Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 154: Traveling To The Citadel.

Chapter 154: Traveling To The Citadel.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

Dorothy gave good reasons.

Joyous nodded. "She would be fine" she agreed.

"Yes and we bored" Dorothy puckered her lips. They were quiet the maids.

"Certainly, let us hope she does not lock the doors to her library" Joyous said with a giggle.

"Oh shut up, she is not as cruel, but she does love her books to heaven, we could really get bored" Dorothy waved Joyous off with an explanation.

"But there’s lady Helena" Joyous pointed out.

Dorothy rolled her eyes. "She is not a lady, she lived with a man!"

"Dorothy-" she cut Joyous off.

"A man she was not married to, that is blasphemy" Dorothy continued.

Joyous closed the trunk. "Okay but she is a good person, needless to say"

"I fear she is a bit of a bad influence on our lady still" and is Dorothy observant?

"The lady barely have friends, she has her darkside too" Joyous said surely.

"That is because they outcasted and fear her" Dorothy.

"Ok, enough let us park" Joyous

They knew that their lady would be missed sorely in her absence, her presence was a beacon of warmth and kindness within the cold stone walls of this dark mansion.

But duty called or perhaps petiness but they didn’t know that, and their master’s obligation to the King could not be ignored.

As the King’s brother, he was bound by familial duty to heed the royal summons, even if it had meant leaving behind his beloved wife for a time.

But they were grateful that this time they were going together. The last one, the lord had come back to broken wife and a lost child.

With the trunks packed and ready, the maids turned their attention to the final preparations, ensuring that nothing was overlooked in their haste.

They polished silverware and arranged toiletries, double-checking each item against the meticulously compiled list provided by their mistress.

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

Hours later.

Theodore Mansion.

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

Outside, the sun began to fall, casted a golden glow over the mansion grounds.

"Are you ready to go?" Theodore whispered to Lydia, somehow Hound heard and he replied.

"Yes, Lord Theodore" his voice calm and satisfied.

Theodore glanced at him with furrowed brows. "Uhh Hound you are not coming" he clarified.

"What? I am sorry Theodore but I have to come" Hound said, his facial expression was thesame but Theodore saw the emotions charging in his eyes.

Theodore’s brow rose. "Did you just call me by my name, what a day? Finally!" he was gladdened.

"I have to be at the Citadel to protect the lady, you know this" Hound pointed out, matter factlh.

Theodore rolled his eyes at Hounds obvious exaggeration. "What a way to call me useless" he retorted.

Lydia stepped forward, her smile soft.

"I will be fine Hound, thank you for your concern but I have Theodore" she explained politely.

"And you have no maids or a friend, my lady you shall need me"

Theodore appeared insulted before he shook his head and said to him. "Hound?! A moment please?"

Reluctantly Hound followed after the lord to a corner.

"What are you doing? I need people in the mansion, you said it yourself last month, bad vibes, energy, remember?" Theodore reminded with a cocked brow.

"Theodore, the Citadel might be worst" Hound countered after a roll of his eyes.

"I shall be comfortable knowing you and Helena are here" Theodore confessed.

This was the infinite safe haven and he would prefer it is safe for his return with Lydia.

"Understood" Hound said with a nod.

Theodore nodded but before he could leave he seemed to recall. "Now do not talk about your importance infront of my wife" he warned grimly. At Hounds silence he continued. "What happened to the confused one?"

He referred to Shi’Enz however it came and today she was a confused one.

"I am pretty much more unstable than she is right now" Hound muttered more to himself than to Theodore.

Meanwhile, Helena strolled out to say goodbye to her dearest friend.

"Lydia sweetheart, you look amazing" she said with hastened steps.

"Thank you," Lydia breathed out. "Royalty" she whispered with pressed lips.

"You would be fine" Helena added when she noticed Lydia’s crestfallen face.

Lydia nodded a small dancing on her lips. "You should leave with gifts for them" Helena advised.

"Yes, I had something in mind" Lydia said and as Helena continued to watch her perhaps expecting her to tell what it is, Lydia shook her head. "It is a secret"

Helena smiled and they both watched everyone getting ready for their travel, but one of the twins didn’t appear to prepared.

