Clearing up

"Do you know where is Jian?" Nina asks one of the maids.

"Your highness?" the maid was clueless to hear that name.

"Jian, my maid,"

"I never heard of a maid named Jian, your highness," she answered.

"What? Even she was here yesterday, haven't you seen her?"

"No, your highness. Kindly forgive me,"

Nina huffs and walks to the garden wondering who's that Jian. She came out of nowhere, talked only about Theodore, and tried to paint him as a bad person. Then she left without a trace.

Is she even a maid? Nina questioned. The rain is drizzling and she looked at that without all these thoughts.

"Nina," Theodore's voice got her attention.

She turned to him and she thought he came at the right time. He was always away and comes when he's tired and need sleep. Though it gave her a relief that he's not around, she's also worried about how their life going to be after the wedding. There are only four more days left for that.

He acts like he has no interest in her but he wants to marry her. She couldn't understand him.

"You came earlier?" she asks because the sun hasn't set yet.

"Yes, do you have any problem with that?" he teased her and she turned away with a frown.

Theodore placed his hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

"I am tired so I came back," Theodore reasoned.

Nina calmed and looks at his face.

"You know anyone in the name of Jian?"

"Jian?" Theodore narrows his eyes.

"Why are you asking?"

"Because…" Nina huffs.

"When I came here, that day a woman showed up and said her name is Jian. She's become close with me and…"

"And? What?" Theodore frowns. That made her nervous about whether she's going to ask him something she shouldn't ask.

"She told me about you," said Nina looking at Theodore's quizzical eyes.

"You have a daughter but you didn't accept her as yours?" Nina asks.

"Oh, then what else?"

"She said many things but this one bothering me so much, sir," Nina answered.

"Wait, she must have told you I am a womanizer, rude, arrogant man, did she?" Theodore asks.

"Yes," Nina looks down.

"She must have asked you to escape from this place," Theodore knows exactly what Jian has said. "She even offered to help you?"

Nina looked at him helplessly and nodded.

Theodore smiles. "What did you say?"

"I told her nothing," Nina nods.

"You must have asked what type of man I am,"

"No, I didn't ask for it but when she volunteered to share something about you, I didn't stop," Nina replied. She wanted to be honest.

"So you believed what she said?"

"I don't know, I am confused; that's why I am asking you, sir,"

She's afraid of how he's going to react because her words carried no trust for him. Asking this before marriage is better, she can marry him wholly accepting who he is.

"You believe it," he said.

"No," Nina retorted.

"What if I have a child? What if that's true? What are you going to do about it?" he asked curbing the distance between them.

Their lips were almost touching while his eyes stare into her blue pearls. He badly wanted to kiss her but not before hearing her answer.

"I am not going to do anything, I just wanted to know if that's true,"

"Why do you want to know?" he asks near her lips.

Putting her gaze down, Nina bites her lower lip. "To draw a better picture of you,"

Theodore smiles. "Take that's all true," he said. That gave her heartache.

"Now tell me, do you think I am the right person for you?" he asks.

"No, you are not. But I can't judge you," Nina said. He stepped back, looking at her face.

"You speak your mind very profoundly," he remarked.

"Your daughter, have you met her?" she asks.

Theodore chuckled, "Daughter? That's all a lie, Nina,"

"You said…" Nina frowned.

"That story you heard from Jian is a tall tale. I had no daughter nor a woman in my life," Theodore revealed.

Nina sighed under her breath. "So that's all a lie?"

"How could you tease me so?" Nina scowled and Theodore held her hand.

"Just wanted to see your reaction, you surprise me every time," he replied.

"Then who's that Jian? Why did she say such a thing about you? You need to do something, I am concerned about that woman's lies," Nina said, "She almost convinced me that's the truth but I didn't believe it,"

"You seem to believe it?" Theodore questions.

"No, I am not. If I believe it, I wouldn't be here by now,"

Nina's answer was convincing for him and he smiles seeing her confidence.

"Nina, I want you to forget about this incident. Will you do it for me?" he asks.

Nina couldn't refuse it and she nods.

"What if Jian spread rumors about you; others might believe that. It might ruin their opinion of you," Nina said.

"Don't worry, she won't do that. And I am not so concerned about anyone's judgment," he said.

Nina remained silent, "I am sorry if I have crossed my line and asked you so many questions," said Nina.

"No, not at all. I am glad that you asked me," Theodore said.

"You should always have this trust in me and I will never betray you," he promised.

Nina stared at those magnetic eyes and she didn't know if she can believe him all the time when he's not even willing to reveal why he wanted to marry her. The more she questions, the more she got confused.

Theodore leaned to her right cheek and kissed her gently just near her lips. Shivers ran down her spine.

She gulped and stared into his eyes. Day by day, his kisses were getting near to her lips. He's making her so tempted and racy all the time. She couldn't apprehend when he's ever going to do that.

"Do you have anything else to ask me?"

"No," she nods, halfheartedly.

"I have something to ask you," Theodore said.

"The day you saved me, have you saw seen anything strange about me?"

Nina's gaze shifts to the side.

"I didn't notice anything strange about you. I saw and saved you, that's all I have in my mind," Nina replied, hiding most of it.

He nods, "I should go and see my father. You should come there for the dinner,"

Saying that Theodore left. Nina sat on the bench and heaved a sigh in relief. Soon a smile lit up her face to know everything she heard are just a lie.

"You sent Jian to Nina!" Theodore yelled.

"For god's sake, you found out," Solomon huffs.

"Are you planning to ruin my life?"

"Oh God, don't say that,"

"Then why did you do this? What if she believes all those things and left me?"

"She didn't. That was her test and she passed it, gracefully. How great is this!" Solomon reasoned.

"What? Bullshit," Theodore retorted.

"Mind your language, you are talking to the King,"

"I am talking to my father. You almost drove her out of this marriage!"

"I would have done anything to bring her back so don't worry,"

"You know I have already compelled her for this marriage and now this. Have you thought about what kind of impression she has about me and our family?"

"I am sorry, Theo. I sincerely apologize. I sent Jian just for your sake. You brought her out of nowhere and how could I trust her without a valid reason. You know about me, I wanted the best for your life,"

Solomon got his son's sympathy.

"Fine, you should stop meddling in my life like this. I chose her because she's genuine and I know what's best for me," Theodore said.

"Okay, I understand. I won't repeat mistake ever again," The king assured.

Theodore sat on his father's armchair.

"So, what did Jian find?" he asks.

Solomon smiles, "You are curious, huh?"

"Common on, Father. Just say it,"

"She is an Incandescent gem. All I heard was praise from Jian. She's the best of all," Solomon happily said.

"Really?"

"Yes, she's so loyal, which is the best quality for me. She's smart and I think she likes you,"

Theodore's face lit up in happiness.

"That's not true," he waved his hand.

"Believe me, son, I have more experience than you," Solomon said.

"Whatever, you exaggerate everything," Theodore got up.

"I am so relieved now. She's so perfect for you and I think she will stand beside you for the rest of your life. You don't know how much this makes me happy. Thank you so much for bringing me this peace during this tough time,"

Theodore nods with a smile.

"Nina will be here any moment. I invited her for the dinner,"

"Great, she didn't know anything about what I did, right?"

"No,"

"Great," Solomon nods and they walk to the dining hall.