Chapter 8: I met him again
They arrive at the palace around half past six. This is her first time seeing a fortress so high and huge that seems to touch the sky.
The path was beautifully lighted, the smell of scented plants covered all over the place and the glossy green bushes fenced on either side of the walkway.
Nina watched in amazement, she wondered how many people work here to maintain this pathway.
Just as how she heard, the city of Larza is the definition of magnificence. It's one of the finely built cities in the world.
Contrasting the floor, the palace walls were dazzling in the polished white marbles and colored crystals. For a moment, Nina envied the people living here. This is what luxury means.
They were escorted to the King's private meeting hall. When they went by the door, they stopped by a guard telling them that General Kilian is inside for an urgent matter.
While waiting, can't able to control her thoughts that standing in the tip of her tongue, Nina remarked, "Just for the strawberries, the King wanted to meet us privately! This is insane,"
"Lower your voice, Nina. You don't know anything," Agnes snapped.
Nina expected that reply.
"We are going to see it anyway. If it isn't about strawberries, father you should not talk about marriage for a week in front of me," Nina put a bet.
"Fine," Albert agreed with a wink.
She leaned back on the wall with a smile and waited until the door opens.
She stood straight when General Kilian came out. Nina thought he must be an old man but he's young and good-looking. All his insignia revealed that he's a high-rank general.
"His majesty is waiting inside to meet you all," he said and eyes particularly at Nina before leaving the place.
Nina felt weird that stare and followed her parents inside. She plastered a smile. This is the moment she prayed to God that she has to win in the bet.
"Sorry to make you all wait," the King's words made her surprised. He must around fifty-five to sixty years old. His silver hair falls on both sides of his shoulders. Wearing a gold imprinted black robe and had a well-built frame even at this age. He must be attractive in his youth, Nina thought seeing his smile.
His demeanor is friendly and enthusiastic.
"Oh, not at all, my lord. We are glad to wait in this wonderful palace and we are so honored to meet you, your highness," Albert bowed and Nina and Agnes did the same.
Solomon had a smile and accepted their greetings.
"My name is Albert Bahitti, this is wife Agnes Bahitti and she's my eldest daughter Nina Bahitti,"
He introduced them and King's eyes were all on Nina.
"I am so pleased to have you all here," he said.
"I never thought you liked my strawberries this much," Albert said.
"What strawberries?"
"Isn't that the reason we are here, your highness?" Albert questions. Nina wanted to laugh badly to know that she has won in the bet.
King Solomon laughed, "You have misunderstood, Albert. You are here for an important reason,"
Albert was puzzled. "What is it, your highness?"
"It's about your daughter,"
Albert and Agnes turned their shift at Nina and she didn't have any clue about what the King is talking about.
"What about my daughter?" Albert asked. There were so many thoughts running over all his head as he looked at his witty-quick-tempered daughter
"She's going to be my daughter-in-law," King Solomon's statement made them gasp.
"What?" Nina exclaimed to hear that. Understanding that she's talking to the King, she added, "Your highness,"
King Solomon chuckled, "You are indeed pretty," he agreed to Theodore's statement.
"We are confused, his majesty. I think you have mistaken," said Albert.
"Not at all, Albert. I know this might be sudden and surprising. My son the Crown prince of Sinatra wanted to marry your daughter,"
Nina scratched her head with a grimace and thought whether the King has lost his mind. They were surely mistaken and I can't be that girl they were looking for, Nina presumed.
"I don't know your, son, Sir," Nina said. "As my father said, you have mistakenly brought us here for someone else,"
"Wait until my son comes, he will be here at any moment," Solomon requested. "He specifically told your place and I don't think he could be wrong,"
"Yes, of course, he couldn't be wrong, his majesty," Agnes spoke up at last.
Nina didn't want to get embarrassed like this. Especially her parents would be distressed, her father's face has already changed bitter which didn't make her feel good. They came here in the hopes of having a good time but it seems like it's never going to happen.
And why it is always my damn marriage? Nina cried mentally.
She couldn't grasp who could be that person. That's when the footsteps got their attention.
I came all this way to get mortified by the crown prince. Fine, if this is what going to happen, I am ready for it. Nina sighed.
But then in that final moment, she remembered about the stranger she saved on that storm.
The mere thought of his eyes gave shivers down her spine.
It couldn't be him, Nina thought the unusual even though her mind is screaming that it has to be him.
"There he is," Solomon chimed.
Nina upstretched her gaze to the man who's stood in front of her. That familiar face, that eyes, those lips, and his brisk form makes this moment unreal. The man she thought she's never met again just in front of her and he looks dashing than before.
"The Crown Prince, Theodore Hendrix,"
He smiled at Nina and surprise is the expression she could put on her face that moment.
Theodore warmly greeted everyone. He's dressed in golden silk tunics and slacks which could be worth more than her entire year savings.
"Did I bring the right girl?" Solomon asked his son.
"Yes, she's the one,"
"Do you know him?" Albert asks to clear his confusion. He couldn't believe what's happening here.
"Yes, I know him, father,"
"How? When? Where?" Albert questioned.
Theodore realized that all fathers are just the same.
"I am sorry for this sudden manner. I met Nina a few weeks before. She doesn't know who I am," Theodore explained to her.
"And I like her,"
Strangely, Nina didn't feel right to hear that from him. It's hard to accept that a man like him likes her. No way!
They looked at each other and they were distracted by the maids who brought refreshments for everyone.
"Early you said about strawberries, can we talk about it sitting there, Albert?" Solomon asked.
"Sure, Majesty," Albert nods.
"Why don't you take her to show around the palace?"
"Yes, that would be great," Theodore smiles and Nina looks at her father, helplessly.
He's hesitant, but still, this is King's orders so he gave his nod.
"Shall we?" he asks.
There's no choice, Nina has to face him now.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone