“Hello, do you have any idea how distracting your presence is?” One of the fellow students had the nerve to approach Theodore with a flirtatious smile. “Will you take responsibility for it?”
“I beg your pardon?” Was how he acknowledged her, a little bit haughtily, as he looked up from his phone.
“I mean it’s only fair you do since your very presence will earn me a bad mark in this class,” the blond woman said in a teasing tone, her intentions loud and clear.
Didn’t she see his beautifully seething Emily by his side?
He could feel his mate’s blood lust, and thus said in haste, “I am very much committed to my woman.”
The blonde looked to the right and then to the left before saying in a perplexed manner, “What woman?”
He raised an eyebrow at that.
And she had the audacity to carry on with her disrespect, “Surely you don’t mean this little girl by your side. I am sure she is way too dull for a man like you.” Theodore couldn’t help but wonder where her confidence came from. “Can she even satisfy you?”
His mate was about to rise to her feet when he growled but two words, “Enough nonsense!”
The audacious student was taken aback at that. She hadn’t expected it, that was for sure.
“But…”
He was the one to stand up, and with murderous eyes, he told her, “Scram, little girl.”
She gasped in outrage but stayed rooted to her place.
“You heard the man. He’s mine,” his sweet Emily said confidently, in a taunting manner of sorts, “Don’t let me catch you even looking at him, unless you want me to take care of you, personally that is.”
“As if!” The blonde scoffed.
“Try me,” Emily told her simply at that.
Then, a staring contest ensued between the two of them. Naturally, his sweet and once-innocent Emily didn’t lose.
“Whatever,” was the blonde’s exclamation before she retreated.
Once she was out of sight, Emily focused her murderous eyes on Theodore. “See why I didn’t want you attending college?”
“But you handled that well,” he said teasingly.
She glared at him some more before sighing. “This is the third one today!”
“Sorry?” He said even though he didn’t know why he was even apologizing. His pregnant mate made him do and say things he wasn’t sure of.
“You better make it up to me,” she declared after some time, “with plenty of chocolate, and sex. And maybe sex with chocolate too.”
“Fine by me,” he winked as a chuckle escaped him.
She rolled her eyes at him but said nothing else.
It was hard managing a business and attending college at the same time.
It was a good thing his mate’s schedule wasn’t overly packed.
** ** ** ** ** **
Soon enough, a week went by, and Emily started getting morning sickness. Her morning sickness was so bad that she ended up missing a few days of college.
Theodore told her after 3 days of continuous sickness that he’d get a healer to look at her.
“What is a healer?” She asked, a frown marring her face.
“The equivalent of a doctor, but for the supernaturals,” he shrugged.
She agreed with a nod.
Within a few hours, a woman was at the door of the estate.
Emily welcomed her in with an ashen face whereas Theodore sported a brooding look.
Seeing as he couldn’t reach his brother’s cell, he had had to ask his mom to send in a healer. He had never expected she’d be sending an old paramour – even if there had been no amorous feelings between the two of them.
“What seems to be the problem the princess is facing?” Shirly asked sweetly – too sweetly to his taste.
“It is none of your concern,” he said dismissively. “Go back.”
“Theo!” Emily whined. “You’re being rude.”
“It’s okay, princess Emily. I’m used to his cold demeanor,” the sneaky healer said. “I can understand that he wouldn’t want to upset his mate by allowing an old flame in his house.”
“An old flame?” Emily echoed after her incredulously.
“Yes. I was his only paramour during the war.”
“The war only lasted a month,” he retorted coldly. “And that was an awfully long time ago. Get over it, Shirly. And most importantly, get lost.”
“Let me just have a look at the princess. She seems quite unwell. Maybe I could help?” She offered.
“Tell my overly nosy mother that my mate is indeed with child. And that while that child is mine, the royal court shall have no say in its upbringing… and that is not up for debate. Clear?” His eyes flashed red at the last part.
“Yes, Theo,” she said meekly.
“That’s prince Theodore to you,” he bit out with more venom that was probably necessary. “Now, kindly get me someone who can help.”
“I can help,” she told him softly. “I wouldn’t dare do anything to put your mate or your child at risk. It’s glaringly obvious that you’d have my head for it. And I am not very fond of the idea of losing my life over royal matters that should not concern me.”
“I cannot bring myself to trust you,” he told her with a shrug.
“Know this, The… prince Theodore,” she began after some time, a small smile on her face, “My loyalty lies with you, not with the crown.”
He grimaced at that, especially as he could sense his mate’s growing discomfort and also her self-doubt, “I am aware. And as harsh as my next words may be, they are necessary: I do not care about you half as much as you do about me.”
“But you do care,” she said, her smile broadening. “Just trust me. I would never do anything to harm you, your mate, or anyone you hold dear.”
Theodore looked at his sweet Emily. Her face was covered in perspiration and she looked to be one hair away from throwing up – and he wasn’t sure it would be because of her sickness too – and his decision was made for him.
“I’ll let you have a look at her,” he said in surrender. “If you do anything remotely suspicious, you’re dead meat.”
“Thank you for your trust,” she said simply.