"There's the guest room across from my bedroom…"
"Or…if you want…you can sleep here." Theodora casually and awkwardly pointed to the door behind her that was slightly ajar, her tone being optimistic and her eyes meeting the Wizard's with high expectations. "In my bedroom." She smiled brightly at her guest. She was secretly hoping the Wizard would answer with the latter.
The day began with a flurry of activity for the Wizard. Everything for him had been a blur, from his emotional—but albeit temporary—farewell to Finley to spending the remainder of the day with the scarlet clad witch.
And they did have a busy day.
When they reached the entrance of the estate, the witch grabbed the Wizard's hand. "Come, I want to give you a tour."
For the next several hours, that is just what they did.
The Wizard was astonished by the charming parlor rooms. And when she took him to the grand ballroom, his mouth truly opened in awe.
"Oh…my god…" The Wizard's mouth was gaping.
The grand ballroom was the largest and most majestic of the three ballrooms. And it was truly magnificent to behold. It was two stories high, with the second level serving as an indoor balcony where guests could view the actual ballroom itself, which was at least 5,000 square feet in length. It had huge roman marble columns, which supported the second story balcony and the floor was composed entirely of marble with colorful designs. And when the Wizard stared at the ceiling, he saw a wondrous mosaic of art. He then looked to his right where there was a gigantic glass window and a door which led to a huge outdoor marble balcony.
"Can we go there?", the Wizard inquired. He pointed to the expansive balcony. It was big enough to comfortably hold at least fifty people.
Theodora stared towards the window. "I will take you there tomorrow night, Wizard, for the harvest moon celebration…"
He raised his eyebrows. "What's the harvest moon celebration?"
"For as long as I remember, Winkie Country has held an annual celebratory feast at the conclusion of every harvest. All of the most important Winkie families are in attendance, including the royal family from Oogaboo. My mother, Queen Lurline, would hold the annual feast. And then when she died, then my father, King Pastoria. And then when he…died, then Evanora, but she hated organizing this and many years she simply didn't even bother. When I came here, I took it over."
The Wizard grinned in delight as he clasped his hands as he brushed them together. "Well, I love big feasts."
Theodora smiled brightly at him as her hand rubbed up against his arm. "And now that you are here, this celebration will be even better."
The witch's gaze then turned to the ballroom itself as she spoke softly. "This is where my mother, Queen Lurline, would hold other royal events and gatherings. She grew up here. It was in this ballroom where she met the king." The witch stared at the Wizard and beamed at him. "Do you like it, Wizard?"
He was speechless. "I love it…" He didn't know what else to say. It was spectacular.
"Come", the witch replied. She grabbed his hand as she led him to the exit. "There is one more place I want to show you." She was so excited that she was giving the Wizard a tour that she started to skip and hop with glee.
They returned to the main area of the castle where the kitchen and several of the parlor rooms were located, but the witch led him down a different hallway, which was equally as ornate as all the others. Unlike the Emerald City's green studded emeralds, the hallways of the estate were literally made of gold. This was by design and to commemorate the official color of the Winkie Country, in addition to showcasing the family's immense wealth.
The pair finally reached the end of a long hallway. As Theodora placed both of her hands on the door knob, she partially turned her head towards the Wizard who was walking behind her and gave him a sly smile. "I give you…" Her voice was excited and eager, like a child who was about to open up Christmas presents.
"The library…"
The Wizard entered as she opened the door for him. He was stunned. This was by far the biggest room of the entire castle. It was five stories high with shelves stacked with what appeared to be every single book imaginable.
"Wow…" The Wizard's mouth was gaping wide. He loved to read. When he worked for the circus, he would read many books, but they were mostly about inventors, inventions and scientific discoveries.
While the Wizard was still gaping at the gargantuan size of the library, which must have contained millions of books, Theodora looked at him. "Do you like it?"
He continued to look up in awe. "I love it. I have never seen so many books in all my life. This is wonderful."
She beamed at him. "Well, it is yours now."
He shook his head slightly at how marvelous this castle was. In many aspects, it was more charming and gorgeous than the Emerald City Palace itself.
He looked at the witch. "Thank you so much", he replied in earnest. He was so gracious that Theodora gave him this huge gift.
The witch looked at him lovingly and adoringly as he again gazed and marveled at all of the books. "You can come here every day if you want to now…"
She bit her lower lip. She really wanted to kiss him, but held back.
"Come, let's go to the living quarters…"
Theodora grabbed him by the hand again as they left the library.
As they passed various rooms in the castle, the Wizard noticed hidden undercurrents swirling between the Winkie servants and the maids. They would nervously smile at him, but would be quick in their step and do their best to avoid the witch's gaze. He would smile back at them, but he noticed that Theodora would not smile or even acknowledge their existence. She would simply stare straight ahead. And if she did smile, it would only be at the Wizard when she turned her head to him.
He wondered why he felt this hidden tension simmering beneath the surface. He was shocked to find that Theodora had been nothing but glowing, diplomatic and hospitable towards him. She was so earnest and compassionate that he started to wonder why Ozians would call her the Wicked Witch of the West. The residents of the Emerald City had not even seen her these past three years. Maybe they had misjudged her? Maybe she was simply misunderstood?
They continued to stroll past the main dining area and entered another hallway. As they continued to walk, the Wizard peeked at various bedrooms. They must be close.
The witch turned to him and smiled. "We are here. There's the main guest room across from my bedroom…"
She continued. "Or…if you want…you can sleep here." She pointed to a door that was ajar across from the guest room. "With me…that's my room." The witch looked at him nervously, but hopeful. She was unsure how he would respond.
"I think I will take the guest room." After a quick, but barely noticeable, flash of disappointment on her face, the witch smiled radiantly. "Of course, Wizard."
Theodora eyed him thoughtfully. "Do you have your bag?"
He placed his hand on his forehead. "Oh, I must have left it on the chair next to me when we were sitting at the table with Finley."
The witch's lips separated as she sighed with relief. "Oh, I'll have someone bring it to you." She smiled at him. "That will not be an issue." She continued to gaze at him tenderly.
"Would you like something to eat?" The Wizard nodded, and the witch smiled once more. She didn't even notice that she would touch her fingers on his arms as she spoke. "Make yourself comfortable and dinner will be ready soon…"
"Thank you", the Wizard smiled at the witch. She smiled brightly at him in return as she turned and briskly walked away.
The Wizard smiled as he entered his bedroom and breathed a sigh of relief.
Well, that went well.