and walk to the beautiful cross. It's made of mahogany wood and has beautiful leathered loops. How can something like this look so breathtaking?

"That's a saltire." Oliver's voice reaches my ears from across the room. There's a slight echo, but I'm pretty sure this room was made extra soundproof.

I stay silent as my eyes follow the huge transparent walls made of brass octagons goes up to the ceiling. I think it's used for suspension. The realisation gives me chills and makes me horny at the same time. Getting fucked while being suspended? That sounds bloody hot!

I turn around and decide to check out the rest of the mahogany cupboards. To my surprise most of the space on the countertops is left empty. There's only one extra emerald green box with thin drawers sitting on the countertop across me. I pull in the first drawer and see silk masks for blindfolding. Is there anything my husband didn't think of?

"Please say something." Oliver begs me and I can feel his breath in the nape of my neck.

I let go of the brass handle of the drawer that I was going to pull open and turn around. "What did you do?"

My husband's green eyes are glowing in the stunning warm light that's filling this room. He has his hands in the pockets of his trousers and shrug, "I wanted to please you."

"Please me?" I repeat his words, "Oliver, this is more than pleasing me. This is... this is..." I can't even put my feelings into words.

"You don't like it." He sounds so disappointed that it almost breaks my heart.

"No! No, I love it! I..." this time it's me who shrugs, "I love it." I repeat while waving with my hands. "It's perfect."

"Is it?"

I nod, "I love the emerald green, I love the mahogany and the brass... and I love everything inside the room. I don't know every toy or know how to use each prop, but I'm excited to find out." I admit before wrapping my arms around his neck. "I can't believe you've made me such an amazing gift!"

That smile on his lips is all I need. "I'm glad you like it because I do, too. I didn't know what to expect when I voiced Marco my ideas. I was actually really nervous talking about it. But when he told me he had done this before and I'd be in good hands with this, I decided to trust him. I think it turned out really good."

I grin, "Can we explore some of the toys right now?"

My husband chuckles, "Not so fast, we first have to set up rules, choose boundaries, pick out safewords... sign a contract."

"Woah, contract? This marriage is contract enough! It's ironclad!"

"Oh, I don't know. I remember you being very insistent on having me sign a contract with you when we first met. The negotiations took a very long time. Now it's my chance to get back on you."

I grin as I understand he's just messing with me. "You know I'd sign anything for you." I whisper before kissing him.

He returns my kiss and soon our tongues start dancing a sensual rumba together. The heat inside of me rises so quickly that my fingers already dig into the waistband of his pants. Just as I find the button of his pants, he lets go of my lips. "But I think we should wait before we dive in headfirst."

"What? Why? Because I'm pregnant? Pregnant women can still have sex! You know that. You've experienced that!" I start arguing immediately.

He places his hands on my shoulders to calm me down, "I know but I'm not exactly sure how much BDSM a pregnant woman can take."

"We'll find out then!"

"No, I prefer to do a little more research."

I rush to the door of the room and pull the antique brass key out of the lock, "I'm not giving you back this key!"

My husband smiles before he walks through the room and all way over to me, "Tesoro,"

"No, you said you would try and this is bloody trying for me!" I argue back.

He licks his lips, "Look, I know you're excited-"

"I won't wait until I've given birth to christen this room! It's literally perfection!"I start arguing. "Besides once I've given birth we have to wait six weeks or more for green light!"

"We've survived eleven weeks so I'm sure six will be fine." Oliver reaches out to me but I step back.

"No! The key is mine. It's your gift to me!"

My husband grins again, "And I'm really glad you like it so much but we can't try it out yet."

"Why? Is it because you don't find me attractive enough? I know I have this bump and my ass has nearly doubled in size but-"

"That's ridiculous and you know that." Oliver interrupts me in a bossy voice.

"Then what is this about?"

"We have no soft and hard limits." He answers my question.

"We can set those limits right now. I won't do knives and anything else that cuts through the skin. No blood. No straggling either. That's my hard limit. As of soft limits..." I think for a moment, "I don't know, tape maybe? Or really hot wax."

My husband sighs, "Tesoro,"

He's not willing to fuck me in here. I can't believe it! "Fine." I give din and hold out the key. "You can have it but only if you promise me that we're going to use it before our babies are born."

"Why is it so important to you?" He asks me before grabbing the key out of my hand.

"Because once the babies are here everything's going to be about them. And my vagina is going to be all ripped and fucked up. Plus I won't be allowed to have sex or exercise for at least six weeks I think. Dr. Ross has to clear me and God knows she's a very careful doctor."

To my surprise my husband nods, "Okay. I promise we will christen it before the babies arrive." He promises me before kissing me softly. "I love you so bloody much."

My heart clenches at his words so painfully strong that it nearly bursts with love for him. "Northern Lights." I whisper back. It's the only way I can describe my emotions for this remarkable man that I get to call my husband.

Oliver

I throw my dirty laundry into the wooden laundry box that has my name embroidered on it before turning around in our master bathroom. It's a huge room with a skylight and a round window with blue stained glass and a pink peony on the inside. A huge white free standing bathtub that is craved out of the same marble stone that's been used on the floor stands in front of the round window The transformation is seamless. I have no idea how Marco did this, but it's absolutely incredible! The floor has these beautiful Portuguese royal blue floral tiles that frame the room and the inside is a stunning light marble with a royal blue swirl that finds its focus point right where the bathtub is standing on. It looks like the bathtub is rising out of the marble floor because it's made out of the same stone with the exact same royal blue swirl. It must've cost a fortune to buy such a massive piece of stone, especially with that marble swirl. The walls are tiled with hexagon shaped light grey marbles tiles. Inside the shower we have this stunning mosaic that recreates lots of feathering leaves. They fit to the Portuguese tiles and the huge light marble with the royal blue swirl. The shower is a lot like the one we have at Landmark Place. It has lots of water jets, two huge waterfall shower heads, a bench to sit down on and build in shelves. There's a vanity with two sinks, a loo in a separate room, a vanity for Josephine to get ready and storage in built in cabinets that also feature a towel warmer drawer.

I walk over to the shower and stare at my wife through the double glass shower doors. The water is running down her nude body, that has changed a lot in the last weeks. She insists it's minor changes but to me they're huge. Her boobs have grown two sizes, her hips have become even wider and her bump... that tiny bump is what I love the most about her body right now. I used to admire a toned ass and full lips, but that bump is the sexiest thing ever! I made this bump with her! She's growing our babies! That's the sexiest thing ever!

The sexiest thing ever.

I open the glass door and walk into the shower. My wife turns around and I kiss her passionately. She wraps her arms around me as she returns my kiss. Our tongues start dancing a sensual rumba until she moans from the depth of her heart.

She wraps her left leg around my ass and pulls me closer into her until my erection digs into her bump.

"Oh, so sex in the slippery shower is okay, but not in our green room?" She asks me after she's pulled away from me.

I pick her other leg up, "The shower is different."

"Why?"

"I want to christen every piece of furniture in this house."

My wife's grin is wider than the one of a Cheshire Cat. "You speak my language." She spreads her fingers across my ass and squeezes it firmly.

"I've always spoken your language, Tesoro."

Suddenly, her sky blue eyes widen and her mouth opens in shock, "Oh!"

"Oh? Tesoro, what's wrong?" My alarm bells start shrilling, "Are you having cramps? Are you bleeding?"

"I think they're moving." She breathes out in total amazement.

"They are?"

She nods, "It feels like butterflies in my belly. Or like when you out your finger in sparkling water and you feel the bubbles bursting against your skin! It's sort of tingly... It's such a funny feeling! Sort of like you're sitting in a rollercoaster, going up and down... looping loopings." Suddenly, tears start forming her eyes, "Our babies are kicking, my love."

