A Tale of Redamancy

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

When a servant announced our arrival, the hall went silent. I was sweating as Theodore stood straighter. I made sure to hold up my dress so that I wouldn't fall but I was close. When we reached the king and queen the music began again and there was a new kind of buzz in the room. I curtsied in front of the queen. She had long locks of black hair that fell around her shoulders with emerald eyes. She was dazzling in a pink dress next to the king who was talking to Theodore about neighboring countries. Theodore was frowning before turning his back to me so that I wouldn't see. I looked back to the queen smiling.

"How are you doing my queen?" I asked.

"Quite well. I'm tired already." We laughed together and talked some more before Theodore and the king came over. Theodore bowed holding out his hand.

"If I may, may I take Diana away to dance?" The queen nodded as I took Theodore's hand and stepped onto the floor. Silently, he grabbed my waist as I grabbed his shoulder, following the rhythm of the music.

"Is everything alright?" I asked. I knew he was concentrating really hard on the dance but I was curious what the conversation he had with the king was about. He hesitated.

"Yes."

"Really? Because it looked like you were upset with the King." My dress brushed against my ankles as he twirled me, meeting my inquisitive eyes.

"I will tell you later." I frowned.

"Fine but can you at least give me a hint?"

"Will it stop you from asking questions for now?"

"Of course." I huffed. The song stopped and we bowed to each other. Theodore ran his hand through his hair, thinking.

"It's about our marriage." My shoulders slumped. I knew it.

"You don't want to marry me?" The music started up again as Theodore took my hand again, wanting to dance once more. He looked flabbergasted, his eyes wide.

"What? No, of course I want to marry you, it's something else." I nodded, looking away. It hurt thinking about him leaving me, which confused me for some reason that I had to look away. Theodore noticed and let go of my waist and instead lifted my chin so that I was looking straight at him.

"Please Diana. This may be one of my last few chances to enjoy a night without any worries... with you. Don't doubt me now." I tilted my head, noticing the earnesty in his eyes and smiled softly.

"Okay." He smiled at me, relaxing.

We enjoyed the rest of the night together, laughing, sharing food, doing everything a "couple" would do. I could tell Theodore was really trying to enjoy the night, so I tried my best for him. But something kept gnawing at the back of my mind. I tried to think of the storyline from my past life, but I was drawing up blanks. Finally, the night ended. Theodore and I said our goodbyes to the king and queen before walking back to the prince's corridor. I planned on staying the night at the palace since the snow was sticking to the ground, the roads looking unsafe. The king and queen agreed to allow far travelers to stay the night, including myself. We finally reached his room. Theodore held open the door for me as I walked in, the room dark. Theodore left to grab a candle as I walked over to the window. I took off my choker, rubbing my neck as I watched the snow fall. Theodore came beside, placing the lit candle on a table. We stood there in silence. He was always the silent one in this whatever you call it, I realized.

"So what's wrong? And don't hold back." I said as I turned to face him.

"I will have to leave in a month and head to the army. Our neighboring kingdoms' borders are being attacked and as the most powerful kingdom here, it is our duty to protect." I reached over to hug him. At 19 years old, he has to go to the front, risking his life. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close. He was shaking.

"I'm so sorry Theodore." He nestled his head into the crook of my neck, his arms holding me tightly.

After a while he stopped shaking and I asked,"How long do you think you will be gone for?"

"About two years. The kingdoms are far away and are large, it will take a while to expunge the enemy." I realized how this connected to our marriage. We would have to wait two years until we could be wed, that's if he comes home alive. He nestled in closer at the thought. I made up my mind at this moment.

"Then we will have the wedding three days before you leave. That way our honey mo-" He pushed me away, holding my shoulders. His eyes were a deep midnight blue.

"What? Are you sure? I don't know how I would feel leaving you so soon after that." I nodded smiling.

"You need someone to be there for you while you're out there. I will be safe and write you a letter every day. Please let me do this for you." Theodore pulled me back in one more time, my arms wrapped around him, holding onto his back. I couldn't see his face. After a moment I felt him brush my hair away from my neck before gently planting a kiss on my neck. It sent shivers down my spine. I held him tighter, burying my face into his chest, my cheeks burning.

"Thank you." He said. No more words were spoken of the matter after this. It was official. Our wedding will be held in 27 days.