"Gabriel!" Lydia called out, hoping she called the twin she had intended to.

"Oh I called the right one!" she squealed.

Helena laughed hard at that, her palm covering her lips to look decent.

"Yes, lady Theodore" Gabriel answered after jogging to where the friends stood.

"You are not getting prepared why? We are soon to leave" Lydia.

He glanced across his shoulder before replying her. "No lady Theodore I shall not be coming along" he said.

Lydia was curious, she would like to know why he wouldn’t but she didn’t, she nodded.

"Okay then get back to whatever it is you were doing" her dismissal.

He bowed. "Of course lady Theodore"

Lydia sensed the presence of Theodore minutes later before she heard him.

"Gooseberry" he whispered into her neck.

She smiled. "You feel so warm"

"And you full with layers of clothings" he grumbled.

She giggled. "The maids, I had to look royalty"

"And you look every bit of it and more" Theodore complimented.

She smiled. "Why are we separating the twins?" her question.

"No, lady Theodore, I wish to stay back, Tom alone could go, I shall protect the mansion" Gabriel who was passing with a chest of clothes answered for Theodore surprising Lydia who turned to him. "I had thought... okay" she agreed.

"So where is Conan?" she asked.

"He will meet us on the way to the Citadel" Theodore responded, as Lydia slipped her arms into his.

And Lydia didn’t get to say anymore when an elegant royal cart that Lydia hadn’t seen before was rolled out to their view by Blanc, it surprised Lydia with its gilded details and intricate carvings adorn its exterior, catching the sunlight and casting a regal gleam.

She moved closer to it.

The body of the cart, fashioned from rich, polished wood, features ornate scrollwork and delicate inlays that depicted royal emblems or intricate floral motifs.

She approached the door but suddenly it swung open. "I brought a carriage" Blanc announced cockily.

Theodore rolled his eyes. "The carriage had always been here"

Lydia closed off their conversation as she peeked inside.

It had a spacious interior that was draped in sumptuous fabrics, with plush, velvet cushions and silk brocade upholstery.

She felt it was marvellous as it also exhibits elaborate, gold-fringed curtains, one which are embroidered with royal insignias, the curtains cascaded gracefully, adding a touch of drama and privacy to the occupants.

This is royalty, she mused, her face alight with a small smile.

The wheels, are sturdy and finely crafted, they were also embellished with gold leaf detailing, and the axles were polished to a mirror-like shine.

Each spoke of the wheels is a testament to the craftsmanship of Critic Arley, it showcased a delicate balance of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

"What do you think?" Theodore whispered into her hair.

"Too much, this is a fine piece Theodore, I cannot wait to be inside" she comfessed with a blush.

"Well then let us get you inside" and Theodore helped her inside.

With a heavy heart, the maids ushered their lord and lady into the waiting carriage, the wheels creaking softly as it began its journey towards the city, ’Critic-Citadel’.

The cart is pulled by a team of majestic horses adorned in matching regalia, their harnesses were adorned with gold and jewels.

The coachman, Blanc was dressed in a livery befitting the royal household, he sat proudly atop the driver’s seat, guiding the horses with precision. He felt different.

As this magnificent royal cart moved through the streets, it commanded attention and admiration, embodying the grandeur and sophistication of Critic-Ishire’s royal splendor.

And as the manor faded into the distance for Lydia who was still glancing back, Joyous and Dorothy exchanged a somber glance, their thoughts filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow.

Helena kept waving with a smile until her arm ached.

Gabriel watched the leaving carriage with a smile before turning and following his teacher ’Hound’.

Dorothy and Joyous knew that even though they would miss Lydia dearly in the days to come, the whole month perhaps, they knew that her absence was a testament to the honor and prestige of Theodore’s lineage.

And so, they held their heads high with their hearts heavy with longing, they bid farewell to their mistress, knowing that she would return to them in time, her grace and beauty undiminished by the passing days, they hoped.

The royal guards are right behind them in their crimson uniform and high ego.

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