Underlying meaning

The girl folded her arms in anger as the carriage took off with her in it. Anger was written all over her face.

She was glaring at Theon who also stared back at her in amaze.

This man! She thought silently to herself.

"What's your name?"

"Nameless," came her sarcastic reply and a smirk appeared at his lips in fascination. He had never meet a rude child up until now.

"Maybe I should give you one."

He taunted her, making her glare further at him but she didn't say anything. Theon thought for a while before saying;

"Prudence should do."

Her eyes went wide like saucers when what he said sunk deep within her. Theon wondered why she had such reaction.

"So you knew my name all this while."

Theon's eyes slightly went wide as well, his instincts just gave him the name and shockingly he was right.

"Prudence is your name?"

"Why are you asking when you already know it." She harrumphed after making that statement.

"For a young lady, you're very rude."

He couldn't help but say it out loud. Her glare reduced and she unfolded her arms.

Theon laughed, it seemed like she hated people calling her rude.

"You're a bad man, to tell a girl like me that am rude." She looked sullen and her lips pouted as if she wanted to cry.

"Look how adorable you are now."

He irked her and she frowned before looking away. Theon watched her carefully, he couldn't help but tease her. She was very fascinating.

"I pray I never see you again mister."

She muttered to herself but he heard her perfectly well.

"Sorry dear, but that prayer won't be answered."

"I don't like you, you're annoying."

He couldn't help but smile at what she said, because it was the complete opposite.

"Not the way you are."

"Am not annoying!" She half screamed half yelled in exasperation. He frowned while still watching her with keen interest.

"You better fix that attitude of yours lady Prudence." He warned her and she rolled her eyes at him.

"What will happen if I don't?"

"No man will ask for your hand in marriage," came his blunt reply and her eyes stretched, she looked shaken.

"You're lying." She protested but he just watched her calmly.

"Its a surprise your escaped unnoticed from your home, I think I need to discuss this seriously with your parents."

He had a stern look which scared her. She kept her mouth shut throughout the journey until they finally reached her home.

Before Theon could push the door open by himself, the little girl grabbed him by the arm with pleading eyes.

"Please sir, i-i am sorry...don't tell my mama and papa." Theon wanted to laugh at her for changing so suddenly and even adding please.

The coachman opened the door and Theon gave her a look before stepping out. She didn't let go of his arm, rather she held it tightly.

As they slowly went up the stairs, they heard her parents calling her name in a loud voice. Theon silently looked down at her and it surprised him to see her sober face.

Before he could knock, the doors flew open and there stood her mother and father with the house butler having a worried look on their faces.

The first person the saw was the king before her, how shocking it was to them.

"Your grace!" Mr Weisly quickly bowed and his wife curtsied. The little girl who stood beside him had a puzzled look, her jaw dropped and her eyes went wide as she shifted her gaze up to him. His lips curved into a sly smile and she gulped with difficulty.

"Am sorry," she squeaked in fright, apologizing to Theon. Her eyes became teary as she realized what she had done.

"Prudence!" Her father called her name sternly, he had a deep frown of displeasure and annoyance.

"I never knew you had a daughter Mr Weisly." Theon said, the smile still intact which Prudence feared.

"Pardon me my lord for not informing you."

Mr Weisly apologized with another bow which Theon just waved off for him not to worry.

"She's adorable, very adorable." Theon praised the girl who stood beside him with wide eyes when she knew she had been mean to him.

"Thank you your highness." Mrs Weisly thanked Theon and he nodded with a smile.

"Make sure to lock her in properly so no one gets to kidnap her." Theon warned with a serious look and they nodded in understanding before glaring at Prudence who still held Theon's hand.

"Now apologize to your parents for being naughty."

Theon instructed her and she felt like crying because of the strict tone he used on her. It felt like her breathing became shallow because she was trying so hard to hold back her tears.

"I-i-i'm...so...sorry mama...papa." She stuttered and a tear fell from her left eye which left Theon puzzled, she was such a drama queen.

"I just...I wanted...I wanted to go play..."

She sobbed out loud and her mother sighed before going to take her away from Theon.

"Don't do that again Prudence, it worries us."

Mrs Weisly told her gently and she wrapped her arms round her.

"We apologize for putting much burden on you your highness."

"Its alright Mr Weisly, I only did what was right."

Theon said like the gentleman he was while watching Prudence who wrapped her arms round her mother's neck.

Such a muddlesome little girl, he spoke to himself internally.

Earlier she was different and chaotic, speaking rudely and being cruel to him. Shaking his head dully, Theon decided to leave and Mr Weisly escorted him all the way to his carriage.

They spoke about few things that needed to be solved and Mr Weisly brought up the topic about the carnival which lady Georgiana had previously inquired about.

Everyone loved the carnival, it was a celebration for everyone to partake in. Leaving no one behind.

"It'll be held soon," was Theon's usual response to that.

*

She took their measurements perfectly and jotted it down.

"What colour would you prefer lady Gladys?" One of the ladies asked her because she knew lady Gladys had good taste when it came to colours of dresses.

Gladys finished her measurements and stared at the young lady with a lovely smile.

"Gold," was Gladys simple suggestion and this brought a wide smile on the lady's lips.

"Perfect!" She agreed to it, knowing how good Gladys was when it came to her work.

"Add sparkles to it." The other lady chirped in, and the lady the dress was to be made for nodded in agreement.

Gladys was a professional seamstress known for making notable and tremendous clothing for both men and women. She had a lot of apprentice learning from her and people working for her.

When a customer describes how he or she wanted the clothing to be, Gladys will explain and enlighten more to her workers so they'll make it right, sometimes when a dress was too complicated for them to make she'll take over.

When the ladies were done describing how they wanted their dresses to look, Gladys explained on it further to her most trusted workers leaving nothing unsaid.

When she was left alone, she let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"When will you make me a new dress lady Gladys?"

A voice out of nowhere caused her to turn round in shock to find her brother standing at her door side.

"Nero."

She called his name and smiled while leaning her back against a wall, she had a dull look.

"Guess what I brought you sister?"

He had a mischievous smile and he winked at her.

"A necklace?" She said the first thing that came to mind.

"Bring them in please," he ordered some people and Gladys narrowed her eyes in curiosity.

Two men came into the room carrying wide canvas each. They carefully dropped them on the floor, leaning it against the wall. It was covered so no one could see what was painted on it.

When the men left, Gladys let her feet drag her to the canvases and she gave Nero a sweet look before taking off the cloth used in covering it.

"Oh Nero."

Her eyes stared back at herself which was painted. She was seated on a chair like the painting of 'Mona Lisa' but hers was colorful and radiant. She had that contagious smile, capable of trapping a man.

"This is magnificent brother."

She commented while still admiring it for a little longer before checking the other one.

She took the cloth away and her eyes glimmered with pure admiration. It was a painting of all of them. Her lips parted and tears clouded her eyes, she sat in the middle of a wide sofa with Humphrey and Theon on her left and right while Celeste and Nero stood behind the sofa.

"This is a gift from me to you Gladys, that's how much I love and cherish you."

Nero spoke from behind her and she stood up straight, turning, she engulfed him in a tight hug. She was grateful to have such a loving brother.

But unknown to her, his actions and words had an underlying meaning.