The next morning, the Duke of York ate breakfast alone in the dining room. His father was going through his red ministerial box, and his mother ate breakfast in her bedroom. David didn't mind eating on his own, especially over the past few months. There were high tensions at Buckingham Palace since the queen's affair came to light. He took a sip of coffee as the door opened and Wilson stepped in.
    "Your Highness," Wilson bowed. "The group from London is back."
    "Thank you Wilson," David nodded, as he stood. "Where is the Royal Physician?"   
    "Sir Simon Ellis is waiting in Her Highness' bedroom."
    "Good. That will be all."
    "Your Highness."
    Wilson bowed and backed out of the room. David finished his coffee and left.

    David left through the front doors of Buckingham Palace where five cars drove up the laneway. A footman opened the back door of the first one and Sebastian climbed out, followed by JF. The cousins helped Darrel out of the car. She was still quite pale, and her lack of sleep was very clear from the bags under her eyes.
    "Your highnesses," David bowed.
    "This is no time for formalities," Sebastian informed. "She seems worse than last night. She needs to see a doctor."
    "The Royal Physician is waiting upstairs for her."
    "Thank you."
    With the help of a group of guards, Darrel entered the palace and went to her bedroom. Once they were inside, David turned to JF and shook his hand.
    "It's good to see you again," David smiled, as they headed inside. "I wish it wasn't under these circumstances."
    "If it makes you feel any better, I arrived before this happened," JF reminded.
    "I will warn you; my parents don't realize that you are here, and they still don't like you."
    JF rolled his eyes.
    "Why don't their majesties like you?" Sebastian asked.
    "His Highness and I shared a room during my semester abroad," JF explained. "One evening we decided to make our own dinner and I set fire to one of the school's wings. They expelled me shortly after."
    "They would have expelled me, but an English school can't expel the Prince of Wales without a backlash," David pointed out. "But...my parents believe that JF had a bad influence on me."
    "Because I never told them that using the kitchens was your idea."
    "And you'll never tell them, or I will have you arrested for treason."
    JF shot his friend a playful glare, while Sebastian snorted, then put on a serious face.
    "Can I get you two anything?" David offered.
    "I need coffee," JF requested. "I need to battle fatigue and a hangover."
    David laughed and lead his guests into the drawing room.

    An hour later, the men were still drinking coffee in the drawing room. David and JF were discussing their favourite memories from boarding school. Sebastian pretended to listen, but he was actually deep in thought. The door opened and King George the Fifth stepped in, followed by Sir Simon Ellis.
    "Your Majesty," Sebastian bowed, standing to attention.
    "I ran into Sir Simon in the hall," King George informed. "He's done assessing the princess."
    "How is she?"
    "Her Highness will be fine within a few days," Sir Simon explained. "I recommend that she stays in bed for at least two days, and then not to do anything strenuous for at least a week."
    "Can I go see her?" Sebastian asked.
    "She is sleeping now. Let her rest."
    "Thank you Sir Simon," King George nodded. "You have my permission to withdraw."
    "I will check on her later today," Sir Simon replied. "Your Majesty."
    Sir Simon sank into a deep bow and backed out of the room. Once the door closed, the king turned to JF and narrowed his eyes.
    "Your Excellency...you've returned," he observed.
    "Yes Your Majesty," JF said.
    "You will soon be a member of this family, so I will tolerate you."
    "Thank you sir."
    "If you set fire to the palace, or involve my son in any mischievous plans of yours, I will have you arrested for treason. Do you understand?"
    "Of course sir."
    King George glared at the young man and swept out of the room. JF let out a heavy sigh while David smirked and Sebastian chuckled.
    "Wow, he hates you more than he hates me," Sebastian grinned.
    "Why would he hate you?" David inquired. "I noticed his odd behaviour when he walked in."
    "It's a long story."
    "What did you do?" JF groaned. "You did something stupid, didn't you?"
    "Look, when Darrel was unable to see her family, I had to do something," Sebastian explained. "So I told the king and queen that I would call off our engagement if she was not allowed to see the Crawleys."
    "Estas loco."
    Sebastian gave him a stone-cold glare.
    "I'm glad it worked in your favour," David nodded. "But I would be careful if I were you. My parents know how to make deals, and they have never lost one."
    "Except for this one," Sebastian pointed out.
    "Well, remember this incident. My parents hate the Crawleys, but your union is more important to them for some reason."
    "Is it possible that they want their newfound daughter to be happy?" JF inquired.
    "Not at all."
    David left the room. Sebastian let out a heavy sigh and collapsed into an armchair. JF sat next to him.
    "Are you alright?" JF asked.
    "No," Sebastian replied. "I'm worried about Darrel."
    "She's going to be fine. Let's do something to distract you. We can go for a ride, or you can watch David and I do archery. I got very good at it during my semester abroad."
    "Thanks for trying, but I would like to be alone."
    Sebastian stood up and stormed out of the room.

