The gift stared at me as I admired the beauty of the black box with a red cursive M. The M was a dead giveaway as to who the gift was from. As Theoden knew better than to buy me gifts.

I should have known better than to open the box but given my curiosity, I couldn’t help it. Once the box was open, what I saw made my heart skip a beat. The box contained a blacked silver chain with glints of red throughout. Hanging from the chain was a crystal heart with a crimson liquid that flowed as the necklace swung.

The jewelry was stunning, I'll admit but knowing what I knew now about Marcel, I thought it best to not wear the jewelry. Underneath the cushion the necklace sat on was a small piece of parchment, consisting of a single line message.

My darling princess, I thought of you when I saw this. M.

Resisting the charm of the necklace, I closed the box and sat it on my nightstand.

I rested for another hour in bed before descending the stairs. Roland gave me a smile as I entered the kitchen, “up early today?”

“Practice.” I responded to him. Meal times did vary quite a bit. Breakfast usually happened between 1 am and 7 am. Lunch happened around 12 pm and 1pm. Dinner followed between 5 pm and 7 pm.

Whatever Roland was cooking was causing my mouth to water and my stomach to grumble. I couldn’t help but ask, “do you have any…” He didn’t respond verbally but sat a plat of sweets in front of me. “How did you know?” I questioned him with a smile.

I began to munch on a chocolate chip cookie as he responded to my question. “I have served for a couple hundred years now. I hope by now that I will pick up your eating habits, mis sweet tooth.” We both glanced up as Théoden walked into the kitchen and with a smile he said, “and he prefers to eat an excessive amount of protein.”

Theoden kissed my forehead before taking his seat. Good morning dear.

Good morning.

Our telepathic communication was brief as Roland handed Theoden not one but two heaping plates of food. Plate one contained his extra crispy bacon and the other variety of style of eggs.

“Thank you.” Théoden said as he filled the kitchen with a loud crunch. Theo looked at my plate and surprised both Roland and I as he grabbed one of the cookies off my plate. “Just curious.” Theo said as he took a bite and handed it directly back to me. “I see why you like these but they are not to my taste.”

Roland and I both chuckled as we continued about our morning routine. Roland got two more trays out of the oven and Theo and I ate the food in front of us. “How was training? If I may ask?” Roland questioned breaking the crunching silence.

“I managed to hit him at least once.” I said proudly, as everyone knew it was almost impossible to hit Theo.

“Twice, actually.” Theo shook his hand as if the sting still hurt. “Your little trick with the lighting stung.”

“You deserved it.” As I tried not to laugh.

“I suppose it was fair.” Theo said caving in. “I’ll admit, I was a bit of an ass today.”

“May I know why?” I knew I could read his thoughts but I wanted him to tell me before I dug around his mind.

He sighed, “jealousy is not one of my finest qualities.”

Jealousy was an issue that he has always had. Something we both worked with. “I get it.” I did, I knew that him seeing me with Marcel was not an easy feat. If it were the other way around, I would feel the same.

“That aside, if she can hit you, that is impressive.” Roland said, trying to keep the conversation light-hearted.

“Thank you Roland.” I glanced over at Theo and did a quick read. I had to make sure he was alright.

I’m fine Maria.

I nodded and focused back on the plate of food in front of me, feeling a bit guilty. As the room fell silent, Roland had sensed a fresh plate of cookies and a fresh plate of bacon and eggs. Placing them down in front of us.

As soon as the fresh scent of cookie brushed my nostrils I immediately began to munch on the oozing chocolate chip cookies. After a couple of bites and a bit of chocolate dripping from my chin I felt the two men stare at me. “What?”

Théoden smiled, “the fact that a cookie can change your mood so easily.” I had noted my mood shift to joy as the cookie entered my mouth. “Perhaps for our training sessions, I need to reinforce you with sweets.”

“Please, as long as I can get a kiss, that is good enough for me.”

“Noted.”

“Speaking of training, I’m curious. How did you dodge his attacks?” I knew Roland wasn’t much of a fighter as he spent the entirety of his life in the kitchen. So, I understood his curiosity.

“To put it into simpler terms, dancing.” Considering how many dance lessons my father and mother put me through they became handy in dodge tactics.

Between my dance lessons and our annual Winterfall Ball my dancing skills were on point. This event consisted of many royals and nobles from our kingdom and the neighboring kingdom getting together. There would be a lavish meal and a dance to follow. I often did a musical performance at the ball and a ballroom dance routine. However, my favorite part of the evening was when I would sneak out to meet Theo at the beach and we would dance under the full moon.

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“Like the ones you did at the Ball? You danced so lovely at those.”

“Thanks Roland.”

I turned my attention to the plate of sweets sitting in front of me. The memories hurt to think about. Which is why Theo was quick to change the subject. “Roland, do you have more bacon by chance?”

We all looked at Theo’s plates as he managed to clean the ones in front of him.

“Give them a chance to cool.” Roland said as he took a tray out of the oven.

Getting hit with the fresh scent of bacon, Theo got up and I watched as he performed a basic magic spell Flash Freeze. A spell that produces a burst of cold air, chilling things it comes into contact with.

“Are you always this hungry?” Roland questioned as he ate a decent amount of the bacon on the tray.

