THE MASKED BRIDE

Chapter 10

Sophia vowed to work hard so he could receive more compliments from Theodore….

"Thank you " Sophia said

" you're welcome " Theodore responded .. he viewed Sophia as a small kitten .something he needed to nurture properly and protect

" excuse me Duke Theodore " Philip said interrupting the moment

Theodore rolled his eys…. Taking his hands away from Sophia's head

" what is it Baron " Theodore asked

" I came to see you off as you were my guest and I would like to see you next time " Philip responded

" Sophia dear, I'll like to have a word with your father, until next time " Theodore said as he picked up her right hand and kissed it

" okay " Sophia responded leaving to give the two men some privacy

As he passed by her father, she noticed how nervous he became when he heard he will be speaking with Theodore alone

" do not sweat too much Baron , I want to have a civil conversation with you so come closer " Theodore said as he motioned for the Baron to come closer to him

" yes" Philip said feeling some kind of dejavu at this moment but Theodore has already gotten what he wanted which is Sophia so therefore there was no valid reason for him to be attacked by the duke again

" theodore wait !!" Philip exclaimed as Theodore grabbed his slinder neck

" one strand out of place, one cut on her skin or one complaint from her mouth and i will kill you and kill your wife , Theodore gripped Philip's neck tighter as a sign that he was not joking round around ….treat her well while I'm being nice to you….. .understood??" The duke said

Philip quickly shook his head , unable to use words because of the tight grip around his neck

" good" Theodore said as he released the Baron's neck with a shove

Look at you Baron looking so disheveled .. he fixed Philip's shirt fixing out the ruffled parts … Philip kept his head down bearing with Theodore ruffly patting his shoulders to smooth out his clothes….. never in his life has been embarrassed by someone coming into his house and treating him like he was not the owner ..

" I honestly don't look forward to you being my father-in law as there so much I have to kill you for but since you're loved by your daughter for some reason, I shall keep you alive ….. do you understand what I mean Baron, if Sophia's love for you runs out then I shall consider killing you" Theodore said

" I understand Duke Theodore" said Philip

" I am giving you the opportunity the opportunity to correct the mistakes you made before, see to it that you do not ruin this for her … as much as Theodore disliked the Baron, he could sense that Sophia was longing for a positive interaction with her family … and from what he witness today, tje Baron was the one he was most likely to get it from .

He put a task on the Baron for him to act like a good father in two days and to shield Sophia from the two women , whether or not Sophia would like her father's new found interest in her was completely up to Sophia .

Sophia and her father can either have a heart to heart moment where her father would apologize for hurting her or Sophia would see that there was no hope for her family.

" Theodore would you ….." Philip trailed off as he hear footsteps walking away from him, he looked back and saw Theodore walking back to his carriage without saying goodbye

" I should have just hit him when he was here " Philip muttered to himself….he can only act like this because of the king and his name.. does he think I will let him get away with this , treating me like a fool in my own home

" where is Sophia " Philip said as he went back inside to look for his oldest child… she has not yet told me what she and the duke discussed at the party , unless she was going to say the Duke fell in love with her at first sight.. but that was impossible to believe

Sophia wore a Mask covering half of her face, she has ruined her beauty a long time ago and there were countless beautiful young women like Amelia for Theodore to fall In love with

" Sophia " Philip yelled after finding the dinning room to be empty

Clare had brought the plate of breakfast for morning as it was still on the table untouched

" yes father" Sophia responded, her voice came from the direction of the kitchen as she needed Daniel to give her another plate of warm food before he heard her name being called….. now that Theodore was gone , everything will be back to normal

" care to explain to me how this union between you and Theodore came about? And do not talk about love at first sight " Philip warned

" am I not beautiful enough for Theodore to fall in love with me at first sight? … remember when I was much younger, you will parade me around and show everyone how beautiful I was" Sophia smiled remembering the faint memories

" that was before you started wearing a mask and you cannot blame me for what happened " Philip said

" I blame you for not taking control of what happened afterwards father , I blame you for what cause it and the duke did not fall inl love with me at first sight, such a thing would not happen " Sophia said

" then was said between the two of you , tell me everything from the beginning " Philip said as his curiosity became unbearable…..he had to know whst Sophia did that Amelia could not do after all these years

" I already told you what was said father and I do not know why the Duke picked me instead of Amelia, I'm sorry the daughter you wanted to marry him was not chosen .... Is my conversation with the duke all you came to ask me" Sophia aske as she was waiting for him to say what he planned to do about her engagement to the Duke.