"Your highness, a ma-n—" The servant stuttered.
"I have seen so many men that, you calling one a man is no shock at all." Theodore answered nonchalantly with a sarcastic tone, even though he saw how scared his servant was about something.
"Take your time and tell us what's got you all worked up," Ralph said. The servant nodded and took a deep breath before starting, not rushing this time.
"There is a man heading towards the castle, covered in blood and holding a sword. I think he is coming to kill us next." He said the last part in barely a whisper.
The servant was ashen-faced, too scared for his dear life.
Theodore laughed, which didn't help to reduce his servant's worry. "Isn't that amazing? So much gore and blood in sight to calm our nerves." The servant's worry at his king's response increased.
He was already thinking of dashing out of the room; maybe there was still enough time for him to escape. But then he heard Theodore say,
"To put you at ease, let me see who is scaring you this much." He stood up and exited the room. The servant and Ralph trailed behind him.
Ralph held a stoic, hard face, not giving out any emotion; he wasn't at all scared like the servant beside him, but he did wonder who it was.
'When King Theodore was not taking the news seriously, it was a good hint not to take it as well. Most of the time.' He quickly added the last part to his thoughts.
At the castle entrance, the servant quickly ran to the front to open the door, allowing his highness to pass as he bowed his head low.
Once he was outside, Theodore caught sight of someone's feet, and a smile appeared on his face. His eyes went to meet the person's face.
The man came to stand some distance from the king. Nobody uttered a word for some time.
The servants of the castle who had scurried away from sight watched the man and their king with fear eating them up. They were afraid that the man would draw his sword at any time and kill their king, while Theodore had no weapon to defend himself.
They were afraid for Theodore's life not because they cared about him but because death would be just a step away if their king died now.
The two men gave out a laugh, and the man came forward and bowed, followed by his men, who had been standing a distance away.
"Well, Dermot, you finally scared my servants today," he said, smiling. "I had no idea people bathed in blood now."
"The idea doesn't sound bad; I should personally try it—out on a long hunt."
They both started walking inside the castle, and the servants wondered what was really happening.
"Do tell me about your dear Kathryn's reaction to it."
With a thoughtful look, he said, "On second thought, I don't think it is a good idea." He chuckled.
"I was hoping to see a beautiful view of blood everywhere, but it had to be you scaring my servants with your appearance." Theodore said, with a hint of fake disappointment.
"Don't be disheartened; you didn't take my advice on getting a queen." Dermot said it matter-of-factly, and Theodore gave him an amused look. "What? There are beautiful sights you get to see when you are married. This is an expert speaking."
"I don't think there is anything you have seen that I haven't. Kathryn is making you love-sick.
"Eh…hn,"
"Should have brought her along." Theodore stated, looking forward with his hands at his back and walking without any flaws.
"I didn't want you to be left out."
"There could have been an arrangement for that." Theodore gave a lopsided smile.
It was silent for some time, but as if in thought, Dermot inquired, "What about the girl you mentioned?"
"Which one? I guess I must have talked about so many ladies and how unskilled they are in bed." The smile still adorned his face, and Dermot frowned at Theodore's response.
Dermot went on to explain, "The one yo—"
"Milord," Ralph interrupted with a bow, grabbing the king's and Dermot's attention. "The duchess' daughter has just arrived in the castle."
"There is always someone who misses me," Theodore remarked. "Invite her to the drawing room, I will see her there."
"What do you think about a reaction from your guest?" Dermot grinned.
"Perfect."
The duo walked in the direction of the drawing room. Once they were inside, Claudette smiled when she saw Theodore.
Her eyes moved to his side, noticing someone with him. Claudette's nose crunched up in disgust, seeing how the person was covered in animal blood.
She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again, feeling Theodore's gaze on her and forcing a smile onto her face.
Dermot returned it with a brighter smile. Trying to irk the lady more, he stepped forward and offered his hand for a shake.
She looked up at Theodore with pleading eyes, but he didn't appear to be bothered by her situation and instead went to make himself comfortable on one of the couches.
Claudette grudgingly accepted his handshake. 'It's a good thing I have my gloves on.'
Stop frightening the lady. Join us for tea when you are ready." Theodore offered.
"Of course." Dermot walked out of the drawing room with a pleased expression.
Now alone with Theodore in the room, Claudette felt that the distance between them was too big.
"Did your servant inform you of my visit?" She had not heard anything from Theodore after her visit.
"None that I am aware of." Playing dumb.
Her brow furrowed slightly. 'That foolish butler, or whatever he is.'
"Is there anything important you wanted to talk about?" Theodore raised his brow at her.
She was tight-lipped for a second before she said, "I just wanted to greet you, milord."
"Don't you think the time of the day is too late for such greetings?" No hint of humor in his voice. "Unless it is something else, I suggest you return home. I'm sure the duchess will not be pleased, finding out you visited the king this late."
Claudette blushed bright red with embarrassment at what Theodore might be hinting at.
She quickly cleared her throat, saying, "Actually there's something else."
"What is it?" Theodore's eyes watched the lady, waiting for her to say what she had to. He didn't have all the time to start humoring a person he had no interest with.
Not too long after, a maid came in with a tray of tea and biscuits. The maid was no other than Vanessa.
Theodore's eyes have now left Claudette to look at Vanessa.
Vanessa placed the tray on the table.
"Serve it." Theodore ordered.
Claudette glared at the maid before bringing her attention back to Theodore. "The Simpsons are going to have a soiree next week, and they were hoping you would grace them with your presence." She handed him the invitation.
Vanessa served Theodore's tea first, and when she served the lady's tea and handed it to her, she didn't know what happened, but the hot tea spilled on her and Claudette's hands.
"AHH! Stupid maid," she said with gritted teeth, standing up and landing a slap on Vanessa's cheek.
Vanessa took a step backwards while holding the left side of her face. "Forgive me." She pleaded, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. The last thing she needed was to add another enemy to her list.
Claudette stared at her hand with a pained expression, slightly blowing on it. And she caught sight of Theodore standing up from his chair and walking towards them from the corner of her eye.
She pretended not to see him, internally smiling, already knowing he would surely come to her aid and teach the miserly human a lesson. Meanwhile, Vanessa's face now appears pale.
'I have broken rule number two.' She looked utterly scared as Theodore came to stand in front of her.
Her eyes shut tight when he raised his hand.
Is he going to kill me?