Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 188: Back To The Mansion.

Chapter 188: Back To The Mansion.

Morning.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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"Did you dope the damn cat? It is being a fucking predicament!" Conan yelled from outside the carriage, the cat had become tired of staying in the carriage with Blanc who now occupied the space as Lydia had insisted they let him stay somewhere comfortable before they reached for care. They had forced one of the witches to help heal him a little but that wouldn’t last long enough. Conan is the coachman now, sharing a space with the hyperactive cat.

Now Lydia and Theodore rode on Ebony, the knight’s mane and Conan couldn’t be any more annoyed by the setup, they also had to ride slowly while wishing they were riding faster.

"Conan stop being so grouchy, we are going home, you shall see her soon" Theodore replied.

"This is not about Helena!" the knight growled.

"I never said it was, Conan, you did," Theodore teased.

"Oh shut up or I am pulling you away from my horse and beating you to a pulp," Conan threatened.

Lydia chuckled feeling a bit lighter than when the journey had started. "The witches did not come close to succeeding, I do not assume you can, Conan" she sassed.

"Gooseberry" Theodore purred into her neck at her sweet and twisted compliment.

"Let us just get home, this was a long one" he let out.

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Evening.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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As the carriage rattled along the winding road leading to the imposing gates of the mansion, Lord Theodore, gazed into the window of the carriage, his mind filled with thoughts of home and hearth and those fucking witches, they were getting braver and he knew something must be drawing near and bringing them out.

It was almost an impossible task to question a Witcher but he had asked a few questions, someone was coming and if history was bound to repeat itself then it was her father that was coming. The axe in his ass.

But he would watch history try because he would never let Lydia leave him first on this earth again.

His face scrunched into a frown of contemplation and thoughts.

Lydia sat in front of him, her weary eyes reflecting the weariness of their prolonged yet shortened journey. Her head rested on his chest.

They had dropped Blanc at the physician on their way home, the old man had insisted it wasn’t safe to take the coachman home.

The young teenager, Tom, fidgeted nervously in his seat, eager to be reunited with the comforts of their grand estate, their quarters and with his brother.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, casting a sombre shadow over the sprawling grounds as the carriage pulled to a stop before the imposing entrance.

It was going to rain.

With a creak of aged wood, the doors swung open, revealing Gabriel and two maids of the household standing on the threshold, their faces a mix of surprise and joy at the unexpected return.

"Welcome home, Lord Theodore, Lady Theodore," exclaimed Dorothy, her voice filled with genuine warmth as he stepped forward to assist them from the carriage.

Beside him, the maid, Joyous, curtsied gracefully, her apron slightly askew from her hurried rush to greet them. Shade didn’t come out but he was in the walls watching.

Hound stood far in the mansion watching them arrive and noticing every little detail.

Lord Theodore descended from the horse first, his tall frame cutting an imposing figure against the backdrop of the darkened sky, he then helped Lydia down the horse. She leaned heavily on his arm, her exhaustion evident as she offered a weary smile to the assembled household.

He locked eyes with the butler, Hound, and exchanged a telepathic word of thanks before turning to go up the stairs.

Tom bounded down from the carriage, his youthful energy undiminished by the long journey.

He darted forward to embrace his brother and the maids, Dorothy and Joyous, who giggled in delight at his exuberance.

"It’s good to be home," Lydia declared, his voice carrying a note of relief as he surveyed the familiar surroundings of his ancestral estate.

"Our trip was cut short, but it seems we were missed," Conan mumbled as his eyes searched the area. The household murmured their agreement at what he said, exchanging knowing glances at the unusual circumstances of their early return.

As they made their way inside, the first drops of rain began to fall, pattering softly against the cobblestones as if offering a welcome of their own.

Behind them, the mansion doors swung shut, enveloping them in the warmth and security of their home.

The couple, though weary from their travels, could not help but feel a sense of contentment settle over them as they settled back into the familiar embrace of their darkened mansion.

