All is Fair in War and Love
Everyone's eyes widened at Prince Geoffrey's brazen confession.
"Our Queen Theeya is a just ruler. She could cancel her Coming of Age Ball and just marry me because we are very much in love but she chose her people and the greater benefit of the Kingdom over her own happiness. Even if I did not win her hand I certainly hope that He will give her all the happiness that I know she deserves."
After a moment of awkward pause, Prince Vincent of Magnio spoke.
"It is commendable that Queen Theeya knows that being a ruler the responsibility of bearing the fate of the entire Kingdom falls squarely on her shoulder. While you, Prince Geoffrey had a headstart in this race to win Queen Theeya's hand in marriage, all is fair in war and love. May the best man win," he raised his glass as the rest of the contenders raised theirs.
"May the best man win," glasses clinked as the men chimed in unison.
Theeya's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets as the event unfolded in front of her very own eyes.
Sereni leaned over and whispered into Theeya's ears: "I wonder if a Queen can marry more than a husband. They are all delicious."
Theeya gulped down her wine as she blushed at Sereni's words.
At the moment King George of Kingdom of Pernah raised his glass and smiled at Theeya from across the table. Theeya somehow did not find him endearing and politely smiled back with a nod.
Sereni caught herself looking at the Prince Arthur of Kingdom of Rash and he stared back at her with a hint of interest in his eyes. Their eyes met and something unexplainable happened as sparks flew.
Theeya turned to look at Sereni who was slightly out of breath. "Feeling hot? See something that you like? I don't fancy Prince Arthur. You can have him," Theeya teased.
As today was only the first day of the last 5 days of the challenge, supper ended without much ceremony as the contenders returned to their quarters. Before long the exhausted young men filled up the guest quarters with their symphony of snoring as they get their much needed rest.
As Theeya tossed and turn in her bed, she felt a chill as a draft entered her room even though the windows were tightly shut.
Her eyelids felt heavier as she finally fell into a dreamless slumber.
*****
The sun peaked through the Windows, waking up Theeya as she rubbed her eyes.
Jeff was in her room.
It was not Jeff the Prince Geoffrey, it was Jeff the Professor Everett's Jeff.
Confused, Theeya looked around the room.
Her throat felt parched and dry.
Jeff poured a glass of water for her.
"How long had I been asleep?" asked Theeya.
"A little over 3 days," he passed the glass of water to her.
Taking a sip from the glass, Theeya raised her brows prompting further explanation from Jeff. She knew she was out as the red eyes man told her she could not marry Jeff and must wait for him but she did not know how long he would place her unconscious.
"Where are we now?" She passed back the empty glass to Jeff and he took it and placed it on the bedside table.
"We moved to my estate. We did not get married but nothing can stop us now," he said as his brown eyes stared intently at her.
"You were my father's friend. I don't think that is appropriate. I don't think I can accept your proposal and I cannot be kept here without my consent," she looked him squarely in the eyes, as if challenging his authority.
Jeff was taken aback. This is the first time in many years that a woman would stand up against him. He thought he had Theeya like putty in his hands. Who would have taught she was not that head over heels in love to him after all that idolation he received?
He felt crushed and it showed on his face.
Theeya's face softened as she noticed the crushed look on his face.
Her voice was gentle as she spoke: "I like you but that does not mean I can just marry you in such a short notice. I want us both to be ready sure, alright?"
Her eyes searched for Jeff's eyes and he finally looked up and their eyes locked with one another. He then smiled and held out his hands. She held out her hands and they both grabbed each other's hands as their eyes spoke volumes to each other.
"We shall let this progress, give it some time. No pressure then. I'm sure the rest of the 40 Thieves descendants are well off so they got extra rooms for the two of us separately as we go around visiting them," he said as she smiled back at him.
As he turned to leave the room, Theeya paused and pondered for awhile. What Jeff said sounded so foreign to Theeya. After being trapped in her dreams for so many days she was in another alternate reality that happened in the past. She was still disoriented and fumbled with her bearings as she stood up to go to the bathroom.
Her mind went back to her past incarnation as the Queen searching for her King in the contest. What happened and who did she marry in the end? As she reached the door of the bathroom, the room suddenly felt like it was spinning and Theeya blacked out, she did not even know when she hit the floor.