Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 153: The Royal Invitation.

Chapter 153: The Royal Invitation.

2days Later.

Evening.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

"Master, the royal guards are here" Shade alerted Theodore after materialising into his office.

Theodore looked up from his papers to ask. "Where?" with a creased brow.

"Outside the gates, two of them" Shade.

Theodore mumbled an ok before calling out for Gabriel. The latter stepped in with a passive face.

"Gabriel would you be so kind as to bring me the guards from outside the gates" Theodore.

The boy bows. "Of course, Lord Theodore"

The mansion had been in a peaceful and warm era for the past two days and Theodore somehow knew that wouldn’t last. His guess wasn’t wrong.

Gabriel strode purposefully towards the imposing wrought iron gates.

His heavy boots echoed on the cobblestone path, the only sound in the quiet morning air.

Behind him, the mansion’s gloomy facade loomed, a symbol of wealth, obscurity and power.

As Gabriel approached the gate, he spotted the royal guards stationed outside, their crimson uniforms a stark contrast to the black walls of the mansion’s exterior.

With a nod of recognition, Gabriel greeted them, his voice authoritative yet respectful.

"Greetings, gentlemen. Lord Theodore has allowed for your presence inside."

The royal guards, disciplined and stoic, exchanged a glance before one of them stepped forward, his expression unreadable beneath his polished helmet.

"Understood, You lead the way."

Gabriel resisted rolling his eyes before turning and then he swung open the heavy gates, their hinges groaning in protest at the action.

Gabriel fell into steps behind them as they marched through, his gaze scanned the perimeter for any signs of trouble.

Silence enveloped them as they made their way towards the mansion’s foyer, the only sound the crisp shuffle of their boots against the gravel path as their horses had been left outside.

Theodore left his office to meet the guards outside. "What might you want?"

And Lydia was right behind him as Joyous had informed her too, she had wished they wouldn’t attract the royal family but maybe they never should’ve avoided them, since they were family.

The guard took out a useless scroll as he barely looked at it before reading. "You have been invited to the Citadel by the King’s mother" one of the guards announced, it wasn’t Noah or any of Salvatore’s spy.

Lydia’s heart thundered but her face remained the same as she started. "Oh that is a surprise-" but the guard cut her off.

"Only the lord of Critic Arley has been invited to the castle and if he insisted on coming with anyone then he shall prepare to stay for a month or more"

"Oh?" she gasped surprised.

Theodore shook his head with a smile that portrayed how unimpressed he was by the information. "Salavatore has gotten quite the nerve, I must admit" he said.

One of the guards scowled taking a step forward, his fingers wrapped around the handle of his sword. "You shall address the King properly duke lord Theodore" he snarled at Theodore.

Hound moved forward and soon the energy was thick. Gabriel was quick to take position behind his new teacher.

"Get out of my property" Theodore barked in response.

The guard grounded his teeth, trying to ignore Hound. "We have been instructed vehemently to wait for you until you are ready and then to deliver you directly" the guard insisted, their resolve strong.

"Then you shall wait forever" Theodore retorted without missing a beat.

Then he pointed towards the gates. "Outside my gates!" he shooed them but Lydia felt uncomfortable.

"Theodore" she whispered, grabbing his arm.

He shook his head. "No, Gooseberry, I cannot take you there" he grunted.

"I am okay, we are going to be fine" she pacified, her eyes searching his.

"No, we are not, come" he took her palm and pulled her away from.the fronts in long strides.

"Theodore-"

He cut her off. "Remember when you whispered that you hope the world does not become against us" he started when they reached a good distance. His office.

"Yes, I do, it was only last night" she replied, her brows creased in confusion awaiting his response.

He nodded. "Good, now those people, the royal family-" she shook her head.

"Theo-" he interrupted her, both his palm on her shoulders.

"No, listen to me Lydia, Salvatore and his mother, and whatever concoction of a family member they have are and will be against us" he educated her with a serious expression.

"The whole Citadel would be the world that would stay actively against us" he pointed out his arms spread to punctuate the point.

Lydia gulped, her chin struggling to tighten instead of shiver.

"But it is a royal order" Lydia breathed, intimidated.

"One I can disregard for you" he countered easily. Salvatore always hungered to poke at Theodore, he would find every petty reason to cause trouble because he knew Theodore hated to let trouble exist. But Theodore was sure this wasn’t his doing.

"No, that would mean trouble if he persists" Lydia reasoned with her husband.

"Gooseberry listen to me, I have a leverage over the King, we can refuse this, i built Critic Arley so it will be a safe haven for you" he let out solemnly, his eyes pleading.

As I waited for you I tried to eliminate every potential threat but the king and his mother because they had a part to play! Theodore could add this but the tale it would pull along was something he’d prefer he kept away from Lydia as much as he can.

"No, I do not intend to put you and your family against each other" she said sternly.

"They are not my family!" he barked and Lydia flinched involuntarily, her leg taking a step back.

"I am sorry" he whispered regretfully.

She blinked, her chin firm. "We are going Theodore, the earlier we leave the faster we would be done with a month"

He almost scoffed. "I would be damned if I stay there for more than a week" he gritted out.

"That was the request, we could also use a travel" she let out.

Theodore looked at her, he watched her as though he believed she must have hit her head.

"Do you not believe I am strong enough?" she asked acusatory.

"Lydia this is..." he trailed off, his fingers running through his hair.

This is bigger, this could get bigger than us, destroy us or worse repeat our story, words he wanted to say but didn’t know how to explain after them so he pressed his lips and stared at her with determination in his eyes.

Determination to protect her.

She mistook the determination for agreeance.

She pressed a kiss to his lips before leaving his office for the girls.

"Joyous could you and Dorothy please arrange for a travel for me and Theodore" Lydia instructed the first maid she saw.

"Of course lady Theodore" her cherry voice resounded in the mansion. Lydia wondered why she was squealing.

"We are going to the Citadel" Lydia breathed to herself as she ascended the stairs.

"Lydia, what is happening?" she was net with Helena who looked to be rushing downstairs.

"Lena, apparently we have been invited to the Citadel to stay for a month" Lydia informed her friend.

Helena’s eyes lit up. "Can I come?" she asked.

Lydia appeared unsure. "Uhh I am not so sure"

"No" Theodore said sharply.

"Oh," Helena gasped in realization.

"Going is unavoidable as it seem, so I would like for you to stay in the mansion with the girls if you do not mind" Theodore offered.

"No, off course not, I mind not" she responded quickly, she looked honoured instead.

"Good, I shall be with Hound" and he left the two friends to themselves.

***********

***********

In the dimly lit bedroom of the Theodores, Dorothy and Joyous bustled about with purpose, their movements quick and efficient as they prepared for their Lord and Lady’s imminent departure.

The air was filled with a sense of anticipation tinged with sadness, for though the journey promised grandeur and honor, it also meant temporary separation from their beloved.

With practiced precision, the maids selected garments of the finest silk and velvet, carefully folding and arranging them within the ornate trunks that would accompany their lord and lady on their journey to the castle.

They choose each piece with meticulous care, ensuring that their lord and lady would be suitably attired for the royal court.

As they worked, the maids exchanged hurried whispers, their voices hushed in deference to the gravity of the occasion.

"I cannot believe lady Theodore would be travelling without us" Dorothy started as she folded a silk.

"I wish I could come" Joyous whined. Her face sad.

"I am not so sure, I hear the Citadel is quite strict" Dorothy replied her face guarded.

"Yes but the lady would have us" Joyous countered

"Let us be honest but she barely needs us, the lord is completely smitten by her and practically does everything for her, I could even count the times we helped wash her hair"

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