This revelation rendered Astra speechless, and the look of disbelief was unmistakable on her face. She stood there, motionless, as her mind struggled to process the shocking truth. Her brows knitted together, creating deep lines of bewilderment, while her mouth hung slightly open, unable to form coherent words. This fact changed a lot of things. There were many whys she wanted to ask but felt overwhelmed and did not know where to start.
Theron who was still holding Astra excitedly, let go of her when he felt she was not reciprocating. He drew his lips into a thin line upon seeing her standing there static, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions and was about to break down.
"What's wrong? Don't you like my name?" Theron asked unaware of the turmoil inside Astra. "Please don't cry, beautiful bride."
Astra snapped and looked at Theron still unable to believe his words. What if his name was just the same as the prince? What if this was just a plan to weaken her? Many possibilities clouded her mind, but she could not comprehend what the truth was or the lie.
"Th... Theron, are you a... I mean, are you the Crown Prince Theron?" After a lot of contemplation, Astra asked with a heavy heart. If he really was, then they had played a dirty game with her. This was like sentencing her to life imprisonment.
Theron smiled shyly and nodded. "Yes, beautiful bride. You really do know me." He chuckled childishly blinking his eyes at Astra.
Astra on the other hand felt as if life was leaving her. This fact changed everything she had thought of. If he was really Prince Theron, then that only meant the one who killed her brothers was not him. The one who brought her to despair was not him. The one who was responsible for her current situation was not Theron but someone else. Using his name was all a conspiracy to hide the prince's illness from others. It seemed the palace of Ardenia was not as glorious as it portrayed itself to be. There were dark secrets that could destroy it. Astra began to understand everything after putting one and one together. Then she remembered the queen's warning.
'...Remember this, after tonight, your fate will change. Whatever happens in the palace, remains inside these walls.' So, this was what she meant.
"Beautiful bride, why are you looking so gloomy?" Theron interrupted her thoughts. "If it's because you don't like name then..."
"No, that's not it. I like your name a lot," Astra replied hurriedly after having come to a hurried conclusion. It was not time to fall weak. "Won't you ask me what my name is?"
"Huh? Isn't your name beautiful bride?" Theron bit his index finger confused.
Astra let out a chuckle in response to his question. "No. Beautiful bride means that I'm your wife now. My name is Astra," she explained looking at him, amused by his change of expressions.
"Wife? Who is a wife?" Theron pouted and looked at Astra expectedly.
Astra smiled amusement filled all over her face. "A wife is a companion in life, who stays with her husband at all times, whether good or bad. The husband protects his wife, and the wife takes care of her husband. Do you understand?"
Theron stayed quiet for a moment then said, "So, you are my wife and I'm your husband." It was more like a statement, and Astra nodded at him in agreement. "So can I call you wife?"
Astra chuckled then ruffled his hair. "Just call me Astra, that's my name."
Theron thought about then shook his head. "No, I like wife much more. So that everyone will know you are... my wife." He said the last words shyly.
Astra could not hold in her laughter looking at his serious, shy, yet happy expression. "Fine then. You can call me... wife." Though still uncomfortable with the sudden events, Astra decided to lay low until she found out everything, especially the one who killed her brothers in the name of Prince Theron. She would uncover every hidden secret in Ardenia palace and use it against them.
Theron on the other hand was giggling silently biting his fingers. How joyous he felt for having such a beautiful bride. He had decided to protect her from all harm, because that was the duty of a husband like she had told him. The thought of living with her forever was the most exciting. He was happy, extremely happy.
"Wife, am hungry now. Will you feed me?" Theron asked his eyes brimming with joy and invisible stars.
"Huh? Feed you? But where will we get food? The door is locked from outside. I don't think..." Astra said nonstop but before she could complete her statement, Theron pulled her by her hand and led her towards another room.
"There's is the food!" Theron clapped happily after showing Astra in a small chamber that looked like a dining room. There were different kind of delicacies on the table as well as fruits.
"You... Do you dine here every day?" Astra asked taken aback.
"Yes, I do," Theron replied and guiding Astra towards the table.
"Alone?"
"No. Mother or Ramiel eat with me. But today mother said I'll dine with my beautiful bride. Which is you." They sat down beside each other, and Theron was impatiently waiting for his wife to start feeding him.
"Why don't you dine in the royal dining hall with the others?" Astra was getting more curious with every new revelation.
Theron pouted his lips sadly and leaned his forehead on the table before saying, "Am not allowed to leave this room." His voice was low but audible enough for Astra to hear.
"Why?" she asked almost immediately after taking in another shock.
"Those evil brothers say that am troublesome and a living disaster because they don't like me. I promise am not bad." He said shaking his head on the table.
Astra knitted her brows trying to put all the things together. She was about to drift further but then her attention turned to Theron when she heard him sniffling. Subconsciously, she lifted her hand started rubbing his hair.
"Don't cry, Theron. You are not bad." Her soothing voice made him lift his head slowly and looked at her.
"I want to stay with you all the time. You won't leave me, right?" Theron asked innocently but his question was very genuine.
Astra was reluctant to answer that as she was not sure what the future held for her. It was uncertain if she would be able to survive in this territory with still the thought of having her revenge.
"As long as I am here, I will always be with you," 'That is if I love for a longer.' The last words were said inwardly.
"Huh? Are you going somewhere?" his eyes were fully opened but pure determination filled them almost immediately. "I'll find you no matter where you go."
Astra laughed heartily, a feeling of warmth spreading across her heart. "How will you find me if they don't allow you to leave this room?"
Theron put his finger under his chin thinking about her question. "That's true. What would I do?... I know! I'll climb down from the window." He replied pointing towards a window in the small room.
Astra almost chocked on her saliva thinking of the high height from there. They were actually on the top floor.
"Don't ever do that, Theron. It's very dangerous if you slip down," she warned not noticing her voice was full of worry.
Theron wanted to argue but noticing her worried for him, he nodded in agreement. "I won't do it if you don't like it. But I'll find a way to escape from here if you ever leave me alone." He crossed his fingers more like promising himself and her.
Astra let out a sigh of relief and nodded at him. "Alright. Why don't I feed you now?"