Later that afternoon, Darrel and Sebastian were in the drawing room, once again, drinking tea. There had been an awkward silence between the two of them for the past hour, neither of them knowing what to say. Finally Sebastian broke it.
        "Can I make a suggestion?" He asked softly.
        "Sure," Darrel shrugged.   
        "I want to make sure that you're not going to back out of this. If I wasn't...who I was, do you really think you would have suggested marrying me?"
        "What are you saying?"
        "I'm saying we shouldn't rush into getting married. I am willing to be your fiancé, but I think we should wait for at least a year. After all, you're only fourteen."
        "I'll be fifteen soon."
        Sebastian sighed.
        "I love you Darrel," Sebastian nodded, "and I am so happy at the idea of being your husband. But I want to make sure this is what you really want."
        "Fine," Darrel groaned.
        Sebastian smiled and pulled her into a hug, kissing her on top of the head.
        "One more thing," Darrel added, "I don't want anyone to know about the fact that part of the reason why I suggested our marriage is so I can abdicate. If Papa finds out, he'll try and stop us, even if I tell him that I love you."
        "If that's what you want," Sebastian replied, "then I will support you."
        "Thank you...and would you mind if we say that you proposed to me?"
        "I was just about to say that. The times are changing...but, not fast enough for us."
        "Or at least, not fast enough for me."
        "True."
        Darrel smiled and gave him a kiss.

        "You're getting married?" Rosamund cried later that day, once she had gotten back from her charity event, "I go out for a few hours, and now you're engaged?"
        "Yes?" Darrel replied meekly.
        "You're fourteen!"
        "Almost fifteen."
        "Why are you getting married? You're fourteen!"
        "We're simply engaged Aunt Rosamund! We're waiting at least a year before we get married, probably longer."
       "But why?"
        "We know where this is headed. We love each other, so we want to make sure there won't be any others."
    Rosamund sighed as she sat down.
        "Are you sure this what you want my darling?" Rosamund sighed.
        "Yes Aunt Rosamund," Darrel nodded, "this is absolutely what I want."
        "Well, that's all that matters. Although, good luck telling your father."
        Darrel sighed.

        The next day, Darrel and Sebastian arrived at Buckingham Palace and were escorted into the drawing room, where the King, Queen, and Duke, were sitting.
        "Lady Elizabeth," her majesty said coldly, "you've returned."
        "Yes, your majesty," she curtsied.
        King George stood up and went to shake Sebastian's hand, "It is good to see you again, your highness."
        "The same to you, your majesty," Sebastian replied.
        "Tell me, why have you decided to grace this palace with your presence?"   
        "I was wondering if I could talk to you in private, sir."
        "Very well. Come into the library."
        The two of them walked at and Darrel took a seat next to her brother.
        "Any idea what this is about?" David inquired.
        "Well, he proposed to me yesterday," Darrel informed.
        "Without consulting your father?" The queen cried, "What has this world become?"
        "Hold your tongue," David ordered, then turned back to his sister, "I'm happy for you Lady Darrel."
        "Thank you," Darrel smiled.
        "But, I do agree with my mother. His Royal Highness seems to be someone who would follow proper protocol. Why wouldn't he ask His Majesty first?"
        "I think with the situation with Lord Grantham, he wasn't sure who he had to ask."
        "Ah, that makes sense."
        "Well, he is a good choice," her majesty nodded, "I approve."
        The door opened and Sebastian returned with the king.
        "I hear that congratulations are in order," King George nodded, "you have my blessing."
        "Thank you, your majesty," Darrel replied.
        "Will you stay for dinner Sebastian? We have quite a lot to celebrate."
        "Unfortunately, we must go up to Yorkshire sir," Sebastian informed, "we wish to announce our engagement to the Crawleys before they read about it in the newspaper."
        "Very well. We will celebrate when you two return," Queen Mary announced.
        "That is very kind. Thank you, your majesty."   
    Darrel got up, curtsied, and headed towards the door.   
        "David, show them out," King George ordered.
        "They know where the door is," David reminded.
        "It is polite to show guests out. After all, Prince Sebastian is your future brother-in-law."
        David rolled his eyes, but left the room with his sister, and her fiancé.
        "Well, this worked out even better than we'd hoped," Queen Mary smiled.
        "Indeed," King George nodded.
        "Have they chosen a date yet?"
        "Unfortunately they've decided to wait at least year until marrying. Now, if you excuse me, I must make a call. "
        "What? You must change that!"
        "I will try my darling. But, this is progress."
        The queen groaned as her husband walked out of the room.

