Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 194: Her Father.

Chapter 194: Her Father.

Dear Critic,

.

Our young men have become even cornier, purchasing flowers for another while exchanging smiles and kisses with another.

The poor lasses who fall for knights are the ones I fear for. Sir Conan Jones appear to be enjoying his youth quite exceptionally.

I would not trust my heart with him if given the opportunity.

Our widow is with child!

How shocking for a lady we’d assume would become a nun now decides to birth for the lord.

Bless Critic Arley.

.

Yours inciting,

Muckraker.

*

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*

Noon.

Marketplace.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

The bustling marketplace was alive with the sounds and scents of the city: the calls of merchants hawking their wares, the laughter of children darting through the crowd, and the rich, enticing aroma of freshly baked bread mingling with the sharp tang of spices.

In the middle of this vibrant chaos, Shi’Enz and her friend and maid, Martha, stood on the fringes, at the ends of their group of four other maids whom Shi’Enz had snuck out with, their hearts pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement at the possibility of running.

Shi’Enz, looked like the petite young woman that she is with brown hair that cascaded down her back, she glanced nervously at Martha, who was equally tense but resolute. She would help Shi’Enz see her sister and she her dearest friend.

The two shared a secret smile, their unspoken understanding cementing their resolve when they notice the group slowly forgetting their presence.

They had planned this diversion meticulously, their hearts yearning to see Lydia, Shi’Enz’s elder sister, whom they missed dearly.

"Are you ready?" Shi’Enz whispered, her dark brown eyes sparkling with a mix of apprehension and determination.

Martha nodded, her grip tightening around the small satchel she carried. "Ready as I will ever be. We must move quickly before anyone notices."

With a final glance at their group, who were preoccupied with a particularly animated vendor, Shi’Enz and Martha slipped into the throng of the market, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.

Their hearts beat in sync, a steady rhythm of anticipation and anxiety. They just did it.

They had only a small window of time before their absence would be discovered, and they could not afford any delays. Shi’Enz didn’t even know if she wanted to go back, she had to see Hound and she missed him so much.

At the edge of the marketplace, a row of rented carriages awaited, their drivers lounging nearby, ready for hire. The girls glanced at each other before nodding.

Shi’Enz approached one, a sturdy carriage with worn but well-maintained wheels, fine horses, and addressed the driver, an older man with a kind but curious gaze.

"We need to get to Lord Theodore’s Mansion," she said, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "Quickly, please."

The coachman, sensing their urgency, nodded and gestured for them to climb aboard. Martha helped Shi’Enz into the carriage before settling in beside her, the door closing with a decisive thud.

As the coachman urged the horses into a brisk trot, Shi’Enz and Martha exchanged a look of both relief and nervous anticipation.

Shi’Enz’s thoughts were a whirlwind as the carriage jolted forward, the scenery outside blurring as they left the marketplace behind.

She had always admired her sister Lydia, who had married and moved to the grand mansion on the outskirts of the city.

Letters and occasional visits had not sufficed; she missed Lydia’s comforting presence and wise counsel.

Also she missed Hound so much but he would never send her letters.

Martha, sensing Shi’Enz’s thoughts, reached out and squeezed her hand. "We shall see him soon," she reassured.

"And it will be worth every bit of trouble we might get into."

Shi’Enz smiled gratefully, her apprehensions easing slightly. "Yes, it will be," she replied, her voice firmer now. "I need to see her, to talk to her." To talk to him.

The carriage ride felt both interminably long and fleetingly short, their nerves on edge with each passing minute.

The familiar landmarks and winding roads eventually gave way to the stately avenues that led to Theodore Mansion.

As the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the grand gates, both young women took a deep breath, their determination unwavering despite the fear of possible repercussions.

With a nod to each other, they disembarked, the imposing silhouette of Lydia’s mansion rising before them.

Shi’Enz’s heart swelled with a mix of trepidation and joy. They had done it. They had made it to Lydia. And her Zachary.

