Teddy Bear Love

Chapter VI - Prince and Princess

Lucy

The next two weeks flew by in a flash, their passing marked by the repetitive routine that governed each day. Early every morning, I would rise with the sun, dress, and complete my daily household tasks before preparing breakfast. Then, I would embark on the lengthy walk to school, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling countryside.

But it was the weekends that felt so lonely for me. Left to my own devices in the vast manor, I found solace in exploring the beautiful grounds and pouring my thoughts into my journal. And though time seemed to fly during my days at school, it was lunch that held the most promise for me - the precious few moments in which I could speak to him again.

Throughout the school day, we shared many classes together, but he rarely interacted with me. A small nod of his head or a fleeting glance, when he thought I wasn't looking, were the only signs of acknowledgment I received. It was difficult to decipher his intentions, but I assumed he was just caught up in his own rigid daily routine like everyone else... At least, that is what I hoped.

As usual, we met at the library entrance, and he guided me to the quiet corner where the world seemed to stand still—except for the occasional rustle of pages turning.

His gentle whisper, "Here we are," was followed by a chivalrous gesture as he pulled out a chair for me and settled gracefully into the one beside me. His demeanor exuded true gentlemanly charm, moving with careful consideration.

We spent the next 30 minutes just trying to get me to scribble down as many of the main points from the subject as possible.

"Okay, so let me get this straight," I said, leaning closer. Does the entire concept hinge on this one theorem?"

"Exactly," he replied, pointing to the equation. His eyes twinkled as he continued. "And once you've grasped that, the rest is a walk in the park."

"Or a stroll through a particularly convoluted garden," I countered, my cheeks warming with a mix of amusement and shyness.

"Aye, but that's where the fun lies," he said, his smile deepening. His charm was effortless, and in this quiet corner of the world, I found myself completely disarmed by it.

As our attention returned to the task at hand, I caught sight of his name, Theodore Beckington, written in bold letters at the top of the worksheet. The significance dawned on me, and for the first time, I realized I had never asked for his name before. Here I was, sitting next to the school's revered Prince, engaging in a conversation filled with his insightful wisdom, all without a trace of condescension.

"Everything alright, Lucy?" His voice pulled me back to reality.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine," I stammered, quickly regaining my composure. "Just surprised by my good luck to have Theodore Beckington himself as my tutor."

He laughed, a sound that rumbled warmly between us. "I knew I'd slip up at some point... But please, call me Teddy."

"Slip up?" I questioned sincerely, searching his eyes for answers.

He gently massaged the back of his neck as he shared, "My name—my family's name—carries a lot of weight around here. It's rare to meet someone who doesn't treat me differently."

I paused to consider his words. Being treated differently due to one's name seemed more like a burden than a privilege to him. "Well, I will always treat you like Teddy – Not Theodore Beckington. Deal?"

His furrowed brows and pensive expression made me worry that I might have misspoken. To my surprise, he reached out his hand and said, "Deal."

There was a charged silence between us as our hands connected in a lingering hold.