    Later that day, Darrel awoke to find Lily unpacking her cases, and organizing the bedroom.
    "Good afternoon Your Highness," Lily greeted.
    "Lily," Darrel nodded.
    She attempted to sit up, but clutched her head from the pain and lay back down.
    "Are you alright ma'am?" Lily gasped. "Should I send for Sir Simon?"
    "I'm fine," Darrel assured.
    "How are you feeling ma'am?"
    "I've felt better. But I suppose it could be worse."
    "That is a very positive way of seeing things ma'am. Is there anything I can get for you?"
    "No, thank you Lily. That will be all."
    "Your Highness."
    She bobbed a curtsey and left the room. Darrel managed to place her pillows in a configuration that would allow her to sit up without too much pain. She grabbed the letter she placed on her night table and opened it to read its contents:

Dear Lady Darrel,

I know that the Prince of Spain plans to sack Allen after what happened last night, and I suppose I cannot blame him. But in the little time I've known him, I know that he is an asset to the royal bodyguards, as well as a terrific person. I would appreciate it if you could give him another chance, I do not think he will let you down. You know that I don't warm to people in such a short period of time. So you must realize that this is a glowing recommendation. I have not found a friend like Allen since the Duke of Crowborough.
Thank you, and I hope you feel better soon.

Your humble servant,
Thomas Barrow

    Darrel let out a heavy sigh as she placed the letter back into its envelope and fell back asleep for a little while.

    Meanwhile, King George the Fifth was hard at work at his desk in his study when the door opened and a footman walked in.
    "The Prince of Spain, your Majesty," he announced.
    The footman stepped aside as Sebastian entered. He gave a dismissive nod to the footman and he scurried off.
    "Your Majesty," Sebastian bowed. "Thank you for seeing me. I know that you are a busy man."
    "That's what happens when you are King," George the V reminded. "As you will learn one day."
    "Yes sir."
    "Well, what do you wish to speak to me about? If you are here to blackmail me again, I will have you arrested."
    "I apologize for how I handled that situation sir. I know how important the Crawleys are to the princess, and I did not know what else to do."
    "Do you stand by your decision? I let her visit the Crawleys and now she is bedridden."
    "You and I both know that one has nothing to do with the other."
    The King let out a heavy sigh and studied the prince's face. Sebastian took a deep breath as he felt his body tense. He could not help but notice that their interaction was more formal than usual. On top of which, the king had yet to invite Sebastian to sit down.
    "As you said, I am a busy man," King George said. "So why are you interrupting me during my work?"
    "You should sack Allen at once," Sebastian informed. "He was guarding Darrel when the brick flew through her window."
    "And if I don't sack him, how will you threaten me this time?"
    "I deserved that. Sir, I realize that I've lost your trust. I'm not asking you to sack him for my sake, but for Darrel's, and for the safety of the Royal Family."
    "I'm not particularly inclined to do anything that you suggest. And I don't believe you care about this family's safety, given that you threatened me not long ago."
    "But sir..."
    "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, your highness. You have my permission to withdraw."
    Sebastian set his jaw and bowed his head, "Your Majesty."
    Keeping his eyes locked on the king, Sebastian backed out of the room.

