章 7: Chapter 7 - The Spell of Love

Prince Theodoric awoke to a knock on his door by a servant, Zehron. He then put on his pants and left the room because Princess Ivy was still sleeping in her naked body.

"What's the matter, Zehron, you woke me up? Isn't it still night?" asked Theodoric, slightly annoyed.

Zehron bowed, apologizing. "My apologies, Your Majesty. But I have news that King Idriz, the father of Princess Ivy, has fallen ill. I have news of their maid arriving. Rula and Quil."

Hearing Quil's name being called, Theodoric remembered. Quil was the coachman on horseback when he stopped him to ask about Ivy the other day. Then one eyebrow raised and looked at Zehron.

"I'll wake my wife up then and get ready."

"Very well, Your Majesty. I will excuse myself then."

Theodoric then went inside and looked at Ivy who was still sleeping with her beautiful face. He suddenly couldn't bear to wake his wife. But he had to do it because it was related to her father.

"My wife, wake up," Theodoric said softly.

Ivy moaned and moved slowly. Her body was shaken by Theodoric slowly. Then suddenly Ivy opened her eyes.

"What is it, Theodoric?" Ivy asked with a tired face.

"I have bad news for you. But I want you to stay calm, my dear."

Ivy covered herself with the blanket and nodded her head to hear what Theodoric had to say.

"King Idriz, your father ... he fell ill," said Theodoric.

"W-what? I-I have to go, Theo!" the exclamation began to move. But Theodoric held her back.

"We'll be there. I'll take you. Please, don't panic. Ok?" Theodoric kissed her forehead, reassuring his wife that Ivy nodded weakly with tears in her eyes.

While Ivy was getting ready, Theodoric was waiting for her while watching her in a traveling gown with the help of her maid. Ivy looked tense and Theodoric felt sorry for her.

"It's done, Your Majesty. I'll excuse myself," the maid said and left their room.

"We shall go now, my dear," said Theodoric later.

Ivy held Theodoric's hand before they left. She looked at her husband with loving eyes.

"What's the matter, Ivy?" asked Theodoric.

"Before we go, will you promise me something?"

Theodoric held Ivy's hands together. Staring at her closely and full of love that he would only give to his wife.

"I promise you, my wife."

"Promise me you'll make me happy. I've been insulted too many times, my husband. Soon you'll know what insults they threw at me."

"I promise with all my heart and in the name of God. I promise to make you happy, my wife."

They kissed after Theodoric made his promise. Then Theodoric let go and took Ivy by the hand to get out and into the carriage.

King Thomas and Queen Amelissa were already there to see their son and daughter-in-law leave. But Thomas's face still showed his disdain for Ivy and she was used to those faces, even though she was his father-in-law at the same time.

"Your Majesty, Habib is on his way to the palace. Hopefully, by the time we arrive, the King has been taken care of," Rula said to Ivy.

"Thank you, Rula. We'd better go. You guys go first."

Ivy then looked at her in-laws and bowed to them to salute and say goodbye. "I excuse myself to go to Kensington Palace, King, and Queen," said Ivy.

"Ivy, there's no need to bow. You're a daughter-in-law now and call me and King Thomas mother and father, okay?" Amelissa said, coming closer and holding her daughter-in-law's shoulders.

Amelissa then hugged her and whispered, "Don't worry about your father-in-law. I will handle him. The most important thing is that King Idriz is fine first."

"Thank you, mother."

Theodoric then helped Ivy into the carriage and they left Buckingham Palace for Kensington Palace.

***

Seeing her mother coming, Ivy's blood rippled. Between happy and sad, she then hugged Melanie when she arrived at the palace. Ignoring her husband for a while to release the longing for her mother.

"Mother, you're coming!" Ivy said happily.

"My husband is sick, how could I not come?" Melanie said as she looked at Prince Theodoric.

Thedoric approached and bowed to Melanie. He already knew that Melanie was the mother of his wife and his mother-in-law. "Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to see and know you. I am Theodoric," he said.

Melanie was touched and grabbed Theodoric's hand which was outstretched for her son-in-law to kiss. "Without your princely title? I'm Melanie, your wife's birth mother."

"Without a title, Your Majesty. I've heard a lot about you and I truly respect you as a person worthy of respect," Theodoric said.

Ivy was flabbergasted and shocked by what she saw and heard. Even though she has not explained anything to her husband regarding her mother's background. But seeing her husband's attitude towards her mother, Ivy felt calm.

Theodoric looked at Ivy lovingly and he nodded his head. "We'd better see King Idriz," he said.

"My husband is fine. Sorry if the news about him made you come to the palace at night like this. I've made a magic potion for him," Melanie explained.

"Mother ... so, are you that Habib?"

"Before you even called, I was here first. They, like it or not, finally let me in. Then I secretly put a spell on him so he wouldn't get sick," Melanie whispered so no one else could hear.

Theodoric looked calm. Because he already knew everything and he didn't look surprised either.

Ivy then looked at her husband and she nodded at him so they could see Idriz.

"Come in, my daughter. Your father is waiting for you," Melanie said later.

"I shall enter, Your Majesty. Once again, nice to see you," Theodoric bowed.

Melanie smiled kindly at him. She then grabbed Theodoric's wrist before they went inside. Then all the movement of the surrounding activities stopped because of the magic she used. Melanie then looked at Theodoric and something gleamed into her son-in-law's eyes.

"You will make my daughter happy, no matter what. You will defend her till death. You will respect her as you deserve. And you will love her until the end of your life," Melanie said, casting a spell on him.

In that instant, Melanie let go of Theodoric's hand and without realizing it, they went inside, then time moved again.