Chapter 188 Aunt Gretude.

Chapter 188 Aunt Gretude.
Melissa sat at a table with Richard as a slow music played in the background. “You do know I am very mad at you right?” She said as Richard traced her face with his index finger, a cunning smile on his face.
“And why is that?” He asked.
“I don't know, you abandoned me for days,” she folded her arms and shook his finger off her face, faking anger.
“Sorry, I was busy trying to get the house in order and I also didn't want to ruin the surprise, it is your fault for always seeing right through me when I am hiding something,” he said.
“I'd forgotten it was my birthday, I just wanted to start work all over again and Beatrice is just a bully,” she replied.
“Yeah that was why we literally used her, we couldn't let anyone find out about this,” he said.
Melissa glanced around with a smile. “It is really cool,” she remarked. The entire building has been repainted and restructured to accept the party theme more. “This must have cost a lot though,” Melissa said, not that she minded the fact that it was costly but ever since she started dealing with the cost it took to run a kingdom she'd grown quite frugal.
“Oh don't worry, it all came from your savings,” Richard said with a treacherous giggle.
“I don't have any savings… I don't save,” she replied confused.
“Except you opened a savings account last week,” Richard chuckled.
“What?” Melissa said.
“We had to create one so we could borrow from the banks and evade tax, while acting mundane,”, he said. “The name on the account was Esther Dane, so its initials are E.D, just like yours,” he replied.
“I don't understand any of those but I am guessing you went through all those means because Beatrice said it was better to trick the bank right?” She asked.
“Yes, and also so no one would check your accounts and find it off balance'” he said with a serious countenance.
“What?” Melissa said.
“Now, after all this, I have something to tell you, it isn't much of a secret, I just want you to enjoy this without worry first, you risked a lot with Harkov, you deserve rest,” Richard said with a smile.
She nodded and smiled. Just as she was about to start eating Avalors took to the stage and picked up the mic and then started. “Tonight we as friends celebrate the birthday of Luna of Dunham,” he said. “Her coronation is coming up in about two months from now,” he said. “Preparations are being made and we are hoping it will be a really large party, for quite a short girl but…” everyone chuckled at this. “...she does have a very tall bodyguard. There are plans to have her stand on him throughout the day so people wouldn't mistake Richard for the Luna,” he said and everyone broke out in laughter.
“Okay, enough jokes,” he said. “Even though this birthday is just a very secluded one we still managed to get more than twenty people, most came for the food obviously,” another round of laughter in the hall. “But… but we are not gonna judge people, at least they came.”
“Well, there is a list of shows and performances arranged beforehand for Luna. The first performance is from me. It is named, make fun of the Luna's height, which I did splendidly,” he glanced at the crowd and spotted Arya laughing. “Oh, the Beta of Vance thinks she can laugh,” and everyone turned to her and laughter ensued again.
At last he stopped the jokes and people came out for their performances and Melissa enjoyed every single one of them. The infernal was one of the performers and to no one's surprise he was a good stage magician. Candice and Vanessa danced.
The last of the occasion was actually a song from Beatrice. She took to the stage and when she did, she turned and said that the song was actually for Melissa and Hashar. She noted them as the two most important people in her life. Soon she began the song and it captivated everyone.
The song was about a wandering dove that'd lost its feathers. It went from forests to forests in search of a home and in the most uncanny sense of it all was rejected by all land animals but the water ducks were the only one who gave it a home.
Melissa understood how it fit into Beateice's story. As a kid she grew up hating royals and now she found a home among them. Melissa could feel a lump in her neck as she delivered the piece with a voice that no one expected from her.
At last the party ended and she left the place with Richard. The man warped them to the hill in the sacred forest where they always had a secluded time from everyone else.
“So I have good news and bad news,” he said.
“Good news first, please,” she said.
“Oh, you are pregnant,” he said with a straight face.
Melissa jerked and looked at him. “For who?” She asked.
Richard furrowed his brows. “Who else is there?” He asked.
“No I didn't mean that, it's just I am supposed to be delivering this news to you, not the other way round,” she said.
“Yeah, normally, but Nathaniel kinda knew first, he told me. He did a scan of your body. “You are a month in,” he smiled.
Melissa giggled. “I am gonna have your child so you need to get the act together mister,” she said, hugging him tightly.
“Bad news?”
“Aunt Gretude is home,” he declared.
“Oh, great,” she rolled her eyes.
“She brought an inquisitor with her and in your wake, she took over the throne, and installed Ronald as your bodyguard,” he said.
Melissa looked at him as he said that. She stared at him with a stern gaze. “Get up,” she said. “We are going back home,” she declared.