Many things had happened since Théoden was dropped into this world. His entire being always seemed to be in conflict. However, he had come to terms with reality. The reality to him, however harsh at first, turned out sweet soon after.
A few of the things that happened were first coming across a demon, getting a system and almost dying of heat and starvation in the wilderness then having a race change that could deem him an enemy of humanity. Afterward, coming to the city and was a beggar for a good few weeks which led him to meet the most beautiful woman he had seen in his life who later became his mother.
'Tough luck.'
He soon became the sole heir of a duchy and took over all the prestige and responsibilities that came with it. He even got a princess as a fiancé as a perk of his new position.
A princess he would be meeting soon. Well by soon, he meant today. He walked to the dining area where he would have the occasional rare mealtimes with the Duchess, Marrianne. She sat at one end of the table and he could tell his seat was right beside her. The only other place set for a meal.
"Morning, Mother."
Théoden sat beside her and glanced around. There are few workers in the room as well. His maid Mary was also standing at the side in wait.
"Morning dear." The Duchess responded.
They somehow made it to calling each other as such over time. The first time Théoden tried calling her as such he expected a reaction but his hopes were shattered when Marrianne responded without a change of attitude. He thought it was a big deal since it took all the courage in him to utter such to a youthful woman.
Marrianne and Théoden never had any long conversations so they got straight to the meal. After they were done neither left the dining room. It wasn't as awkward as he expected besides Marrianne. It was much more comfortable and relaxing.
For some reason, Marrianne kept a certain range of distance between them. The distance Théoden honestly preferred. It was one thing to accept her matronage and do all things to fulfill his duties in exchange but it was another to adapt to the new relationship. A relationship that threatened to overwrite his mother's existence on Earth. Théoden would never let that happen. That is why he preferred the cold Duchess as she was.
Marrianne always had a cold expression on her face. She rarely smiled. The truth was he had never seen her smile. She was worse than Mer. She was constantly cold. The air around her would remain cold no matter the event.
He waited for Marrianne to start the conversation but that wasn't happening. The freezing atmosphere around them made the silence even heavier.
"Mother, Do you have any comment on my fiancé'?"
'Well, that was random.'
Mary had briefed him on the day's schedule so it was the first thing that came to mind when thinking of a topic to discuss with Marrianne.
'Stupid brain.'
"I-I mean anything that I should pay attention to. Since she is a princess and all. I know my position is important now, so I got to act the part."
Théoden wanted to dig a hole and bury his existence from the shame he was feeling. That had to be the first thing he seriously spoke to her about since the last time they last had a long conversation.
Marrianne's opinion on the matter was important to Théoden, but he didn't want to seem eager to meet her. At the very least, with common courtesy was asking about one's well-being first, right??
'I screwed up.'
Marrianne stared at Théoden for a while then spoke. Théoden shifted his eyes away since he could not bare the burden of being reprimanded. Especially by Marrianne.
"That is fine. Any way you conduct yourself is fine. She will not judge you." Marrianne's temperature dropped and her eyes glared. "She is a dignified young woman who will support you when taking over the position of Duke. She is that qualified at the very least."
'Cold….'
Théoden thought it would be a different answer. He was surprised by Marrianne's coldness. However, this coldness seemed to be what she had for other people. This made Théoden assess his position in Marrianne's inner circle which he could safely assume he was a part of.
"I see. I will try my best not to disappoint you, Mother."
The conversation ended there and they both walked to the mansion entrance. Mer and Mary both closely but silently followed behind.
The princess's carriage had arrived and it seemed to have been waiting for a while.
'Is it fine to make her wait like that?'
Théoden had no way to know the influence that Astalles Duchy had. The princess or even the king would gladly wait.
The carriage door opened and the Théoden had sworn time had stopped for a while. For a good while he couldn't believe the sight his eyes showed him.
A lady not taller than he was walked out of the carriage. Théoden was on the shorter side since the former host was that much malnutrition. He was a bit shorter than the average 16-year-old boy at his optimal height. She got off the high step with the help of an escort. Théoden's eyes flickered a bit but he paid no due to that. Her presence was something he couldn't ignore.
If she were to be summarized in one word, that word would be bewitching.
The princess was elegant and beautiful. Her grace and demeanor were prideful and condescending. She had the air of royalty that reigned on top of others. She had a white dress adorned with countless pearls.
Their eyes made eye contact for a second before she introduced herself. She had sharp eyes that pierced the soul. Her bright amethyst eyes and tied-up lavender pink hair with a silver hairpin holding it in place.
Théoden knew little about the princess. She was hardly noticed in the imperial palace. She was shy and sickly. Her story was tragic as it could get as she was to be sold off for marriage which the Duchess saved her from. It was believed it was because the Duchess felt sorry for her that she proposed marriage. This is what Théoden had learned from Mary.
The sight in front of him made him reassess that story. Marrianne was surely not compassionate. She saw potential or utility in someone. The princess looked neither shy nor sickly.
"I am the youngest princess of the Slevaria Kingdom. Helen Priscila Delia greets the Duchess and the young duke."
Helen's voice was soft but could be heard well regardless. She held a unique accent that seemed difficult to imitate, but one which was easy to understand.
