We are leaving

Yesterday's peace and blush were still on Nina's face when she's sitting inside the bathtub. The water is getting cold but she likes to stay this way. Heaving a sigh, Nina leaned back. The smell of incense filled her nostrils.

Nina pulled herself under the water and stayed in for a few long minutes. She misses bathing in the river, the chirping of birds against her ears, the smell of wet sand, and the ice-cold water. This bath doesn't have those stuff.

She came out of the water gasping for air and she wiped off the water to see Theodore is just sitting opposite to her inside the bath.

"Oh dear lord!" she screamed trying to cover herself.

Theodore chuckled. "You didn't expect me at all?" he asks.

"No, no! Why should I expect you? Why did you come in?"

Maybe the last question isn't appropriate because they were married and he can come in if she's clothed or not.

"I waited for you to come out but you took so long. We need to go have breakfast with my family," he answered.

"Oh, then you should bathe, I will go and get ready," Nina said and grabbed the towel to hide her breasts.

"Wait, we still have time. You don't have to rush," he held her hand and his eyes darted to the place she's trying to hide.

"Look at my face," Nina ordered. She doesn't know from where she got that courage to command him. But he obeyed, which is unbelievable for her.

"Sorry," he frowned.

"I think I should leave," said Nina. "Can you please look somewhere else?"

"I won't," he smirks.

"Fine," Nina decides to let go of her shyness. This makes her unpleasant more than anything. She can't be hiding like this all the time with her husband. So grabbing all her courage, Nina got up and covered herself.

Theodore kept his word, he looked at her; he's not a saint to close his eyes. But he got upset because its just for a moment.

"Relish your bath," Nina glared and walked out hurriedly. Theodore smiles, heaving a sigh.

So is this how royals dress? Nina asked herself looking at the mirror. She couldn't believe her own reflection. She's indeed a royal now. Her dress could be worth more than her farm. The gold printed apron is the highlight of everything.

With a smile on her face, Nina wore the emerald necklace which her father-in-law gifted for her. That time, Theodore came in, he's going to get ready in the same room. Though it's new for her to share a room with a man, it's also quite fascinating. Theodore decided to stop admiring her and dressed facing the other side.

"Are you not on good terms with your brother Maximus?" Nina asks.

"Why did you ask that question?" Theodore paused what he's doing and turned to her.

"Because you both didn't interact much, so I wondered if you aren't close with him?"

"Yes, you are right," Theodore nods, "Have you talked to him?" he asks, looking at her sideways.

"Yes, once,"

"When did this happen?" Theodore frowns.

"A few days back, I met him when I was looking around the palace," Nina replied, "And I don't like him,"

Theodore chuckled. "Why?"

"I don't know, he's mean," Nina muttered. Theodore agreed to her.

"He's not someone you could be friends with,"

"Was he like this all the time?" Nina asks, pondering what could have happened for such a behavior from him. At least people used to smile for a namesake, but all she saw was a pure hatred on his face.

Theodore didn't answer her question right away, he took a moment going into his past.

"I don't know; I don't remember anything," Theodore gave a vague answer.

Nina knotted her eyebrows in confusion, how could he forget his childhood?

"What happened between you and him?" Nina questions.

"Stop asking me these questions. I don't want to talk about him in this beautiful morning," Theodore asserted.

Nina closed her mouth, but she has so many questions on her mind.

Theodore came to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Better not talk to him if you meet him again," Theodore advised.

Nina nodded and got up from her seat. He gazed at her mesmerizing eyes.

"Shall we leave?" Nina asks.

"Yes," Theodore nodded and held Nina's hand.

"We should look affectionate in front of everyone," Theodore reasoned.

She smiled and walked with him to the King's chamber. He was eagerly waiting for their arrival along with his guests. Nina's parents were also there. She smiled at her father and he waves at her from there. Lilly has already left town because her husband couldn't be around these authoritative people.

Nina felt sad that her parents would eventually leave today as they have to look after the farm.

"So good to see you both here," Solomon welcomed them. Nina greeted him and bowed looking at the others.

"Hope we are not late," Theodore

"Not at all," The king guided them to their seats.

It was the best delicious breakfast Nina ever had in her life. She concentrated more on eating than talking to the guests. It wasn't good etiquette, but who cares.

She just nods and smiles whenever they ask her something. Theodore was so good at covering for her, he answered the questions directed to Nina and showed himself as a great loving husband.

After finishing her dessert, Nina felt someone's gaze on her, she knew who that is -Maximus. Sitting at the opposite end, he watched Nina and Theodore the whole time. Even after she caught him staring at her, he didn't avert his unfriendly gaze.

"Don't look at him," Theodore whispered in her ears and planted a kiss on her cheek, making her blush.

"Look at you both, so in love," Solomon smiles.

"Nina's a wonderful girl. You both raised her well, Albert," said Solomon.

"Thank you, your highness. She's my treasure. Though I didn't give her everything she wanted she loved me and never complained. She has a big heart," her father's words brought tears to Nina's eyes.

Albert looked sad too as he's going to part ways. From tomorrow onwards Nina won't be there in their home to nag him.

"You gave us your precious daughter to our family. We are so lucky to have her here. You can come here anytime to see her," Solomon said.

Nina felt so lucky to get this man as her father-in-law. He's so kind to her parents.

Once the breakfast was over, some of the King's relatives left except Oliver, his wife. Maximus, and her parents.

"I want you both to stay here until tomorrow," Theodore said to Albert.

"Why?" Solomon intervened.

"Because I am going to the north. The situation isn't great there,"

"But Theo, you just got married, I wanted to send you both to our home in Patras. Where you could have some private time,"

"No, this isn't the best time for that," Theodore said his decision.

That upsets everyone in there.

"Even Nina will agree to me," Theodore looks at her for support.

"Yes," she nods not knowing what's in the north.

"Fine, you can go and come back whenever you want. But I can't let Nina. That's dangerous," Solomon said.

Theodore couldn't say anything, he thought that's the best thing.

"I want to go with him," Nina surprised them.

"Nina you can't," The king gave her a concerned look.

"Take your time and tell me tomorrow. You aren't compelled," Theodore said.

Nina nods but she has already decided what she wants. This palace is like a prison for her, she wanted to travel and see places she has never seen before.

"Seeing the situation, I think Theodore has to go there; I will send Maximus along with them," Oliver said his thought.

The king considered it and gave his approval half-heartedly.

"What do you say, Maximus?" Solomon asks.

"I have to go there anyway. So I will accompany them," Maximus replies. He looks not so interested in their conversation and but everyone carefully. Nina wondered how her journey going to be with them. Especially with this unfriendly Maximus.

"What about Gabriel and Harrison?" Solomon asks. They were one of Theodore's cousins.

"They were coming too,"

"Great," Solomon smiles.

Theodore went to Albert as he doesn't seem to approve of his decision,

"I know, you aren't happy that I wish to take Nina with me. But I won't compel her in this. But if she wants to come with me, I will protect Nina until my last dying breath and I won't let her down. I promise you that, Sir,"

Theodore held Albert's hand.

"I trust you, Theo," Albert patted his hand with a smile and hugged him. Nina battled her tears, seeing them.

Whether it's just a pretense or he really meant it, Nina felt something stranger for Theodore at that moment. He got her respect for treating her parents just as how she does.