Why?

"I feel guilty that I compelled you in this unhappy marriage," Albert lamented.

"No, Father, you shouldn't feel this way. You didn't compel me, I took this decision," Nina said.

"But still, I shouldn't have acted like that yesterday," he said. "I failed to respect your decision and hate myself for that,"

Nina looked at her father having no words to console his guilty conscience. What he said is true, she took this decision because of him and Agnes.

She held his father's hands, "I know how much you love me and you always wanted the best for me. I can't blame you for whatever that happened. We didn't decide anything, father; the crown prince did," she said, "He compelled me,"

"No, don't say that. He's kind enough to give you another chance,"

Albert didn't know that Theodore ordered to kick them out of their farm, he's still thinking it's King's father.

Nina didn't clarify that; she's going to marry Theodore; he's her destiny and she didn't want to ruin his good image. If Albert knows about Theodore's true nature, he might feel even more guilty.

Agnes came inside after looking around the palace. She's all smiling from ear to ear.

"Wow, Nina. This place looks like heaven," she exclaimed.

Nina nods.

"Your dress looks amazing," she remarked seeing Nina's beautiful gown.

"They gave it to me since I had no clothes,"

The morning after Theodore gave her the necktie, he left to get dressed. After that, she didn't meet him at all.

She then bathed and wore the dress they gave to her. Had her breakfast and waited until her parent's arrival. She also looked around the place as she couldn't control her curiosity.

"But looks nice on you, isn't it honey?" Agnes looks at her husband and seeing his unhappy face she panicked.

"Please don't be sad, she's not going to marry the horrible person. Have you realized what a life she has got? She's so lucky to get a life like this," Agnes said.

"You are indeed right," Albert agreed.

Only Nina knows that's not at all true.

That time, Theodore came in.

"Welcome to my place, sir," Theodore smiled and gave respect to Nina's father which she didn't expect at all.

"We are so honored to be here," said Agnes.

"Thanks for taking care of my daughter, your highness," Albert bowed.

"It's my pleasure to have her here and you can call me Theo," Theodore smiles and that took Nina in surprise.

"I couldn't be here as I went on a business to the town. My father is looking forward to meeting you both,"

"Yes, we were keen to talk to him about this marriage," Albert said and suddenly he seems happier compared to when he was talking to Nina. He must have fallen in love with his charming future son-in-law, Nina thought.

When she looked at him, he's already staring at her quizzical expression.

"I will ask the guards to escort you both to him," Theodore said.

"Sure," Albert was confused why he didn't include Nina.

"Nina and I will join you all later," Theodore said.

"Fine," said Agnes.

After they left. Theodore's smile vanished from his face.

"You look good in the dress I picked," That even more surprised her.

"You picked this dress?"

"Yes, that's what I said,"

Nina thought he isn't bad and wondered what he's going to say now.

"Shall we go outside?" he asks.

She nods and followed his lead. They came out of his chamber and walked somewhere which Nina has no idea.

"We couldn't talk much this morning," said Theodore as she knows how hastily he left. The more they walked further, the place is quieter and empty without anyone.

"Where are we going?"

"To talk, privately," he answered.

"Thanks for being so kind to my parents," Nina expressed but there's no reaction from Theodore's side.

They came to the backside of the palace where no one used to come often. The tall trees, the river, and the gloomy grey sky gave a pretty good scenery. Nina liked this place and had a smile on her face.

"I won't be kind without a reason," Theodore said. Though it hurt her to hear such a reply she doesn't want to change her gratitude for him.

"Whatever it is. Thank you,"

"If we go to my father, he will tell us a day when we are going to get married. But I want to talk to you about a few things before that,"

Nina looks at him and the rain starts to pour with a small thunder.

"I don't know anything about you but I think you don't know anything about me either. But others think that I fell in love with you the moment saw you, no one knows that you saved my life,"

"Good thing is we didn't tell that story to anyone, did we?" he asks.

"I didn't tell anyone," Nina clarified.

"Great. I don't want anyone to know what happened that day,"

"Why?" Nina spoke her mind.

Theodore came closer, his gaze is intimidating and Nina stepped back to avoid their proximity.

"I know you are a curious young woman, but it would be better if you don't ask me questions about that night," he says.

Nina kind of agreed as she didn't want to involve in his matters either.

"Just maintain the lie, because you will be asked about it more once everyone gets to know about us," Theodore said, stepping to the balustrade.

"The most important thing is, after we get married, whatever that happens between us any fights or arguments I want that to stay inside those four walls. I want you to be sincere to me in this. It's not just a request, it's an order," Theodore looked at her eyes.

"I will do what you say," she agreed as she had no other choice.

Theodore's demeanor calmed and he watched the drizzles.

"I guess you are a reserved person like me," he remarked.

"It's not like that. I don't trust anyone blindly to say whatever I feel," she answered. "Besides, I hate gossiping,"

That answer made him smile. "You have a younger sister; are you close with her?"

"Yes, she's my half-sister. We are good friends. She's married and five months pregnant now,"

"I see. I should meet her and her husband soon," Theodore said.

Nina felt happy and maybe this way, her husband might stop abusing her.

"Are there any friends that I should meet?"

"Friends?" Nina chuckled. "All I know was a few old farm owners who lives beside my farm. I don't have any friends except my sister,"

"Why you didn't marry earlier, you might have got a lot of proposals?" he smiles. "Even you rejected me,"

How did he know?

"I chose to stay with my family for some time," Nina gave a blunt answer, not describing what she has faced.

Theodore nods, "Have you heard anything about my family?"

"Yes, I have. You have an uncle and aunt(Father's brother and sister),"

"Yes, you will meet them soon,"

"And their children?"

"My uncle has a son and a daughter. My Aunt has three sons. You will see them all," Theodore said.

"I am quite afraid," Nina uttered.

"I thought you are a fierce young lady; Why are you afraid to meet my cousins?"

"I never thought everything will happen so soon,"

"Don't worry, my cousins are mostly good people," he answered not mentioning that all are good people.

"I know this is late, thanks for saving my life that day," Theodore looked in her eyes. It has such a pull that made her feel something she has never felt before.

Nina nods as suddenly she has lost her speech. He came close to her,

"Maybe I have compelled into my life, but I won't do it every time," he said that like a promise but it's hard for her to believe. He can't this perfect.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes," he nods.

"You have to give your honest answer,"

"Yes,"

Theodore was anxious inside but he didn't show it on his face.

"You wanted to marry me because you like me? It's not true, isn't it?" she asks.

He nods conveying that the reason is something. Her face changed and she looked down. So this marriage is not because of affection, attraction, love, money nor anything. Why he even wants to marry me? Nina cried mentally.

"We should go join them," Theodore didn't give her a moment to feel sad and forced her to walk with him to the King's chamber.