Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 170: Aunt Maria.

Chapter 170: Aunt Maria.

Morning.

Citadel.

Critic Citadel, Critic-Ishire.

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

The royal family sat around the table with Liza and Salvadore’s aunt who had arrived this morning. Theodore had shocked to his bone when he saw her, because if Sandra was viscious, then her sister Maria was crazy. The borderline crazy.

They all sat in the grand royal dining hall, while a hushed tension lingered in the air, it was palpable amidst the clinking of silverware and the delicate sips of tea.

Seated at the head of the ornately adorned table was the distinguished figure of the king, Salvadore, his regal countenance was veiled in a mask of stoicism as he enjoyed over the morning meal.

Beside him sat his mother, a woman of undeniable grace and poise, but she didn’t have the stern gaze that mostly betrayed the weight of royal lineage in older women.

Her sister sat next to her in a slightly oversized gown, but no one could tell her, it could lead to a disaster no one thought of.

Her presence alone inspired the silence on the table.

Opposite the king, Theodore and Lydia, who were esteemed guests of the court and royalty stayed as quiet as everyone, Theodore hated the lady while Lydia didn’t know what was happening, they exchanged polite nods and forced smiles, her discomfort thinly veiled beneath the façade of etiquette.

Theodore, who is a man of noble bearing and steely resolve and as ruthless as everyone heard, maintained a composed demeanor despite the palpable tension in the room, he hated how uncomfortable and uneasy the atmosphere made Lydia feel, she could get indigestion. He thought and he would hate that so he helped her with the softer food.

Lydia wad a vision of elegance in her elaborate attire, as she struggled to conceal her unease. She couldn’t let Theodore down, she thought.

Liza sat by Salvadore’s side, her captivating beauty whose presence in the royal court had sparked whispers of scandal and intrigue, she exuded an air of quiet defiance as she toyed with her food, her eyes flitting between the other occupants of the table.

Despite the lavish spread before them, conversation was sparse and strained, punctuated only by the occasional polite exchange and the subdued clatter of cutlery against fine china.

Each bite of food seemed to echo with the weight of unspoken truths and simmering tensions, casting a shadow over the surroundings.

As they are and the morning sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, and they thought they would soon be leaving the dining hall, Maria spoke.

"Your wife, I confess is rather ravishing" her voice was loud as her eyes locked with Theodore’s.

"Ravishing?" He asked with narrowed eyes. What was she getting at?

Maria nodded, her eyes focused on lydia as she started. "Captivating, Endearing...what is the word? Pretty, yes, she is pretty"

Lydia blushed but she kept her head down despite being too uncomfortable to eat. That was one hell of compliments.

"What is her name?" Maria asked not as politely as Theodore would like.

With a deep breath Theodore answered. "She talks Maria, did any form of gossip reach you that she was mute?"

While Theodore didn’t fancy Maria, Maria adored him and Lydia was soon to find out.

"Oh dear, Theodore would never change would he? introduce us young man" she ordered Salvadore who was already biting his lip.

Lydia stood up slowly while the whole table watched her, she could introduce herself she thought.

"Good morning and welcome, Lady Maria Simpson of Critic-Ishelm, I am Duchess Lydia Theodore of Critic Arley" she bowed.

Maria looked bewitched as she gasped. "My word, she has heard of me" her sentence was directed to Theodore and Liza who she was sure didn’t know her.

"The news did say you were extinct but here you are" Lydia said with a knowing smile.

Maria for a moment appeared flattered and appreciated.

"Lydia sit down and eat please" Theodore growled lowly.

Lydia rolled her lips. "Of course honey"

Lydia’s heart thundered as he now realised he had pissed Lydia off.

"Theodore my boy, I and Lydia would be good friends" Maria commented truthfully. She had known she would like Lydia from home. Theodore couldn’t have married a fake.

Sandra cleared her throat. "Uh Maria no, you are going back home" she announced.

Silence ensured in the table as

Maria screeched immediately. "Whatever the hell are you insinuating, Sanders!"

Sandra rolled her eyes, her sister would always call her Sanders whenever she intended to get on her nerves, and it always worked.