It's the first time she's called me that. She has never called me my love. She has called me Oliver, Darling, Babe, lover... but never my love. Feeling our babies kick changed something within her.

Maybe she's finally going to allow me to touch the bump.

Suddenly she giggles, "Definitely our kids. They're excited for sex."

I chuckle, "Definitely our genes in there. Are they still moving?" It's so hard for me to restrain myself from touching her belly.

"No, it was just for a moment... just a waft of a feeling I can't describe. But it's absolutely wonderful..." The love of a mother is clearly in her eyes and it makes my throat tight with emotions.

Josephine

I scoop a little coconut oil out of the jar and melt it in my hands before spreading it over my upper thighs in circular motions. I've been bathing in oil after every shower. I oil the bump up to three or four times a day. If that's going to help with stretch marks is to be seen but frankly I think they're unavoidable with twins. I know Char has some and Rory definitely has a few as well - and the same applies to my Mum obviously.

"Can I do the belly?"

I look up at my husband's words. His emerald green eyes are watching my hands. "You want to rub oil onto my bump?"

My husband's blonde hair is still damp. He looks absolutely breathtaking with that white towel wrapped around his hips. Oliver nods, "It's the only way I can be close to them."

True. I can feel them moving but he can't feel a thing. "Okay."

"Okay?"

I nod, "Yeah."

"But you haven't allowed me to touch the belly since you nearly miscarried."

"That's not true!" I hiss at him.

"Yes it is. I wasn't allowed to touch your midsection since that night. And even before that you rarely let me touch your belly."

I lick my lips, "I'm just being protective."

"I'm the father. Half of them is mine, too."

He's got a point. "I'm sorry. I didn't... I guess it was subconsciously."

Oliver picks up the jar of coconut oil. "I'm not upset."

"Uh-huh."

"I'm not." He insists as he scoops a bit of coconut oil into his hand. "It just shows how protective you are over them. Over our babies." He explains before starting to rub circles onto my belly. It feels comforting. Suddenly, he starts whispering words in Brazilian Portuguese.

"Are you talking to them?" I ask him.

He looks up from the bump, "Don't act like you're not doing the same."

"I'm not!"

"I've heard you talk to them when you were cooking in the kitchen on Mauritius."

"I was just sharing the recipe with them. It's never too early to learn how to cook."

My husband smirks, "Sharing a recipe?"

I roll my eyes at his question. "Fine. I don't want them to think your Mama or Char is their Mum."

This time my husband even laughs, "What?"

"We've been FaceTiming a lot in the last weeks. They heard them talk more than they heard me speak to them!" I explain. "Your Mum and Char call that belly-time. They asked me to direct the phone directly at the bump and then they started talking. Char in French and your Mum in Brazilian Portuguese. To make sure they grow up multilingual."

My husband chuckles before licking his lips, "Well, for one, you are their mother and you will always be their Mum. They know you already. Better than anyone else. You are sharing a body with them. You are their Mum. They're half of you. There is no way they will ever not know who you are."

I blink the tears away that have formed in my eyes, "Oliver,"

"Whereas with me," he looks down at his hands that are spread over the bump, that's fairly small for 22 weeks but Dr. Ross ensures me that everything's fine with them. "I don't have that connection with them. And I never will. My body was useless the second my sperm fertilised your egg - or eggs, we don't know that yet. But your work has just started. Your body is working tirelessly on keeping them alive and growing them."

I place my hand on his, "They're yours as well." I promise him. "And I'm deeply sorry for denying you any access to them, subconsciously or not. I shouldn't have done that." I apologise.

My husband places a kiss on the bump before kissing me. "Double luck means double the protection. I'm not upset with you at all, Tesoro."

Suddenly the craving for pasta carbonara overcomes me, "Can we make pasta carbonara for lunch?"

"Of course. What kind of pasta do you want to use?"

"I know traditionally it's made with Spaghetti but I'd like to use Tagliatelle."

"Good. Then we're going to make Tagliatelle." He promises me.

I have the sweetest husband in the world! Suddenly tears start floating my eyes.

Oliver wraps his arms around me. "Tesoro, there's no need to cry over Tagliatelle. They're good but not that good."

I chuckle, "The hormones." I explain with a shrug.

He runs my arms, "I like these hormones very much."

I hit him slightly, "I vow to allow you to touch the bump more often now." I take his hands and place them on the bump again. "These two are ours. Yours and mine. Half you and half me."

"You had me at vow." My husband admits with a smirk on his wonderful lips.

---

Revealed: The Commonwealth Trust Forum!

The Daily Mirror can exclusively reveal the first ever Commonwealth Trust Forum was held by The Duke and Duchess of Clarence at Balmoral Castle on the 17th of December last year. The magical castle, that was the inspiration for Harry Potter's Hogwarts, looked especially beautiful with that blanket of snow. It was chosen for a very special weekend. The weekend of the Commonwealth Trust Forum, the first of its kind. Invited were the embassies of the 54 Commonwealth nations. The newest member was The Maldives. Within the safe walls of the castle, set in the ballroom, the newly Duke and Duchess, who are also president and vice president, started to work. In a new way of dealing with issues, the Clarences set every nation on the same level and worked together to find a solution for the individual problems.

It was a weekend full of productivity. A weekend that will shape the future of the Commonwealth like no other. It set the tone.

The tone of Team Clarence.

The Forum is set to held annually to review, reshape and adjust the plans to do good better. The Royal Rota will cover this event exclusively and feed you with inside stories and more beautiful snaps of the newest addition to the firm.

---

Oliver

I turn off the epic stove in our new kitchen for the first time before scooping the Tagliatelle with carbonara sauce on two plates. I pick up both plates and walk over to the oval marble table that's at the end of the kitchen island. The marble is a continuation of the swirl of the marble stone that's used for the island. I absolutely love this kitchen!

"Lunch is served." I announce as I place her plate in front of her.

"This looks delicious!" Josephine smiles at me before grabbing the bottle of siracha sauce and pouring almost a third of it on the Tagliatelle.

"How can you eat it when it's so spicy?!"

My wife digs her fork into the food as I sit down across her. "We should make our next holiday in Mexico. That's when you learn how hot spicy really can be." She says before putting a fork full of veggies into her mouth.

"I can't wait for Mexico." I smile at her. I love seeing her with such a healthy appetite. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"Are you?" She asks me back.

I shrug, "Having every single step watched by millions of people, being live on television... it's not something I can say I'm all calm about."

"Well, I'm not nervous about the service at Westminster Abbey. But I am nervous about the state banquet in the evening."

"Why? We've already met most of the people at the Commonwealth Forum we held in December."

"Yeah but it's different with the King's eyes on us and all the other royals that are invited."

"I thought only working members are invited."

"Not only. The other family members get an invite as well but usually not all come. It's a party with tiaras, diamonds, champagne and first class food - no one declines an invite to that." She says before taking another bite. "This is bloody amazing, do you know that?"

I smile, "I knew Luigi's cooking lessons would pay off one day."

"Maybe you can write a cook book."

"A cook book?" I ask her.

"For us. A family cook book with all the recipes. My Dad has one with his recipes as well. And Mum has one about baking. Your Mum should write one as well. With all the Brazilian dishes she can cook."

"That's actually a good idea. It can go from generation to generation." I think out loud. "I'll do that."

"Good. There's something else I want to talk about."

"Go ahead."

"I know we were just nine weeks abroad but there's a regatta in two weeks. I usually attend it every year but I wasn't there last year because I had just fled from my own wedding... I thought we could use it while we announce the pregnancy."

"Sure. Where's the regatta?"

"St. Barth's. That's in the Caribbean. I used to be on a sailing team and participate."

"Were you good?"

"The best."

"Then we will go, so you can support your team." I say as I grab her hand. "I'm your supporter and you are theirs. So I will be theirs as well."

"I'm very much your supporter as well." She ensures me.