"Welcome, Princess Helen. We are glad to have you." Marrianne gave a professional smile and motioned her to move inside.
Marrianne didn't even bother to do her introductions. The silence fell to everyone as well as Théoden who was confused on how to interpret the exchange between the two. The trio walked to the main meeting room with their respective servants following behind them. The maids and the escort.
The room they stopped at was a huge spacious tea room. They got in and tea was served. The meeting room was the near the Duchess's office. It was the first time Théoden had been there. This showed how much of the mansion he had yet to explore.
Surprisingly the silence was broken by Helen.
"Is this him, your grace?" She looked at Théoden with a passive look. Then switched her gaze to mothers.
'She is been very formal for a princess.'
"He is the one. I hope you treat him with the same respect you do me. Guide him so he can be ready in the shortest amount of time. Don't worry. He learns fast. Guide him not teach him. I have done that already, understand?"
"Yes. Your grace. I will do my very best."
Marrianne gave a small smile of approval and stood up.
"I have matters to attend to. Get to know each other, dear."
The talk was shorter than he anticipated. Théoden just nodded while Marrianne walked out, leaving Théoden and Helen alone in the spacious room.
'She looks eager to leave us alone.'
"Hello, princess."
Théoden broke the ice. It would seem like the princess would not react from her posture otherwise.
"Hi, your young grace."
Helen maintained her upright posture and sipped on the fresh mint tea.
'This is hard. How should I treat a princess?'
Théoden was having a mental breakdown to the foreign situation he was in. Yes, he had experience with women. Back on earth, he had dated several times. He was not ignorant of romance but he simply had no interest in marriage. He would have to be committed and Théoden knew he could not handle being tied down.
The situation was different. He had a fiancé who he would marry in exchange for inheriting the Duke position. Théoden knew a good deal when he saw one, and that was great.
This would not be his line of thought on normal occasions. After a taste of the harsh reality of the world he was in, he could not gamble on being ambitious to start a new from nothing. He knew well how futile that was.
He had never dated a princess. Thus this situation was overwhelming and new territory for him.
"I am Théoden Andras. How should I address you, Princess?"
Helen looked at Théoden and smiled. Seeing a tense young duke she chuckled inwardly.
"Don't be so stiff around me. Just call me Helen. I am your fiancé now, right?"
'What happened to her earlier attitude?'
Helen's cold front had melted away and all that was left was a sunny girl.
"I can't help it. You are a princess after all."
"It seems you know little of me and much less of yourself."
Théoden tilted his head at the comment. It didn't sound hostile but just as if she stated a fact. Her hand gestures showed so.
Seeing the confusion remaining in Théoden's eyes she continued to explain.
"I will explain then Theo. I am not a very high-ranking royal member and I am the last in line to the throne. That is why I was to be of use with my existence and marry to another kingdom."
"I know that much,...Helen."
"I made a deal with the Duchess a few years ago that I would marry her heir instead. Thus you being the heir, I shall marry you. It is much safer in a place I am familiar with. You can imagine my situation had I married off to another kingdom as the unfavored princess of the kingdom."
Théoden nodded in understanding. He could picture in such a status-dominated world how her presence in another kingdom would be deemed. She would be getting the short end of the stick while the kingdom got the long end. Her survival or death in another Kingdom was a benefit either way to the Slevaria Kingdom.
"I presume it would not be so good."
"For that reason, I am happy to marry you. Although you hardly resemble the Duchess, you are not losing in handsomeness."
The princess winked.
"...."
The princess innocently smiled and chuckled under her breath. She seemed more relaxed and free. She was having fun teasing him.
Théoden was speechless.
"Do I meet your standards then, Theo?"
Théoden opened his mouth only to quickly close it. He had not registered the question completely.
"Before I answer that, why are you compliant in marrying me? I understand your primary reason, but that is not a reason to be so willing. I am aware of my shortcoming before I judge you. I can't trust you if you say you love me or for a similar reason."
Helen switched her happy mood to a serious mood. She seemed to be in thought.
"I have to satisfy her wish. That is why I am doing this. I wish to gain your mother's recognition. Despite the method. So I will do my best to be your optimal fiancé in every aspect. Both in social occasions and closed affairs. I don't want any pretense so I genuinely view you as someone I will marry in the future. For that to be possible, I have to rise you to my standard. So you are worthy of the title she has bestowed upon us."
Helen's eyes glimmered with determination. Motivation and will to even sway Théoden. He smiled realizing they had the same mind.
"If that is what you see it as then I am happy to comply. I will try to meet your expectations and surpass them if possible. I know little as to why I am here but I know for the time being I have a goal. 'Be the best fiancé worth by future wife.'" Théoden said and smiled genuinely.
The conversation that started awkward was now free while keeping a level of respect between each other.
He wanted to fulfill his end of the bargain but he was happy that he met a wonderful mature lady who share the same mind as him.
She was respectful but she still held her pride high and her manner and grace were unlike any other. This was decorum instilled from a young age he could only assume. She was younger than him mentally but she was someone he could hold a conversation with as an adult.
Of course in teenager's bodies.