Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 113: Where Is My Wife?

Chapter 113: Where Is My Wife?

Morning.

Bedroom, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

"Where is my wife?" Theodore growled a question.

Hound glanced at Conan. "Lord Theodore," he said

Theodore nodded. "Hound get out of my way" he said coldly.

If Hound continued to try to stop him from going inside, he would only think the worst of whatever situation was going on and he couldn’t stand that.

Hound looked apologetic. "The physician and the maids are in there taking care of her, you shall be able to see her soon" he relayed passively.

"Hound" Theodore warned his voice low.

"I am sorry lord Theodore" Hound had been instructed to keep anyone out as they take care of her but it’s been a while now they might be done, he thought

"Get out of my way or I swear I will -" he stopped abruptly because Hound quietly left his front for him to forge ahead.

Theodore knew whatever was in his bedroom waiting for him would take something that had already been chipped away from him but he forged on intending to hold his wife through whatever it was.

*

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*

Bedroom, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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The door creaks softly as Theodore steps into their dimly lit bedroom chambers, the weight of exhaustion heavy upon his shoulders after the long yet hurried journey.

With cautious steps, he makes his way through the familiar rooms of his home, a sense of anticipation mingling with the weariness that tugs at his senses.

The maids saw him and immediately stood up from their crouching position to give him a bow.

"Lord Theodore" they greeted in unison.

He ignored them and as he entered the bedroom space, the maids scurried out at that moment, not interested in being faced with the furry of the lord.

He neared and walked further in and his heart skipped a beat at the sight that greeted him.

His wife lies motionless upon the bed, her features drawn in peaceful repose, yet an unsettling stillness hangs in the air.

His Gooseberry was unconscious again in his presence.

Panic surged through him as he rushed to her side.

He grabbed her wrist. "Gooseberry?"

He hoped her ocean-blue eyes would meet his, hold his sky-blue ones and smile at him. Her hair is sprawled on her pillow and she is breathing unevenly. He grabbed her wrist.

"Lydia love, I am back" his trembling fingers seeking the faint pulse of life beneath her skin.

A soft foot moved closer to him but he didn’t acknowledge it. "Lord Theodore you need to let her rest"

Theodore glanced at the man before he looked back at his wife with his eyes filled with so much agony and regret.

He gulped before dropping a kiss on her forehead to guide the physician outside the room.

"How is she?"

At his question, the physician sighed.

"She is unstable" he announced. "And I hate to admit but it is critical"

Theodore’s heart paused. "What does that mean?"

"My lord I think you know what that means" the physician said with a sigh.

The lord’s heart came rushing to beat again. "You have to do whatever you can, I cannot lose Lydia like this," he said, his feet drawing closer to the physician.

"Lord Theodore there is a problem" the physician continued making Theodore freeze.

"What is it, I swear to God if I have to lose her, nobody is safe" Theodore warned, he was devasted.

The physician started to stutter. "No, it is just... it ummm the lady Theodore"

Theodore doesn’t interrupt to try to listen to him because somewhere underneath the anger and rush of emotion was fear, fear of the unknown and anxiety so he lets the physician take his time.

"Lord Theodore, the lady... she lost her baby" he announced.

Theodore blinked. "What baby?"

"The baby that she was carrying the poison affected it and somehow that is how she has managed to be alive" the man continued.

Theodore shook his head, his hair no longer in a bun. "There is no... there was no baby, John what are you talking about?"

"Lord Theodore, your lady was pregnant before this incident but is no more" The announcement made Theodore grab his curls.

"No"

He neared the physician. "You cannot say that, that cannot happen"

"I am sorry lord Theodore, but she had consumed something that affected her well-being" he apologised sincerely, he felt horrible for the lady too.

Theodore turned around as he paced. "This would break her" he pointed out.

"Let us hope she becomes conscious again because it appears it is no longer natural but has a touch of magic to it" The man was brutal with his wording.

"Do not tell it to her, she has to be safe" Theodore ordered.

The man shook his head. "I think she would know, Lord Theodore, I think she knows," he said.

"Fuck!"

Theodore snarled before he saw red, his heart bled and he looked for where to put off his anger.

*

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*

Morning.

Hallway, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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Theodore marched outside, the maids saw him and rushed back inside to their lady.

Conan stood resting on the wall, his feet crossed as he watched Theodore march with purpose.

"Shade come outside!" Theodore roared in the corridor of the mansion.

Silence met him aside his breath mingled with Conan’s.

Conan narrowed his eyes wondering what was about to happen.

"Come outside right now or I shall find you and burn you alive" Theodore snarled.

And just like that Shade became apparent. "Master" he bowed.

Theodore nodded. "Where were you?"

"In the mansion, master" Shade replied, his head lowered.

Theodore scoffed, his heart hammering. "How then did you not see the maid poison my wife, what were you doing?"

"I am sorry master but I was sleeping" his reason but Theodore saw red

With measured steps he regarded Shade.

The anger in Lord Theodore’s eyes burned like hot coals, his voice a thunderous roar that echoed through the hall. "I was absent, days away from the mansion and you had the time to sleep like a lazy cur when you barely ever need sleep" he pointed out.

Shade felt horrible.

Lydia whose grace and beauty were matched only by her kindness. But last night, when danger lurked in the darkness.

Shade had failed in his duty. Instead of standing vigilant in the walls, he had succumbed to worldly desires, his eyelids had shut for sleep.

"Theodore" Conan warned.

Shade was magical and an attempt to hurt him would only hurt you the assaulter, so as a Shadow the only thing that hurts them is being rejected by their master.

The lord paused and took a deep breath before pointing towards the stairs. "You are going to the gates!" he barked.

He moved away from the shadow before he started. "You have become incompetent, perhaps you were never actually competent because there was nothing to keep an eye on in the mansion before. You are going to the damn gates!"

Shade bowed his head deeper, in shame and regret. He is unable to meet the gaze of the man he had disappointed so gravely. His demotion was inevitable, a punishment fitting for his negligence. But more than the loss of his title, it was the knowledge of his failure that gnawed at Shade’s soul.

"That is your new position and never shall you step back into the mansion unless summoned or you have a message to deliver" he continued, trying but failing to reign on his emotions.

"Yes, master" Shade agreed. "I am sorry master" he added before he vanished.

Theodore couldn’t outrightly reject Shade because he had been loyal all this while and he reminded him of what his mother could’ve been but never would be. Ever present.

"Theodore" Conan whispered.

And in a soft resigned voice, Theodore said. "Go home Conan, get the witch to save my wife!" he ordered

Conan smiled. "Yes Lord Theodore, Though, I suggest you calm down"

"Lydia would need a reliable man" Conan pointed out, his black orbs waiting for his friend’s.

Theodore met his eyes. "I had already failed her"

"No, you have not, but you will soon if you do not calm down" The knight pointed out before moving for the stairs.

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As the first rays of dawn pierced through the windows of the grand hall, casting long shadows across the marble floor, the atmosphere was heavy with tension.

Shade felt the weight of his failure crushing down upon him.

As he was stripped of his position and privileges, Aric felt no bitterness or resentment towards Lord Theodore.

Instead, he was consumed by a deep sense of remorse for letting down the woman he had trusted to protect.

Each step away from the mansion felt like a dagger in his heart, a reminder of his inadequacy.

But amidst the whispers of disapproval in his head, Shade remained resolute in his humility.

He knew that he could never undo the harm his negligence had caused, but he was determined to redeem himself through unwavering dedication and unwavering vigilance.

For in the shadows of his shame, he found the strength to rise once more, a silent guardian determined to atone for his past mistakes.

From the gates where everything starts.

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