Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 126: A Good Morning.

Chapter 126: A Good Morning.

Breakfast.

Dining Hall, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

"Breakfast" Lydia whispered, her eyes strange when Theodore caught it, she had refused proper food for days, and it was lovely to finally see her interested in eating.

In the dining hall of their sprawling mansion, the morning light streamed in through stained glass windows, casting colourful patterns across the polished oak table.

At one end, Lydia sat Theodore narrowed his eyes before sitting on her left, she wanted to be okay perhaps but he wanted her to eat, their figures silhouetted against the backdrop of grandeur.

She smiled as she asked him. "What are we doing today?"

"Let it all just flow" he merely shrugged.

Lydia nodded in agreement.

They exuded an air of contentment as they leisurely enjoyed their breakfast, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of freshly baked pastries.

Lydia in a gown of silk and lace, sat gracefully on Theodore’s supposed seat, her eyes sparkling with affection as she listened to his animated conversation about one of his battle pets.

He, regal in his attire, exuded a sense of authority tempered with warmth, his laughter filling the air like music when she told him she could dance.

"You danced well with my help that first day but you could be better" He said before chewing on his food.

She paused, narrowed her eyes before she recalled her first day, making her laugh. "That is rude, my lord husband"

"It is but the fact, I shall ride a horse soon" she announced, her cheeks hollowed as attempted to put something in.

Theodore frowned. "What?"

"To show you how talented I am in other things" she responded with a shrug.

Theodore held her gaze before saying. "You are well talented in the right place, Gooseberry I ask for no more"

Lydia went beet red as she shook her head.

Meanwhile, the two maids, Dorothy and Joyous bustled about the dining hall with practised efficiency, their movements synchronized as they set the table with fine china and silverware.

With deft hands, they arranged platters of fruit and cheese, pastries, and steaming dishes of eggs and bacon, each item placed with care and precision.

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of love, friendship and the comfort of familiarity, they knew that they were truly blessed.

Lydia reached across the table to clasp Theodore’s hand, her eyes shining with gratitude for the life they shared. He returned her gesture with a gentle squeeze, his gaze full of love and appreciation.

The maids, sensing the unspoken bond between their lady and lord, shared a knowing smile as they stood by, ready to attend to any need that might arise.

With a flourish, they poured steaming cups of coffee and offered plates of food, their movements fluid and graceful as they ensured that their employers’ every whim was catered to.

As the couple savoured their breakfast in the elegant surroundings of the dining hall, Theodore and his lady exchanged fond glances and whispered words of affection.

"If you were not eating, I would eat you" Theodore would tease Lydia whenever she got comfortable.

"Theodore!" she’d warn.

It was moments like these that made their dark mansion feel like a true home, a place filled with love, laughter, and the joy of shared moments.

And so, with hearts full and spirits lifted, they continued to enjoy their meal, savouring each bite and each moment spent in the company of each other.

In the embrace of their home and the presence of their loyal maids, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united in love and happiness.

Despite having been betrayed and hurt, Lydia had decided to follow a part of the Critic-Izinghale culture, not to forgive but to open her heart again and trust other people.

*

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Morning.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

Theodore’s mansion stood tall and imposing, its magnificence is accentuated by the early morning mist that hung around its western ivy-covered walls.

Inside, the atmosphere was one of newfound peacefulness, as Lydia and Theodore were still sitting at the dining table savouring their breakfast, the soft glow of candlelight cast shadows across the dining room.

Meanwhile.

Outside, the coachman, Blanc, a sturdy man with weathered features, approached the mansion’s heavy wooden door with a sense of urgency.

He knew he had to interrupt the peaceful morning scene inside, but his steps faltered with unwarranted apprehensiveness.

He wondered how Conan and Hound did this all the time.

His hand trembled slightly as he raised it to knock, he didn’t want to just go in even if it was allowed, the sound echoed through the silent corridors of the mansion.

He waited and soon, Joyous answered it.

As the door creaked open, the coachman stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the dimness of the hallway. The mansion had always been dark but it felt different to him today.

"They are in the dining hall"

Joyous glanced at him before walking away, she knew he knew his way around here and she didn’t have time to attend to him.

Blanc could feel beads of sweat forming on his brow as he made his way towards the dining room, his boots echoing softly against the polished marble floors.

As he entered the dining room, Blanc cleared his throat nervously, causing Theodore and Lydia to look up from their meal with surprise.

"Good morning lady Theodore" Blanc wished before bowing and repeating the same with the lord. "Lord Theodore". Theodore nodded his acknowledgement.

"Blanc McIntosh," Lydia said through gritted teeth. Blanc refused to meet her eyes as he gulped.

He blinked and faced her properly before answering breathlessly. She was becoming as terrifying as Theodore used to be and he had told one too many lies to her. "Yes, lady Theodore"

Lydia hated that he was about to take her husband away from her but she nodded. "Go on"

Blanc’s gaze shifted uneasily as he relaid the urgent message, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"Forgive me, sir," he began, his words coming out in a rushed whisper, "but there’s been an emergency at the stables. One of the horses has fallen ill, and it needs immediate attention."

Theodore’s brows furrowed in concern, but it was Lady Theodore’s reaction the coachman dreaded the most.

Lydia sat there, her delicate fingers pausing mid-air, as she was holding a fine porcelain teacup.

Her eyes, to Blanc that was usually warm and inviting, now bore a hint of frostiness as they settled on him.

Lydia dropped the cup.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, breaking the silence that hung heavy in the air. "Must these matters always disrupt our mornings?" Her voice, though controlled, carried a subtle edge of annoyance.

Theodore glanced at her.

Blanc’s heart sank at her response, knowing full well the extent of her displeasure, if she was displeased, so would Theodore be and he preferred he avoided that.

He shifted uneasily on his feet, casting his gaze downwards in a display of good-naturedness. "I beg your pardon, lady Theodore," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"But the horse... it’s in a bad state. Theirs no stablehand and we have limited knowledge so we shall need lord Theodore’s guidance to decide what’s best to do."

Theodore rolled his eyes, sensing the urgency and nervousness in the Blanc’s tone, Theodore knew not much about horses, so he remained seated, if Conan had been here he would have known what to do.

"We should probably get a stablehand, Blanc, I know nothing about horses," he downplayed his knowledge of horses, he also didn’t want to leave the hall yet, his gaze meeting his wife’s with a silent plea for understanding.

Reluctantly, Lydia nodded, her features softening ever so slightly at the sight of her husband’s resolve. She grinned.

"It is nice to see you Blanc, it is a wonder why you avoid me," she teased.

Blanc had always felt the need to treat her biasedly or avoid her and she wondered why, he merely cleared his throat. Some relationships are just like that with others.

"But we have a stablehand now, Lord Theodore" Joyous’s voice rang.

Lydia resumed eating while Theodore looked at the maid who had just said something to ask. "We have a stablehand?"

"Yes, l believe so, one of the twins knows about horses" Joyous replied with a nod.

"Get the twins, Blanc" Theodore ordered Blanc, his eyes fixed on Lydia who was eating really well.

They could leave this till after breakfast but perhaps a life was at stake.

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

Meanwhile, as Blanc set out to bring the twins in the twins his feet hurried, and soon he reached them.

He cleared his throat and they were standing straight. They acknowledged him with a wish while he nodded. One of them was different Blanc noted.

"The lord wishes to see you" he informed.

The thicker twin narrowed his eyes. "Me?"

"Both of you, yes" Blanc pointed out.

"Thank you"

But then they stood ready to continue with what they were doing. Raking.

"Right now," Blanc said pointedly.

They both stood straight at the same time, dropped their rake and let him lead the way.

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