Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 176: Lydia and Larceny.

Chapter 176: Lydia and Larceny.

Throne Hall, Citadel.

Critic Citadel, Critic-Ishire.

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

Each step Theodore took felt like an eternity as he traversed the grand halls of the castle towards Salvadore, his footsteps echoed in the empty corridors.

His thoughts were a whirlwind of unconditional fear and confusion, his mind consumed with the desperate need to find answers, to understand how such a calamity could have befallen his beloved wife.

His Lydia, who would never hurt anything unless perhaps threatened and teased but he wouldn’t think that was what took her down to the dungeon, whatever it was must be graver that she had to be dragged there.

Also, he believed being dragged as Tom said was an exaggeration because Lydia was a bit too level-headed for that. She must’ve walked into the dark place with her head held high.

He has to get his Gooseberry before nightfall.

Finally, he reached the throne room, where the king sat on his golden throne, a figure of authority and power but Theodore only saw his brother who allowed his wife into a place for criminals.

Salvadore sat straighter at the sight of a slightly furious and suspiciously calm Theodore, the matter had been reported to him right before she was dragged to the dungeon, he had been in a meeting with the council and dismissing the loud guard his mother sent became impossible as they all gasped at the news he has shared. He would deal with the guard later but here Theodore is, now.

Without hesitation, Theodore approached the throne, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity as he demanded an audience.

"Where is my wife?" he growled.

With a sigh, Salvadore breathed. "Theodore..." but he trailed off not knowing what more to say.

Lord Theodore raised an elegant brow.

"She has been arrested for larceny" Salvadore informed with a sigh.

Theodore couldn’t help the sadistic laugh that crawled up his chest as he asked, a complete shock to him. "Thievery?"

He couldn’t even picture Lydia being remotely interested in the royal belongings. Not even when she had been a royal. She could get whatever she wanted and she was too proper for this. He clenched his teeth at the audacity.

"The crown is missing" Salvador dropped.

Theodore narrowed his eyes. "What crown?"

"The queen’s crown" he clarified.

"Lydia would want nothing to do with that, Why is she a suspect?" Theodore questioned with a frown.

"Brother, I understand your concern, but the evidence against your wife is overwhelming," Salvadore explained, his shoulders tight as he waited for Theodore’s inevitable outburst.

"What the fuck would she do with that?"

Salvadore shifted in his seat. "The queen’s crown was found in her possession," he informed.

Theodore would roll his eyes if this wasn’t as serious as it was right now but it was, so he gritted his teeth and bellowed. "She doesn’t even know about it, why on mother earth would anyone believe this"

"You could have told her about it and we never know the extent of greed" muttered Salvadore briskly.

The Lord shook his head in disbelief. "There must be some mistake! She would never do such a thing. You know how much she reveres title and our family, and her nobility." Theodore hated himself for explaining but if it gets this bastard to let her out, he mused.

But Salvadore was insistent. "I wish it were that simple, but the guards took her after she was caught red-handed. I cannot ignore the facts." his tone was light and almost comforting.

Theodore rolled his eyes. "Think about it. Who stands to gain from tarnishing her reputation?"

Salvadore kept a neutral face, giving off nothing. He was not going to be responding to that, he already knew what Theodore was getting at.

"Sandra," Theodore barked. "Your mother has always resented Lydia’s presence since we came here but I have kept calm because of Lydia. This reeks of Sandras’ manipulation." he let out with a scowl.

"I cannot accuse our mother without proof. Besides, why would she risk implicating your wife?"

Theodore would be comfortable with puking after Salvadore called Sandra their mother but he was too busy thinking to notice it pointedly.

"Her ambition knows no bounds." Theodore reminded his brother calmly, he held his eyes and their resemblance was almost remarkable.

"Sandra sees my wife as a threat to her influence over you and the kingdom. You should have at least investigated further before condemning her," he told Salvadore in a tone that Salvadore had the king clenching his jaw. The king listened in silence, his expression inscrutable as he absorbed his brother’s woe.

