Travel

Three carriages following one after the another into that lonely trail in the woods. The sun is about to set and it's getting so cold while on their way to the north. Nina woke up from her sleep when the carriage went into the pothole making a loud cracking noise.

In her half-closed eyes, she looked at Theodore, sitting opposite to her.

"What happened?"

"You sleep like a giant sloth," he remarked.

That made her frown, she sat up and patted her cheeks.

"Where are we?" she mumbled.

"On our way," he smiles.

"How long have I been sleeping?" she asks.

"Ever since you sat in that place?"

"Oh," Nina looked down in surprise.

"I didn't sleep last night, I was anxious," Nina reasoned.

"I can understand, I heard movement all night,"

"When will we reach there?"

"Probably in the night,"

"Oh," Nina scowls.

"I think the coachman needs some rest," Theodore said and moved to the door. He asked him to stop as they moved out of the cliff.

Seeing his carriage stopping, the other carriages stopped too. In one carriage, Jian and Sylvia were there and in the other Gabriel, Harrison and Maximus were traveling.

Their luggage took a huge space in each carriage. Nina didn't meet them ever since gotten into this carriage with Theodore.

She came out leaving out a big yawn. Her back and neck are aching from being in that same position for so long.

Sylvia smiles when Nina waves at her and she frowns seeing Jian. She lied and deceived her by telling all those lies. Theodore asked her to not talk about this matter anymore but she can't comply with that. Nina wants to know why she did that.

"How about we have some tea, brothers," Gabriel asks.

"That would be great," Theodore said.

"It would be better if we don't stop here. Then we will reach home at midnight," Maximus said.

"We are so tired, brother. We need a hot tea now," Harrison agreed too.

"Why don't you make some?" one of the Coachmen said to Sylvia. She nods and gets the pot.

"I will help you," Nina said as she couldn't see her work when others were just watching. They are all royal blood who will serve no one but she can't be like them.

That was surprising to others but not to Theodore and Jian.

"I can do it on my own, your highness," Sylvia said.

"Oh, come on. I am so bored of doing nothing. Let's fetch some water," she said and walked to the lake.

The tea was prepared by Nina and served by Sylvia to everyone.

"I hope it tastes good," Nina asks everyone.

"Yes, it is great," Gabriel said.

"It's good, Nina," Theodore's words brought a smile to her face.

"So this is one of your talents? I hope you are a great cook," Jian asks.

"Yes, I am," Nina nods without looking at her.

"You chose the best wife for you," said Harrison to Theodore. They were all looking like they were in same age but Theodore is the eldest. Others were yet to be married.

"I always get the best," Theodore smiles.

Nina didn't like how they were talking like a wife is just one of the decorative pieces he brought from the market.

When she looked at the one person who's not into their conversation, which is Maximus. He's busy with something else, his eyes were intently watching something.

Nina turns to see that he's looking at Sylvia when others, even Sylvia herself, isn't aware.

That gaze isn't unfriendly, it's something else that I can't understand. Is it admiration? Or Lust?

When the men were busy talking Jian came to Nina. "Can I talk to you?" she asks.

Nina thought she should give her a chance to explain. They both walked to the carriage where no one was looking.

"What are you going to say?" Nina asks.

"Forgive me for that day," Jian asks.

"How could you say such things about my husband? All those lies and you tried to change my mind. What if I believed you and left this place? Then I would be in the worst situation that one can't imagine," said Nina.

"But you didn't leave, that's your test," Jian said.

"Test?"

"Yes,"

Nina looks at her having no clue about what she's about to say.

"I was sent to you by the King. He wanted to know how suitable you are to his son, to this family and more importantly, he wanted to check if you are loyal," Jian disclosed.

Nina was surprised, it's her kind father-in-law who tested her loyalty.

"Did the prince know about this?"

"Yes, he knows," Jian nods.

"What would have happened if you had found out that I am not suitable for this family?" Nina asks.

"You won't be here. Your marriage with the prince would have never happened,"

So all those sweet compassionate talks were only after knowing that she's reliable. Nina turned sad and looked at the other side.

"I don't understand why they need to test me?" Nina muttered.

"Because you are an outsider. Maybe it seems wrong to you but look from their prospect. You are an outsider, they know nothing about you. The king wanted his son's life to be with a great woman, and he believes that you are indeed a perfect bride for him," Jian said.

Nina kind of accepted, but still she couldn't get this off her head. Theodore persuaded her to marry him and his father test her loyalty all the while acting like he's so keen on their marriage. If she had been proved to be disloyal, the King would have never let his son marry her so Theodore would have done? Nina thought and turned to look at her husband who's busy talking to his cousins.

They were not treated as one of their own and she doesn't know whether they accepted her or not. But she decided to put this matter behind because that's what Theodore wanted.

"You disclosed information which you shouldn't," Nina asks.

"Yes, I shouldn't. But I trust you that you won't tell anyone,"

Nina chuckles. "What do you think I am? A slave to listen to everyone?" Nina scowls.

Jian smiles. "Look, Nina. All I did was follow the King's orders. There are a lot of things which you might understand later. If you were in my place, you would have done the same," Jian reasoned.

Nina huffs, "I trusted you, you were my first friend here. Not even my husband," Nina said.

"I knew that. That's why I wanted to apologize," Jian held Nina's hand.

"You were a good person and I don't want to lose our friendship," Jian said.

"Why? To spy on me all the time? Is this also one of my father-in-law's orders?" Nina asks.

Jian smiles. "No, not at all. Except for those lies I said to you, I was tried to be true to you. I am like you, Nina. They are not many people here with whom we could be friends and I think, we can be friends. This time genuinely,"

Nina decides to let go of the past and nods with a smile.

"Fine, I don't like to act this with you," Nina said.

"We are going to have a great time in Kazeer," Jian said.

"Kazeer?"

"That's the place we were going to stay until these men sort out the problem there," Jian said.

Nina nods.

"Thanks for projecting me as such to the King,"

"No, problem. I do honest work that's why the King trust me,"

"And compared to The crown prince's reputation, I think you are perfect to marry him,"

"What about his reputation?" Nian frowned.

"You know, he refused to marry a lot of women. You are the only person he ever desired to marry,"

"Oh," Nina shook her head.

"Why don't you join me and Sylvia in our carriage. We can have a chat until we go to Kazeer,"

"I love to, but he would be alone," Nina answered looking at Theodore.

"Well then, we have a lot of time to chat later," Jian said and walked to her carriage.

"Jian, is that your real name?'

"Yes, it is,"

"Why are you coming there?"

"You must know by now. I am good at convincing and getting answers," she replies with a wink.

Nina smiles and got inside the carriage and soon Theodore joined her.

"How do you feel now?" he asks.

"Much better,"

"I saw you talking to Jian. She must have told you what my father did,"

"Yes,"

"Don't mistake my father, he…"

She cut him off and said, "I don't want to talk about that now, please,"

He obliged and silently watched her.

Nina couldn't understand why she's feeling this way. She doesn't want to be treated like a princess but it would be better if they don't fake it and just treat her as a normal human.

Even though she wants Theodore to do the same. All these smiles and teasings were only to hide something he holds inside.

Nina heaves a sigh looking at the skies getting darker and the beautiful mountains, she's thankful to Theodore for taking her here instead of leaving her all alone in the palace.