Theaella

3

3. Joy Of A Living Brother

“Brother!” Theaella cried out and ran over to him, well – run as much as her dress could allow her – and embrace him fiercely. Her action had her parents sighing. “It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you! How are you?!”

“I am fine, my beautiful and fair sister.” Vincent sized her up and twirled her around, getting pearls of soft laughter from her. He set her down, the young lady still giggling with twinkling eyes. “Hello, Mela.” He greeted with a soft smile, getting a curtsy from the young woman who smiled warmly at him. “You both look more exquisite than the last time I saw you!” He grinned warmly at Melanie.

“Why, thank you Vincent.” Theaella flipped her hair in a haughty manner whilst Melanie averted her eyes shyly.

By the corner, Eleanor and her husband frowned lightly at their interaction.

Theaella was about to ask her brother a question when she was interrupted by a cough that came from behind the tall behemoth.

“Why, hello Theaella. It’s so good to see you again.”

“Oh no.” Both Theaella and Melanie whispered in horror. ‘What in the bloody hell is he doing here?!’ They both yelled internally.

“Why, hello William.” Theaella curtsied, her lips pursed into a thin smile. “I didn’t know you were coming for a visit. Please, enlighten me, why are you here?”

“Theaella!” Eleanor chastised, aghast by the rudeness of her daughter.

“I’m here to see my betrothed, of course.” General William said with a warm, totally ignoring her hostility.

“What?” Theaella whispered in confusion and shock.

Melanie’s mouth dropped wide open in shock, whilst Vincent’s eyes went wide with disbelief.

“That’s right, sweat heart.” Morgan, Theaella’s and Vincent’s father, started, drawing everyone’s attention to him and his wife. “Your mother and I, along with William’s parents have arranged for the both of you to be married. We all believe that ‘tis a good match and you both are to be wedded very soon.”

It was silent for a moment before Theaella and her brother exploded.

“WHAT?!!”

Prince Maximum Wulfric of the kingdom of Munira couldn’t help but still think about the fair and beautiful young maiden he had met in the market place a few hours ago.

‘By the heavens she’s beautiful.’ He thought to himself. He was still day dreaming about her- Thea, when there was a knock on the door. He replies, granting permission for them to come in, and in walked one of the hotel’s butler.

“Your Highness.” The butler bowed to him whilst a maid brought in his ordered food in a trolley. “Dinner is ready.” And the maid arranged his choice of dinner and desert on the table.

As required, the maid taste tested the food, waiting back and not moving from her spot just in case she’d fall down dead. After a minute had passed and she was still alive and breathing, the Prince dismisses them and dug into his food once they were out.

Prince Max is the third child and the second son of King Destan and Queen Zephyra. After the successful assassination of his older brother George, Maximum became the heir to the throne of Munira. Because of the last attempt on his life, his parents were very reluctant to let him go on his vacation without any guards; but seeing as he was a master of disguise and the pressure of their only daughter (his elder sister) to not coddle him and to let him see the world that he may become an even greater King, they allowed him.

Myrine, the second child of Destan and Zephyra, and Maximum’s older sister and the General of their army, also assured them that a spy will follow his every move and move in to protect him if necessary – unknowingly to Maximum of course.

Now, he was here in Belrim, touring this peaceful part of the kingdom before heading to the capital in a few days time for a summons from their king. His father had given him the task to negotiate on the peace treaty with the kingdom, and Maximum intended on not failing.

After his meal, he freshened up before heading to bed. In his dreams, he saw teal eyes and a cherry painted lips smiling at him.

The next day found Maximum taking a walk and sight-seeing once again. He complimented some few artistic works he sighted, taking in their structure and beauty with keen eyes. From the corner of his eyes, he sighted someone and he halted in his steps to take a good look at them.

Standing before the window of a jewelry store was the most beautiful creature that has been on his mind for hours now.

“Ah! Miss Thea!” Maximum called out, waving his hand enthusiastically and running over to her.

The lady turned her hand towards his direction. She blinked owlishly as she gazed at him, but her face lit up in recognition seconds later.

Maximum slowed down, walking over to her with a broad smile. “Hello, Lady Thea.”

“Mister Maximum!” His interest of attraction calls out, greeting him with a warm smile.

______________________________________

Theaella was angry beyond belief.

How could her parents make this heavy decision without her knowledge?!

The dinner was so intense that one could use a butter knife to cut through it.

Vincent sat between his sister and William, seeing how his sister was so very uncomfortable being near him. She didn’t even hesitate to go upstairs after the dinner and didn’t spare William a single glance or wished him, or their parents, a goodnight.

Vincent heaved a sigh under his breath before he went after his sister, following behind Melanie.

Currently, Theaella was pacing like crazy in her room, and Vincent and Melanie were beginning to get dizzy.

“Ella, please can you stop pacing?” Vincent asked in exasperation. “You’re going to burn a hole in the carpet at this point.”

Theaella halted and glared at him with molten lava for eyes. Vincent immediately put his hands up in the universal sigh for surrender.

“I don’t care if the carpet burns. In fact, this bloody castle can burn to the ground! Hell, the whole world can burn!” Theaella shouted and threw her hands to the sky.

Then the young woman continued her pacing. Vincent just sighed and Mary was still following her steps with worry.

“How could mother and father do this to me?! Don’t they know the amount and intensity of hate I have for that annoying, selfish, god forsaken pompous brat?!” Theaella almost screeched in frustration. “For heavens sake, I’ve always avoided talking about him! Don’t they see that he gets on my nerves like no one does! Now I have to marry him?!”

This time Theaella screeched and both Vincent and Melanie had to cover their ears. Thank the heavens that she wasn’t throwing the ornament around her in her rightful rage.

“It’s official. God hates me.” Theaella collapsed on the floor, sitting on her butt and bringing her knees to her chest.

“Hey! Don’t say that, Ella.” Melanie said with a soothing voice as she and Vincent sit on both sides of Theaella. She wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulder, giving her support.

“Then why me?!” The young woman cried, tears ruining her make up. “Why not that Cordelia brat? God knows that both of them will fit each other perfectly.” Theaella spat out with contempt. The teen covered her face with her hands, groaning miserably into them. “I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

It took some few minutes before Theaella finally calms down. She cleans her face with the handkerchief Vincent procured, sniffing.

Vincent and Melanie traded glances before Vincent spoke up, “Say, why don’t we visit town tomorrow?”

Well, that got Theaella’s attention. She raised her head up so fast that Vincent winced, wondering if she had a whiplash. Her face was smeared with black tears and she had that hopeful puppy eyes.

“Really?” Theaella asked happily and hopefully. Vincent just sighed and nodded. Theaella squealed with joy and glopped her brother, hugging him tightly. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!”

Vincent and Melanie look at each other with amused smile. Melanie inclined her head in thanks. The man planted a kiss to her head before helping her up. Vincent bid her and Melanie goodnight, leaving the two women to freshen up and head for bed.