Is this a first date?

Theo had beaten her fair and square. It was well after 1 and he was getting nervous she would go back on her word. He was pacing. He'd been so excited he was dressed and ready quickly. Wearing a black shirt with a navy-blue velvet jacket with gold embroidered trim and gold buttons with black pants and boots.

***

 Theo

I know I looked good. I spent time in front of the mirror. It was crazy how much I cared what she thought, I shouldn't care this much.

Is this a date?

I wonder if she would consider this a date and is waiting for me to pick her up?

What if I'm late? If she thinks this is a date and I'm not on time. Shit.

I'm rushing out my room on the second level of the west wing and realize.. I didn't know where Princess Orion's room was.

I'd found her through our bond before maybe I could do it again? Walking down the hall to the stairs, and I go them. I don't know why but it feels like the right direction. I'm just going to let this feeling leave lead me and hope for the best. When I reached the third level I could feel her, there were only two doors. I knew immediately which door it was and walked up to it. Take a deep breath.

Knock. Knock.

 A minute goes by and then the door opens, it was the older housekeeper at the door smiling. It was so gentle a smile. She stepped aside inviting me in. I walked through the door and there she was standing to the right of the door in front of the mirror.

She was a fucking goddess. Her dress clung to her, was she always this curvy? Her vest had me fooled. Her outfit so simple but she makes it look like evening wear. I can't believe under all that armor and dirt there was a real ass princess there. Her beauty was driving me up a wall. Is this woman really going to be my wife? I don't deserve her, not in the slightest.

Stop gaping at her and say something you idiot.

"The dress suits you, you look, so beautiful." That's it? That's all that comes out? Seriously? Smooth… approaching her I take her hand in my mine and I bow to her kissing her hand. I look up and she's blushing. Her whole face turning pink. And that made me smile. My affection embarrassed her. Was she actually shy? That adorable.

"Even more beautiful when you blush little bunny, you're adorable, are you feeling a little shy?"

Clearly annoyed by the pet name she snatched her hand from mine. Snubbing me. So feisty.

"I thought you were handsome when you walked in and then you opened your mouth and now, I'm questioning my sanity"

"So, you think I'm handsome?"

***

Orion

Prince Theo. Gods he so annoying. I can't believe I agreed to this. Am I really going to put up with this crap during our whole date? Why was I so stupid to make this deal? I guess I never thought I'd lose.

Honestly, his skills were really impressive. He was well trained and it definitely felt like he was experienced with different opponents. He was able to predict my movements. And he was so fast, I didn't know anyone could be so fast. He was faster than Oleander and Alderic.

"Oh, my gods, you're infuriating"

"Anything to get your attention." Theo said

I'm gonna kill him. He's already stepping on all my nerves. Help me goddess Calanthian, to not kill the man you matched me with. What were you thinking pairing me with such an infuriating person.

"I think my little bunny may be getting angry with me, thank you for everything Ms. Marcy I'll be taking her to lunch now."

"Have a good time" Marcy said while cleaning up, waving good bye.

Theo and I walked down the stairs i silence. I was so nervous. I could feel my palms sweating. I need to slow my heart rate down it's like it's going to beat right out of my chest. I feel like I'm going to throw up. I look up at the man walking to my left.

"This place is pretty large, ,there's so many halls and doors to different rooms. Have you ever gotten lost in these halls?" He asked breaking the silence.

Smiling I laugh slightly. "Yeah maybe more than a few times. There's a lot of people who live here at court so a lot of the rooms in some halls are locked. But, you know, I always seem to find the most interesting things when I'm lost and can't find my way" I continued, "there's this room filled with crystal colored glass, it makes a rainbow of colors on the floor. It might be a favorite place of mine"

"After lunch you think you could show me?" he sounded intrigued.

"I'm surprised you can speak anything other than sarcasm" I taunted him.

"I'm surprised you can speak to me without biting my head off" he responds smiling down at me. Gods his smile was to die for. I don't know if I want to punch him or myself for being such a cheeseball. His lips looked so soft, I wanted to

reach and touch them to see just how soft.

"Well the sound of your voice is like fuel to my fire, careful playing with fire else you get burned"

Saying this made him laugh so loud. It echoed through the stairwell.

Once we got to the first door, I led us through to the dining hall.

"Oh, I didn't mean to have lunch here, there is a spot I want to go with you too, I already asked a servant to pack us our lunch to go" he said to me.

"Oh, where would that be?" Curious to know where a man whose never been here could take me "Are you familiar with the area?" I asked knowing the answer.

"No, but I once followed a cute little bunny once to this place with a view" bending down to whisper in my ear "and I'd very much like to see it again, maybe even find my little bunny"

 The sound of his voice made my heart flutter, it was smooth like chocolate melting in my ears, but the words that came out made me want to stab him..

"Is flirting the only other language you know how to speak?"

"I'm also fluent in dwarvish." he responded.

Ugh. I rolled my eyes at him.

"I'm hungry are we going to leave or are we just going to just continue having a good chat?"

"So you admit you like talking with me since it's a good chat?" he gestured toward the kitchen island table. There was a basket with a bottle of wine and a blanket sticking out. I could smell the freshly baked bread in the basket.

Mmmmm… Sussia's bread. Next to Marcy she made the best bread in the palace. He grabbed the basket and then placed his hand in front of me, "lead the way my princess."