~Maria Point of View~

It was now noon, halfway till celebration. I sighed and went to my bed chambers. I shut my door behind me, locking it. Once inside the coziness of my room I slipped off my pants suit and slipped on one of Théoden's baggy shirts. I curled up in a ball and closed my eyes.

I wasn’t aiming for sleep, I had just hoped the relaxation of my body against my bed will help ease my nerves. I wanted so badly to rat out Crimson but I understood it would be detrimental to our plans.

As I rested in my bed, a loud booming knock made my eyes fling open. I grumbled in disgust as all I wanted to do was rest until my formal celebration.

“One moment!” I shouted as I stretched and got out of bed. Walked across the cold wood floors of my bedchamber and walked to my wardrobe. I pulled out a pair of black pants and slipped them on.

I walked the rest of the way to my door and opened it. “Yes?”

To my surprise it was Marcel. He stood there with a questionable grin on his face. And to my surprise, he was dressed decently. He was actually wearing a nice button down black shirt and a decent pair of black pants to match. He even wore the same pair of suspenders that he wore during our dance.

“I was hoping to take you to dinner before your ceremony tonight.” Marcel said with a foolish looking grin on his face. A grin, I am sure he thought would be charming.

“What time is it?” I questioned him as I was not in the mood for a full course meal right now.

“Just shy of two.” Marcel said.

“What time are you thinking? The celebration is at six.”

“Four.” He said as he grinned a bit more. I figured it was because I hadn’t refused him yet. I honestly, I feel exhausted enough from training in Theo’s and I dream that I didn’t have the energy to refuse him.

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“Sure. Give me time to get ready.” I tried not to sound defeated but I know I failed miserably at that.

As I watched him arch his eyebrow and his next words spoke with a bit of hurt, “If you don’t want to-”

I stopped him, “Look, I am just exhausted. I didn’t sleep well last night.” I said quickly.

His demeanor shifted slightly as he exhaled a breath, “If that is all it is, then I will see you at four.”

I waited until he was out of sight before I slammed my door and slumped against it. I let out a long sigh, I hate that man with a passion.

You could have said no. Théoden responded.

And what would the repercussions of me telling him no would be? I was a bit snarky in my response as everything so far that I wanted to do had some repercussions.

No need to give me attitude. It’s just simple, you could have told him no.

Sometimes, I hated it when Théoden would remain calm in most situations. Like when I get snarky and pop off an attitude with him. Théoden's demeanor was always calm. Especially after the incident with Bernard in the stables.

Sorry. I just feel exhausted and irritated today. And now I have to eat with him? What does a devil even eat?

That is an interesting question. I know they consume souls but we haven’t seen him eat much.

I hope he isn’t just going to stare at me the whole damn time. I grumbled as I thought back to the one time he was in the kitchen and all he had was a glass of water.

If that is all that dinner was going to be, I’d regret agreeing to it in the first place real quick.

I could get you out of it. Say there is an emergency that you need to attend to.

Théoden’s idea wasn’t bad. But I had low doubt that it would actually work.

I sighed, I wish. I suppose I will start getting ready for my date with the devil.

Théoden didn’t speak much after this as I could sense a bit of jealousy starting to boil within him. I tried to ignore the pull of his emotion as I got changed and ready for my big night.