I laughed while Theoden almost looked a little hurt if not surprised by the question. “I do burn a lot of energy being captain. Not to mention I have to deal with this one.” He pointed in my direction, which caused me to smirk.

“I mean nothing by it, you just seem to have a bottomless stomach.” Roland remarked. “Makes me question if you two have kids, what appetite will they have?”

That caused the both of us to laugh. As I did think of that from time to time as well. Questions like: what would our children be like? What would they get from me and what would they get from Theo? Regardless, I knew one thing, our future children would be loved and cherished.

“Well…” Théoden began to speak as he ate the last piece of bacon. “I need to do some rounds.”

As he walked past me he gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead.

After he left, I helped Roland clean up the kitchen and make fresh bread, which I enjoyed doing quite often.

Once I was finished with that, I decided to head up to Marcel’s room, as I needed to discuss a few things with him. I ascended the stairs and found my way to his bedroom. I knocked on the door three times. I could hear some movement and the sound of something zipping up. “Just a moment!” Marcel’s voice rang through the door.

Marcel opened the door moments later wearing no shirt and his usual black tight pants, which I have come to the conclusion was his usual attire. He leaned against the door frame and looked down at me with a smile. “What’s the occasion, Princess?” Marcel spoke with a harsh voice.

I stood there momentarily taking in his tall frame before shaking my head, “remember the list?”

Marcel fumbled in his pockets and pulled out a very crumpled piece of paper. He unfolded it and showed me the wedding list. “This one?”

“Yes,” I said, “may I come in?” I questioned him as I gestured towards his bed.

He moved to let me pass him, “of course.” He moved to a chair and pulled it across from the bed. “What do we need to discuss today?”

I thought back to what we had already planned and decided that a color scheme would be the best topic. “Colors."

“Colors?” he asked. I could tell this wedding stuff really confused him. But hey, at least I was getting some enjoyment out of it.

“Colors can help tie in a wedding's overall theme and vibe in general.” I said, “For our colors, let's combine our kingdom colors.” Winterfall's colors were more pale blues, whites, and light grays, and Summer Crests' colors were more vibrant, including sky blue, oranges, and yellows.

“Interesting. So, what colors are you suggesting?”

“Well, we could go gray and a sky blue. Those would pair nicely. Or White and a shade of yellow.” I told him.

“Let’s go with the first option. Gray and sky blue.” Marcel said, confirming his choice. “The others are too vibrant even for my taste.”

I let a smile slip, “not a fan of animals or bright colors?”

“Yes.” Marcel confirmed.

I let the thought pass me of Marcel suffering sitting in a vibrant throne room. And continued the topic of wedding colors and what it will mean for the two kingdoms.

“It will show unity between the two kingdoms. This color scheme will also help us with the council and make them believe it is real.”

“Should I care about the council?”

“Yes. As the council has a majority vote on damn near anything. We may wear the crowns but we can’t get anything done without the council.”

“This marriage is one of them?”

“Considering it concerns two kingdoms, Yes.”

He thought for a moment but didn’t speak another word for a bit. “Should we discuss more then?”

“Nope.” I told him as I got up to leave I thought back to that damn necklace he thought he could buy me with. “I guess I have one more thing…”

“What is it my darling?”

“The gift…” I paused trying to figure out how to phrase it as nicely as I could, “I did not appreciate it. Winning me over isn’t something that can be bought.”

“But I did not buy it. Consider it…” He paused briefly, “a family heirloom.” Those words caused goosebumps on my arms. Something did not set right with me.

“Regardless…I don’t like gifts.”

He sighed and looked a bit disappointed. “Keep it regardless. Perhaps one day I will see it hang around your pretty little neck.”

With that I left his room and headed to mine. The necklace did not sit well with me at all. I needed to tell Théoden about it but I knew he may get jealous over the fact another man bought me jewelry. But he had spells he could use to identify its properties.

Théoden? I questioned him.

As soon as I spoke his name I could sense him peer through my mind to see if I was alright. I saw his vision shift to the black box I now held in my hand again. What’s that? He questioned me.

I flipped open the box and showed him the necklace, a gift from Marcel. He claimed it was a family heirloom.

I’d advise against wearing it. And it is not my jealousy talking. I’ll examine that later.

I closed the box and put it back on my nightstand. You know you don’t have to worry about me. Marcel won’t claim me.

I know, but Maria…it’s not you I am worried about, it's him. We don’t know his full power capabilities yet. I don’t want him taking advantage of you. I could sense a bit of hurt in his voice as he spoke to me through the bond.

I won’t let him. I promise. I tried to calm him down.

He sighed heavily, I’m sorry I am being a bit difficult right now.

I get it my dear, I know seeing me with him is difficult. It’s not easy for me either. But we will get through this. I spoke softly trying to reassure him.

I think I know what my problem is.

What’s that my dear?

It’s been awhile since we have had sex.

It’s just been a few days. I teased.

A few days is a long time.

I’m not complaining. I responded.

I’ll be seeing you in your dreams tonight. But for now I got to get back to work. I do want you to meet me in the Library of Forgotten Knowledge later so I can examine that necklace and we can utilize the endless library for its knowledge. He told me. Give me a few hours and meet me there.