"I know. But I will never participate in a regatta. I enjoy sailing but not enough to make it a race. But you... you just can't let an opportunity to win pass by."

My wife's grins back at me and squeezes my hand. "The regatta starts next Friday evening and ends Sunday evening. We can stay on French Cay and use Sapphire to sail to St. Barth's."

"That sounds like a lovely weekend."

"Good." Her sky blue eyes eyes sparkle. "And now lets eat up because we have a fitting for tomorrow in an hour and I want to walk from here to Hampton Court Palace."

"That's a thirty minute walk." I breathe out.

She nods, "I know. But I liked all the walking and hiking we did in the past weeks and I want to continue with it. It's going to be the only exercise I can do when I reach the end of this pregnancy."

Josephine

"Oh, I'm really fond of this colour!" Sarah says with an approving nod as I have a look at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing an Emilia Wickstead coat dress in an icy blue colour with a matching fascinator, a modest piece of art. I know Rory will wear her signature pink with a big pompous hat and Charlotte her sunny yellow coat dress with a big hat as well. Catherine will wear royal blue.

And I have chosen ice blue as my signature colour. It gives me the most variety. I can wear a shade that's slightly grey or something white without the press noticing it too much.

The coat dress goes wide at my hips and forms a skirt. The skirt is an accordion skirt with lots of pleats. The coat dress' buttons are hidden and it has a nice collar. It's pretty.

I only looked pregnant from a side angle if the coat dress was tighter. I think I can get away with keeping the pregnancy a secret a little longer.

"I like it. I like the length and the shape." I say and nod.

"Do you know what earrings you're going to wear?" Sarah asks me. She's been a great help over the last two months. She's been advising me on certain colours and cuts to camouflage the bump.

I shrug, "Something small and delicate. I don't want to steal the show."

"You and your husband will be the show, Your Royal Highness. All eyes will be on the two of you whether you want it or not. The people will analyse your body language, your curtsy, your smile, hair and makeup."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, "I know. It's quite a big deal."

Quite a big deal is underestimated. Not every royal women is a fashion icon. A fashion-fauxpas can ruin a very important event. The dignity of the Crown is on the line. Sexy outfits are over. Dresses end slightly above, at or below the knee. Tights have to be worn underneath a dress or skirt. High heels are required unless it's a sports event. The colour of my nails has to be a nude tone. My hair has to be perfectly in place no matter the weather. The Royal women are a brand ambassadors of the U.K. and the royal family. The monarchy stands for stability in an ever changing world. The Royal women transport this message with their choice of clothing. They make fashion statement and set the benchmark.

In a nutshell, what I wear is important.

Suddenly the big wooden double doors of Hampton Court Palace swing open and I watch my husband walking inside. He looks stunning in that navy suit!

"Oh, you look good." I say as he walks over to me.

"I'm wearing a matching tie. Apparently that's colour coordination." He winks at me, causing me to chuckle. "I like your outfit as well."

"Icy blue is my signature colour."

"Not green?"

"Green's the colour of money." Sarah informs my husband.

"And we don't want to associated with grifters." I say with a nod. "We think of blue as relaxing; it actually tends to lower our heart rates, blood pressure, and even our body temperature. Blue can have an effect on the pituitary gland, affecting our sleep patterns, and it can slow our breathing as well. Blue represents introspective journeys and symbolises wisdom and depth of understanding. While blue conjures images of sky and sea, it's also the colour of bravery and dedication."

"Icy blue it is." My husband nods. "Turn around, please."

I twirl around, causing the skirt to form a big circle.

"Nice. No sign of our double luck."

"We have to sew in some weights at the hemline of the skirt." I tell Sarah.

"What? Why? It's flowing nicely." Oliver tells me.

"And when it's going to be windy, my bum is going to get exposed."

"Right. Wouldn't be so good."

"But you look good. Pretty perfect." I say as I have another look at Oliver's suit. "Armani?"

"Yes."

"It fits like a second skin."

"Can I change back then?" My husband asks me.

My husband's sadly not the suit type of man. He feels most comfortable in lumberjack shirts and jeans or T-shirts with joggers. Not that I love him any less when he's dressed causally, but seeing him so polished makes me proud in a way I can't describe it. I nod, "Yes."

"Great!" With that he turns around and walks out of the white drawing room.

I chuckle before I look at myself in the mirror again.

"How do you want to style your hair?"

"I thought about a side bun with crisscross braids. Nothing too spectacular, just enough to not get the attention away from the fascinator." I touch the fascinator that looks stunning with the flowers and mesh.

"What about jewels?"

"I won't change the necklace, it's not going to be getting lots of attention anyway." I got the half moon pendant that my father gifted me on the day Oliver and I got married on French Cay. I love this necklace so much! I didn't wear it when we were on Tanzania and I felt naked around my neck.

"I think The Duchess of Oxford and The Princess of Wales are going to be wearing Annoushka's pearl drop earrings. I suggest you wear them as well to show unity."

Royals tend to send messages with their clothing and jewels. It's why we're so tightly watched all the time. You can't voice your political opinion, but you can show it otherwise. "Good idea."

"A bracelet?"

"No, just the two I already have on but they won't be seen anyway as the hem of sleeves hides them. Just weddings and engagement rings, the necklace and simple pearl earrings."

Sarah nods, "Okay. I'm going to bring the coat dress to the tailor and have her sew in some weights to keep the skirt from moving too much. Better save than sorry."

I nod, "Better save than sorry - I think that's going to be my motto from now."

---

With a sense of duty: How Duchess Josie and Duke Oli really behaved during those nine weeks abroad!

The BBC team that followed The Duke and Duchess of Clarence speaks out! In an exclusive interview, Tim Ferris spoke about what it was like to work with Their Royal Highnesses on their nine week long project in Africa.

'Since joining the Royal Family on January the first, Josephine and Oliver have blended seamlessly into the scene. They have embraced their new roles with enthusiasm and taken to it as if to the manor born. They have a big a sense of duty. They have shown an instinctive flair for their roles as Duke and Duchess of Clarence, but also for the president and vice president of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.'

Joining the Royal Family, deciding to help carry the weight of the crown, is a privilege - and a burden, which comes with formidable expectations and responsibilities. The crown is not one static thing resting on one head, it is moving, alive, divine. It adapts to the ever changing world, with the newest adaption being The Duke and Duchess of Clarence. As a royal, they must never look tired or bored. They must give everyone they meet a special memory that lasts a lifetime. And it seems like The Clarences did exactly that.

'Josephine and Oliver definitely have that certain natural charm and there are some things that you can't manufacture and I definitely think they have a certain star quality about them. They're very high-energy, very interested in people and how they're doing, the circumstances they live in and the issues they battle on daily basis. In a way, they're very philanthropic and true humanitarians without ever using these attributes to describe themselves.' Says Sharon Nicholas, who interviewed the couple for a documentary. 'They told everyone on the building site and all the people they met, that they want to me known as Jo and Oliver. No HRH prefix. No Duke and Duchess of Clarence. Just Jo and Oli. Those nicknames, this approach, made them instantly likeable. They're very kind, very thoughtful and they're very easy to get along with. The people that know them are very, very loyal to them. When they talked to people, they turned their body towards them and give them their full attention for however long you need it. They listen. They truly care.' Tim explained when asked about them. 'And they very much like to get their hands dirty as well. Both actually helped build the houses. They helped with the foundation, with painting the walls, laying the floors and decorating the place. They were very much part of the team. The Duchess brought homemade dishes and on other days it was the Duke who had cooked the morning of or the night before. They were very hands-on and very approachable.'

