Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 217: Scandalous Affair In The Mansion.

Chapter 217: Scandalous Affair In The Mansion.

The burial

*

As the vicar began to speak, his voice steady and comforting, the attendees bowed their heads. "We gather here today to lay to rest Miss Liza Statham, taken from us far too soon. We commend her spirit to the Lord and pray for peace and comfort for her grieving family." His words, though simple, were filled with a heartfelt sincerity that resonated with those present.

Lydia tightened her grip on Theodore’s arm as the vicar continued. She glanced at her sisters, her heart breaking for them as much as for herself. Mira’s tears flowed freely now, and even Shi’Enz had quieted, her sobs replaced by silent, shaking breaths. The sense of finality hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder that Liza was truly gone.

The beautiful, almost a queen Liza was dead and the king was absent.

As the coffin was slowly lowered into the ground, a fresh wave of grief washed over the mourners. Georgina let out a soft wail, burying her face in her husband’s chest and when he hugged her back in relief she fell to her knees instead and he immediately went after her, surprising the gossipers, while Mira and Shi’Enz clung to each other for support. Lydia’s own tears spilled over, and Theodore gently wiped them away, his touch tender and reassuring, though his own heart ached with a gnawing guilt.

She loved Liza and she wished she would come back even if it was for a day so she could tell her that she forgave her, for the times she would pretend, gaslight, manipulate and plan against her and she loved her even when she had been angry and pondered running away.

When the vicar concluded the service with a final prayer, the mourners stepped forward to pay their last respects. Lydia knelt by the grave, placing a single white rose on the coffin. "Goodbye, dearest Liza," she whispered, her voice breaking. "May you find peace and rest."

The other sisters followed suit, each laying a flower on the coffin, their gestures a final, poignant farewell. As they stood, the crowd began to disperse, offering condolences and words of comfort to the grieving family.

Theodore remained by Lydia’s side, his arm around her shoulders, guiding her gently away from the grave. He knew that this loss would stay with them forever, a painful Chapter in their lives that would never truly close.

Lydia glanced at her mother and when she turned to approach her, Jullius shot her a glare and soon the other two sisters were crowding Georgina, Georgina glanced at them and immediately took back her gaze, so Lydia gave a small smile and turned away with Theodore. He watched the interaction with a clenched jaw, this was a funeral and Jullius had no right to stop a daughter from meeting her mother but maybe he could bring her here to see her mother next week.

As they walked back towards their carriage, Lydia leaned into Theodore, drawing strength from his presence. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, of the unspoken fear and resentment from the Statham family directed at him.

Behind them, the grave was filled, the earth covering the coffin until it was hidden from view. The flowers that had been placed atop it formed a delicate, fragrant blanket, a final tribute to a life cut short. The vicar offered a few more quiet words to the family before stepping away, allowing them a moment of private grief.

The sky, heavy with the promise of winter, seemed to hold its breath as the mourners left the cemetery. For Lydia and her family, the days ahead would be filled with sorrow and remembrance, but also with the support and love of those around them.

Theodore knew that he would be there for his wife every step of the way, just as he had been through every challenge they had faced together. Yet, the burden of his brother’s actions and the loss of Liza weighed heavily on him because whatever bothered Lydia burdened him..

As they made their way back to the warmth of the mansion, Theodore’s thoughts turned to the future. He would honor Liza’s memory, support his grieving wife, and stand by her family during this difficult time. The road ahead was uncertain, but with Lydia by his side, he knew they could face anything. And he resolved to confront his brother, to seek answers and perhaps some measure of atonement for the tragedy that had befallen their family.

Meanwhile,

King Salvadore who’d had a heated argument and confession from his mother before leaving the citadel stood concealed among the dense yew trees at the edge of the Statham family’s private cemetery. The cold almost-winter air bit at his face, but the chill that gripped his heart was far colder.

He watched as the mourners gathered, their sorrow a tangible weight in the atmosphere. He saw Lydia, his heart aching with a complex tangle of emotions, jealousy, anger, and longing.

