Chapter 158: Theo Rebellion

The nursery felt too warm despite winter's chill outside. Theo sat at his small table, arms crossed over his chest, his jaw set in a line that would have made his father proud under different circumstances.

Miss Clara wrung her hands for the third time in as many minutes. "Your Highness, please. You must eat something. You have not touched your breakfast or your lunch."

"No." The single word came out stubborn, final.

"But you will make yourself ill. The cook prepared your favorite stew with extra carrots just as you like them." Miss Clara gestured helplessly at the untouched bowl. "Please, just a few bites?"

"Not unless Aunt Lila eats with me." Theo's chin lifted. "I want her here. Papa said she is part of our family now. Family eats together."

"Lady Lila is recovering from her injury. She needs rest and quiet, not a fussy child demanding her attention." Miss Clara's voice held a note of desperation now. "Your father will be very displeased if he learns you have been difficult."

"Then get Papa. I will tell him myself." Theo's expression was pure determination. "I am not eating until Aunt Lila comes."

The second nursemaid, younger and clearly uncomfortable with the prince's defiance, whispered urgently. "We should fetch His Majesty. Before the prince makes himself sick."

Miss Clara nodded reluctantly. She knew Adrian would be furious about being summoned over a child's tantrum. But two hours of this stubborn refusal had left her with no other options.

She hurried through the palace corridors, her heart racing. The King had been in foul moods lately. The investigation. The attacks on Lady Lila. The tension that permeated every corner of the palace. This was not a good time to interrupt him.

She reached his study and knocked softly.

"Enter."

Adrian sat behind his desk, papers spread before him. Marcus stood nearby, both men deep in discussion. They looked up as Miss Clara entered and bowed low.

"Your Majesty, forgive the interruption. But Prince Theo refuses to eat. He has not touched food all day and insists that Lady Lila must join him for dinner or he will not cooperate."

Adrian's jaw clenched. He set down his quill with deliberate care. "How long has this been going on?"

"Two hours, Your Majesty. We have tried everything. He will not be moved."

Adrian stood, his chair scraping against stone. "I will handle it."

Marcus caught his arm as he passed. "Be gentle with the boy. He is just trying to make sense of complicated things in the only way he knows how."

"I know." Adrian's voice was tight. "But he cannot stage hunger strikes every time he wants something."

He walked to the nursery with controlled fury simmering beneath his skin. This was not Theo's fault. The boy was three years old and confused by the adults around him making simple things complicated. But Adrian had enough problems without his son adding to them.

He entered the nursery to find Theo exactly as described. Sitting with arms crossed, his small face set in an expression that mirrored Adrian's own stubborn determination so perfectly it was almost unsettling.

"Theo." Adrian's voice was firm. "You will eat what is placed before you. This behavior is unacceptable."

"No!" Theo's voice rose. "Not unless Aunt Lila eats with me!"

"Lady Lila is recovering from an injury. She needs rest, not a demanding child making dinner difficult." Adrian moved closer, towering over his son. "You will eat. Now."

"I want Aunt Lila!" Tears welled in Theo's eyes but his jaw stayed set. "You said she is part of our family. Why can we not eat together like normal families?"

The words hit Adrian like physical blows. Out of the mouths of children came truths adults spent years avoiding.

"It is complicated, little one. When you are older you will understand."

"You always say that!" Theo's voice cracked. "When I am older, when I am bigger, when I understand better! But I understand now! Aunt Lila is nice. She makes you smile. She makes me happy. Why can we not just be together?"