When asked if there had been any incidents, Tim Ferris shook his head. 'No. They were always polite and kind. There were no arguments. The only time the Duchess got upset was when some much needed medication was stuck at the borders. That's when she picked up the phone herself and spoke to the officers and Swahili. Yes, you understood me correctly, Swahili. The Duchess repertoire is just mind blowing. She adapted to Tanzania as seamlessly as she adapted to Mauritius. The Duke and Duchess split their time between the countries. Two to three days a week they would commute to Tanzania and the other days would have been spent on Mauritius with their Team. That's another thing royals don't normally do. The Clarences brought their whole team with them to Mauritius. While the deputies stayed in London, the main team came with them to Mauritius. They were living in a hotel near the Château in which the Duke and Duchess were staying at. The accommodations were privately funded by Their Royal Highnesses.'

The new royals clearly wanted to treat their team, who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the introduction as well as the actual work of their bosses go as smoothly as possible.

When asked to comment on the article, Their Royal Highnesses' office at Hampton Court Palace declined.

---

Oliver

I watch how my wife dips a pickled gherkin into sriracha sauce before smearing Nutella on top with a knife and then taking a bite. Her wedding rings are covered in a mixture of the brown Nutella and the red siracha sauce. We decided to spend our first night here all alone, just the four of us. The screen in the media room is showing one of the three Jumanji movies, but not even Jumanji can top this. The whole room is dark and the surround system is epic just like the picture quality but I can't take my eyes off of my wife.

My pregnant wife...

"What?" She asks me with a combination of Nutella and sriracha sauce smeared around her mouth.

"How can you eat that and not throw up or get heartburn?" I ask her, unable to hide the disgust on my face.

My wife shrugs, "Pregnancy cravings. I want everything at once." She says before taking a sip of her water and wiping her hands clean with a tissue.

"It's a bloody mystery to me."

"And luckily it will stay a mystery to you."

I stare at her profile, saving this image as a memory in the depths of my heart. The bump has come out just like every night. It's a proper bump, round and definitely a difference from the flat stomach my wife has during the day. "Would you do it again?"

"Do what again?"

"This."

"You mean another pregnancy?" She tears her eyes off of the screen.

"Yeah."

She licks her lips, taking away a bit of Nutella and siracha sauce. Clearly, this is not something she expected me to ask. "Let's take it step by step. First these two need to develop far enough to get born. Then they need to get born and then we need to raise them. After that we can talk again."

"I won't wait until they're eighteen to have another child." She knows I want children and she knows I want more than two.

"And I'm not asking that. But maybe a year or two years later would be a better time to discuss this rather than right now." She says before picking up a small tomato and popping it into her mouth.

"You're not saying no?"

"I'm saying one step at a time. I don't know what the future brings but I do know in the imminent future we're going to have twins. That's enough for me to know right now and it should be for you as well."

"When have you become so wise and patient?"

My wife shrugs before biting into another pickled gherkin. "Must be the hormones that start messing with my character." She jokes.

"But you're aware I want more than two. Especially after spending Christmas Eve with your family. It was... it was such a magical time. Seeing all these different generations, different cultures and influences come together... I want more children."

"More? Yes. Eight? No."

I chuckle, "I think eight would be a little too much for me as well. But three or four would be a good middle."

"We'll see what the future brings."

She never wanted children and a marriage, yet with me she wants exactly that.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"No, what is it?"

"Every Jack has his Jill." I say with a shrug. "You never wanted the two Ms, yet with me you can't get enough."

She fakes a laughter, "Don't get too full of yourself. I want these two and I said I'd do it again but I also said we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves."

"Still, you're my Jill."

"No, you are mine." With that she takes another bite off of her pickled gherkin.

I love this woman more than she will ever know.

---

The Commonwealth Day Service 2050 with a new kind of Royal Family

The Clarences have attended their first official event alongside the King at a service to mark Commonwealth Day. The Duke and Duchess of Clarence joined other senior royals at Westminster Abbey. The annual multi-faith event celebrates the 53 Commonwealth countries, and this year featured music from Ellie Goulding.

For the occasion, The Duke of Clarence wore a navy suit with an icy blue tie, while The Duchess opted for an icy blue coat dress by luxury designer Emilia Wickstead and a hat by William Chambers. Josephine wore a bespoke icy blue caped dress by Emilia Wickstead with a matching fascinator, accessorising the look with an icy blue Gabriela Hearst bag, Aquazzura icy blue pumps and Annoushka's famous pearl drop earrings. 26-year old Duchess Josie was not shy about smiling for the cameras. Her elaborate icy blue coloured hat was detailed with netting and feathers. The couple came off as confident in their new rules, some even say they wore the smile of a Cheshire Cat that got the cream.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor arrived shortly afterwards. The Duchess was all smiles in her sunny yellow bespoke Burberry coat dress. The Duke wore a navy suit with a bright yellow pocket square that he folded into a rose to match his wife. Not every man can pull this off so easily. The Duke can wear anything and it makes it look like it's made for the runway. Josie's big brother Nate has become, just like his little sister HRH The Duchess of Oxford, a trump card in the firm's collection. Something Josie and Oli are desperate to become as well.

The Duke and Duchess of Oxford, the second in line to the throne, arrived at Westminster Abbey. Lorelai chose a bespoke muted pink coat dress by Alexander McQueen, with matching heels and hat for today's event. Rory and George waved to the cameras outside the function, spreading their charm like fairies sprinkle their fairy dust. The Duchess accessorised her look with pearl drop earrings by Annoushka, just like the other two Duchess that are lower in the line of succession.

Before the monarch arrived, it was time for The Prince and Princess of Wales to arrive. Catherine wore a royal blue coat dress also by Alexander McQueen, fascinator and pumps. Her Royal Highness also wore the same Annoushka pearl drop earrings, which she first made famous three decades ago. The Prince and first in line to the throne chose to match the other men by wearing a navy suit.

The monarch wore a blue, double-breasted suit. Queen Consort Camilla, chose a navy outfit for the service. King Charles's wife carefully matched her hat to her dress while wearing the same Annoushka pearl drop earrings as the other royal ladies. Clearly navy was the colour of choice for the men set by His Majesty. The earrings were chosen by Queen Consort Camilla to show unity within the family. The Clarences are now part of the Firm and the Firm stands behind them.

The service celebrates the community across the Commonwealth spanning geography, religion and culture, and will include a reflection delivered by boxer Anthony Joshua and performances by Alexandra Burke and Craig David.

The reunited royal couples sat near each other for the ceremony. Josie and Oli sat a row behind Charlotte and Nate, but that didn't stop them from chatting before the service started. The utterly rude behaviour however stopped when the service began. Rory and George sat next to William and Kate, who sat next to His Majesty and the Queen Consort.

The Duke and Duchess of Oxford walked out of the church with a priest. The couple looked quite happy to be in attendance. George and Rory chatted with the choir. George seemed to be in deep conversation with the young men.

Josie received well-wishes and flowers at the door. She and her husband crouched down to speak with the children. Josie's dress blew in the wind as she and Oliver left Westminster Abbey. It was a dramatic moment that could have ended in a scandal but luckily for Josie the attendance was scandal enough.

Royal experts were stunned by the event and the colour coordination of all couples, including the same earrings that the women wore. It's a statement that's never been done before: Unity and support.

This service was their first official engagement, functioning as a debut in their new royal life.

The Duke and Duchess of Camp: How social media is ripping the Clarences apart after their first official engagement as senior working members of the Royal Family

The Duke and Duchess of Clarence have joined the King, Queen Consort, Prince and Princess of Wales, Duke of Oxford and sister Rory, Duchess of Oxford and Duke of Windsor, brother Nate and Duchess of Windsor to perform their first official duty as senior working royals.

The couple attended the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday (March 9) and were seen smiling and waving to crowds as they entered the venue, ehh quickly earned the event the nickname the Clarence show. Social media accounts started making collages, using the press photos from the event. Eager haters put together movie posters with the words Clarence Show Act I being one of the nicest words.

