Chapter 177 - Mother-in-law

Theodore took the two of his guests and Adeline back to the Palace early in the morning. He left Adeline in her room and then teleported the puppies in Nigel's quarter. He didn't want Nigel to run back to his quarter almost naked.

Nigel and Rhea thanked Theodore for his hospitality and every other thing that he did for Nigel and Adeline.

Nigel was especially happy to know that his sister had also found someone who was willing to keep her happy and safe. He had time to reflect upon his yesterday's action and he also had time to think about Theodore. And he wondered why he was even angry when Theodore claimed to be Adeline's future husband.

After all, Theodore was the best possible suitor that Adeline would ever get. He was powerful, he had a good heart, and most of all he loved Adeline very dearly. Nigel only hoped that he could love Rhea the same way that Theodore loved his little sister.

After Theodore left Nigel's room, Nigel glanced at Rhea and then embraced her with love.

Rhea smiled and teased him, "Don't tell me that you want to take me back to the bed already. I don't think I would be able to walk if we do it one more time."

Nigel chuckled at that remark from Rhea and pulled back from the embrace. He cupped her beautiful face and then said lovingly, "I want to give you all the happiness in the world, Rhea. I am madly in love with you. And I hope that I will keep on loving you this way till I take my last breath."

Nigel leaned in and kissed his wife as softly as he could. And then he looked at her apologetically and said, "I am sorry for not taking you to introduce you to my mother yesterday. I wanted to keep our marriage a secret until I completed that test but I think I am being unfair to both of you."

Rhea gave a polite smile and denied that "It's okay, Nigel. It is only a matter of a few more days. You can introduce me to everyone after tomorrow. Or whenever it is that the test gets completed."

Nigel shook his head and said, "No, I am going to take you to her today. I lost control when I found out that Adeline had hidden about her relationship with Theodore. She used to tell me everything and to be honest, I was hurt that she didn't tell me about him. I don't want my mother to feel the same. And I don't want to deprive you of your right to meet your mother-in-law."

Rhea surprised him with a hug and she whispered, "Sure. I would love to meet your mother. But before that, tell me something about her. Like what she likes and what she dislikes so that I can have a good and less awkward conversation with her."

Nigel chuckled and hugged her back. "She is a very gentle and loving mother. You don't have to be nervous when you are around her."

But Rhea insisted, "Still, I would like to know a few things about her before I go and meet her."

He looked at her and asked, "How about a bath and a good breakfast first? Then I will tell everything that you want to know."

"That sounds really good," Rhea said happily while pressing her belly. They had expended a lot of stamina last night and both of them were starving.

After taking a bath together, Nigel and Rhea helped each other with their dresses. Nigel refused to let the maids in to help him with his clothes or hair. "I don't want all the maids to give you a weird look when they see you with me. I can manage myself," Nigel had said while trying to figure out how to comb his long and wet hair without hurting his scalp.

Rhea took the comb into her hand and then brushed his dark hair with utmost care. She was used to doing everything herself, unlike the Prince, so she knew how to set his hair and also helped him with his clothes.

And Nigel wanted to be the loving husband and helped Rhea with her dress even when she denied it.

After changing into fresh sets of clothes and combing their hair, they both had a lovely breakfast served to them. They both dug into their plates wildly as though they had been starved for a week.

When both of them were full, Nigel went on and told Rhea about his mother. He also told her about the King and about Adeline. He told her how Theodore was the first one to discover that he was a werewolf and how he and Adeline had found out from Theodore about what he was.

He also told her several other things about Adeline, like how she had never seen her birth mother and how his own mother used to love her like her own child. And he told her that he and Adeline grew closer to each other because his mother would take him to visit Adeline every now and then.

After listening to Nigel, Rhea's respect towards her mother-in-law increased to the mountain. Nigel's mother sounded to be so loving and caring that she knew her relationship with her mother-in-law would be a great one.

They finally got up and Nigel led Rhea towards his mother's quarter. The maid that was standing in front of Queen Claricia's door announced the presence of them and she let them enter once the Queen gave the permission.

"Nigel!" Queen Claricia was sitting on a chair wearing her beautiful gown. She carried her with such confidence that Rhea felt nervous for a split second.

Claricia trailed her curious eyes on the lady who was standing beside her son. She could tell from the way Rhea dressed up that she was from Aberdeen. She gestured both of them to take their seats and asked, "Who is she? Why didn't you bring her along yesterday when you and Fenris came to greet me?"

Nigel was acting as though everything was fine but in reality, he was way too nervous than Rhea. He knew that his mother wouldn't scold him and she would understand why he was married so suddenly, but he still felt very anxious when his mother asked those questions while giving that curious glance.

In his nervousness, he didn't know how or where to start from so he blurted out while looking down on the floor, "She is my wife."