"Your husband already contacted us and we cannot keep you here any longer" Sandra calmly informed her.

"But I only just arrived. Oh Johnathan!" she screeched, stood up and left the table.

Sandra narrowed her eyes, that was short. "Are you going already?" she asked suspiciously.

"I have a present for Theodore’s pretty damsel and I am leaving this damn place" she retorted, her step fast.

"Let the maids help you" Sandra offered.

With a look of utter disgust Maria rejected it by saying. "I do not need the help of your freak maids, Salvadore!" she called the king.

"Of course" he dropped his knives and followed her.

Lydia’s brows furrowed as she tried to understand what just happened. Her eyes met Theodore smiling ones.

"She prefers Salvadore helps her pack her things" he told her.

"He is the king" she pointed out in hushed whisper.

Theodore shrugged. "She is his aunt"

"Of course" Lydia whispered as though that should explain everything but it doesn’t to her. It was still just strange.

And so they completed their breakfast in silence.

Liza sat like she was frozen in time while Lydia blushed whenever her lord husband Theodore whispered into her ear.

*

* *

*

Noon.

Outside, Citadel.

Critic Citadel, Critic-Ishire.

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

"I brought a blanket for you, it is of the finest material and the warmest of Critic-Ishelm I tell you" Maria announced as she handed

"Give it to her Salvadore" she waved him over.

Lydia’s eyes widened she didn’t think she could take it, it covered most of Salvadore’s arm as he wrapped them around it. But she went forwad. "Ah.. okay" and it fell right out of her arm, pulling her down slightly but Theodore was quick to catch her by the waist as he sent a glare Salvadore’s way.

Salvadore shrugged.

"Is it heavy?" Maria asked with wonder.

She hadn’t known. "I never knew, hold it up Salvadore let us go to her chambers"

"Hand it over" Theodore bellowed.

He took it from Salvadore before Lydia expressed her gratitude. "Thank you Lady Maria"

"You shall stay at my house whenever you come to Critic-Ishelm, Johnathan is a maniac but he loves visitors" she invited easily, her vouce reminded Lydia of feathers, light and impactful.

Lydia nodded with a full blown smile. "The pleasure is mine, thank you"

"Come here" Maria with cocked head opened her arms for Lydia to step in, with caution Lydia did while Theodore stood by the wall watching the interaction.

Maria groaned pulled back and caught Theodore’s narrowed gaze. "And she smells like apples and something ravishing" she said it just the way Theodore does and Lydia couldn’t help but smile widely, they were very much alike despite not veung blood related.

Sandra had left her sister to go to her chambers because her sister was never invited and she believed gossip had brought her. While Liza watched from a window, wondering why it was always Lydia.

*

* *

*

Afternon.

Citadel

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

The royal garden had a serene ambience, the sun cast a glow upon the lush greenery, painting a picturesque scene as Lydia moved in.

The chirping of birds around added a melodious soundtrack to the tranquil setting

After seeing aunt Maria off, Theodore headed for work while Lydia went back upstairs to get the gift she had brought for Sandra, she hadn’t known to bring for Liza and she regrets it now.

So, as the afternoon sunlight streamed through the lace curtains, Lydia nervously approached her stepmother-in-law, Lady Sandra Simpson, she clutched a delicately wrapped package between her fingers. It was also jewelry she had made, that was all she had.

A maid moved with Lydia and showed her where Sandra stood. "Queen mother, is over there"

"Thank you" Lydia whispered to the maid as she moved towards

"Good day, Queen Mother." Lydia wished.

Sandra raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"I have brought you a token of my esteem."

Sandra sat up straighten. "Ah, what is that?"

"Here it is" With a tentative smile, Lydia extended the gift, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she watched Sandra who bunched her brows. "A trinket? How thoughtful of you, my dear." She lied through her teeth.

Lydia smiled easily. "It is not exactly a trinket but I hoped it might bring you some joy." She explained her reasoning.

"Yes, well, it is... charming, I suppose." Sandra said mildly making Lydia wonder what might be going through the lady’s mind.

Did she not like the gift?

Lydia couldn’t help but ask away. "You do not seem quite pleased. Have I erred in my selection?"

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