After the Clarence's IG account posted the photos of the event, praising the ceremony and emphasising the importance of being a unit, hate filled comments quickly followed. The post didn't gain lots of likes, but what sticks out is the over one million comments, with most being hateful ones. 'They look like the Cheshire Cat that got the cream! The smug smile, the arrogant posture and the rude chatting in this historic abbey just shows how little respect these two #fakeroyals have for our institution! We all know how Josie got the job for her and her husband, she couldn't nail Prince Louis, so she must've dug out dirt about the royals, using her connections, and blackmailed her way into our firm! Disgusting!' said one comment. 'Good thing Edward Rothschild got away from this manipulative person!' said another, which gained over half a million likes. Comments like 'Narcissist Josie and her newest arm candy look so out of place in the abbey! What has a Brazilian to do in the British Royal Family?!' and 'The Duke and Duchess of Camp' are among the most liked as well.

While other royal social media platforms tend to delete insulting comments, the Clarences have not yet established such a policy.

The Clarences' first appearance in their home country: What body experts got to say about their relationship

It was the moment we all waited for: Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Clarence had their first public engagement since they joined the Royal Family on January 1st. For the Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey, the new royals joined senior royals, His Majesty and Josie's siblings and spouses.

What body language experts noticed most was how confident, modest and charismatic the couple behaved. First and foremost the couple colour coordinated their outfits. While the Duchess wore a stunning icy blue coat dress by New Zealand based designer Emilia Wickstead, The Duke wore a suit by Armani with an icy blue tie and pocket square. Just by this alone, the couple sent an important message: we're a union, we're a team but we're not trying to steal the show. By wearing icy blue, the couple made sure The Princess of Wales beamed in a royal blue, The Duchess of Oxford shone in a vibrant pink and The Duchess of Windsor was brighter than the sun in her sunflower yellow coat dress and fascinator.

As per protocol, The Clarences arrived first because they're at the bottom of the line of succession. After getting out of the car, the nervousness was still visible but only for a few seconds. Facing the waiting and cheering crowds must've felt daunting but they got used to it rather quickly. There were no booing audible but the couple still didn't wave at them. They kept it to a beaming smile. The Clarences watched a performance by youngsters at the entrance of the Abbey before entering the building where Josie's sister got married to Prince George just a three and a half years ago. The Duke and Duchess of Clarence greeted all of the people that were lined up in the Abbey with a bright smile on their lips and very effective small talk that caused quite a few laughters from both parties.

They looked like they have done this their whole lives!

The couple didn't hold hands as we're used to by other royals, they kept a professional distance, very aware of their roles as representatives of His Majesty. They knew the pressure was on, that all eyes were on them and that everyone was looking for slip ups, mistakes that would get blown up into bombs the next day. But they were as calm as ever. Josephine in particular didn't show an ounce of insecurity, she didn't keep fixing her coat dress, she didn't look for wrinkles on her outfit, she didn't feel the need to constantly fix hairstyle because it was set in place. She didn't even play with the clutch in her hands. She looked very well put together, groomed to her finest with the beautiful fascinator that matched her coat dress.

But neither of them had the urge to hold the other's hand. Instead they kept talking about something we couldn't hear as they patiently waited for the other members of the Royal Family arrived.

After a few minutes the Clarences were joined by the Windsors, who greeted the line of people the same way before walking to the other side of the Abbey in the foyer. Charlotte was quite chatty with Josephine and even Nate and Oliver seemed to share some chuckles. It wasn't a tensed atmosphere at all. It looked like the family they are. After the Oxfords and the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived, it was time for the first curtsy by the new Duchess of Clarence as she and other royals greet His Majesty. It was quite a deep curtsy from Josie, one that shows the significance of the whole situation but she also wore a wide smile on her face. All in all, royal experts were impressed. She didn't lose her balance on these nude ten inch stilettos and she didn't have to hold on to her husband for it.

The Commonwealth Celebrations service was broadcasted on the telly but Josie and Oliver kept a professional look in their faces during the two hours. They didn't chat or whispered during the performances and speeches, they kept their eyes focused and their ears open.

But there were those tiny moments in which the cameras caught Oliver staring at his wife, giving her the look of love that melted hearts all over the UK. The screenshots with the hashtag #lookoflove made it viral all over social media.

All in all, The Clarences did a good job at their first public engagement. After the celebrations at Westminster Abbey, there's a private reception happening. We can't help but wonder how Josie and Oli will behave when the cameras are off.

Josie's new BLING: The new Duchess reveals new engagement and wedding rings as she embarks on her first royal engagement!

Josie Bolton, we mean newly The Duchess of Clarence, has successfully gone through her first royal engagement with the whole royal family. Alongside her husband, she was the star of the Commonwealth Celebration Service at Westminster Abbey. With their eyes on them, we can't help but notice the new rings on The Duchess - and the Duke's - left hand. Where previously was a platinum ring with a twist design that was filled with royal blue sapphires, are now a new pair of rings. This time The Duchess chose yellow gold as the base of both rings. Her engagement ring features an oblong cut sea foam coloured sapphire that's embraced by a half moon shaped diamond on each side. The wedding ring features the same twist design as her old ring, but this time the twists are filled with diamonds and only go halfway around the ring.

To mark this new chapter in their lives, The Duke has also chosen to go with a yellow gold wedding ring in a rather simple rounded and polished design.

It is unknown if it's made from Welsh gold that's been a royal tradition for wedding bands. When asked to comment, both Clarence House and Hampton Court Palace, where the Clarences' household is based, refused to say a word. Jewellery experts claim the new rings are worth nearly ten million pounds, with the sea foam coloured sapphire being the rising factor. A sapphire in this size, clarity and colour is a rather special find. Most people would say it's more likely to win the lottery twice in a row than to find a stone similar to the one Josie's wearing.

---

Josephine

Changing into an evening gown has never felt more nerve wrecking. I've chosen to wear Safiyaa for my first evening gown banquet. It is a V-neck, fishtail long dress with a ruffled ray shoulder drape in glacier blue. It's a stunning dress that's going to look rather modest in comparison to the gowns that other royals and commoner women are going to wear.

I watch how the crown jeweller's guard opens a box in front of me. It reveals one of the stunning tiaras that belong to The Crown. The King has one of the largest jewellery collections in the world. Royal jewels have a remarkable historic value! They are symbols. The King spreads out the jewels, especially the Iraq's, according to the pecking order. If you're going to be a Duchess you will need to look like one. And a tiara is perfect for that.

When you wear one, you really are part of the heart of the monarchy.

I've never seen this tiara before but it's absolutely beautiful! I recognise the many floral brooches that were made into hair clips that I wore on my wedding day on French Cay. It's a delicate tiara that won't make a big statement.

"The Clarence Floral Tiara, Your Royal Highness." The man in the black suit informs me. His name is Winfred.

I look up with visible shock in my face. "It's made for me to wear?" I look down at the sparkling jewel again. I recognise the orchids, tulips, lilies, roses and a few sprigs of lily of the valley. But unlike the brooches in my hair that were colourful, these flowers are all covered in impeccable diamonds. That way the tiara can be worn with whatever dress I want. I can't believe this was made especially for me! Me!

Winfred nods, "We were told you wore the brooches as hair clips on your wedding day. His Majesty asked to have them made into a tiara."

I can't even bring myself to touch it. His Majesty has asked for this to be made for me to wear?! That's crazy!

The white gloved hands of the guardian pick up the tiara very carefully before placing it on the top of my head. I've done another up-do with braids, but I didn't expect to be wearing a tiara especially made for me tonight. I thought I'd be given the Cartier Halo Tiara or any other delicate tiara but not this. Definitely not this.

"It's such a beautiful tiara." I say as I look at my reflection in the massive mirror across me. I look like a freaking royal! I have the title, I have the HRH prefix - but now I look like one as well.

