Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 220: Cesita Reyes’s Visit

Chapter 220: Cesita Reyes’s Visit

Noon.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

A carriage rolled to a gentle stop in front of Theodore’s mansion, its polished wood gleaming in the midday sun. Viscountess Cesita Reyes, dressed in a rich green gown and draped in a black cloak, stepped out with the grace and poise befitting her status. Her long midnight locks framed her delicate face, and her striking green eyes sparkled with a mixture of curiosity and admiration as she took in the mansion’s grandeur.

Cesita had heard many tales of the mansion, most of them tinged with trepidation and disdain. But as she stood before its impressive facade, she felt none of the apprehension that others seemed to harbor. Instead, she marveled at the elegant architecture, the well-maintained gardens, and the overall air of stately beauty that surrounded the place.

A maid, Joyous approached, curtseying politely. "Welcome, Viscountess Reyes. Please, follow me," she said, her voice warm and respectful. Cesita nodded, offering a gracious smile in return, and followed the maid through the grand entrance.

The interior of the mansion was even more magnificent than she had imagined. The high ceilings, adorned with intricate chandeliers, cast a soft glow over the polished floors. She had expected paintings of esteemed ancestors to line the walls and it was the only unwelcomed surprise, and the air was filled with the subtle fragrance of fresh flowers. Cesita’s admiration grew with each step, her eyes drinking in the beauty around her.

As they walked, Cesita’s thoughts drifted to Lydia, the lady of the house, the lady of the city. Lydia had been a beacon of kindness and support during a particularly difficult social event, standing up for Cesita when others had been less than welcoming. The memory of Lydia’s unwavering support and grace had stayed with her, and it was with a heart full of gratitude that she had come to extend a personal invitation to her first ball.

The maid led Cesita through a series of corridors, each more splendid than the last, until they reached a set of double doors. She knocked gently and then opened them, announcing Cesita’s arrival.

Meanwhile,

The loving couple who went upstairs laid in silence enjoying each others warmth and drawing comforting energy from their significant other when a knock resounded on their bedroom doors, they ignored it, it came natural for this couple to ignore calls when together so, Joyous knocks again prompting Theodore to ask what it was while Lydia giggled as always, pleased somehow by her husbands grumpiness.

"Lady Theodore, you have a visitor" her soft yet collected voice announced.

Lydia perked up, "Who might that be?" she loved having guests over and she is always surprised whenever a presence is reported.

Joyous cleared her throat before starting, "Viscountess Lady Cesita Reyes of Critic Arley,"

"Titles" Theodore rolled his eyes making the surprised Lydia giggle before clearing her throat, "I shall be down in a minute, escort her to the seat facing the floor to ceiling glass wall.

"Of course lady Theodore" and Joyous turned to bring up the lady.

Lydia came down the grand stairs with her dress bunched in her fist, her face lighting up with genuine pleasure. "Cesita! What a wonderful surprise," she said, moving forward to embrace her guest. "Welcome."

Cesita smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Thank you, Lydia. Your home is truly beautiful."

Lydia gestured for Cesita to sit, and they settled into comfortable chairs by the fireplace. A tray of tea and delicate pastries was already waiting, a testament to the hospitality of the household.

"I am so glad you think so," Lydia replied, pouring tea into fine china cups.

"Perhaps we should stay in the garden, the weather is rather alright and it might be the nicest we get before winter begins" Lydia suggested, her eyes warm and welcoming yet Cesita found a way to avoid them by looking into her tea cup.

"You are right, we have only two days left in this month, we should enjoy it" said Cesita with a smile that showed half of her short teeth, her eyes finally meeting Lydia’s ocean-blue ones.

"Come on then,– Joyous" Lydia alerted the maid to get to action, they would need lunch in the garden and the girl understood just right so she answered, "Yes!" and immediately the maid rushed to the others as they set up a wide tray for the afternoon.

The ladies moved to the garden, the smell of flowers and earth and the brewing future spellbinding them into a good mood.

"Your mansion is captivating" Cesita complimented, her face reddening as though she was the one that was complimented.