As they approached the large, ornate doors, Shi’Enz lifted her hand to knock, her eyes meeting Martha’s in a silent promise of solidarity. Whatever awaited them on the other side, they would face it together, driven by their love for Lydia and the unbreakable bond they shared.

They heard movements in the gate house making them frown before pushing the entrance to step inside. The door doesn’t budge making them gulp, how would anyone know of their arrival if the mansion building is miles away from the gate?

Just as they would start banging on the door, a carriage came rolling over, pulled by two horses.

"Welcome, Miss Shi’Enz, the lady awaits you" Blanc

"Oh thank you, come" Shi’Enz mumbled grateful she didn’t have to suffer to be heard.

"Who is she?" Blanc asked refferring to Martha who stood silently behind the Statham girl.

Shi’Enz glanced behind as though just realizing she didn’t do an introduction. "She is Martha, Lydia knew her" she lets out.

Blanc narrowed his eyes. "Knew?"

"It has been awhile, she knows her still but it has been a while" Shi’Enz rambled on wishing the coachman would let it go or Martha explains in her stead.

"I see" Blanc bellowed.

Tom who has been silent all while with his gaze fixed on a particular person, cleared his throat and offered his hand to help them up the carriage.

"Thank you" Martha whispered.

He merely nodded before heading towards Blanc who drove them away immediately.

*

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*

Noon.

Office, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

In the dimly lit confines of Theodore’s home office, the atmosphere is laden with an air of sophistication and refinement.

Theodore, with his golden locks cascading over his shoulders, sits regally behind a grand mahogany desk, engrossed in the affairs of the estate.

His countenance is one of focused determination, his piercing gaze occasionally drifting from the parchment before him to steal a glance at his elegant wife.

Lydia, reclined on a plush velvet couch across his table facing him, her midnight locks cascaded like a silken waterfall over the intricate embroidery of her gown.

She is immersed in the world of art, her delicate fingers tracing the contours of a book filled with masterpieces from centuries past. Each page she turned revealed a new revelation, and that ignited a spark of inspiration in her discerning eyes and mind.

Though immersed in their respective hobbies, the connection between the Theodore and his Lady is palpable, it’s a silent symphony of understanding and mutual respect. Their occasional exchanges are like whispered melodies in the room, punctuating the stillness with warmth and affection.

"Theodore?"

With a smile Theodore answered. "Yes, Gooseberry?"

"Tell me" Lydia whispered into the serene office atmosphere making Theodore raised his head.

He raised an elegant brow. "Tell you what?"

"Tell me something, Theo" she dropped the book she was reading and met his eyes. "Anything, one amongst the many things you know and I do not"

"Secrets." he said softly in realization.

"I know the society doesn’t think... women and... but Theodore we are different"

"You should not have secrets from me Theo, we are a husband and wife"

"Something"

She gave a slow anticipatory nod.

"Your father is alive" he dropped and without waiting for her reply he added more to himself he added. "He has to be"

Calmly Lydia drew his attention with a question. "Is that a deduction or a fact?" his face was a mask of nothingness and she wondered if she’d ever known him.

"Were you looking for him?" she added getting edgy.

He stroked his chin. "I am not sure, and yes, I need to find hi before he comes for us" he said hauntingly.

Lydia scoffed, horrified by his wording. "Comes for us? are you sure you are talking about my father?" she pointed out her shoulders tight.

Theodore merely watched her gauging her reaction.

"You do not wish for me to ever meet him?" she sounded pained now and Theodore hated that.

Theodore continued to stay mute making her frown. "Why do you think, he is evil? that we have to fight or run?" Yes, she’s heard the tale of his bad self and hateful father but she couldn’t not hope he was good to her if he ever found her at least because she never had that.

"You... Lydia calm down, I had..." he trailed off.

She shook her head as she vacated the confortable seat. "Do not tell me to calm down, are you thinking of killing him?"