From his hidden vantage point, Salvadore’s sharp eyes traced every detail of the scene. He saw Lydia, radiant even in her grief, clinging to Theodore’s arm. The sight of his brother, strong and supportive, filled him with a bitter jealousy. Theodore was everything Salvadore was not, but he could never list them, not even in his head, Lydia’s rock in her time of need. Salvadore’s hands clenched into fists, the raw emotions swirling within him almost too much to bear.

The king’s gaze shifted to Liza’s coffin, adorned with white lilies and roses. Liza. The woman who had used him, who had manipulated his feelings for her own gain. He had loved her, or at least he thought he had. She had been with him, carrying his child, and now she was gone. The grief he felt was complicated, tinged with anger and betrayal. Liza had played a dangerous game, and in the end, it had cost her her life, and his unborn child.

She was brave and he would’ve accepted her anyway but his mother was a very decisive person and now he would be the monster.

His thoughts turned darker as he remembered his mother. The queen, who had orchestrated Liza’s death and the death of his child. The betrayal cut deep, leaving a wound that festered with resentment and disappointment.

Salvadore had always been aware of his mother’s ruthlessness, but this act of cruelty had gone beyond anything he could have imagined. His own flesh and blood, his innocent child, snuffed out before it even had a chance to live. The thought made his blood boil because she had mainly killed the mother because of the child!.

Yet, amid all this turmoil, there was Lydia. Beautiful, poised Lydia. Salvadore’s longing for her was a burning desire that refused to be quenched. She was Theodore’s wife, and that only made his yearning more torturous. Watching her grieve for Liza, seeing the way she leaned on Theodore, ignited a fierce need within him. He wanted her, needed her, in a way that was as consuming as it was forbidden.

The vicar’s voice carried through the cold air, bringing Salvadore back to the present. He listened as the final rites were spoken, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. He saw the mourners step forward, laying flowers on Liza’s coffin, their gestures a poignant farewell. When Lydia knelt by the grave, placing a single white rose on the coffin, Salvadore felt a pang of envy. He wished it were him offering her comfort, him she turned to in her time of need.

He would take her when the time was right, he mused, his eyes narrowed.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Salvadore’s gaze remained fixed on Lydia and Theodore. He watched as his brother gently guided Lydia away from the grave, his arm around her shoulders. The sight filled Salvadore with a bitter mix of jealousy and despair. Theodore had everything he wanted—Lydia’s love, her trust, her devotion.

Salvadore’s mind churned with thoughts of what could have been, what should have been had Theodore not come to the citadel to warn him after he invited the family over that day. His mother’s betrayal, Liza’s deception, and his unfulfilled desires all collided within him, creating a storm of emotions that left him reeling. He knew he had to be careful, had to keep his true feelings hidden, but the intensity of his longing for Lydia was becoming harder to suppress.

He watched the silent interaction that went on between the parents and the Theodore’s and the pleasant feeling that coursed through his vein was welcomed by him.

As the mourners began to disperse, Salvadore turned and slipped away, retreating into the shadows of the forest. He had come to see Liza laid to rest, but he left with a heart even more burdened. His thoughts lingered on Lydia, the one bright light in his dark world, and he vowed to find a way to be closer to her, no matter the cost.

Maybe he should take the deal from the set Theodore couldn’t deal with.

*

* *

*

Morning.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

Helena woke up a little late that morning and was alone on Conan’s bed, she immediately reddened when she recalled how she’d acted and the kiss from Conan.

Her eyes widened as her index reached for her lips.

He had kissed her to help her calm.

Was that a true love kiss, she wondered or was it the shock that settled the spell.

She had fallen asleep immediately after they settled in bed and she had no dreams or nightmares or she just hadn’t remembered.

Her cheeks kept getting heated while she rolled in the bed giggling, she noticed she was probably scattering the bedspread and that was when she stopped only for her to squeal before leaving the bed for her room.

"Good morning Miss Helena" Joyous greeted innocently despite having heard the full gist of last evenings happening from Dorothy, just in queue before Helena would get over the embarrassment of sleeping over at Conans’ Dorothy shows up,

She cleared her throat, "How was your night, Miss Helena?" her question does magic because, Helena reddened even more before shaking her head and shrieking "Go away both of you, I am fine"

"We certainly hope so" they said in unison before they ran away.

Scandalous.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.