"A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow." -Shakespeare

Oliver has been residing in Buckingham palace since he returned to London a week ago. Accompanying his friend for preparation of Prince's ball and parliament sessions were catching up to him. 

The Kingdom was prospering and for the first time in centuries, they had the most stable monarchy. While looking forward to the future his brother was steadily rising as one of the political figures in Britain at such a young age. But instead of discussing the plans for the Kingdom, the senate keeps droning about Crown Prince's marriage to Spanish Princess.

The Princess wasn't making it any easier for anyone. Oliver too was facing her ire thanks to his friend's stupidity to keep his mistress in the palace even after he married the Princess. Everyone used to turn a blind eye to the royals and gentry's keeping mistresses no one ever suspected Princess will take it to her heart and make her husband's life living hell.

"You should tell her," Oliver said.

"Tell who? what?" Said the Crown Prince confused.

"The Princess," Oliver stated.

"If you haven't noticed she doesn't let me speak," The prince scoffed.

"Then just kiss her," Oliver said making Prince sputter his wine.

"Why would I do that?" Prince said horrified.

"To shut her up and declare your love for her," Oliver stated passively like they were talking about the weather.

"I do not love her," the Prince said appalled, "Why will I tell her something I don't mean?"

"Your highness," Oliver said mockingly, "Everyone around you noticed how much you are smitten by your wife. You try to annoy her because you love the attention she bestows on you after you have irritated her. How much you love to see her flushed..."

"Stop. Stop," Prince was quite flushed at his friend's blatant speech, "You are wrong and so is everyone else. Did you forget how much I hated marrying the foreign princess?"

"Yes, you did in the beginning," Oliver said sipping on his brandy, "But your feelings have changed over time. You adore her. You are tongue-tied when she is in front of you. Just admit it and tell her and save all of us from burning in this fire of yours. It is uncomfortable for all of us."

"I was against you getting married but now I seem to think a wife might bring your head in line," The Prince huffed, "You are certainly losing it being delusional about me and the Princess."

"My friend, don't be too late. Now, let's go and check the preparation for the ball," Oliver said ending the conversation knowing full well it won't lead to any favourable outcome.

As they entered the grand ballroom of the palace they were shocked to see it completely bare of anything. The servants were taking out some of the remaining decorations. After a series of curses thrown by the Prince, they came to know the Princess ordered to strip all decorations.

While the Prince confronted his wife which ensued in another of their squabble while Oliver stood silently praying he won't be caught in crossfires but his prayers went in vain when Princess came and stood in front of him while his friend was at her heels.

"Senor," The Princess said in her thick Spanish accent.

"Your Highness," Oliver bowed respectfully.

"Tell me, am I not the daughter in law of this Kingdom and the future queen?" She asked with her hands on her hips face set like a pissed off sergeant.

"You are, your highness," Oliver said without hesitation.

"Did I not come here leaving my home and everything I know to marry your idiota prince?" She asked haughtily.

"You did, your highness," Oliver said amused his friend taking on a horrifying expression at Princess calling the future king an idiot.

"Is it wrong for me to create some semblance of home here through the ball?" She asked her voice low hurt coating her face.

Oliver looked over at his friend who realized the same thing he did! The Princess was missing her home.

"Do you want the ball to be Spanish style, your highness?" He asked the upset princess.

"Yes," She answered her face lighting up like a Christmas tree. She came to the country that disliked her and married the prince at an age she should be enjoying the balls and having fun, Oliver admiration for the princess rose to a new height.

"Then we shall have that way," Oliver said assuring the Princess, " I am sure the Queen and King will allow it for their favourite daughter-in-law."

"I am their only daughter in law," She said pouting.

"Well, then they don't have a choice, do they?" He said making Princess smile.

"I will not allow it," The Prince said, "Not everyone is happy with our union. I do not want to irk them anymore."

"Maybe it's time they know who saved them from their own destruction," he said to his friend and smiled at Princess, "It's time everyone accepts their future queen."

"It is not a good idea, Oliver," Prince huffed, "The parliament session will be outraged on hearing this."

"Then we shall keep it a secret till the last moment," Oliver said smirking, "Your Highness, I will send a call to you as soon as I get an audience with the King and Queen to discuss the plans for the ball."

"You are my friend you should be on my side," The Prince said crossed after Princess left.

"Well, my dear friend, I am on your side," Oliver said winking, "Happy wife is a happy life. She is right that you are an idiota if you haven't realized that yet."

"It is going to be outrageous, a Spanish ball on British land," The Prince looked petrified, "I can already hear people murmuring."

"We will find something more outrageous for people to talk about," Oliver assured his friend, "It won't be that bad."

"How will it even be ready at the time? She has scraped the entire ballroom," The Prince complained.

"Then we better help her with everything we have," He said walking toward the palace.

The King and Queen easily bent to the wishes of the Princess when Oliver accepted full responsibility to help the Princess in preparation. Oliver hoped his friend would come to his senses and bridge the gap between him and his wife.

The Parliament session was going to be in 2 parts. One ending from a month from now and the other starting after 2 weeks of Christmas break to continue for a month before concluding for the year. The Prince's ball will be hosted at the conclusion of parliament which gave them 2 and half months for preparation.

Oliver was enjoying the ball preparation for the first time in his life. He has been accompanying his friend the prince since he was 21 and they were always interested in parliament sessions than in the balls and soiree. But being Prince friends he couldn't meddle in politics actively and he couldn't leave his friend alone either.

When William entered politics Oliver sidestepped to let his younger brother pursue his dream while he performed his duty as an heir to Kentshire, managing all the Kentshire investment and their banks while preparing to get on board the privy council with the Crown Prince.

The royal family always look up to Kentshires as friends and trusted advisors and it was Kentshire's duty to reside over the privy council. Kentshire has always been the extended hands of the royal family carrying out various tasks of the monarchy as well as keeping the British economy afloat with their wealthy banks thus helping the Kingdom to flourish.

Oliver knew his father was getting old and wanted nothing more than to hand down everything to his children and spend the rest of the day with his mother and he was more than ready to take over the responsibility as the head of Kentshire. With a wife by his side, he would be in the perfect place to take over as future heir of Kentshire. And with Caro's letter accepting his proposal of courting he was ready to propose to her during Christmas eve.

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