Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 206: Drastic Changes To The Mansion.

Chapter 206: Drastic Changes To The Mansion.

Noon.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

Lydia strolled out of her office when she heard a sound from outside the building, as she reached the entrance she was shocked to find a man standing outside with a hat on.

It’s neither sunny nor windy, why was he on a hat? She wondered, and why was he there?

"Who are you?" she inquires of his identification because he stood without a word merely watching her like he was seeing through her, it made her frozen deepen.

"I’m a Glassman," he muttered before curtsying.

"Oh Theodore!, This is nice, come let me show you the place you shall work on" her eyes widened in delight at his confirmation, she glanced around but none of the maids were around perhaps they occupied the kitchen she believed as she regarded the man.

"You are alone" she noted.

He glanced behind as if he had forgotten he came alone. "Yes my lady, I came to observe my partner would be here right away,"

She nodded. "It is Lady Theodore" her correction came out.

His gaze darkened before he cleared his throat, "Of course, I apologize"

"Follow me" she invited him in and then failed to notice the smirk that briefly presented itself on his face.

She turned and he followed after her but suddenly, the hairs on her skin stood up, an icy chill ran down her spine and she felt herself break down into goosebumps that made her pause as her mind raced, he paused behind her too and slowly she recovered from the initial body shock, "Are you okay, Lady-" she cut him off by turning sharply and said, "Do not linger behind me"

"Yes, Lady Theodore" he agreed with a glint she almost missed in his eyes, delight? What was he delighted about?

She then asks. "What is your name?"

"Jeremiah" he replied briskly, no surname or a pause and neither an explanation.

She decided to ignore his informality, and be a good wife who helps her husband in his absence, she was the one who wanted to change the mansion after all.

"Where are the maids?" she whispered to herself as she moved along to show him the areas he should do changes to.

"Lady Theodore?" Joyous came from up the stairs as though she was called, she wondered who the man in the parlour was.

"Where were you? Get the Mr..." she trailed off her eyes colliding with Jeremiah’s curious eyes.

"Mr Granger" he filled in for her with a crooked smile.

"Help Mr Granger inside the house will you?" Lydia instructed Joyous who left after a nod.

Jeremiah, who was fast becoming a renowned glassmaker stood with Lydia in silence till Joyous returned with Mr. Granger.

"Good day, your Highness" his hoarse but soft voice greeted Lydia the moment he reached them.

She blinked surprised at the title he chooses to use. "Oh, welcome Mr Granger!"

He laughs softly. "No your highness, Just Edmund" and immediately Jeremiah shot him a glare that spoke of how betrayed he feels about Edmund letting the lady calling him without formalities.

"Oh I insist, Mr Granger, it is befitting" she responded easily.

The man smiled, his lips invisible as it is buried in a formation of beards around his lips.

Edmund stood in the darkened parlour of Theodore Mansion, his sharp eyes taking in every detail.

Beside him was Jeremiah as they conversed in low tones, their voices mingling with the crackle of the fireplace.

"We must maintain the mansion’s gothic charm while allowing the beauty of the gardens to become a living artwork within these walls." Jeremiah told him but Lydia could hear.

Edmund nodded, "Indeed. We will need to install temporary supports here and here to bear the weight of the structure during the renovation. Safety is paramount."

’Why are we making such a drastic change?’ a voice spoke suddenly shocking Lydia to her core as she glanced around for the owner.

A light chuckle. ’Oh it is just me, Shade, Lady Theodore,’ he verified the owner still only as a voice.

She looks to the ceiling as though expecting to view her head suddenly. ’Can I reply through my mind?’

’Obviously you can,’ he assured her and she wondered if he only smiles if he’s invisible because there was a smile in his voice, one she’d never caught on his face.

’Why are you in my head?’ she questioned without malice.

’Because I can not present myself in his presence’ his reasoning made sense.

She glanced at them and they were now touching the walls. ’So, what were you saying?’

"I believe we could wait for master before proceeding with such a change to the mansion walls" he cleared his throat afterwards making Lydia frown because it was in her head!