Lydia in her peach gown sat even more comfortable before replying with a smile, "I shall take that compliment with a pinch of salt, this place is work in progress"

"A cool work in progress" breathlessly, was how Cesita responded.

Cool? Lydia mused with a smile, such an original thing to say.

"I had thought perhaps we would meet again in any other social gathering but I had thought wrong" Cesita started, as her eyes caught the budding cottons.

It was winter in a week, how could they bloom still?! "I also wish to thank you again for standing up for me last time, It was kind and generous of you" she said.

Absentmindedly, Lydia answered as her eyes caught Ebony’s movement as it ran after Red, "Oh anybody would have done it" she waved it off.

Cesita shook her head, "Not in Critic Arley, no they will not"

"I grew up here and have only been to the citadel next, I think we have a few good natural people" Lydia said lightheartedly.

"Now the shop is gone" Cesita mumbled, making Lydia wonder if it was sadness or guilt that she perceived coating the mumble before she replied, "Well you will not have to look for nice jewelry shops anymore because I would start a business of mine soon" her business needs recognition before debuting.

Cesita blinked, "To sell jewelry?"

"Yes, to make and sell and sell them" Lydia answered back.

"You shall become a jeweler? I am so happy we are friends" Cesita squealed suddenly, she loved jewelries and can never stay away.

Lydia froze, her eyes catching Cesitas, "We are friends?!"

Cesita became uncomfortable, "Emm– I thought... well you know– you are kind and–"

"Yes!" Lydia shrieked. "Yes, I am sorry, of course we are friends, we have become friends" she rambled on making Cesita blush harder.

"I am flattered you think me good enough for you" the viscountess confessed.

Lydia touched her cheeks with a smile, "I mean I am great and lovely as Theodore tells me but you are a viscountess"

"This must be a dream, you are a princess, Lady Theodore" Cesita muttered dreamily while Lydia connected the facts, "You should be a duchess too but the title is at rest, you are a lot more than I have wished–"

Lydia cut her off with her index shooting to the sky, "Ok you might not have wished for much but you are married to a noble man, a viscount, handsome and loving I hope"

"You are beautiful, successful in your own way, kind and so forgiving it made me ache the last time, you are a noble woman who wants to be my friend!" Lydia watched Cesitta blink too fast as she gulped down her emotions and it made her feel like fighting the whole city for having made the viscountess feel so alone, she would change that if she had the means.

"So, We are equals and we should support each other" Lydia advised, her palm friendly placed on Cesita’s shy one’s.

"Agreed" Cesita replied softly.

"It has been a long month," Lydia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I am sorry about your sister, my condolences" Cesita, after taking a long breath.

"Thank you, I wish I would forever miss her" Lydia’s word struck something in Cesita that made her realize they were both riddled by guilt for not feeling enough for a lost one. It is the most horrible of guilts, to not miss someone who you think deserves to be missed by you.

"I understand, I myself had seven sisters" Cesita recollected.

"That is a lot, we were only four and it was chaotic," Lydia said with widened eyes.

"We love them still" they said in unison and it made them smile sheepishly.

Lydia touched her knee, "So emm, What brings you here today?"

Cesita took a sip of the fragrant tea, savoring its warmth before speaking. "I have come to personally invite you to my first ball," she said, reaching into her black purse to retrieve a beautifully crafted invitation. "Your kindness and support have meant the world to me, and I would be honored if you could attend."

Lydia accepted the invitation with a smile, her eyes shining with delight. "I would love to come. Thank you for thinking of me."

The two women spent the next hour chatting about the upcoming ball, their lives, and the various happenings in their social circles. Cesita found herself feeling more at ease and happy in Lydia’s company, grateful for the bond they had formed.

As the visit drew to a close, Lydia walked Cesita back to the entrance. "Thank you again for the invitation, Cesita. I look forward to your ball."

Cesita smiled, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. "And I look forward to seeing you there. Until then, take care, Lydia."

With a final embrace, Cesita returned to her carriage, casting one last admiring glance at the mansion before she left. The visit had been more than she had hoped for, and she felt a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation for the future.

What would Victore think?

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