The Royal Family I

"Is she trustworthy?"

Ramiel contemplated on the question asked by the queen before replying. "She wasn't faking her emotions from what I could see. Maybe they haven't approached her yet."

"I thought so too. Even though she isn't on their side, her being here is not good either. She has hatred for this kingdom and might still have other motives. It's better to be alert."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ramiel replied drowning further into thoughts about Astra. It would have been better if she was on their side and theg would not have to worry about Theron that much. He could understand from earlier she had a big impact on Theron, and he seemed to listen to her obediently. The only problem was they could not trust her. Maybe her affection was just temporary and soon enough she would reveal her true intentions.

***********

After helping Theron clean up the wound, Astra led him to the bedroom urging him to rest. Theron on the other hand was reluctant to sleep. He was scared that the moment he would close his eyes Astra would disappear leaving him alone. He could not afford to lose his beautiful wife, thus he made a silent promise not to get angry in the presence of his wife. The last thing he wanted was for her to hate him. That would definitely break his heart.

"Theron, I know you aren't asleep. I can clearly see your eyes flushing," Astra whispered leaning towards Theron who lying on the bed feigning asleep.

Theron opened one eye smiling sheepishly, then opened the other. "I'm not sleepy at all," he complained trying to sit up, but Astra held him in place as she sat on the bed side.

"Even if you are not sleepy you cannot move around. You are still injured, remember?"

Theron pursed his lips and nodded obediently. "Will you stay here with me?" he asked in a whisper biting his lower lip.

"Of course I will. Where else would I go?" she questioned as she ruffled his hair.

"Mmmh. That's true. You only have me now and I only have you," Theron murmured to himself.

"Did you say something?" Astra asked hearing him whisper.

Theron wanted to deny but then he remembered he had promised not to lie to her.

"I... Secret! It's a secret," he replied finding the best solution to his problem.

"Oh, so you do know how to keep secrets?" Astra narrowed her eyes at him but did not ask about his secret anymore.

Theron chuckled lightly as he admired Astra's face. That had become now his favourite thing to do.

"Theron, can I ask you something?"

Theron nodded immediately not tearing his adorable gaze at her.

"Why didn't you want to go to royal dining table?" she had been meaning to ask him since the moment she was cleaning his wound.

Theron face fell and his smile disappeared. He did not want to talk about that but since his beautiful wife asked him, how could he refuse her.

"I don't like the people there. They are all bad," he replied his voice filled with sadness and a hint of anger.

"Is it about your brothers?" Astra wanted to know more in order to prepare herself for whatever was coming, because it would not be long before she met those people.

"Mmmh and their mother too. She is also bad, very bad," Theron clenched the blanket on him with every word he said.

"Their mother? Isn't your mother also their mother?" Astra was getting more confused than before.

Theron shook his head then continued to explain. "The King has three wives. My mother is the first queen, with two children. My younger sister and I. The second queen has two sons and they are twins. The third queen has two children, a son and a daughter."

"So, your brothers are the ones who usually bully you?"

"The second queen's sons only. They are actually twins, Vance and Lance. But third queen's son is not that bad. He sometime protects me from the twins but rarely talks."

Astra took in every information carefully. It seemed the esteemed Royal family also had their own internal conflicts. The question was why they bullied Theron who could barely defend himself.

"Do you know why your brothers do that to you?"

Theron shook his head before stretching his body on the bed then stared at the roof.

"All I know is they are envious of me. I heard them once say that the king favours me. I don't know why but that is not true because the King dislikes me too."

Astra was shocked by that news of information. Things were more messier than she had thought.

"But he's your father too. Why would he dislike you?"

"He says I have become worthless. That I'm good for nothing. I heard him saying to mother that if I don't get better he's going to take away the title of Crown Prince from me."

"What?" Astra was beyond shocked. "But you are the first born prince of Ardenia so he can't do that."

"He can but I don't care about it anymore. I have you with me now," Theron said as he turned his head to take a look at Astra. "I just want to stay with you, beautiful wife."

Astra could feel her heart accelerate in response to Theron's word. They made her even doubt if he was really ill. How could a person with a five year old mind say such heavy words. But all in all, she had become helpless in front of his cuteness.

"Beautiful wife, I think I..." his words were cut off by the creaking door.

Ramiel stood there staring at the two for a moment then said, "Her Majesty said you should start getting ready. It's almost time."

Theron sat up abruptly his mood taking a ninety degree turn. "I said I won't go anywhere. Tell her we won't..."

Astra held Theron's hand making him pause midway. She nodded her head at him in assurance before turning to Ramiel.

"Tell her we will be there," she said in flat voice yet authoritative.

"Yes, Your Highness." Ramiel left the room his lips slightly raised after witnessing such a scene. He had known Theron all his life and the man listened to no one and now he seemed to be under the little princess' spell. Ramiel wondered what will Theron do once he regain his usual self. Would he discard her or continue being her obedient husband? The latter was nearly to impossible but he would not judge. Only time would tell.

"His highness' future is certainly going to be very dramatic. Come back soon, Your Highness. I can't wait anymore."