Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 103: The Monthly Meeting.

Chapter 103: The Monthly Meeting.

Noon. (earlier)

Courtyard, Garden, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

***************

Shi’Enz didn’t understand why Hound would want her to hold him when she just embarrassed herself and could also stain him further.

She started to fidget. "I...I should..."

His lips twitched. "Yes, Shi’Enz grab onto my arm," he said.

"That shall stain you and I do not intend to-"

He cut her off guiding her to his arms. "Nothing from you can ever be a stain, it is only a mark," he said as their arms were now kinked.

She looked up at his face. "A mark?" her question.

"I shall spare you the details" he teased.

With a smile, she asked. "Where are we going?" as they had started to move.

"Somewhere special" he whispered.

Shi’Enz smiled as she tightened her hold on his arm.

They reached the flower garden of the mansion where Conan sighed before starting. "The seedlings for this garden were given to me by someone special"

Special? Shi’Enz thought. Who was that?

He took her palm into his larger ones as he continued. "She had the most beautiful brown eyes I had ever seen, and I have seen quite a number"

With a small smile that Shi’Enz caught he added. "I was hungry but I wanted to grow those flowers and as I stared at the seeds with cravings" he had wanted to see the future of it.

He was playing with her fingers absentmindedly, lost in her eyes. "She noticed me and purchased it for me at the expense of her dignity" he continued.

"She sounds wonderful" she whispered.

He held her eyes, his focus back. "She is wonderful" he growled.

Shi’Enz felt jealousy creeping up her chest but she shoved it down. If the lady was special, so is she.

She asked after gathering her courage. "Who was she?"

"She does not remember me but I shall forever remember her" he growled.

She remained silent watching the beautiful area before Hound made a sound.

"You shall come back in a week," he said.

"Yes I promise," she said looking at their feet.

He blinked. "You did not have to promise," he said.

"I want you to know I am sincere" softly she replied.

"You do not have to try, I trust you" he declared.

She looked up, meeting his mesmerising green eyes.

"Zachary" she whispered.

He turned to her and that was when he saw the Statham estate guards rushing towards the mansion and they had taken her away.

Now Shi’Enz wondered what would happen if she didn’t fulfil her promise.

*

* *

*

Night.

Bedroom, Conan’s Bungalow.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

***************

Helena went over to the old lady’s place today, Ebony had fallen sick, he had been rejecting food and the old lady sounded frustrated.

Helena knew and took that as her cue to take back her cat.

She cradled the cat I’m her arms, its fragile body finding solace in hers, she thanked the old lady before leaving with her fire pet.

Mother would never let her have one before, it was always because they could barely take care of themselves and pets were a slowdown. She had believed so now when she thought she had stability or an illusion of it, she took the first pet she was offered but then there was Conan.

"Ebony what shall I do with you?" she whispered the question as it dripped with resignation.

She pouted, pulling the purring animal to her chest. "I shall keep you with me, and all you have to do... well is to stay hidden" she added.

Ebony purred louder, his sickness or perhaps an answer.

"Good boy" she purred back.

As she walked back to the bungalow she started to relieve the way it felt to be in Conan’s arms. He was a knight and should be known for a tinge of brutality but he was always soft and loving to people albeit extremely annoying to her.

The last time they had been going to the Theodore Mansion he had stopped where he saw an old lady selling fruits on the road.

The coastermonger looked as hungry as the beggars on the street. They had found out they were orphans from Critic Izinghale. Conan had bought the whole of her goods that day and shared it amongst the seller and the children. She had seen him differently and her hope to get him had intensified.

Helena entered the bungalow and rushed to the bedroom right after dropping Ebony on a couch, she picked her bag up and ransacked through for a small bottle.

She took it downstairs to her pet, she didn’t know why it had fallen sick. A change of environment or perhaps weather but she had a remedy for such meagre body aches.

She turned open the bottle and bent it for its content to spill. It contained midst green liquid that began to flow the moment she bent towards the cat on her thighs. The cat purred and soon opened his mouth for Helena to drop in the midst.

Soon the cat was sleeping. She left it in the parlour and left for the bedroom, after keeping the bottle she was ready for bed.

She sighed as she started to make the bed her mind travelled to her conversation with his mother, Lady Sarah Jones.

"Conan is a sweet boy" the mother had said.

Helena had listened carefully while the lady talked. "He was the first person to take me around Critic-Ishire, not his boring father" she said, her face holding a small smile, this was the first day Helena had arrived there, she was still very much blind.

"He likes to eat breakfast early," she said.

"He never lets me cook" Helena whined as the topic got to that subject.

Sarah sighed getting uncomfortable while trying to explain. "It is not out of hate or disgust, I tell you he just never had someone cook for him," she said.

Helena became confused. "But...how?" she asked.

"I was not exactly a good mother you see" Sarah admitted bitterly.

Lydia blinked.

"I was always busy in the Citadel, his father the council and the maids are maids he spent most of his time with Theodore" she explained, her voice small.

"That must be what made him a knight" she continued, a frown coming about on her face.

"Perhaps to get away from the place where he never gets attention, I hear they cook for themselves over there, and they stay detached from feelings so when any of them loses battle they can move on easier" Her explanation made Helena nod and sigh.

"I am saying all of this so you can please give him some time" she added.

She had left with the promise to come back and fix her eyes and also give Conan time but as she sat on their bed staring at his space she realized it wasn’t only her time she was ready to give, her heart too was on the cue. Hungry to be taken.

*

* *

*

3rd night after leaving Theodore Mansion.

Morning.

Meeting hall, Citadel.

Critic-Citadel, Critic-Ishire.

*****************

"Good day everyone, today we shall have our monthly meeting, it has been delayed by four days, I hope we try to be different next month"

The group that had travelled from Theodore’s mansion had reached the Citadel this evening as they left home in the night, the boys were with Blanc while Conan and Theodore headed inside to the meeting hall in the throne room.

As they all arranged before it could st

The chamber is opulent, bathed in the warm glow of flickering candles and the regal shimmer of crystal chandeliers.

They are a consortium of eminent figures, distinguished by their elegant attire and bearing sitting around a majestic oak table.

"The meeting should commence now," the Duke of Critic-Ishem said drawing glares from others

"The Emperor is yet to show up Duke Shawn, we cannot start without him" the royal advisor countered him briskly.

"The Emperor ’Salvatore Rhuins’!" A guard suddenly announced his arrival. At that, the whole crowd stood up including Theodore, they waited for him to sit before they all sat too. He sat regal and poise.

"Sherry or port?" a royal maid asked the table of influential men, as the table was finally complete.

"How about we get on with it so we can go home" Theodore deadpanned.

A small laughter roared before they started. Some talked about how Theodore wished to go home because he now had a wife.

Amidst the hushed murmurs of courtiers and the rustle of parchment, a symphony of intellect and authority unfolded.

Turn by turn with the measured rhythm of seasoned speakers, each noble and royal descendant gave their insights and arguments.

Theodore gave his speech and options, one that is honed by years of erudition and statesmanship.

From the meticulous analysis of economic policies to the strategic deployment of military forces, every facet of governance was subjected to rigorous scrutiny and debate.

Within this meeting between intellect, diverse viewpoints clashed and melded, giving rise to a tapestry of discourse rich in nuance and depth.

Theodore suddenly asked a question. "Where is the Duke of Critic Izinghale?"