    "Where is your hidden flask?" Sebastian groaned, storming into the sitting room that connected his room to his cousin's.
    JF closed his novel and got to his feet.
    "It didn't go well with His Majesty?" JF assumed. "What happened?"
    "He won't sack Allen," Sebastian replied, as he flung himself onto the sofa.
    "Good. It wasn't his fault, and he doesn't deserve to lose his job over this."
    "That's not the point."
    "Then what is your point?"
    "The reason why he refuses to sack Allen is because I asked him to. Since I blackmailed him, he doesn't trust me anymore, and does not want to follow through on anything that I suggest."
    "Can you blame him?"
    Sebastian shot his cousin a reproachful glare. JF pulled his flask out of his suit pocket and handed it to his cousin as he sat across from him. The prince took a large swig and let out a heavy sigh.
    "I know that I should not have blackmailed him," Sebastian said. "But the king is unreasonable."
    "There's not much you can do about it," JF reminded. "So you should work on regaining his trust so that if you ever have an important request, he doesn't dismiss it."
    "How do you get someone to forgive you for blackmail?"
    "You managed to forgive Master Ringer."
    "I forgave him because if not, Darrel would never forgive me."
    "Well, you better figure something out. Because if you end up staying in England for the rest of your life, you need to be on his good side."
    Sebastian took another large sip from the flask before handing it back to his cousin.
    "David and I are going out tonight," JF informed. "You are welcome to join us."
    "I'll stay here," Sebastian replied. "Darrel might need me."
    "You're not even married and she's tamed your wild ways."
    "Cállate. Se puede ir."
    "Su Alteza."
    JF smirked as he got up then went into his bedroom. Once he was alone, Sebastian lay down on the sofa and let out an exasperated groan.

    That evening, Darrel was still in bed when there was a knock on the door.
    "Come in," Darrel called.
    Allen stepped into the room and sunk into a deep bow.
    "Your Highness," he greeted.
    "Allen," Darrel nodded. "Thank you for coming."
    "Of course ma'am. I hope that you are feeling better."
    "I am, thank you for asking. Now, let's get right down to it. You must know that there are people who want to sack you."
    "I already spoke to His Majesty...he told me that my job was safe for now."
    "What?"
    "He told me that he knew that it was not my fault."   
    "I see."
    Darrel knitted her brow and looked at her guard with a puzzled look.
    "How did you convince him to keep your post?" Darrel inquired.
    "I didn't," Allen replied. "His Majesty asked to speak with me and told me that someone requested for me to lose my job. But he told me that he disagreed and would keep me on."
    "Well, congratulations. I am glad that you still have your job. I will write to Mr. Barrow and tell him so."
    "Ma'am?"
    "He left a letter in my coat pocket in which he told me how you are an asset to the Royal Family, and that you won't let me down."
    Allen hid a smile as he forced himself not to blush.
    "That's rather impressive," Darrel continued. "I've never seen Mr. Barrow befriend somebody without knowing them for many years."
    "I know ma'am," Allen nodded.
    "Then again...you seem to be more than friends."
    "I beg your pardon?"
    "He implied in his letter that you two have something beyond friendship."
    Allen did not know how to reply, "With all due respect ma'am...I am sure that you are mistaken..."
    "I am not," Darrel replied. "But don't worry, I won't tell anyone else. And if you don't believe me, you can ask Thomas. I have kept his secret for many years."
    "Thank you ma'am."
    "One last thing. If you hurt him in any way, I will make sure that you regret it for the rest of your days. Keeping your job will be the least of your worries."
    Allen froze and bit his lip.
    "Thomas is lucky to have you as his friend," Allen observed.
    "I am lucky to have him as a friend," Darrel corrected. "He's the closest friend that I have, which is why I will not allow you to mess with him."   
    "I wouldn't dare ma'am. I care about him."
    "Good. That will be all. Good evening Allen."
    "Good evening, your highness."
    Allen sunk into a bow and backed out of the room. As he opened the door, Sebastian walked in. Sebastian turned to glare at Allen, but before he could say anything, the guard bowed and scurried off.
    "What did he want?" Sebastian demanded, as he sat on the edge of the bed.
    "I told him to never let me get hit by a brick again," Darrel replied.
    "I tried to sack him, but the king is angry with me."
    "Most people don't respond well to blackmail. You punched Paul when he tried to blackmail us."
    Sebastian gave her a friendly glare, then took her hand into his.
    "Get well soon," Sebastian requested. "I dined with Their Majesties and it was disastrous. We sat in total silence."
    "Where were JF and David?" Darrel inquired.
    "They're friends from school, so they went off drinking together. So for my sake, please get better."
    Darrel laughed and planted a kiss on her fiancé's cheek. "Alright."
    "I will let you get some rest," Sebastian declared, as he got to his feet. "Goodnight my darling. I love you."
    "I love you too."
    Sebastian leant down and kissed her. He gave her a dramatic bow then left the room.