Chapter 23: Small bed
Kazeer is a small town in the middle of the mountains but it's crowded because of the war. War to steal the resources available in this land. Next to Sinatra, Kazeer is a place that many people prefer to live in because of the vast mineral mine present here and men from all over the Kingdom come with their families to get a job here. The King pays them so well. Even though it's cold compared to the other cities, people are so mad to earn money.
It's evident how the town is bustling tonight.
Nina was amazed by the bustling town, it didn't look like how she had imagined, she thought it would be a small sleepy town like Silent hill. This is so different.
When the carriage stopped before their home Nina got with a smile, holding Theodore's hand, it's the only tall building in the town.
The house is huge but it's going to accommodate the entire royal family, important army generals, trusted maids, and guards so it's a small space for them. Nina and Theodore might have a small room facing the woods.
Even the house is crowded, soldiers coming in and out. For Nina, this is so different from all the lonely silent places she has ever lived. The house was brightly lit for their arrival.
"I hope the house doesn't scare you," Theodore whispers in her ears.
Nina smiles and looks at the man standing in the front. He has a strong resemblance to Gabriel, which told her that he's the third brother that she's didn't met yet.
"Welcome home, brother," he said.
"Thank you, Jordan," Theodore hugs him. Then his brothers squeezed him with their hugs, telling him how much they missed him. Maximus didn't mind them at all and walked inside.
Once his brothers left him, Jordan then turned his gaze to Nina.
"You must be our sister-in-law," Jordan smiles.
"Yes, I am Nina. Nice to meet you,"
"No wonder why my brother married you, you have beautiful eyes," he complimented, making Nina blush.
"I guess you know me. I am the middle brother Jordan," he offered his hand and she shook his hand.
"I didn't know you brought your new bride here for your honeymoon, to this place?" Jordan chuckles.
"You know me, I adore damned places like this," Theodore sarcastically remarks.
Everyone kept reminding her how dangerous this place is. Nina is the one terrified of this place which is just near the enemy territory. Anything can happen anytime.
"Well then, enjoy your honeymoon here," Jordan said, "Let's go inside,"
They made their way to the living room, and from there all the room doors were seen. It's not like a house, it must be something else before being converted into a home.
Like all the royal houses, it is filled with costly artifacts, paintings covering the wall, and more importantly decorative lanterns. With this situation going on, the house is more like a junkyard with many weapons being stored everywhere.
"Finally Theodore got married," Jordan said.
"Why is that?" Nina asks, looking at Theodore.
"His marriage is the spark for all of us to get married soon," Jordon answers.
"I hope you are happy right now?" Theodore asks.
"Yes, very much,"
Nina smiles and looks at Sylvia being escorted to the maid's quarters. She wanted to make sure that she's comfortable in this place like the palace. Nina is still guilty that she dragged her here, even though it is not her fault.
"Your room is upstairs, same," Jordan said to Theodore.
"Better you didn't touch anything," Theodore raised one of his eyebrows.
"I didn't. But how are you both…?" he stopped with a sly smile. Nina wondered what he just swallowed.
"I think you both can manage there,"
"Yes, we can," Theodore smiles.
"And where is Killian?"
"He hasn't returned yet. Might come back at midnight. He will meet you first thing in the morning,"
Theodore nods, "Thank you, Jordan,"
"You must be tired brother, have a good rest you both," saying that Jordon ascends to his room. Nina and Theodore walked upstairs.
"Upstairs seems quieter," Nina said looking around.
"It won't be like this every day, men are mostly on the field now. You will soon see how much this is going to piss you off," he chuckles.
"Nice way to cheer me up in this place, thank you," Nina said.
It was at the end of the hallway when Theodore opened the door, Nina understood what Jordon just swallowed.
It's the bed. which could be comfortable for a single person. If two people are going to share it then they need to cuddle which would be easier for a couple who were married out of love. But for them, they need to sleep touching each other uncomfortably.
"Good lord!" she mutters looking at the bed.
"Common in, make yourself comfortable. This is also your room," he said.
"Where can I sleep?" Nina asks the question that's bothering her.
"Here," he pointed to the bed.
"What about you?"
"Here," he again pointed to the bed.
"Seriously?" she raised her eyebrows.
"How could we both sleep in this small bed?"
"What can I do? I will ask them to change it tomorrow," Theodore shrugs like it's not a big deal.
"I can't sleep on the floor," Nina said because she will freeze to death if she does that.
"Me neither,"
"You aren't getting my point," Nina lowered her voice and came closer to him.
"Don't you feel uncomfortable?" she asks.
"You are my wife, why should I feel uncomfortable?" he asks.
"I can't sleep here," Nina walked to the door.
Theodore grabbed her hand roughly. "Do you want everyone to know what's going on between us?" he asks, looking into her eyes.
"No," she looked down.
Their lips were close enough to make her heart pound.
"Nina, you need to understand that this place is different from the palace. Even if there's no one to spy on us, we will be easily caught by these attentive people," he reasoned.
Nina still felt something weird and Theodore could see that too.
"I told you, I am not going to do anything. If you have a bit of trust in me just sleep in the bed with me," he asks.
Nina couldn't say no. "You should change the cot soon," she said.
He nodded and left her hand. He starts to remove his jacket and Nina undresses too, looking at the other side. Through the window, she could see the almost full moon gleaming brightly in the sky.
In her undergarment, Nina quickly got under the sheets. Closing the window curtains, Theodore sat on the warm mattress and looked at the locked drawer. There's something in it and he wanted to get rid of it before Nina sees.
When he fell on the bed.
"Ouch, my arm," Nina winced.
"I am sorry. Did I hurt you?" he asks.
"Not much, good night," Nina frowns and turns to the other side.
Their backs were touching each other. Nina loses her guard to breathe normally. Truthfully, she's insecure more than shy. She wondered what he would think about her than their intimacy.
"Have you gone to sleep?" he asks.
"Almost," Nina answered, but her eyes were wide open.
"Are you mad at me?" he asks.
"No," she mutters.
"Do you have anything to say to me?" he asks.
"Yes. I have so many questions to ask you but I know you won't answer all of them today," she said.
Theodore smiles.
"How about one question a day?" he asks.
Nina nods with a smile. She badly wanted to turn around and look at his face but this is better.
"Who's your favorite cousin?" she asks.
"It's not Maximus," Nina states.
Theodore's face changes. "Yes." he lied.
"Then who?"
"I love all of them, equally," he answers vaguely but Nina accepts it.
Moments passed in silence and eventually, Nina drowsed into a deep sleep.
Theodore's eyes were on the moon, dimly visible through the curtains.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone