"Hurry."
"I need help here."
"We can't let anything go wrong."
"Are you done?"
"We should get done quickly."
The chatter was endless. For several hours, workers ran around fixing his hair while also doing some manicures and pedicures. This was not the only thing happening in his room. The room was going through major changes as they brought in new pieces of furniture and extra interior things.
The day that Théoden was most nervous about arrived. Mary was nowhere to be seen. She was probably helping with the work the mansion workers were doing.
Théoden was seated waiting in a dressing room. He was at the mercy of the hands pampering him since dawn. Even after sunrise, they had no sign of being done.
To his knowledge Helen and probably Marrianne was going through the same thing in another room.
"Master, everything is ready."
"You finally came back, Mary. I'm almost done soon…"
A weary smile of tiredness formed helplessness on Théoden's lips. He had not ever had to prepare so much since he could remember.
'Marriage is so bothersome.'
The thought lingered in the back of his mind but never escaped his lips.
"Master…." A sympathetic look appeared on Mary. She had opened up to emotions since she met Théoden. That was also exclusive to Théoden. She was a perfect maid doll otherwise.
"Don't make that face. Do you want to rest?" Théoden smiled more genuinely as he opened his arms to Mary.
She nodded silently as if she dared not utter the words. She silently got closer to Théoden and disappeared in his shadow.
How this came about a few days after Mary had gotten used to her maid position. She had adapted the working process which was required to be helpful to Théoden without any trouble. She came to the conclusion that she was as close to Théoden as she could get.
"Do you want to stay in my shadow? I am aware it makes your work easier and it should be comfortable with your constitution. I honestly don't mind."
Théoden made this decision because he was unsure if Mary was getting enough rest. She was with him the entire time but more than that she was beside him when he slept. Standing guard she said. It was one of her duties but the dark circles under her eyes could not be ignored. Théoden's discomfort with having her so tired because of him outweighed the discomfort of her being in his shadow. This was only when he was awake and she had no other duties.
She had never expected to get such a proposal so early on in her service to Théoden. It was a privilege only a few get to have. You had to get the consent of the master to successfully merge with their shadow. He had to have full trust in her to allow such an act. Since it could be counterproductive if she were to betray him. Consent was given once and could not be taken back.
There were benefits to this. Mary didn't need to sleep when she got into his shadow and her body would automatically recover before leaving. This was at the expense of Théoden's stamina. This varied depending on how long she spent in his shadow or how fatigued she was.
In Théoden's shadow, Mary could see things from his perspective. She could probably access some of his feelings but that was too early since she was young and despite her high potential she was still lacking in experience. The age limit could not be broken so easily.
"We are done, your young grace."
The maid said and brought a full-body mirror. His reflection made him doubt he was himself. Although he was in the body of a former host, he had undergone drastic changes in comparison. His facials became smoother as his diet changed while his body became more masculine. He had grown taller but that was not what made him stare at the mirror's reflection.
His eyes. His iris was a deep shade of blood red. His pink ruby had become much darker shades of red. He seemed slightly more menacing as his face had become completely expressionless. His former self was nowhere to be seen.
Théoden Had a tall straight posture of refined grace that his movements were showered with. A white ivory full long suit made of delicate golden embroidery designs adorned his body. He had loosened hair that was pushed back defining his forehead. His thick dark eyebrows made him more attractive. His ruby eyes were complemented with ear piercings of the same darker color.
The awkward form of an office worker and otaku had completely vanished. Now stood a noble. His eyes had become sharp and more focused while slightly narrowed. His lips had assumed a relaxed form even when he was angry. There was no major change in his facial expressions to his emotions. It seemed his practice had paid off.
Théoden's mind went to Helen. He stopped his self-admiration and walked out of the door. He went to the gathering area to find he was the first to arrive. The first to arrive was Marrianne. She walked down the stairs and Théoden smiled. This caught the cold Duchess off guard making her stop in her steps.
