Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 164: A Missing Wife.

Chapter 164: A Missing Wife.

Noon.

Citadel.

Critic Citadel, Critic-Ishire.

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

"Where are we going?"

Lydia’s question didn’t make Theodore slow down, they’d just vacated the royal dining hall and instead of to their chambers like Lydia had thought they’d go, Theodore redirected them and they were heading out of the larger than life Citadel.

"To feed my wife" he answered easily, his grip around her wrist loosening.

She looked at him. "I am not hungry, Theodore I am fine" she convinced.

He ran his fingers through his hair. "No you are not" his reply. "I hate to apologise again, but they have always been viscious" he added.

"Is she truly your betrothed?" Lydia asked. That was her concern out of this ordeal, she needed to understand what was at stake.

"She was, but that was when Critic-Ishire was smaller and I had no options" and that was also before he remembered Lydia, before he knew he had another purpose for being brought back to earth.

To finally be able to love Lydia properly.

"Their kingdom had no hand in our success so I owe her nothing, that has been cleared with her father for years but Sandra must have invited her here" Theodore clarified, his voice, a study in composure.

"She wants you still" Lydia whispered her observation of the neighbouring kingdoms princess.

"But it is only your want that I want" he countered with missing a beat.

"You are silly" she said with a blush.

Theodore mumbled. "And you love my silly" proudly with a smile.

"No I do not" she replied sternly. Her lips were twitching for a smile but she had to resist it to look serious.

"That is heartbreaking" Theodore feigned a pout making her giggle.

"I love your everything but I will ignore you forever if you smile at her" she threatened and this somehow made Theodore holler into a fit of laughter shaking Lydia in the process snd making her laugh too as she warned him she was serious.

They were happy in their company despite being in the city that hated them more than Critic Arley could ever hate.

Unbeknownst to them, Lilith was somewhere in the castle on a patio watching them hold hands and smile. She had come here because Sandra had promised to help her secure a space in Theodore’s heart, but she didn’t see that happening, the lord was completely smitten by that seductress and she would do anything to get him back.

At first she had hated the arrangement and wanted Salvatore because just after their engagement Theodore had rejected the throne.

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Noon.

Critic Citadel, Critic-Ishire.

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

"We are going out" Theodore informed Conan who was staring at space as he moved past him.

"Finally" Conan groaned as he sprang out of his seat.

Theodore frowned. "What do you mean finally?, you have been out since" he reminded the knight who did his best to look abandoned.

"No, I have been waiting for you, I dislike going around this city alone" Conan complained, stretching his limbs as though he had been sitting for awhile.

"I have a wife now Conan, this clinginess needs to end" Theodore warned his words grim.

"Oh get in and shut up" Conan jabbed, his dark blond in all arrays from all his running of his fingers in her head.

Lydia thought about that day they had arrived and the guards had refused to let Conan in, was that manly jokes too or was it real?

She decided to let the thought go it wasn’t important, Conan was inside now and free too.

"I love your friendship with him" she whispered when Theodore started to remove the pins holding up her hair one by one.

"I wish I had something like that" she added softly her eyes closing.

Theodore hummed. "I think you do now with Helena" he drew her closer.

She smiled, scolding herself for thinking otherwise. "Of course, you are right" she admitted before shaking her head to free the hair and the terrible ache from her skull.

She had a little nap before they reached inside the city.

They got out and as the lord and his lady strolled along the bustling streets, the stark contrast between opulence and poverty unfurled before them like a tragic tableau.

Carriages, symbols of wealth and privilege, careened perilously close to ragged children darting across the cobblestones, their laughter drowned by the rumble of carriage wheels.

Beggars, their faces etched with weariness and despair, endured the sting of insults hurled by disdainful passersby, their pleas for alms falling on indifferent ears.

"Theodore" Lydia whispered, her brows furrowed and her fingers pressing into his arm.

Theodore teeth clenched before he replied. "I cannot ask you to close your eyes but you could believe tomorrow life would be better for them"

Lydia nodded, her lip between her teeth she tried to enjoy the area without feeling the air. It was horrible but she couldn’t help anyone and definitely not everyone.

The air was thick with the scent of affluence mingled with the acrid odor of neglect.

Theodore and Lydia, who are visitors from another city, felt a wave of despair wash over them as they bore witness to the injustices plaguing the streets but it was the Citadel and the king was watching and should do things himself.

Royal guards were following them as they walk around Salvadore claimed it was for protection but Theodore believed it was for restriction, somehow Salvadore believes they could keave and he didn’t want to happen.

The reached and swung open the grand oak doors of the lavish restaurant, Theodore entered with his radiant lady, Lydia who was still draped in the gown she picked after Sandra’s forced one.

Theodore adorned in his fine velvet, exuded an air of nobility, while Lydia’s grace commanded attention as they moved.

Behind them strode their loyal knight, Sir Conant, he was also clad in gleaming armor like the other knights, a symbol of protection and honor that they posses.

They got inside, and the aroma of exotic spices mingled with the soft music of a harpist somewhere, it created an atmosphere of richness and Lydia loved it.

They were all escorted to a table adorned with flickering candles and adorned with delicate flowers.

Their meal was a symphony of flavors, each dish meticulously crafted by the master cook.

From succulent roasted meats to delicate pastries filled with fragrant herbs, every bite was a delight to the senses of the guests.

After they indulged in their feast with the knights outside, they emerged from the restaurant, strolling arm in arm through the moonlit streets.

Tom hadn’t followed because he was at the training ground exhausting himself like Conan advised.

The cobblestones echoed beneath the couples feet as they admired the ornate architecture and whispered sweet nothings to one another, while Conan kept a watchful eye, ever vigilant in his duty to protect his lord and lady.

The exorbitant prices displayed in shop windows seemed to mock the plight of the impoverished, casting a shadow over Conan’s spirits.

He had intended to purchase something he’s eyes had caught, but with how expensive the things were in Critic Ciyadel he had not enough Crits on him to buy anything.

His hearts heavy with indignation, he followed the couple as they marched on, their steps quickening in search of solace and sustenance.

.Anger started to simmer beneath the surface of Theodore’s facade as he recalled the disdainful glances and stifled whispers that had marred their morning meal.

Those weren’t his family, they were animals!. He blinked to that thought.

Determined to distance themselves from the stifling atmosphere of the dining room earlier, they looked for a haven in the promise of a humble meal at a noble restaurant, hoping to find respite from the glaring disparities that plagued the streets outside, Critic Arley was different.

They got to a shop and Theodore knew he just had to buy something from there.

"Theodore I know you are very frugal but can you pay for this?" Conan voiced his thoughts.

Theodore gave him a disappointed look. "That is how you are intending to beg?"

The knight rolled his eyes at his friend. "I am not begging, Theo"

"But you are, do you not believe so, Goose-" Theodore had turn to ask his wife a question only to find she wasnt behind him anymore.

Theodore heart thundered in panic. "Lydia?"

As he turned around in the bustling marketplace, his heart clenched with panic as he realized his Lydia was no longer by his side.

A wave of fear swept over him, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

Has she been kidnapped right under his nose?

Is he finally here?

Has he taken her?

What plan did he have this time?

Every passing second felt like an eternity as he searched frantically through the crowd, his pulse quickening with each step.

When he finally spotted the royal guards "Where is she?" he barked as he demanded to know the whereabouts of his beloved wife.

His glare was a mix of desperation and anger, fueled by the terror of losing her Conan following suit with the search.

Every possible scenario played out in his mind, each one more terrifying than the last.

She cannot be gone.

Not this time.

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