Marriage

"I, Theodore Solomon Hendrix, take thee, Nina Bahitti, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part,"

Nina looked at Theodore through the white veil covering her face. She could barely see him, but there's indeed a smile on his face. His voice surged in poise and truth.

It's now her turn and her heart is beating out of her chest.

"I, Nina Bahitti, take thee, Theodore Solomon Hendrix, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death do us part," Nina finished her vow, not so confident like him somehow tried to be.

"You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide, Amen," the priest accepted their vows and Nina looks at Theodore as he puts the ring on her finger. His grip was strong when she put the ring on his finger.

"It is my honor and delight to declare you are married. You may seal this declaration with a kiss,"

That's it; Nina felt her heart is going to explode. Theodore came closer and opened her veil. Her beauty took his breath away. She took a glance at him.

Why he's so tall, Nina complained how awkward is this.

He leaned onto her face and Nina closed her eyes. It's a small peck but it ruined her peace entirely. Cheers and laughter were all over the place.

Theodore held Nina's hand and turned to face the crowd sitting there. Her father, Agnes, Lilly, and her husband are there. Albert had the biggest smile she has ever seen.

"Smile, Nina. Come out of that moment," Theodore whispered in her ears.

Nina smiles at everyone and their family came to congratulate the newly wed. Within a short time, they have arranged a big wedding.

His family is huge, he got a lot of cousins, but Theodore seems to stand out in everything. The one person who doesn't look so happy was Maximus. He's standing there at the corner having no apt smile on his face.

An interesting family member, Nina thought.

They had a gathering to meet all the people who came to see them. Occasionally, Theodore kissed her cheeks to deceive others that he loves her. Those unannounced touches and kisses made her uncomfortable, especially in front of everyone. She wondered when he will ever let go of her hand.

Thankfully, Lilly came to the rescue.

"I want to talk to my sister for a moment, your highness," she said.

"Yes, you can," Theodore let go of Nina's hand.

"I will be back in a moment," Nina said and walked with Lilly.

"Thank you, Lilly,"

"For what?"

"I am just so awkward with all these people around," Nina replied.

"Get used to it, Nina. You have no other way," said Lilly. They came to the secluded place.

"What do want to say?"

"Umm. It's about this family. You shouldn't be scared of anyone and we are always with you,"

Did she come to say this? Nina thought.

"Don't worry, I will be fine,"

"And… Nina. They said so many things about The crown prince. This palace life isn't going to be your destiny; you have to travel a lot with him. You need to be careful, he got more enemies than friends,"

"Don't scare me," Nina smiles.

"No, I just want you to be prepared for this life," Lilly

"I appreciate that you are worried about me. I will do my best," Nina smiled and hugged her sister.

"And get yourself pregnant soon," Lilly's statement surprised Nina.

"What?"

"I like your scared face. But what I said is true, everyone will expect you to have a child soon," Lilly said. "Don't be clueless of your surroundings, better act according to their rules. That way you can survive in this palace,"

"It's pretty good advice, I will keep that in mind," Nina smiles.

"Mother wants to tell you all of this. But she's quite hesitant about how you would react," Lilly said.

"I am going to react in the same way. No offense, I respect our mother, but she never wanted to give me that motherly affection which she gives to you. It would be better if she had said all these things to me, you know her commands drove my life for all these days, she would have done the same now," Nina chuckled.

"Maybe this is why she doesn't want to say anything to you. She might be scared to command you anymore. Because you are the only daughter-in-law to the great King," Lilly said.

"I am still her step-daughter," Nina muttered.

"Let's end our conversation here, your husband might be waiting for you and you have a long night ahead," Lilly teased.

Nina huffed and went back to Theodore putting up a smile. Hours passed, they had a great meal before being escorted to Theodore's chamber. While on their way, Theodore asks.

"What were you talking to your sister?" he asks.

"Nothing important, sir," she answered.

"Drop these formalities, you are my wife," Theodore said as he walked before her. He has that manner of acting like he never cares, but always pays attention to everything.

They stood before Theodore's place. He turned and beckoned the maids and other people to leave. It's just Nina and him.

"Take my hand," he asks.

Nina looked at him and hesitantly gave her hand. Without giving her notice, he pulled her close to him and lifted her in the bridal state.

"It's one of the customs," he walked inside.

Nina tried not to look at his face, but it's hard to resist, especially when she knew nothing about him.

"You look beautiful, I wanted to tell you that," he said.

She blushed and didn't say a word for his compliment. Theodore put her on the floor when they came into his room. It's all decorated for the wedding night.

Candles, scents, and flowers are all over the place.

"What is this? Who told them to turn into a bathhouse?" Theodore frowned.

Nina smiles and stood aside, looking around. It's her first time being in his place, without his invite she thought she shouldn't come in and now he carried her all the way here.

He always does that, whenever she's hesitant to enter his world, he drags her in any way, Nina thought and looked at Theodore to notice that he's already staring back at her, intently, which didn't seem courteous at this moment.