"I am aware of my shortcomings…I want to be a deserving son to you." Théoden smiled.
He spoke slowly as he continuously formed words. His eyes formed crescents on his fair smooth face. At a glance, one could tell it was the brewing of a scheme. Openly so, but Marrianne didn't seem to mind.
"I want all the qualities of an heir. From what I know, power is accessed by those with privilege. You are my privilege, Mother. I want to have strength so that I am not inferior to other heirs. Is that fine?" No matter how much he tried it, he had no way to conceal the eagerness in his eyes.
"I like your mindset, child. I will make sure it is done." Marrianne beamed a smile that was too captivating to any being who saw it. She continued, "That will have to wait until we go back to the Astalles Dukedom. In the meantime, get yourself acquainted with upper-class etiquette and basic knowledge."
"I will, Mother." Théoden nodded earnestly.
Seeing as he didn't say anything more, Marrianne looked at him for a while and asked, "It seems you want to tell me something."
She could see the hesitation in his eyes. A conflicted expression ranging from willingness and unwillingness. It wasn't hard to guess that Théoden had more to say.
"I do. I just…want to get rid of something. Mn! Put it bluntly, I want revenge." Although he started weakly, he finished his sentence with unbending determination in his eyes.
Théoden was trying not to sound psychotic but that effort went down the drain as he looked like a maniac. His facials had already distorted to mild obsession and anger.
A smile similar to a smirk hung on his lips which Marrianne thought was rather cute. She could only think he was still naïve to hesitate to get revenge. Even if he didn't she would do it on his behalf. He was currently amoung her people. It was her pride.
"Fufu~ Let me know. Who dared anger my only precious son?" A playful soft voice left her lips but her eyes were raging with a sinister storm. Imperceptible from Théoden, she had clenched her hidden nails into her palm maintaining her expression with sheer pain and willpower.
'Don't lose control.' A whisper at the back of her mind rung repeatedly like a broken record
"They didn't do much harm," Théoden said this precisely because even though Marrianne could hide her emotions behind her facial mask, she could not do the same from her eyes. Not that this was apparent to anyone other than Théoden.
'I met you precisely because of that, so more gain than loss really.' He thought.
"I simply want to do some cleaning for the many people they have rendered helpless. Could I do that Mother?" Théoden calmed his heart and thought how to make it sound better, though, the result would remain unchanged.
"You can do as you wish. Take Mer with you. She will be useful when the time comes."
"You are the best! I will listen to you then." Théoden nodded.
Théoden was fine taking Mer along only because she was sent by Marrianne. It was already enough she was putting up with his schemes so a bit of surveillance was fine by him. However, he highly doubted that was the reason Marrianne suggested going with Mer.
Marrianne seemed to be thinking of something before snapping her fingers. Something appeared in her hands. At this sight, Théoden eyes widened in curiosity.
It was the first time he had seen a display of magic up close. It was the first since he came to this world. It was slightly different from what he had in mind. Like magic circles or casting or chants. Marrianne simply snapped her fingers.
"This is an authority badge issued by the king. Use it when you like. Consider it a gift. I think you will need it soon." Marianne's voice brought back Théoden from his wandering mind.
'Just how does she know this?'
"Thank you, Mother."
Théoden was not one to overthink when he wouldn't get answers unless he directly asked her. He couldn't do such a thing as doubt her goodwill when she was so nice.
"I think you asked all you wanted. I will be heading out soon." Marrianne stood up and got ready to leave. It reminded Théoden he had not made any appointment before seeing her.
"Oh sorry for seeing you on such short notice."
"It is fine, Son. Come over whenever you like." Marrianne smiled as Théoden got up. He was once again stunned at her smile.
Snapping out of his daze, he responded.
"Let's meet more often Mother."
"Yes, Son," Marrianne responded before closing the door and walking off.
Théoden was left in the room which was still a sight to him. He sat back down to the position he once was and leaned back. His mind was in disarray. He seemed to have seen a side of Marrianne today that made him question his stand on their relationship.
