"I want you to get married," his father ordered him.
"At this time? Are you serious?" Theodore sulked.
"Yes, I am," Solomon nods, "As your father, I wish to see your marriage soon,"
"There's no rush for that," Theo muttered, looking down. This is a matter he hates to discuss right now.
"No one is getting young, Theo,"
"Yes, but you act like a young man," Theodore teased. "So I guess I don't have to worry about your wishes. You aren't in death bed, dear father,"
"You know I ended the affair," The King retorted, "This isn't about me. Don't deviate from this conversation. It's my order, son. You need to get married by the end of this month,"
Theodore huffed and stared at his father and Uncle. His father never understands what he wants.
He doesn't have a good relationship with his uncle either, because of his son Maximus.
And no one here will support his decision here.
"Do you want to get introduced to some beautiful, young talented woman in the Kingdom? In case you are shy?"
"There's no need for that,"
"Why? Perhaps are you seeing someone already?"
Theodore's silence conveyed that it is real.
"So the rumors are true," Solomon chuckled.
"What rumors?" Theodore scowled.
"You must have spent the last week with her. I knew it. After all, you are my son," Solomon happily got up from his throne.
"Who is she? What's her age? Is she beautiful? Where she's from? Rich family? What is her father doing for a living?"
"Please, one question at a time," he sighed and seemed worried rather than happy to tell him.
In the back of his head, he knew what he's going to say is absolutely nonsensical but he got no other option.
"Fine, tell me about her father,"
"He's a farmer,"
"You fell in love with a peasant?"
"Is that a crime?" Theodore frowned.
"No, not at all. I can't believe that my son is a completely rational man," The King smiled. "I am so proud of you, son,"
"Is she beautiful?" Oliver asked.
"Yes, she is," Theodore remembered the pretty face of that girl who saved him.
"Is she in love with you?"
"I don't know. But I like her and I wanted to marry her, so I leave the rest in your hands," Theodore gave that charming smile. "If you bring her here I will marry her,"
"Huh?" Solomon got puzzled.
"Do you even know her name?"
"Of course, not,"
"Didn't you ask her?"
"I didn't get a chance, father,"
"How did you meet her?"
Theodore hesitates to answer that question. "Stop asking me silly questions. It makes me uncomfortable,"
His answers weren't convincing to the King so he asks, "Is that girl even exist?"
"She's real; she exists. Send the guards to the Silent Hill in the west. Her farm is just near the river Ere," he said. "It's easy to find,"
"Great. I'll send them right away. Can't believe this is finally happening," The King laughed in happiness.
Seeing his father's joy, Theodore smiled. Though they have a lot of misunderstands, he loves his father. His happiness is more important to him. Sometimes he acts like a friend Theo wished to have.
"I can't wait to meet her, Oliver," Solomon said to his brother. Oliver smiled too and turned to Theo who's watching both of them.
"Theo I need to talk to you," Oliver said.
"Yes, Uncle," Theodore's gaze was fixed.
"Please, forget what happened. I won't let Maximus do that again,"
"I don't care about what he does and I want him to do the same. And please don't send your men to follow me around. It won't be good for them,"
"Theo, he must have sent them because of me. You know how worried I was without having a word about your whereabouts," Solomon defended his brother.
"Better you both don't involve in my business; I don't like anyone preying in my privacy," he said as a warning.
"Fine, we won't unless you stop acting like an outcast,"
Theodore turned silent. He wanted to leave this place before it gets any heated up. "If you let me, I'll go,"
"You can leave," the King said.
Theodore came out and walked for some distance pretending that he's alright. He paused near the empty hallway and sighed in desperation.
I have lost my mind, Theodore muttered and leaned on the wall.
Ever since he came back from Silent Hill, his only thought was about that girl who saved him. He couldn't forget her crystal blue eyes stared at him, fearfully. She's making him restless as she kept coming back to his thoughts.
The morning he woke up in that shed, his only thought was to leave, but after coming to Larza he felt guilty for not even saying a word to her.
He was helplessly washed away in the river and thought that he was going to die without anyone beside him. But she changed his destiny.
He never believed in miracles but that stormy night is indeed one. When she nursed his wounds, he saw a slight glimpse of her face and fantasized that he was saved by his guardian angel, which his mother used to tell him stories about when he was a kid.
He didn't intend to drag her into his life. However, right now he can't marry anyone except her. That girl is lingering in his memory for a lot of reasons.
She must know what he is and what he's going through. He could be wrong but he has to silence her before she spread any rumor about him. Marriage is the only way he could do that without giving a chance of doubt.
Besides, he owes her his life. She could have let him die in the woods, but she saved him without even knowing who he is. That's a quality he hasn't seen in a long time. She's kind and brave which makes her even more attractive. He didn't care about the rest.
In every way, she's perfect to his wife but these are all secondary. The important reason is, he can't let anyone know his secret and he's sure that she must be searching for answers to all the strange traits she saw in him. He even left her a clue like a fool.