I look like Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Clarence.

"It looks lovely. You wear it very well, Your Royal Highness."

"Thank you very much."

The man nods before closing the suitcase and leaving the room via a discreet staff exit that's hiding behind a bookshelf.

Suddenly the double doors of the white drawing room swing open and I watch Rory walking in. She's dressed in a gorgeous pink Dior gown with volant on her right side and is wearing the Fife tiara, that's been her go-to tiara ever since her wedding day. It's sparkling like crazy. Rory's also wearing a royal blue sash with a brooch since she's a GCVO. She looks like the future Queen she is. I've rarely seen her in a better looking evening gown.

"Oh, wow you look lovely!" I compliment her. I rarely see my little sister in action while she's in such a pretty dress. Just like most people, I only see the very well selected photos that make it online during such events. I used to be working in the background but now I'm very much in the limelight as well.

"Thank you. I see the tiara turned out very good."

"It was your idea?"

"Char and mine." Rory admits. "We spoke to His Majesty about it while you and Oliver had your first dance as a married couple."

Clearly, she's using her words wisely because we're not alone. The walls of Hampton Court Palace have eyes and ears. It's something I have to think about constantly now that I'm a royal as well. It's part of the golden cage or the gold fish bowl as the press likes to call it. You're never truly alone, unless you own a separate home without any staff working in it on daily basis. "It's a lovely surprise. I feel very honoured."

My little sister smiles at me but the smile drops as her bright blue eyes dance down my body, "You're wearing that?"

"Yes."

"Who's The designer?"

"Safiyaa. A London based designer. It's British." I defend my decision. British is good. It's good for economy. It hopefully will create a boost in my country's economy.

It's British.

There's nothing that can be criticised about this dress. Right?

"It's made of crepe."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"It's a stiff material. You don't want to wear a rigid material when in an evening gown. Silk is fine but not crepe. Not when you move so much and get photographed from every angle. The second you eat the lettuce from your salad, the camera is going to make it look like you're pregnant."

I understand the message that's between her lines. You're not pregnant until you have announced it. Ergo, you can't look pregnant before you announced it. Do not swirl up any rumours. Do not give any photographer or anyone else at the banquet the illusion of the bump.

Even if there is a bump.

"Okay, what do you suggest?"

"I have an Elie Saab for you in my dressing room. Same colour just different material and design."

Elie Saab is known for his stunning designs. It's at the upper end of luxury, especially if the dress has any applications like lace or Swarovski stones.

I'll be deemed as the Duchess of Excess.

But I have to go with the rules. I have and I will fall in line. I am a public servant. I am a supporter of His Majesty and all other Royals that are above me in the line of succession - which is basically everyone with the last name Mountbatten-Windsor.

I nod, "Let's go. We don't have much time left."

To my surprise Rory only has to snap her fingers to make it happen. The old double wooden doors swing open and I watch a team of stylists walking in. One of the three women is holding the bespoke Elie Saab dress while the other two are building up a changing section. This icy blue Elie Saab gown is dreamy and perfect for an event like tonight. The colour works for almost every evening occasion and the design is sure to make you stand out. The gown is magnificent in appeal and structure, carefully tailored from the finest fabrics and covered with floral lace. Sheer detailing and long sleeves, as well as a floor-length hem make the gown perfect for me.

Now let's just cross my fingers so it's going to fit.

And hide that bump.

Oliver

"Wow, you are looking good!" I say as George walks over to me. He's in a black tuxedo just like me, but he has all sorts of medals with ribbons pinned to his jacket. I count nine different ones.

He looks like the future King he is.

"I'm giving the complement back. For your first state banquet you look magnificent!" The blonde man grins at me.

"Any news on Rothschild?"

George licks his lips and that's all I need to know the answer. "I'm afraid he's going to be there. But this will be the last state banquet for him and anyone else with the last name Rothschild. It was quite hard to talk my grandpa and father into cutting the Rothschilds out but I managed to convince them."

"Without telling them what happened to Josephine, I assume."

George shakes his head, "It was the only way to get their approval."

I bite on my lower lip, "She won't like this." Hell, I don't like this!

"The King is going to reach out to her when the time is right."

"He's not exiling the whole family?"

"It's not so easy."

"You're repeating Troy's words."

"Because he is right. Troy's a very wise and intelligent man. He knows how to play chess very, very well. But playing with the Rothschild is quite a dangerous chess game which means we all have to think about every move a zillion times before taking it."

"Yet you told the King and William about the rape like it was your story to tell!" I hiss at George. He might be the future King but he was playing his cards a little too well.

"I had to do what I had to do to get it done. You want to take Rothschild down and this is how. I don't care if you don't like the process but the end result will be worth it." He said that in his King voice, but that doesn't impress me.

"I really hope so."

"You did well during the Commonwealth Day Service today. The press coverage is very nice."

"I don't care what the press writes about me and nether does Josephine."

"But you should. It reflects the public's view of you."

"The public calls us fake royals and Josephine Duchess of Charlatan." I counter with a raised eyebrow.

George smirks, "They used to call Rory tennis starlet, a puppet with no brain and Duchess Difficult."

I guess we all have to fight against prejudices. "As long as they don't touch my brothers and Mama, I'll be fine."

"They will get their fair share out of this as well. Sooner or later, the press will figure out more about you and find your brothers and Mum. They'll enjoy photographing them for a while before moving on to juicer news, perhaps it's a scandal, perhaps it's something else. Pippa, my aunt, got harassed by the press up until my Mum married my father and after the wedding, but the interest in her died down as well."

"But after how long?"

"A few years."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. I hope I haven't thrown my brothers and Mama to the wolves to get eaten.

"They'll be fine. They have our protection. If hell breaks loose, they move to your place or stay in Swansea, Dover or in the woods near Oxford. Or spend some time on French Cay or Motu Tane. My point is, there are always options. Sanctuaries."

"You mean hideaways."

"It didn't hurt you and Jo when you guys were in Africa for the last nine weeks. You waited it out and they will as well."

"The storm's far from being over. It just stared. The storm will last for years, maybe even decades."

"And you will get through it. In the end, you guys and this family will come out even greater. The people will see your dedication. They will see how much you love your work. They will see that you and Jo thrive on charitable work. And when they do... when they do, they will ask for your forgiveness in a way you didn't see coming."

"Is that your wish?"

"It's your future."

Josephine

I look much more different in Elie Saab than in Safiyaa. The Safiyaa looked crisp, regal, structured. But the Elie Saab looks flowing, warm, confident... Royal. Not because of the luxury fabric or the combination of organza, silk and lace but it's the whole concept of the dress. Long sheer laced sleeves, a classic v-cut in the front that's deep enough to show the half moon pendant of my necklace and a short train.

I look like a royal. Especially with the tiara on my head.

"That's much better, isn't it?" Rory asks me with a grin on her lips.

I nod, "Thank you for this."

"Of course. I'm your sister. I'll look out for you just like you look out for me. I may not be able to protect you the same way you protect me, but I can give you a style advise or two. Especially right now."

I forgot that Rory's the queen of camouflage. She hid her pregnancy bump long before the press even got the memo. By the time she had hit fifteen weeks, she looked properly pregnant but the clothes she wore enabled her to hide it without anyone noticing anything.

Until the palace released the official announcement.

"Ready?"

I nod and feel the weight of the tiara on my head. It's not as heavy as Rory's but it's not as light as a feather either. It does feel very different to the Rothschild tiara, though. It has more meaning than the Rothschild tiara. It's giving me freedom, not anxiety feelings.

We walk out of the massive white drawing room of Hampton Court Palace and I can hear our stilettos touching the parquet floors until we reach the red carpeted hallway that seems endless.

"Are you nervous?" My little sister asks me. She's a pro when it comes to banquets by now.

