"Is this what she said?" King Solomon asks.
"Yes, even after hearing all the lies, she's so determined to trust his majesty. She's confident and nothing and no one can deceive her easily,"
"That's great to hear,"
"What she said about the child?"
"She said she's happy about it. Initially, she looked unhappy but she seems to accept it,"
"Wow, I didn't expect this at all," Solomon exclaimed.
"Even I didn't expect it, your highness," Jian said.
"She quickly identified there's something wrong with me. Though she is curious to know about everyone here, at the same time, she's not too innocent to believe everything,"
The King smiled hearing that statement.
"Did you ask her how they met?"
"Yes, I did. But it's the same story. No change in that," Jian says.
"Can you believe that story, Jian? They both were hiding something, I don't know what it is," Solomon was concerned.
"I didn't believe it too. They must have met on the day but how they described it is contradicting,"
"Do you think; Theodore has planned all of this?"
"You mean, he brought her here to act?"
"Yes. I know I have been compelling him to get married so I thought he brought some girl to calm me,"
"That can't be possible. Nina isn't acting, she's clueless about his majesty and everything," Jian said. "I think, the crown prince wanted to marry her so badly. After all, what he said must be true. He must have fallen in love with her the moment he saw her, sir," Jian gave her final statement.
Solomon heaves a sigh in relief after hearing all this assurance from Jian.
"Yes, she's pretty and one thing I don't understand is, women who are prettier than Nina have wished to marry him but why did he choose her?"
"Your highness, my opinion is you shouldn't be critical in this," Jian suggested, "Nina looks innocent, she's kindhearted and she's perfect to be your daughter-in-law,"
King Solomon smiles. "Yes, you are right. I should stop this before Theodore finds out," "Where and how they met isn't so important, I am happy that he's going to get married," King Solomon finally came to that conclusion.
Though he likes Nina, she can't accept just because Theodore said that he likes her. He wanted to check if she's suitable for this family and for his son so he asked Jian, one of his commander's daughters she is highly specialized in finding the truth and quite great at investigating. He knew about his son, he's different and no girl can up put with such a character.
Though what he did is quite divisive, Solomon wanted an assurance that his son's life would be better if he marries Nina. Now he got that feeling and he will carry on Marriage preparations.
He wishes Theodore shouldn't know about anything, he would be pissed off if he finds out.
"What about her family? Have you heard about her?"
"Yes, I did. Her family is well-respected in that surrounding. Nina is a hard worker, she diligently worked on her farm and avoided all the proposals to look after her family,"
"I see," Solomon nods and looks at Jian.
"You did a great job,"
"Thank you, your highness," Jian bowed and left from the place.
Solomon sat down on his armchair and looked at his wife's portrait and thought Theodore has chosen the right person for him.
In the meantime, Nina opened the big wooden which has come from her home. It has all her painting stuff and she wondered where she has to keep it. Little did she expect, Theodore came back to his chamber after finishing off all the work his father has assigned for him, today.
Upon entering, he saw Nina looking into the big box her father has sent for her. He wondered what's in and watched her silently, standing behind her.
"What are you looking at?" he startled her and Nina immediately closed it, utterly surprised of his presence. She turned to him only to realize they were standing too close.
"What was that?"
"It's just some of my stuff came from home. Nothing else,"
The more she tried to hide it, the more he wanted to see it.
"Is it, show me then,"
"Please," Nina asks.
"Fine," he smiles only to push her aside to see what's inside.
"You draw?" he exclaims seeing the stack of the canvas. He picked everything and pulled the lamp closer to see it.
"Yes, a little bit but I am not good," Nina answered feeling insecure to show it.
"This is quite good," he surprised her.
"Don't perjure. I am amateur," Nina answered and sat next to him.
"I am not lying. You are quite talented," he said. Nina's face lit up in a smile.
"Thank you for your appreciation,"
"Did you learn painting?"
"No, I didn't," she said, "But once I got an opportunity to learn painting from Mr. Fabio Deli when I was sixteen,"
"Mr. Fabio? He's a great painter of our Kingdom,"
"Yes," Nina nods.
"Then why you didn't learn?"
"Because I couldn't," Nina felt emotional to say that because every time she thinks about how heartbrokenly she let go of that path is more traumatic.
"Your stepmother was the reason?" he asks as he knew it already.
Nina refused it right away. "No, she has nothing to do with that,"
"Then why did you miss such an opportunity?"
"My family was under economical crisis during that time," she answers.
"I feel sad for you," Theodore said turning to her.
"Don't be. Better not talk about that," Nina said tuning her down.
"You paint like a professional without even leaning," Theodore remarked seeing one of the landscapes which she has painted.
Nina looked down, utterly speechless by his king words. She wondered why Jian said all those unbelievable things about him. Is this man capable of such cruelty? She thought.
"I don't want you to waste your talent," Theodore said.
"You should learn painting from Mr. Fabio. I will summon him after our marriage, what do you say?"
Nina's eyes widened.
"Please, no. you don't have to do that," she politely refused. Her heart raced to see his gestures. His eyes and voice were so attractive.
"Don't be such a baby. I want my wife to be talented; you are going to paint every day from now on," Theodore ordered.
That sounds great for Nina but still, she isn't ready to accept his favors and she couldn't feel the connection despite the fact they were going to get married. Especially after talking to Jian.
"Have you tried portrait?" he asks.
"No, only landscapes, skies, river," Nina answers.
"Then you should learn," Theodore stated.
Nina reluctantly agreed.
"Have you had your dinner?" he asks.
"Yes, I did. You?"
"Yes, I had dinner with Killian,"
"Better you should go sleep. I am so tired," Theodore got up and looked at Nina. She amazes him every day and he regrets telling her that he didn't like her since she wanted to hear his honest answer.
They were going to start a complicated relationship and he wanted that to last for a lifetime. He didn't want to rush it and make her scared. Instead, take it slow and understand her better.
"Have a good sleep," he said and kissed her right cheek.
Again he kissed me? Nina's eyes darted while watching him walk to his room.
She wonders when she's ever going to ask all the questions that running in her mind.