"He sent the glassman here Shade do not be aggravating.’

’Did you let him in yourself?’ Shade inquired, he knew about Edmund but when did Jeremiah cone in?

’Yes, where were you?’ she questioned with a frown.

’I was chaperoning, master into the forest’ his reply made Lydia giggle before she cleared her throat. Jeremiah glanced at her before he resumed watching the wall with his associate.

Shade stood nearby, his arms crossed and frowning as he talked ’I still do not see why we need this change. The parlour has stood fine for decades.’

Lydia, placing a gentle smile on her face she promised. ’Shade dear, it will bring so much light and beauty into our home. Trust me, you shall come to love it’

’I wonder why you are acting as grumpy as Theodore, did his absence incite you to behave like him?’ she raised a question.

’You said that out loud Lady Theodore, now they shall think you mad’ Shade pointed out as four pairs of eyes settle on the lady.

’Leave then’ she screeched.

Shade left immediately like he was never here making Lydia smile.

The two marched to her with smiles that she didn’t know if she appreciated.

"We shall be back tomorrow to begin" Jeremiah confirmed.

She nodded smiling thinly, "Alright, Dorothy see them out" she ordered the men who rounded the corner and handed Red to Lydia.

"Of course, Lady Theodore"

A harsh snarl was what Red released as a warning before he left her arms and rushed towards Jeremiah, his paw swiped off the mans hat before he landed on his feet.

Jeremiah stood frozen as all the hairs on the little cat rose and his whiskers shook. "Oh my God, Red!"

"Yes, my.. Lady Theodore I have red hairs" Jeremiah stuttered.

She picked the angry cat up and as she kissed it, he relaxed holding only it’s glare on Jeremiah. "No, that is my cats name, I am sorry for his behaviour, perhaps he was hungry" she defended while Jeremiah nodded, his face ashen he bent and picked up his hat.

"Take care" he mumbled and left without further delay.

*

* *

*

Afternoon.

Forest, North.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

The five men who’d left the Theodore Mansion made their way through the dense forest in the dim light of the late autumn afternoon.

The trees, that are now stripped of their leaves, stood like skeletal keepers and makers of the forest, their bare branches reach out to the sky like bony fingers of dark skeletons.

The chill in the air hinted at the fast approaching winter, and the group knew they needed to make this hunt count.

Lord Theodore tall and imposing led the way, his presence commanding respect. His keen eyes scanned the surroundings, ever vigilant for any sign of game or danger. Close behind him walked Conan, his trusty longsword at his side. As a seasoned warrior, his years of experience should be etched into the lines of his face but his genes were as strong as Theodore’s.

Flanking them were Gabriel and Tom, the Caramel Twins. Their agile movements and keen senses honed from training with the best they could find made them invaluable in the hunt. Their skin glowed with a warm, golden hue even in the dim light, a striking contrast to the cold, colorless surroundings.

The fifth member of the group, known simply as Hound, moved with the stealth and grace of his namesake. His rugged appearance today was different from his everyday attire and his silent demeanor belied a sharp mind and deadly skill.

Blanc had stayed by the entrance of the forest with necessities and a large cart.

As they moved deeper into the forest, they came upon a clearing. Strewn across the ground were the fresh carcasses of several deer and wild boar, evidence of a successful hunt.

Theodore’s eyes narrowed, these kills were not their own; they were the spoils of the last group that had ventured out into the woods.

The men exchanged uneasy glances, wondering where their comrades were and why they had never returned, if they’d successfully caught this animals that meant the animals hadn’t attacked and they should’ve been home by now but that was not the case.

"We need to stay on our guard," Theodore murmured, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The others nodded in agreement, their senses heightened as they continued their cautious search.

"Help!"

Suddenly, the silence of the forest was shattered by desperate calls for help. The men sprang into action, their hearts pounding as they raced towards the source of the cries. The sound led them to a small clearing where they saw figures struggling against their bonds, tied to trees and clearly in distress.

The former hunting party

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