"I'm not nervous about the event. I'm nervous how the people are going to act around Oliver and me. How they will judge us and what they will say and what they'll say behind our backs." I admit.

"The family has your back."

"But that doesn't mean everyone is agreeing with his Majesty."

"You've got Catherine and William, Charlotte and Nate and us as your backbone. We're the future of the monarchy, the only working senior members of the Royal Family. We're the first eight in the line of succession. We are what counts. Besides, Beatrice and Eugenie are good with it as well and the same goes for the Wessex family."

"But there are minor family members. Marquess or Marchioness, Earl or Countess, Viscount or Viscountess, Baron or Baroness and lots of Lords."

"They're just what you said: the minority. They get invited to Balmoral Castle once a year for some bloody celebration that won't make it into the tabloids."

"But they're still royal by blood."

"Or royal by marriage."

"Either way, more Royal than Oliver and me." I say and restrain myself from licking my lips. I must not ruin my makeup. At least not until the camera crews have left the ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

"That doesn't count."

"To you but not to them."

"To The Majesty and that's all what counts. The King himself appointed you guys that title. The King thinks you're worthy so that means you're bloody worthy, Jo."

Shit, never in the world would I have thought that I would ever need a pep talk from my little sister - on royalty nevertheless. "Okay."

She grabs my hand and squeezes it softly, "Good. You're going to be fine, trust me."

I nod and force myself to smile, "Okay."

"Wow, look at you guys! You look stunning!" Oliver's voice fills my ears.

I tear my eyes off of my sister's and look at my husband. He's in a black tuxedo just like George. Both men look very handsome. But I think Oliver looks slightly hotter, but that's just my own, very subjective, opinion.

"My Queen, as stunning as ever." George greets his wife with a kiss on her cheek.

"You're wearing a tiara?" Oliver asks me with a frown as his emerald green eyes stare at the sparkling jewels on top of my head. "Wait a minute, are those the flowers you wore in your braid for our wedding?"

I nod, "Yes. The King had them bound into my very own tiara."

"That's very nice of him." My husband smiles at me.

"You look very handsome tonight." I breathe out as my eyes dance down my husband's body.

"I think Italian designers might become my go to from now on."

"Armani again?"

"Dolce and Gabanna."

"Ready to go?" George asks us.

"Yes." Oliver answers while grabbing my hand.

"You guys arrive before us." Rory reminds me. Right, it's about the line of succession. The closer you are to the throne, the later you arrive. Rory embraces me tightly. "I'll see you inside, okay?"

Oliver

I walk down the red carpeted hallway of Buckingham Palace with my wife by my side. The palace has been cleaned and polished until it sparkles as much as the tiara on my wife's head. We walk past lots of crystal chandeliers and art hanging in heavy gold frames. It's a path we have walked before, only then we were just Josephine Bolton and Oliver Rodriguez. Whereas now we are Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Clarence.

The first time it was a date. This is a different kind of date. A date that requires a black tuxedo and a tiara. It's our first state banquet.

I've never seen my wife being so quiet.

"We'll be fine." I promise her.

"Will we?"

"Yeah."

"Will you be able to keep your hands by yourself when you stand across Rothschild?" She asks me.

"Yes." I promise her.

"Even if he provoked you? Because that's what he is going to do. He's going to want to cause a scene that ruins our first state banquet."

"I'll try to not get close to him."

"He might approach you on the way to the restroom."

"Then I'll hold it in until we're home."

"For three hours?"

I shrug, "I just won't drink a lot."

My wife sighs, "Okay. But I won't be able to hold it in."

"You're pulling the pregnancy card?"

My wife nods, "I've got two carrots that are using my bladder as a box sack, so yeah I am pulling the pregnancy card."

"You're feeling them move a lot?"

"No but I do have to go to the bathroom lots."

At the end of the hallway we meet one of the red uniformed staff members that work for these events. He greets us with a head bow before opening the double doors. "Good evening, Your Royal Highnesses. His Majesty asked for you to wait here until every other Royal Highness has arrived.

Josephine smiles at him, "Thank you very much."

"Do you fancy anything to drink?"

"No, thank you." I tell him with a smile on my lips before following my wife into the huge blue drawing room. The massive transom windows offer a view of the gardens. It's lit by LED and fairy lights. It looks stunning although no one is going to see it. The event is taking place at the ball room, not outside. The decorations outside are meant to be seen if you look out of a window. If, not when.

"How long do we have to wait?" I ask my wife.

"I don't know. Ten minutes? Maybe fifteen? Nate and Char should be here soon." Josephine looks around the room. It has a greyish-blue wallpaper made out of silk and there's polished gold everywhere on the walls. Even the mirrors have golden edges. The room is decorated with pairs of scagliola columns, painted to resemble onyx in 1860. There are five cut-glass chandeliers, an assortment of settees, chairs, tables. There is a full-length portrait of Queen Victoria by Franz Winterhalter on the left wall. The room is lit by windows on the right. The ceiling has stunning gold mouldings and other decorative elements. The carpet we're standing on is red as well. I don't know why it's called the blue drawing room. The only blue furniture in here are the sofas with the gold legs. Nothing else is blue in here. Except for the curtains but they don't really count, since the last time I was here they were golden. It confused me the last time we were in here and it still confuses me now.

I remember the last time we were in here. She had originated this private tour to give me more. If we ever had a date beside my birthday dinner, it was this. This came the closest to what other couples would call a date. Even if a private tour at night by the sister of the Duchess of Oxford is something no one but me will ever experience. I never thought I'd be back here, let alone as His Royal Highness The Duke of Clarence. The thought makes me smile.

"What?"

"I just remembered the last time we were here. We toured the whole Buckingham Palace. It was a very nice way to spend the evening."

My wife smiles at me, "Who knew we'd be back here two years later with HRH titles and jobs within The Firm."

"Meeting you changed my life."

Josephine grabs my hand and squeezes it softly. "It changed mine as well."

My heart skips a beat at the touch. "Next to this room is the State Dining Room, right?"

"You remember?"

I remember every single word she's ever said to me. "I do."

"Your memory is excellent. Yes, the State Dining Room is next to our room. Then comes the Cross Gallery, which leads to the ball room where the party is being held."

Suddenly the doors swing open and we watch Nate and Charlotte walking in. Charlotte's in a sunny yellow dress. She's wearing a sparkling tiara, that's bigger than my wife. Her ears are sparkling with diamonds and so are the bracelets on her left wrist and the necklace around her neck. She looks as royal as ever.

"Did someone say party?" Nate asks with a grin. He's in a black suit with bow around his neck, just like me. His black shoes have also been polished.

"Have you been eavesdropping again?" Josephine asks him with a grin.

Nate chuckles, "Oh this evening is worth it already! Seeing you with a tiara is priceless!"

Charlotte hits her husband with her elbow lightly, "His way of saying you look wonderful."

"Yeah, she knows that." Nate says to his wife while waving his hand. "But Oli's the real star! He looks rather handsome."

I chuckle, "I gladly allow Josephine to sparkle next to me."

Nate chuckles, "Good one. That thing on her head sparkles like crazy!"

"Would you guys just shut up already about my tiara?! It looks good! I really like it. it's made from the flower brooches I wore at my wedding on French Cay."

Charlotte frowns before having a closer look at the tiara, "Right! I recognise granny's brooches! This is so cool!"

"And very, very sparkly." Nate sticks out his tongue, which earns him a dark gaze from his sister.

"I think that's enough teasing for tonight." I translate the gaze.

"Yeah, never provoke a pregnant woman." Josephine reminds him.

"So, it's official then?" Nate asks her.

I shake my head, "Not yet. Maybe this week. Or the next."

"Your choice." Nate says with a shrug.

"But you're okay?" Charlotte asks my wife and her sister-in-law.

Josephine nods, "Just nervous."

