Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 221: Winter Stock.

Chapter 221: Winter Stock.

Afternoon.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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"Let us begin!" Tom wailed with a laugh afterwards when Gabriel cringed.

In the sprawling grounds of the grand Theodore mansion, the two identical young boys, Gabriel and Tom, identical down to the smallest detail and glowing with health and vitality, their bodies lean and strong from the ceaseless work that filled their days. Their curly hair fell into their matching, deep brown eyes, eyes that sparkled with the mischief and curiosity typical of teenagers but they were also wise beyond their years due to the responsibilities they bore.

Their faces were mirror images of each other, framed by tousled locks of chestnut hair and bright, curious eyes that sparkled with determination.

The late autumn sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the sprawling estate. The Lord’s mansion, an imposing structure of gray stone and ivy-covered walls, loomed in the background. Its grandeur was a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and storage areas where Hound, the twins worked tirelessly, preparing for the long winter ahead.

They diligently worked side by side, preparing for the impending winter,

Gabriel and Tom moved with practiced efficiency, their movements synchronized as if choreographed. They stood side by side in the large, stone-floored storage room, a space filled with the earthy scent of root vegetables and the sweet tang of preserved fruits. Wooden crates and barrels lined the walls, and large sacks of grains were stacked neatly in one corner. Barrels of flour and sacks of grain were carefully arranged along one wall, while shelves groaned under the weight of preserved fruits and vegetables, jars of pickles, and neatly stacked bundles of firewood.

The room was cool and dimly lit, the perfect environment for preserving the bounty they had harvested.

Gabriel carefully inspected each item before placing it into a crate. His hands, though young, were calloused from hard work, and his fingers moved with the dexterity of someone who had been doing this for years. He turned each potato over, checking for blemishes, before setting it aside. Next to him, Tom was arranging jars of pickled vegetables on a sturdy wooden shelf. Each jar was meticulously labeled, the vibrant colors of the preserved produce adding a touch of brightness to the otherwise muted tones of the room.

Hound would guide them with orders and direction once in a while while the maids cooked.

The boys worked in silence, communicating with nods and brief glances. They had always been able to understand each other without words, a bond that had only strengthened over the years. The sound of their labor filled the room, the soft thud of potatoes being placed in crates, the clink of glass jars, the rustle of grain sacks being shifted into position.

Midday arrived, and with it, a welcome break. The maids, kind girls who had known the boys since they met in the mansion, brought lunch. They laid out a simple but hearty meal on a wooden table at the far end of the storage room. Freshly baked bread, slices of cheese, cured meats, and apples from the orchard were set out with care. The aroma of the food was inviting, a reward for the morning’s hard work.

Gabriel and Tom washed their hands in a basin of cool water, the refreshing sensation a brief respite from the labor. They sat down and ate with gusto, their youthful appetites demanding fuel for the hours still ahead. The maids chatted with them, their voices warm and shy sometimes, sharing bits of news and gossip from the household. The boys listened, occasionally chiming in with their own stories, their laughter ringing through the room and mingling with the clinking of dishes and the rustling of cloth.

Hound couldn’t interrupt them so he gave them space to rest.

After lunch, the twins returned to their work with renewed energy. The sun began to dip lower, casting long shadows through the small, high windows of the storage room. The task ahead was daunting, but Gabriel and Tom faced it with determination. They knew the importance of what they were doing.

The stored food would sustain the Lord’s household through the harsh winter months, ensuring that no one went hungry.

As the day wore on, the boys’ movements slowed, their bodies growing weary. Yet, they continued, driven by a sense of duty and pride in their work. They knew that soon the first snows would fall, blanketing the mansion in white and sealing them off from the outside world. Everything they did now was to prepare for that inevitability.

By the time the last crate was stacked, and the final jar placed on the shelf, twilight had settled over the estate. The boys stood back, surveying their handiwork with satisfaction. The storage room was filled to the brim, an obvious result of their hard work and dedication. Gabriel and Tom exchanged a tired but contented smile. Another day’s work was done, and they had done it well.

As they toiled away in the dimly lit storeroom, the faint scent of wood smoke and dried herbs wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of their quiet footsteps and the occasional clink of glass jars being carefully arranged on the shelves. Outside, the first frost of winter glistened on the grass, a silent harbinger of the challenges that lay ahead.

They cleaned up, putting away their tools and washing up once more. As they stepped out into the cool evening air, the first stars began to twinkle in the sky above. The mansion was quiet, and the only sounds were the distant calls of night birds and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

The twins made their way back to their quarters, ready for a night’s rest, knowing that tomorrow they would rise and do it all over again. For now, though, they had each other and the satisfaction of a job well done.

The girls left immediately after them too, their beds were calling and they weren’t trained to be rude.

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