Conan felt his heart drum to life at the sight of his witch, Helena in a beautiful red dress, her hair cascaded down her waist effortlessly as she offered them a sweet smile.

"Welcome all of you" She rushed down the stairs and engulfed Lydia in a hug.

"How are you? ohh you went through a lot" Helena commented with certainty.

"My room should be set up for the night," Conan said suddenly.

Theodore paused, shocked by that statement. "Conan?" he called.

"Just for the night, grouchy ass" the knight retorted.

Conan was never one to stay overnight in the mansion, even when they would go to war and be back at midnight he would still go back to his bungalow.

"You mean husband charming?" Lydia warned after stepping out of the sisterly hug.

"Oh Lydia" Conan chuckled as he moved ahead.

His steps faltered when he reached Helena before he whispered, "I know you missed me"

"I barely noticed your absence" she retorted.

"But you did notice, It is in that way you look at me," he said, his voice a soft whisper above her head.

"Try not to trip on the stairs" she taunted before walking ahead.

And she tripped.

He caught her, reflexively and safely, her arms ended around his neck while his arms wrapped around her waist.

With a boyish grin on his beautifully sculptured face, he said "How are you?"

"Falling?" she raised a brow.

He ran his tongue over his lips. "It is always the other way with us is it not?"

Perhaps that is the only way it could work, her eyes spoke making him frown.

"Not on my stairs, Conan" Theodore interrupted their little telepathy.

Conan steadied her on her feet as slowly and sweetly as he could, she pulled herself out of his arms before settling next to Lydia whose husband reluctantly let out of his arms to go ahead of them.

"You are wounded" Helena observed.

"Do you desire to tend to me?" Conan asked as he marched after Helena with purposeful steps.

"Because you insisted" she answered back making him chuckle.

Lydia nodded for the maids to carry out the arrangements for the knight’s room after Theodore offered her his arms again.

Joyous found her eyes lingering a bit too long on the black boy downstairs talking to his brother, he had been very absent since the departure of the couple, and she caught a glimpse of him training or clearing the male-employed quarters.

Suddenly he was out again, had he been missing his brother and staying in hiding?

Oh, they needed to make dinner after preparing the bathroom now.

And so she turned along with the other mansions’ occupants to do whatever had to be done.

*

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*

The Kitchen.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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Hound strolled into the kitchen and paused for effect, it made the girls turn to focus on him. "Good evening, ladies. Since the lord and lady have just returned, and they will be expecting dinner shortly but that is near impossible so options" he invited.

Dorothy stood straighter as she asked. "Of course, What would you like us to prepare before the actual meal?"

"I believe the lady would like light refreshments first in their rooms, fruits and drinks maybe"

"Sounds delicious. We shall get started right away." Dorothy said assuredly.

Hound nodded. "Excellent. And please ensure that the dining room is set with the finest china and silverware."

"Of course, Mr. Smith. We shall make sure everything is perfect for their return." Dorothy responded with a smile.

"I am glad they’re back, but I can’t help feeling a little sad," Joyous said quietly, to herself.

Dorothy frowned. "Is everything alright?" she whispered to Joyous.

Forcing a smile Joyous confessed. "Yes, everything’s fine. Just a little homesick, that is all."

Hound noticed the exchange without intention "Is there something wrong, Miss Joyous?" He asked.

Very quickly Joyous replied. "Oh, no, Sir... Hound. Everything’s under control. We shall have everything ready in no time." She told him.

Hound nodded, "Very well. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Let’s make sure tonight’s dinner is a memorable one for the lord and lady."

He took an apron but left the kitchen instead.

"Take the cat..." Joyous said resigned, it had been standing right in front of the kitchen door since they came back and she could no longer bear it, Dorothy, however, didn’t seem to notice.

"Oh, Red!" she gasped before picking it up.

"Out of the kitchen!" she pleaded.

Dorothy giggled as she rushed out realizing it was ’take the cat out of the kitchen’ Joyous had intended to say, she played with the cat for a while outside before joining the crew in the kitchen, they intended to make a small feast that night and set up the dining hall.

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