The Princess and the Pauper

Chapter 1926

"We're doing alright." Dave slung an arm around his buddy's shoulder, grinning from ear to ear, "If only

he didn't have a knack for bullying and taking advantage, we could be even better."

"Quit bad-mouthing me in front of my fiancée."

Where had he bullied anyone or taken advantage?

"Do you really think Bella's only got eyes for you? As if her pretty little head is filled with nothing but

your mug?"

At that moment, Arabella sized up Romeo's face and found it rather fetching.

He looked even more handsome than he had a few days ago, his features even more pleasing to the

eye.

"Notice anything different about me today?" Romeo's gaze fell on Arabella, oblivious to the others.

"Your hair's shorter." Arabella chuckled, "And you're wearing the shirt I designed."

"What else?" Romeo admired her with doting eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey, can you two spare a thought for my feelings here??" Dave, with his millions of followers,

felt utterly ignored by the pair, which was a blow to his ego.

"Romeo's here?"

In the meantime, Louisa emerged from the main house. Seeing Romeo, she beamed with affection.

"Come on in, take a seat. David, what are you doing clinging to Romeo? Let go!"

She approached her son and whispered, "Can't you give the lovebirds some space? You've been

hanging all over Romeo the whole way here, leaving your sister in the dust. To the uninitiated, they'd

think you two were the couple."

Dave was riddled with question marks in his head, but before he could clarify, Louisa had already

ushered Romeo inside, and in a low voice asked Arabella, "You going to the Fairfield Manor tonight?"

"Yeah."

Louisa's smile couldn't be wider, "Then I'll have the kitchen prepare the dinner early."

"Alright."

"Romeo's arrived!" Louisa announced as she entered, and the living room filled with grandparents,

aunts, and uncles, all coming to greet him.

"It's been a while, the boy's grown even more handsome!" Bernard always had a soft spot for Romeo,

seeing him as a young man of many merits, with no flaws to speak of. He affectionately patted his

shoulder, "Come on in, I’ve been waiting for you."

"He's been looking forward to seeing you, asked about you so many times. A few times he wanted

Bella to reach out to you, but I stopped her." Cornelia said with a smile, "Now we've finally got you

here."

"I heard from the staff that you brought plenty of gifts. You shouldn't have, really!" Louisa called out,

"Someone bring in some tea and snacks. I'll go check on the kitchen and make sure they speed up the

dinner preparations. You've got to head to Fairfield Manor after dinner."

David hadn't expected they'd be off to Fairfield Manor after dinner - a place belonging to Grandpa

Phillip and Grandma Shirley.

Suddenly, he had a feeling, as if his sister wasn't really a Collins anymore. She was practically a

McMillian now.

He felt a sense of loss, as if he were about to lose his sister.

All the elders fussed over Romeo, who, normally quiet and reserved, was especially charming that day.

Bernard and Cornelia, Darren, Belinda, and even Bard, were all exceedingly pleased with him.

"Romeo's here?"

Just then, a playful voice rang out, as Alma walked in from the garden, her face bright with a smile,

"Now our whole family's truly together."

Laughter filled the room, and Romeo also stood to greet Lucas and Beverly. NôvelDrama.Org © content.

"Please, have a seat. We're all family here; no need for formalities." Lucas beamed with admiration at

the handsome young man, "Romeo's got to be the son-in-law every elder dreams of having -

respectful, good-looking, well-educated, capable, and loyal."

"Lucas, what are you saying? Are you suggesting we're not up to par with him?" David couldn't resist

the jab.