In other words, she was too nice and too sincere.
Théoden could not help but think of her smile. It was too familiar. Her eyes were much more so.
'I don't stand a chance…'
"Mother…I can only return the same sincerity I have received."
There was a slight pain in his heart saying this. He couldn't help but remember his mother from Earth who left a void in his heart after her disappearance. He couldn't remember her face anymore. How she looked or talked.
Slowly, his memory of her was fading and that was even more painful since he never wanted to forget. But forgetting was the only remedy for his soul. At the very least, it could stop his soul from shattering. But the void it left was never filled.
He never wanted to get a substitute mother but as the situation stood, Marrianne was sincere. He wished she wasn't, then he could feel less guilty. Her smile was too familiar. A warm and bright smile he could only call a burst of sunshine. One filled with love. He could feel it from Marianne.
'Forgive me…'
That thought flashed in his mind before Mer came into the room to find Théoden with a slightly sad expression. That was quickly replaced by joy when he saw her.
"Mer, I got the permission. Please assist me however you can," Théoden said with a smile on his lips. The former sadness could not be seen in him at all.
"Yes, Young master." Mer knew her duties and her boundaries. She would not question it any further.
Later that day, a tailor dropped by to take Théoden's measurements. It was almost sundown. The sky was giving signs of dusk. A slightly short man stood in front of Théoden, nevertheless, he was still slightly taller than him.
They were in a spacious meeting room where Théoden sat on a chair scanning the man. He had a neat clean look mainly his attire with an eye-catching silver pocket watch with golden details. He looked like a refined butler. He was aged as some grey hair stripes were styled to suit his overall style. Nothing about him seemed out of place.
"This is Yvain Perrin. Despite being a commoner, he is the most famous tailor and talented designer in the capital. His works are used as a reference in the Imperial family's dress code. He will take your measures today as well as your preferred designs which will be delivered in due date."
Mer did the introductions not overpraising nor undermining the recipient. There were little details as well but Théoden understood this was just a briefing.
'Hmm? He doesn't look like a commoner.'
Something about Yvain Perrin screamed noble. Maybe his formal attire or the calm demeanor he carried himself with. However, Mer said he was a commoner thus there was no way to confirm. The truth was that Théoden had only met one noble. His adoptive mother Marrianne. She was his epitome of a noble.
"I understand. So I just have to comply, right?" asked Théoden.
"Yes, young master."
Mer was always reliable in explaining things when needed. She had all the necessary information available to her at all times but she chose to filter only what was necessary at a particular moment.
"I greet his highness. My name is Yvain Perrin. I will serve his highness with the utmost sincerity. "
As Yvain said, he quickly and skillfully took Théoden's measures. Afterward, he showed multiple catalogs from which Théoden could choose his clothes design.
"Mer, what do you think?"
Théoden asked as he showed Mer the catalogs. He made her sit beside him to explain things more comfortably. It was a rare sight. A maid seated beside a noble.
"Picking the popular ones which you fancy could be a good start. However, remember as a noble you need enough attires so pick as many as possible considering different occasions, seasons, and activities. Sleeping wear as well, young master."
"I know that already, Mer. I need specifics. Which occasions, what seasons, and what is worn at various activities? I need more detail."
Théoden listened to Mer as she explained several things to him. She went into more detail while pointing out ideal choices. However, the ultimate choice was Théoden's pick. That would be the case if he followed Mer's advice or not.
Yvain silently listened to the exchange for he couldn't understand why Théoden was acting so ignorant of the social trends despite being a noble. He was the heir of the Astalles Dukedom no less. Théoden's mannerisms were good but his speech was something else. He showed a degree of respect to the maid and even took her advice in certain instances.
He didn't hide his lack of knowledge nor did he act arrogant and prideful. Yvain's very presence in the room was evidence of this. Being a commoner came with shortcomings when serving noble families and he didn't experience any of them in Théoden's presence.