(William’s POV)
I walked out of his majesty’s office and heaved a sigh of relief. I was able to remain here in the palace of Grandcrest as the captain of the royal knights. I may not be by her majesty’s side, but at least I will still be close by, unlike if I take my father’s title as duke of Cunningham.
I was walking along the hallway back to her majesty’s room when I felt a heavy gaze on me. It was the same feeling of hostility I felt from earlier. When I looked to my side, I saw Theon standing at one of the balconies here in the palace. He seemed to be arranging planted pots on the balcony’s ledge. His eyes were looking towards me with pure hostility.
’What did I do wrong against him to warrant such hostility?’ I wondered.
Because I cannot think of anything for him to look at me this way, I decided to confront him. I walked towards the opened balcony door to confront him.
“Good day Theon.” I greeted.
Theon did not reply to my greeting and proceeded to ignore me and continued his work.
“Mr. Theon, may I ask if there is something that I have done that you did not like?” I asked and the other party was still silent. “I can feel the hostility that your gaze gives to me. I would like to know if I have wronged you in anyway so that I could apologize.” I continued.
Theon put down the planted pot he was holding and looked at me with an angry gaze.
“Sir knight, I am sorry if my gaze to you seems to be hostile.” Theon said with a sarcastic tone. “I cannot but help look at you like that, seeing as a noble like you who was given such a good life and lived with a golden spoon be staying in this palace as a lowly knight. And not to mention having so many of the young ladies’ fancy.”
“What are you talking about? I cannot seem to comprehend your words.” I was irritated by the sarcastic tone of Theon.
“Oh, let me rephrase that to ’young master’.” Theon said sarcastically that I was holding back my own anger. “You, who should have been a duke should go back to where you came from rather than staying here and begging for love form her majesty.”
“What did you say?!” I was not able to hold it on and let my anger loose.
I pulled Theon on his collar holding back my hand to punch the butler.
“What a brute, resorting to such violence.” Theon replied. “I do not know what she sees in you, for being blindingly in love with you, a man who cannot move forward form his first love.”
“What nonsense are you saying?!” I scolded. “My personal life has nothing to do with you, so back off.” I pushed him and he hit the railings of the balcony edge.
“Ugh…” Theon ġrȯȧnėd.
I was about to walk away when Theon started to laugh out sarcastically.
“But it is true, is it not? That you are just someone begging favour from her majesty who is married to our king.” Theon continued rubbing on my soar spot. “Just because you are wallowing in your own one sided love to her majesty, you will also put another woman in the same fate as you. Just wake up! There is no place for you here!”
Theon’s words hit me so hard that I lost my rationality. I threw a punch right on his face at the heat of the moment. Blood trickled from the side of his lip.
“So, this is how you want it, huh?” Theon said and spat blood out. He threw a punch at me and I was able to dodge it, but he had his other fist ready and followed up. I was not able to dodge the second blow and was hit on the stomach.
We were throwing punched at each other after that. I was surprised that Theon can hold his own in a fist fight. For a butler, he was good in fighting.
“Who are you to tell me where my place is?!” I said while punching.
“Because you should not be here!” Theon replied while throwing punches as well. “You know how hard a one sided love is and yet you also put a woman in the same situation!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked. “My one sided love is of my own doing and decision and is no one’s fault. Why would I put something like this to someone else?”
“Are you turning a blind eye, huh?” Theon said with anger. “You… you are just leading Tricia on! You are saying that your heart will always love her majesty, but you are giving Tricia mixed signals, treating her with false gentleness and kindness!”
“What do you mean about Tricia?” I asked while we are still brawling with each other. “I treat her as how a gentleman should treat a lady. What is wrong with that?”
“She has fallen for you because of that!” Theon threw a punch that I fortunately dodged.
“I never had such intentions on her.” I replied. “I was just being a gentleman because she was her majesty’s personal maid and lady in waiting.”
“Then just tell her that and do not give her any mixed signals any longer!” Theon shouted. “Do not let her be like you and be drowned in a one sided love!”
Dimitri and Chris came and tried to hold on to me and Theon that were still trying to throw punches.
“Stop it, stop it right now!” Alicia’s voice echoed.
That was when Theon and I stopped. We did not know that a crowd was gathered around us. They were employees that were working inside the palace. Alicia was standing out from all of them, here silver hair was swaying from the wind in the balcony.
“Have the two of you come to your senses yet?” Alicia asked with an angry face.
“I-I am sorry for the ruckus, your majesty.” I apologized and knelt on one knee.
“I am sorry, your majesty.” Theon knelt as well.
“Hah…” Alicia sighed while holding her head as if she was getting a headache. “I would like to know what happened for you two to have a fist fight inside the palace. But before that, both your wounds should be tended to.”
“Thank you for your benevolnce, your majesty.” Theon said.
“Thank you so much, your majesty.” I gave my thanks.
“Theon, I do not have any intention on letting on Tricia. for me she is just like family.” I started. Theon was acting like he was not hearing me. “I will clear up this misunderstanding towards her and clearly reject her feelings for me. I do not want anyone to fall in a one sided love as I have. But it is up to you to win her affection. Unlike me, I am sure that Tricia can have another chance in love.”
“Hmph, of course she has me to comfort her.” Theon replied. “I will take care of her morethan how you took care of her. I will love and cherish her like how his majesty cherishes her majesty.”
“Haha, then my heart is at ease then.” I said with a light heart. “I wish you luck then.”
Theon only pick a fight with me because he harbors feelings for Tricia. I wish them well in love, unlike me who will forever love just one person.