"Mother, you look dashing." Théoden could say he had gotten closer to the Duchess. She would not talk as much but he was free to praise her and ask as much as he wished. She could simply listen to his endless rumble without complaint or impatience. This made him believe she was simply not one good with conversations.
"You as well, son."
Théoden helped Marrianne down the stairs as the dress was taking up her arm. Théoden scanned the dress once more.
'Isn't this dress too…revealing?'
Théoden felt somehow irritated with the thought of Marrianne going to the ball with it. He pushed such thought aside as the person of the day came down as well. Helen.
She was stunning. She moved along the staircase while slightly holding her dress. She had a dress picked specifically to match his suit. Her hands had silver cream silk gloves and her face was covered in a translucent veil.
Théoden was drawn to her and walked over almost dazed to escort her down the stairs. The reason he had not showered her with praises was because he was stunned speechless. It would seem like none of the compliments he could come up with would be befitting of her beauty.
Her usually tied up hair was let down and was fluttering up to her bottom. The dress made her thin waist more slender.
"Are you comfortable?"
Théoden asked. He didn't want her suffering in any way on such a special day.
"I am. Theo…shouldn't you compliment how pretty I am?"
Her cute pout on her lips made her cute appearance more irresistible.
"I would rather kiss you. But if you want to know, I think you look beautiful." Théoden had leaned in to whisper into her ears, ticking her with his breath and deep voice being so close.
Helen had a slight blush before shocking Théoden even more.
"Why no practice before we have to do it officially." Her eyes were clearly avoiding meeting his. She must mastered courage to say such words.
"...."
Théoden looked at Helen while having complex feelings inside. Truth was he still viewed Helen as a young girl but he had to accept reality sooner or later.
As if Marrianne had sensed the word atmosphere in the air she was out.
"Come out soon children." Marrianne locked the door behind her and the two soon to be couple was left in the silent room.
Théoden had to take initiative of nothing else.
"Pardon me,...honey."
An arm wrapped around her waist and she was forced to pay her full attention to Théoden. The veil coverings her eyes was pushed away. Her violet indigo eyes were shining with youthful delight. Like rare amethyst gems. Her small wince came with the touch of cold hands on her cheek. For someone she had never held hands with it was a new experience. For some reason she felt no need to avoid the kiss. You could say she was looking forward to it after a long time yearning from curiosity. All the stolen glances built up the yearning.
Théoden stated into her eye and she stared back. She swore she heard him mutter something but her mind went blank with the soft cold yet passionate touch. Their lips collided and what followed was a slow gentle peck to a lip kiss and slowly getting deeper. It was not in any hurry. A slow and soft yet passionate kiss.
Théoden guided Helen who seemed eager to learn and immediately put it to practice. When he felt it was comfortable for booth of them he whispered into her.
"Open you mouth"
She did so without much hesitation when her legs finally almost gave out. Théoden stopped assuming it was as far as she could endure. It was a good thing since he was reaching his limit as well.
The tension that played between them made it even more thrilling. Their first kiss could be said to be a success.
"W-what was t-that?" Helen was shaky from the intimate activity.
"That was a kiss. I will have many more to give you honey." Théoden winked and helped her set her dress right. It would have been troublesome if they went ant further or longer.
"Mary, help me clean up her makeup."
"Yes master."
Théoden was too concentrated to see the slight shift in Helens eyes as she looked at the maid. Mary nevertheless helped her in a split second and went back to his shadow.
"She is staying with you?"
Théoden wondered who Helen was referring to when he came to a realization.
"Ah! Mary? Yes. She is with me all the time. Are you jealous?"
"No. I just thought you wouldn't tell your wife of your affairs."
"Haha. No. She is not in that type of relationship with me. She is simply my maid and shadow. She is a sweet kid when you know her."
"Okay. Make it up with a kiss then.?
Théoden raised a brow since she came off so bold. Théoden walked over to her and kissed her forehead.
"Don't worry. At the very least know you have the key to my heart. I will not betray your trust. This is the promise we share before anything else."
Helen nodded in satisfaction and they walked out the door to the carriage waiting outside.