"You and nervous? You're never nervous!" Nate points out.

"Well, it's a new phase for all of us. It's an important event." I support my wife.

"Of course it is." Char gazes at her husband.

"You'll be fine, Jo. You survived worse." Nate says to her.

Does he has to rub bloody salt into her wounds now?!

"What?" Nate asks me as he must see my thoughts written across my face. "It's the truth."

My wife squeezes my hand, "It's alright. I am okay. Nate is right. I have survived worse. This is the first of many to come."

Josephine

Doing small talk with my dining neighbour is far easier than I thought. And so is shaking hands of diplomats and representatives of the commonwealth. All in all, the dinner is much more pleasant than I thought. After lots of speeches, a delicious seven course dinner, it's now time for dancing and the relaxing part of the evening. The photographers and press are long gone and everyone seems much more at ease. The champagne is floating and the laughter is hard. The dance floor is full of couples that are swinging to the music of the orchestra. The royals mingle with the non-royals and enjoy being a bit more relaxed as well.

I've seen Rothschild but we have not spoken. I've avoided and ignored him over dinner. He sat at the other end of the room, as far away from the royals as possible. I think Daddy spoke to George and he spoke to the King about it. Because even the King kept his distance. The gloves are off.

And I'm afraid how Edward is going to fight back.

"Do you want to hit the dance floor?" My husband asks me with a smirk on his lips. He's been doing an incredible job tonight. He talked about his home country without sharing his past too much.

"I do but before that I have to use the loo." I admit. I've been avoiding the loo the whole evening but my bladder is about to explode. I was afraid to leave him alone because I was worried he's not going to be okay without me by his side. But I was wrong. He's doing just fine.

"Okay."

"I'll keep him company." I can hear George's voice before he appears.

I nod, "I'll be right back."

I walk through the ball room, passing many happy people. It's just like another party in the elite circles - only these circles contain royalty. After exiting the ball room, I walk through a hallway that leads to the loos. It's almost midnight, so the evening will end soon. Usually, the evening ends when His Majesty decides to leave the ball room, but I think tonight it might end with fireworks. The garden is decorated beautifully, so I think there might be fireworks going off at the pond tonight. I have to ask Rory about it.

I walk into the ladies room and do my business before washing my hands thoroughly with soap and water. The bathroom is as lush as the rest of the palace. Lots of gold and deep reds. There are also heavenly smelling roses in vases everywhere! The last time I was in here it was at Rory's wedding. We partied the whole night.

And now I'm back as a Duchess myself. With a tiara on my head.

I dry my hands and reapply my lipstick before walking out of the bathroom. I walk down the same hallway as before but suddenly a shiver runs down my spine. I don't have to turn around to know who it is. The last time I've felt that shiver was in a house in Belgravja.

"Rothschild," I hiss before turning around to face my ex.

Edward Rothschild looks as perfect as ever. He looks like the hottest bachelor alive that he now is again thanks to me. Perfectly styled short blonde hair, piercingly turquoise coloured eyes and that impeccable body, which is wrapped into a black tuxedo. Even the black bow around his neck is perfectly straight. He looks like nothing happened. He looks like our relationship didn't happen.

I wish this was true.

But I know it's not.

"This is a place I thought we'd never meet but you... you really surprised me, Josie."

I restrain myself from rolling my eyes. I hate this nickname so bloody much! "I wouldn't mind never seeing you again, now if you excuse me I have a state banquet to go to." I decide to provide him with as little information as possible, but as I move past him, he grabs my right wrist. And painfully twists it.

But I don't scream because that's what he wants. I will not give him what he wants. Not anymore.

"Let me go!" I demand in a calm voice.

"It should have been us with the title, Darling. I had everything planned-" he cries out as I push my left heel into his right shoe. The pain makes his hand loosen it's grip of my wrist for a second and I use the time to gain back control.

"Never try to ambush me again or the pain in your right foot will be the least of your worries. We are done here." I say before strutting away from him. I can feel my heart beating in my chest so heavily that I fear it might break through my rip cage. I stop at the corner that leads to the ball room and take a deep breath. My wrist is burning so much that tears start forming in my eyes but I refuse to let them roll. I have to calm down. I have to put my mask back on.

I have to be Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Clarence, not the anxious Josephine.

After a moment to catch myself, I pull my shoulders back and walk around the corner, towards the ball room. Being back in here is like the incident with Rothschild didn't just happen. Everyone is mingling with everyone. It's a feast of laughter and classical orchestra music for my ears. I am far, far, far away from Rothschild and his bloody voice.

"Everything okay?" Charlotte suddenly appears in front of me.

I nod, "Yes, I'm good."

"You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"No ghost, just my ex."

"Rothschild went after you?! What did he bloody say?!" Charlotte hisses at me as I watch Oliver and George walk over to us.

"No word to Oliver." I tell her as my husband and brother-in-law reach us.

"You could have been gone longer, Oliver was great!" George says with a bright smile on his face.

I force myself to smile, "I'm glad you're enjoying this so much."

My husband frowns before eyeballing me. His pine green eyes stop at my right wrist. I watch how his eyes turn black within a second. "Josephine,"

"He watched for an opportunity and caught me in the hallway." I decide to tell him the truth.

"He bloody touched you!" Oliver hisses in Brazilian Portuguese.

"I'm okay. I've hurt him more." I lick my lips.

"Where is he?!" Oliver's still talking in Brazilian Portuguese.

"I don't know. Somewhere in the palace."

Charlotte takes the diamond bracelet off of her left wrist, "Here. To conceal the redness."

I look down at my right wrist and can clearly see Rothschild's red fingerprints on my skin. I quickly take the bracelet and wrap it around the wrist before closing it. The sparkling diamonds cover the bruises perfectly because unlike most people think diamonds are not see through.

Suddenly the music of the orchestra stops and everyone gets silent.

"I would like to ask everyone to walk to the pond in the Buckingham Palace Gardens. We have a very special way to end this evening." His Majesty announces in a clear voice and everyone listens.

And acts accordingly.

"It's time for the fireworks." George mumbles.

Oliver and I turn on our heels but Charlotte's hand on my shoulder stops me. "No, royals go last."

Right, royals go last because they need to be seen.

"Any idea why the fireworks?" I ask them.

"Because of you. Because of this new era that you guys have started with the Commonwealth. It's going to be huge!"

Oliver

I hold the hand of my wife tightly as we watch the fireworks that appear above the pond in the Buckingham Palace Gardens. His Majesty has gone all out with this spectacle. The fireworks are not regular fireworks like on New Year's Eve. They show all flags of every single commonwealth country. 54 countries. 54 flags.

It's stunning, but I only have eyes for one thing.

Edward Rothschild. He is standing to our left but his disgusting eyes are resting on my wife instead of the fireworks in front of us. He's after her.

I can't wait for the Royals to kick him out. This is just the first royal event and I already know I won't be able to handle seeing him another time. He dared to touch her! He hurt her!

And all I can do is standing here like a pillar, hold my wife's hand and watch those damn fireworks.

I can't lift my hands against him.

Frankly, if he and I ended up alone in a hallway or in a room together, I'd kill him. Because he tried to kill my children. He hurt my wife.

He hurt my family.

No one hurts my family and gets away with it.

Not even someone with a name as powerful as Edward Rothschild.

---

Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I really hope you enjoyed it!

What do you think of Chestnut House? I really hope I've given you a rough idea how Chestnut House looks like. I'll add a few descriptions in the next chapters.

What's Rothschild's next step? Do you think he will ever leave Jo alone?

In case you haven't seen it yet, I just posted the last chapter of My Shadow.

Please review but more importantly stay safe wherever you are.

In gratitude,

Nicole

P.S.: I am currently working on a new chapter of A Million Times More. Keep your eyes open for an update in the upcoming weeks. ;)