    A little later, Darrel and Sebastian were in a train car, on their way to Downton. Darrel was reading a novel, while Sebastian watched her. Suddenly, Darrel lowered her book.
        "It is rather distracting to have you watch me," Darrel informed.
        "How is a book more interesting than me?" Sebastian smirked.
        "I never said that the book was more interesting."
        "Then put the book down and talk to me."
        Darrel rolled her eyes, but set her novel aside.
        "Thank you," Sebastian smiled.
        "You can be very childish sometimes," Darrel observed.
        "How do you think Lord Grantham will react to our engagement?"
        "For our sakes, I hope well."
       "Darrel, that was not reassuring."
        Darrel shrugged and picked her book up. Sebastian rolled his eyes.

        Once they arrived at Downton, Darrel took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. The door swung open, and Carson was there to greet them.
        "Your highnesses," Carson bowed.
        "Hello Carson," Sebastian smiled, "good to see you again."
        "Thank you, sir."
        "Is Papa in?" Darrel inquired, as they stepped in.
        "He's in the library m'lady," Carson replied.
        "Alone?"
        "To my knowledge, yes, he is."
        "Thank you Mr. Carson."
        "M'lady."

        Darrel and Sebastian entered the library where they found Robert drinking a glass of scotch.
        "Hello Papa," Darrel smiled, going over to give him a hug.
        "Darrel, my darling," Robert nodded, "I didn't expect you to come back so quickly. Hello Sebastian."
        "My lord," Sebastian replied.
        "I am going to find the others," Darrel informed, "but Sebastian has something he wants to talk to you about."
        "Oh?" Robert said, clearly puzzled.
        "I'll leave you to it."
        Darrel left the library as Sebastian sat down.
        "Sebastian," Robert said, "what is it you want to talk to me about?"
        "Well..." Sebastian started, "I...yesterday, I asked Darrel to marry me."
        "I beg your pardon?"
        "I proposed to her."
        "Are you aware that she is only fourteen?"
        "Very much so. I am willing to wait until she is older before actually getting married."
        "She's fourteen! You shouldn't even be discussing marriage!"
        Robert got up, marched to the drink cart, and poured himself another glass of whiskey.
        "I love her," Sebastian informed, "and I don't want her marrying...or even courting...anyone else."
        "So, this is just your way of claiming her?" Robert spat.
        "That's not what I meant!"
        "Isn't it? You want to make sure she doesn't end up with anybody else! That's rather selfish, isn't it?"
        "She feels the same way, since she accepted the proposal!"
        Robert glared at him.
        "Even if your reasons are honourable, do you not respect tradition? Is one not suppose to ask the father before the proposal?" Robert asked furiously.
        "With everything that is happening with their majesties, I wasn't sure what the protocol was," Sebastian nodded, "I asked her before speaking to you, or his majesty."
        "But you are asking for my blessing now?"
        "Yes. Your opinion means everything to Darrel."
        "Well, I hate to disappoint you Sebastian, but no, you don't have my blessing. You can't marry her, not until she's at least eighteen."
        "Then, we won't get married until she's eighteen."
        "You can't be engaged either."
        "I beg your pardon?"
        "You heard."
        Sebastian stood up, "You can't do this!"
        "Can't I?" Robert snapped, "She is my baby girl! I will not allow her to throw her life away at this age!"
        "She wants to marry me!"
        "My daughter is confused. She doesn't know what she wants. You will go back to Spain, and propose again in four years. Until then, you are not engaged."
        "I don't have to listen to this."
        "Why not? You asked me for my blessing, and I have not given it."
        Sebastian took a deep breath and started pacing.
        "I didn't want to do this to you," Sebastian informed, "but it seems I have no other choice. I asked his majesty for his blessing, and he has given it. And since he is actually Darrel's father, I am free to marry her."
        Robert approached Sebastian, and punched him in the jaw, causing him to fall into the sofa.
        "How dare you!" Robert roared, "How dare you say that I am not Darrel's father! If I didn't want her to marry you before, I certainly don't now!"
        Sebastian picked himself out and faced Robert, "I don't need your permission!"
        Robert grabbed him by the collar and wrestled him to the ground as the door opened and Darrel walked in with Cora, Mary, and Tom.
        "Papa!" Mary gasped, "What on Earth are you doing?"
        Robert got off the floor, threw Sebastian a dirty look and stormed out, leaving everybody in shock. Darrel approached him and helped him up.
        "Seb, what happened?" Darrel asked softly.
        "He isn't happy with the engagement," Sebastian sighed.
        "He'll come round," Cora assured, "but in the mean time, congratulations."
        "Thank you, Lady Grantham."
        "Come," Darrel said to her fiancé, "let's go for a walk."
        Sebastian sighed but followed his fiancée out of the room.
        "I better go find Robert," Cora announced, and left.
        "How do you feel about Darrel's engagement?" Tom asked.
        "I know they're not planning on marrying for a while," Mary sighed, "but she's so young. But, if she's happy, then I am happy for her."
        "That's the nicest thing you've ever said."
        "Well, I like her better than Edith."
        Tom rolled his eyes.