A Tale of Redamancy

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I found them in the room where I was painting, Mary sitting on the chair, a blanket wrapped around her with Theodore looking out the window. Did he see everything? I was worried but I shook the idea off as there were more pressing situations at hand. Mary looked up smiling weakly. I smiled as I went to my bag.

"How are you doing darling?" I asked. Theodore turned around, silent. I grabbed my dress and walked over to Mary, kneeling in front of her. I grabbed her cheek.

"I'm okay." She said. She looked uncomfortable. I showed her my dress.

"Why don't you go take a bath and put this on. I think it will fit." Mary shook her head.

"It's okay, I prefer the clothes I'm wearing anyway." I said, smiling as she took the dress and went to leave the room.

Before she left she turned and looked at me. "I'm sorry." She said and then left the room. I stood up and sat down in her spot. Theodore went back to staring at the window. I began biting my cheek, worried I messed up. After a few minutes my nervousness got the best of me.

"You probably saw what happened out there." Silence answered. I clenched my hands, the knuckles going white. I don't know why but I started to cry. I felt so much pressure in that moment that it became unbearing. I stood up and began cleaning my stuff.

"I'm sorry," I sniffled. My vision became blurry from the tears as I dropped one of my paint brushes. I knelt to go pick it up when someone's else's hands went for it instead. I looked up and Theodore was staring at me, guilt written all over his face. He picked up the brush as we both stood up, my hands at my chest in fear. With one hand he reached up and with the back of his hand, touched the cheek he hit as light as a feather. I stared at him. His eyes wouldn't meet mine.

"I'm sorry I hit you." He whispered. I was shocked. I shook my head.

"No, don't apologize. I shouldn't have stopped you, it was improper." I stopped when he looked at me, melting with sadness.

"No I shouldn't have hit you. I was filled with rage for my sister-" I butted in.

"You were trying to protect her." He shook his head, stepping away and grabbing his head.

"A king shouldn't act like that. He should be stern but not hurtful, bloodlusting." He had his hand covering his face. I walked over and grabbed his hands, his head down.

"Look at me." He hesitated but looked up, his eyes a dark blue.

"You are not a king Theodofre. You are 19, a prince. A boy. You should be able to enjoy life, go to the beach with your sister, enjoy your time before you take on the burden of ruling a country." He nodded in understanding.

"Thank you Diana." It was the first time he said my name and I blushed. He then reached up for my cheek again, the other hand grabbing my waist.

"You know..." He breathed. I looked at him curiously, he bit his lip, looking shy all of a sudden before pulling me closer. My heart began pounding.

"I wish you didn't call me a boy Diana." He said. He wasn't looking at my eyes anymore.

"Why?" I asked. He hand on my cheek pulled me in.

"I have desires a man would have and right now my desire is to..." Just then our lips barely touched when we heard a knock on the door which scared him. He jumped away, his face flushed. Mary came in, looking at her brother and me. Realizing our faces were red, her eyes widened and gasped.

"I'm so sorry, did I interrupt something?" I nervously laughed and went to retrieve my stuff.

"Of course not, come on in." I said. Mary came in and sat in the chair. I grabbed the canvas and took a look at Mary. Her blond hair fell in curls around her head. Her green eyes looked curiously at her brother who looked like he was about to pass out. I smiled.

"I'm going to head out and finish painting at home." I said. Mary looked sad.

"Aw, I wanted to see you paint Theodore." Theodore looked at me. I looked away.

"Next time I come back, I'll paint you instead Mary, I promise." Mary looked happy again and just when I was about to walk out, Theodore grabbed the door handle.

"Let me walk you to the carriage. It's the least I could do." I nodded and turned around and waved goodbye to Mary.

Theodore walked me to my carriage. When I was about to close the door, Theodore caught it. I watched him. He then pulled out the paintbrush I forgot about.

"Thank you Theodore." He nodded as I took the brush. Something looked like it was bugging him.

"Is there anything else you wanted to say? I'll make sure to send you the portrait when it's done."

Just when he was about to chicken out he said," I just wanted to say thank you for stopping me, you did the right thing.You are the first." I smiled.

"And, my parents think it's time for me to marry someone and they want it to be you." I laughed.

"Is that what you want?" He blushed and got down on one knee.

"Diana Valerius. Will you marry me?" I knew it was too sudden to marry someone, even if you only met them twice. But in stories such as this, you don't have time to fall in love before you get married. I made a mistake marrying an abusive liar, but this time is different. I got out of the carriage and bent over to kiss him on the cheek.

"Yes."