The Great King

Nina looked around the place. Fabulous is the one word to describe Theodore's chambers. The pristine furnishing and shining crystal white floorings make it so different from the rest of the palace. The ambiance is cozy and on every side, there's a window that makes the room brighter.

There are a few extra rooms and the garden is on the backside. Theodore's place located at the far end of the palace, it's silent and peaceful.

Nina took a seat on the chaise longue and was hesitant to explore this unfamiliar place. She saw a hand-drawn picture of Theodore on the wall and thought that the artist should have elevated Theodore's nose and he captured his eyes well.

There's no sign that Theodore lives here, the place is clean and nothing in disarray. She wondered where is his cot?

Nina waited and waited until she got bored of sitting in one place. She got up and walked to the window. From there, she could see the garden and mountains at the far end. Such a beautiful place it is.

That time, she heard someone is entering and she came back to sit on the couch hoping it would be Theodore but it's her future father-in-law.

"Nina, you came back," he smiled.

"I hope you are fine, your highness?" Nina smiled.

"Yes, indeed. And I am so happy that you are here. I sincerely wished that you should change your mind,"

"I had no other option, too. You send your guards to take over our farm, sir," Nina complained.

"No, I didn't," Solomon furrowed his eyebrows.

Nina is now clear that Theodore influenced his father's power to do such a thing.

"It must be Theodore," he hesitantly said.

"Yes, I understood, your highness," Nina nods, looking away.

"I apologize for what he has done,"

"You don't need to, sir. It's all done and I have agreed to marry him," she smiles halfheartedly.

"That's wonderful news. Theo said it to me, I think he genuinely likes you, dear. That's why he has done such a thing," he smiled.

Nina couldn't accept that as a reason for his wild behavior. In fact, she can't accept that he likes her. She's not that attractive enough to be liked instantly, she knew what she is.

There must be some other reason in his mind which he's hiding. It must be connected to that stormy night.

"Theo will be back by night; this is like your home. You have all right to go anywhere you wanted and order the guards whatever you want, they will bring it to you,"

Nina nods with a smile. "Thank you, sir. I am so pleased by your cordiality," said Nina, humbly.

As a commoner, Nina heard many things about King Solomon. Being the eldest of the family, Solomon becomes the King at the age of seventeen after his father's death. He's a brilliant Emperor who survived all the battles he faced and despite many Kings, ministers, counselors, and relatives trying to dethrone him, nothing shook his strength. He became the unbeatable Monarch suppressing everyone who ruled before him. He's married once to his childhood sweetheart and had a son. She died a few years before which was announced as one of the Kingdom's mournful days.

Many used to say his son, the crown prince is notorious and ruthless and he lacked his father's good natures.

Seeing now, Nina comprehends what they all meant is true, indeed, Theodore isn't like his father.

"Once Theodore comes back, he will explain it to you precisely. You know he doesn't like me getting involved in his matters,"

His answer gave her fear that he got no control over his son's attitude.

"I should give orders to arrange for the marriage right away. We need to start from tomorrow, by the end of this month I want to see you both as husband and wife," Solomon was keen on their marriage than anyone else.

Only ten days were left for that and Nina was anxious to know it. And she has to live with Theodore until she gets married which even more irritated her.

"I should go and someone will bring you dinner soon, you must be hungry," Solomon smiles.

"Thank you, sir," Nina bowed. He reminds her father who always cares about whether she had her dinner or not. Her eyes eventually welled in tears.

"What happened, dear?" he asks seeing her sadness

"I miss my father, he must be worried,"

"Don't worry, dear, he will be here tomorrow," Solomon patted her shoulders and Nina wiped off her tears as she doesn't want to embarrass herself.

"You know I don't have a daughter of my own but now I have you," he said and those words meant so much to Nina. Maybe Theodore is a mean-spirited guy but the King is a great and kind human.

"I believe you are a smart young woman and you have the courage to even reject Theodore which I really admire, dear," he chuckled and Nina smiled too.

"He is rash but you should know that Theo is a great guy once you get to know him," King Solomon said that strongly.

Nina nodded and she didn't want to ruin this moment by opposing that statement.

After the King left, Nina stayed for her diner as she's hungry. That was when a girl of her age came in with food. She introduced herself as Jian and she's going to be Nina's personal maid from now on. Jian doesn't look so enthusiastic to meet the future daughter-in-law of this palace.

Nina had her delicious dinner more than interested to talk with her new maid.

"Your highness, I guess you must be tired; I will come back tomorrow. Have a good night's sleep," Jian rushed to leave because she knows at any moment Theodore will be back and she's afraid to face him.

Before Nina could even respond, Jian left the place. That's so weird but Nina presumed that Jian has something else to do.

Nina relaxed on the couch. She's so sure not to take advantage of this place without Theodore's permission and also she doesn't have any great interest to know this place.

Her lack of sleep yesterday made her drowsy and she momentarily slipped in that beautiful nap until her defense mechanism wakens her with the thought that this isn't a safe place. This is a lion's den.

She saw Theodore sitting across her, the moment she opened her eyes. He's watching her, god knows how long.

"Dear, Lord!" she screamed as she didn't expect him to sit there like a ghost.

Theodore laughed.

"I am glad to scare you," he chuckled and came to sit beside her on the couch. Nina pulled herself away when he dangerously shortened the gap between them.

"W-What do you want, sir?" she asks.

"You,"

She blinked, staring at his eyes. The place is dimly lighted but she could the impish smirk dancing across his face. He came closer to her lips with the intention to kiss her or maybe to tease her.

But Nina had an absurd thought. she's tempted to kiss him even knowing that he has ruined her peaceful life.