The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 491

Callum gave Lexi a pleading look, his eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and love. "Babe, how can you talk about yourself like that? If you're a sow, then what does that make me, a boar?"

He could see her annoyance start to melt away, and with the timing of a quarterback making a touchdown dive, he tackled Lexi onto the couch, planting a tender kiss on her lips. "Honey, as long as it's our kids we're talking about, there's never too many."

Lexi's mind screamed a million rejections, but Callum's passionate offense was too much; she was about to lose her defenses when suddenly a familiar voice echoed from outside. "Lexi? Lexi?"

"Natalia? Oh my God, it's Natalia!" Recognizing her friend's voice, Lexi pushed Callum away in a panic. "Get off me, now!"

Callum hadn't expected Natalia's return at this particular moment and muttered under his breath, "Of all the times to show up, she picks now. Is she trying to kill me?"

"What did you just say?" Lexi asked, not catching his mumble as she tried to fix her tousled hair. "Aren't you going to let Natalia in? What are you waiting for?"

Callum wrinkled his nose in annoyance. "Babe, I'd love to, but it's not exactly... convenient."

With that, he gestured towards the very evident tent in his pants. His expression was a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

Lexi blushed. "Serves you right! You're always thinking about sex. Go take a cold shower upstairs, and you'll be fine."

"Fine," Callum sighed, heading upstairs. For the first time, he cursed Natalia's ill-timed entrance. "Buttercup, oh Buttercup, why didn't you call before dropping by? This i

s torture!"

And if the battle had already commenced, with both sides deep in the fray, Natalia's sudden intrusion would be downright lethal!

Resolved to set things straight, Callum decided he'd have a serious talk with Natalia later on. He had to make sure she'd be more considerate next time and avoid barging in and ruining his moments of bliss. With a heavy sigh, he trudged upstairs reluctantly.

Meanwhile, Natalia had been ushered into the living room by the housekeeper, and upon seeing Lexi's flushed cheeks, she wrapped her in a tight hug. "Lexi, are you surprised or shocked? You're always the one visiting me, and now I finally get to return the favor!"

"Surprised, not so much. Shocked, yes, definitely," Lexi hinted, glancing upstairs where Callum was probably enduring a punishingly cold shower.

"Shock? Who did I scare?" Natalia asked, puzzled.

Lexi quickly shook her head. "No one. Just teasing. Anyway, Natalia, you've been swamped with work, what brings you to England so suddenly?"

Laughing heartily, Natalia responded, "Heh, I'm just here on a whim. The Queen sent me an invitation to stay at her palace for a few days and design some exclusive jewelry for her."

"Oh, that explains it. I was wondering what could possibly pull you away from your busy schedule to visit little old me," Lexi said. Then, she noticed Magnus stepping into the living room, which surprised her. "Hey, you're here, too?"

"What, not happy to see me?" Magnus quipped with a cocky shrug. "With a wife as incredible as mine, I've got to keep an eye on her. Otherwise, someone might just sweep her off her feet."

Lexi chuckled, "Welcome, Mr. Andersen. Your presence brightens the place. How could we not be delighted?"

"Well, that's good to hear. Your husband isn't around, is he? That would be a relief," Magnus said, not hiding his disdain for Callum as he slumped onto the couch.

"Who says I'm not home?" Callum walked down the stairs, freshly showered with damp hair, wearing slippers. He warmly greeted Natalia, "Buttercup, you've finally decided to visit your old home. Didn't I always say you're welcome here anytime?"

"Callum, we're not here just for you, you know. This is just a side visit," Magnus interjected sharply. "So, someone shouldn't get too full of themselves."

Ignoring Magnus' jealous jabs, Callum, the distinguished Duke, decided not to stoop to bickering with someone so evidently petty.

The group sat down and engaged in lively conversation, with Magnus occasionally chiming in with his gripes. Nevertheless, the atmosphere remained mostly harmonious.

Natalia and Lexi chatted away warmly, and by evening, they had decided to share a room, unable to put a stop to their endless topics of conversation.

Callum and Magnus spent the time giving each other the stink eye, each harboring a silent resentment. Why couldn't the ladies be content with chatting during the day and leave the nights free?

The next morning, Natalia was up early, still buzzing from the night's chatter. After breakfast with Magnus, they set off for the Queen's palace.

Yawning uncontrollably, Magnus looked exhausted from a sleepless night.

"Rough night?" Natalia asked, concerned.

With another yawn, Magnus nodded. "Yeah, babe. Without you by my side, I just couldn't sleep. I was up until dawn."

Shaking her head, Natalia was surprised that her night spent in conversation had left Magnus so restlessly awake.

The car continued smoothly on its way, soon bringing Natalia and Magnus to the royal gates.

The grandeur of the Queen's palace left Natalia awed by the opulence of royal life and the meticulous order of the household. No matter how many times she visited, the aristocratic splendor never failed to amaze her.

Upon learning of Natalia's punctual arrival, the Queen greeted her warmly, immediately instructing the kitchen to prepare a lavish dinner. Moreover, she commanded Duke Callum and Count Rowell to accompany them throughout the evening.

Time flew, and before long, the night arrived. Natalia, dressed in an exquisite evening gown, gracefully entered the banquet hall on Magnus' arm.

The dinner was brimming with the crème de la crème of British society, all of whom were taken aback by the Queen's decision to host such an event in Natalia's honor.

However, as they observed Natalia's poised and confident demeanor, any prior doubts they harbored dissipated.

Having received an invitation from the Queen, Duke Callum arrived at the dinner with Lexi by his side.