"But that is not something I can wait for, Salvadore, the dungeons" Theodore ordered, waiting for Salvadore to get up and guide him to the dungeons.

"She has to go through the right process, Theodore, she was caught red-handed" Salvadore announced, his resolve unshaken.

"By who?!" the lord bellowed, his voice thick with dark venom of anger.

Salvador sighed. "The head maiden, Martha, my hands are tied, Theodore"

"I either get my wife immediately or your hands would indeed be tied, literally" Theodore bellowed.

Salvador doesn’t pay attention to the threat as he said easily. "I cannot do anything for you Theodore"

"Oh, but if it was I sitting there right now..." he met Salvadore’s passive red eyes. "I could, I would and will do a lot for Lydia" his words ringing out in the hallowed chamber like a clarion call.

"Very well, I will order a thorough investigation. But if your wife is guilty, justice must prevail, regardless of familial ties." the king

Theodore turned hastily, his steps strong and purposeful. But as the last echoes of Theodore’s words faded into the silence, a heavy tension hung in the air, the fate of the lord’s wife hanging in the balance as he awaited the king’s judgment.

But he couldn’t let that happen.

Not in this lifetime would he put her life in the hands of another.

*

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*

Morning.

Marketplace.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

"Good morning, lovely people!"

Glances.

"Welcome to my humble pad of comfort. I must apologize, as you can see, our shop is not quite ready yet, but fear not, for I have brought along some of the softest, most luxurious pillows you have ever laid eyes on!" Helena’s confident voice rang in the area of the busy marketplace.

Hushed whispers, seeking eyes, contemplate frowns.

One woman took a redirection in her walk and headed to the shop. "Oh, how delightful! We were in dire need of some new pillows. What types do you have?" she asked Helena who despite opening up and setting her product had somehow assumed no one would purchase her goods.

Helena wiped her hand quickly on her dress, she had been wondering how her first day would be if she would need company if she would see people she wished she didn’t fancy.

All the remaining occupants of the Theodore Mansion had purchased her pillows before she took the bunch to a shop she rented out of her very remaining money as the generous Conan took none of it.

She didn’t know how to thank him than to be selling.

She met the eyes of her first customer in the shop as she started. "Ah, my dear customer, we have pillows for every preference! From fluffy down to memory foam, and even some with cooling gel for those warm summer nights." her eyes were full of life as she talked about what she made.

The customer’s eyes widened. "That sounds marvellous!"

A woman who looked like she scowled even when she ate strolled in with hooded eyes. "Do you have any hypoallergenic pillows? My allergies always act up with certain materials," she complained, getting closer to Helena.

With a smile Helena looked behind her, she knew the one the lady would need. "Of course, my dear! We have a special selection of hypoallergenic pillows made with the finest materials that won’t irritate even the most sensitive of noses."

Before Helena could go inside, a man with short hair, and long nails Helena noticed. "I’m looking for something a bit firmer to support my neck. Do you have anything like that?" he had a voice that made Helena want to scream into a pillow out of disgust but she smiled at her as she responded.

"Absolutely, sir! Our orthopaedic pillows are just what you need. They provide outstanding support for your neck and spine, guaranteeing a restful night’s sleep."

"These pillows sound perfect! How much are they?" asked the First Lady who had entered the shop.

Helena was elated.

She was selling, she wished Lydia was here.

"For you, my dear customers, I am offering a special discount today as a token of gratitude for your patience." she rushed in and took out two pillows from the small bunch.

She pressed her lips together in thought. "Let me see... how about 20% off for each pillow?"

"That’s very generous of you! We’ll take three pillows, please." the man with a nasal voice and snort let out.

"Wonderful choice! Let me wrap them up for you. Thank you for visiting my shop, and I hope you enjoy your new pillows!" Helena expressed, her words smooth yet sincere.

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