Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 244: First Life, Alice. (11)

Chapter 244: First Life, Alice. (11)

Light Forest.

Springton.

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Theodore and Alice walked hand in hand through the woods, the lush canopy of trees filtering the warm sunlight that dappled the forest floor. It was spring, and the world around them was alive with vibrant colors and sounds.

Wildflowers in shades of blue, yellow, and pink carpeted the ground, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze.

The scent of blooming flowers mixed with the fresh, earthy aroma of the forest, creating a heady fragrance that filled their senses.

The sound of the waterfall they had left behind still echoed faintly in the distance, a soothing backdrop to the symphony of birdsong that surrounded them. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their bright plumage flashing in the sunlight as they sang their melodies. A pair of robins chirped merrily as they hopped along the ground, searching for insects.

The occasional rustle in the underbrush signaled the presence of small animals, perhaps a rabbit or a squirrel, going about their day.

As they walked, the gentle wind caressed their faces and whispered through the leaves, carrying with it the promise of new beginnings. Every step they took seemed to heighten their awareness of each other and the natural world around them.

Theodore glanced at Alice, her eyes bright with wonder, her cheeks flushed with the excitement of discovery. Her hand in his felt warm and reassuring, a tangible connection that deepened with each moment they spent together.

Alice paused, her gaze fixed on a cluster of gooseberries that Theodore had picked for her earlier. The berries, a mixture of green and pale red, glistened in the sunlight. She picked one up and examined it closely, its translucent skin and tiny hairs fascinating her. Her voice filled with curiosity she whispered. "They look so delicate."

Theodore smiled, watching her with a mixture of affection and anticipation. "Try one," he encouraged, his eyes twinkling. "I think you will like it."

Alice bit into the berry, her eyes widening as the tart, tangy flavor burst in her mouth, quickly giving way to a subtle sweetness. She closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the taste. "It... it is so different," she said, opening her eyes to look at Theodore. "Tarte at first, but then it becomes sweet. It is like nothing I have ever tasted before."

"I zm glad you like it," Theodore replied, his smile growing wider. "Now you see that your prejudice has been bad all along, they will not choke you if you take them lightly."

Alice nodded, taking another berry and popping it into her mouth. "It is wonderful. Thank you for getting these for me." She reached, squeezed his hand gently, her eyes reflecting her growing affection for him.

They continued their walk, the path winding through the forest and leading them deeper into its heart. The chorus of birds and the rustling of leaves created a serene soundtrack to their journey, and every so often, the distant roar of the waterfall would remind them of the magical place they had left behind.

As they walked, they talked about their dreams and hopes, their fears and uncertainties. Each word shared seemed to draw them closer, their bond strengthening with every step. They were slowly falling in love, and the beauty of the nature around them mirrored the blossoming feelings in their hearts.

Theodore stopped suddenly, drawing Alice to a halt beside him. He pointed to a nearby tree, where a pair of kingfishers sat on a branch, their iridescent blue and orange feathers gleaming in the sunlight. "Look," he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Alice gazed at the birds, her heart swelling with the beauty of the moment. She turned to Theodore, her eyes shining. "It is like everything here is alive, vibrant. I never realized how much I was missing."

Theodore nodded, his gaze fixed on her. "Neither did I," he admitted softly. "But now, experiencing all of this with you, it feels like I am truly seeing the world for the first time and they are so much more we do not know of."

"I brought water, thought you just might need it" he offered and as she took it she smiled. "You are a handsome genius" she complimented dramatically.

"Not to sound cocky but you are right" he replied through a grin.

She glanced at him, "You sound like one of our knights, he can be very obnoxious about everything" and Helena would agree with her if she was here.

"Sir Conrad?" he asked.

Alice appeared shocked, "Yes, but how did you know?"

"He is quite famous and formidable I hear" he narrated.

Alice nodded in agreement.

They reached a large that had a branch wide enough to sit both of them to the thigh

"I have never climbed up a tree," she said suddenly looking at the tree’s tips that were shying away from each other , letting light stream into the darkening woods.

"You would not be doing it anytime soon" he deadpanned, plain and sure.

Her eyes widened, "Why not?"

"Because you could fall, get a scratch, exhaust your arms and you could try and fail" he replied dramatically making her roll her eyes.

"I want to climb up the tree, Theo" she said insistently, like a spoiled princess that she could be making him sigh, "And I would help you do whatever you desire, Gooseberry love" he declared.

"So help me" she wailed exasperated.

"Girls can not climb trees with dresses" he said quickly as though just remembering.

She narrowed her eyes, "Did the king declare that?"

"No Alice, modesty, elegance and class" he cleared.

"Modesty" she mumbled with a soft smile, he was so gentlemanly, "So, what do you suggest?"

"We will go to a seamstress," he suggested but it was a decided idea.

"Theodore?" she called with narrowed eyes not sure if he meant it, holding his mischievous eyes and that boyish grin, she agreed with her vast emotional eye.

So the next fall when he came to Everfall she was already by the water in a short cloak and a simple dress, they would need to be extra careful today.

"Come on," Theodore tugged at her.

They jogged across streets, past families and dozens of umbrellas until they reached a shop in a secluded area, they avoided busy areas and stifled giggles whenever a guard would pass them, it was like the first day they met and it indeed reminded Alice of someone.

"I ran away three years ago," she started and he nodded as they entered a shed to pass under it, "You have always been brave" he commented.

She smiled, squeezing his hand and he returned the gesture, "I met a boy and he had golden hair, sky blue eyes, he had to be taller than me, he knew a lot and─he was you!" she exclaimed at the end of her sentence making his eyes widen as he pulled her to him but she continued to ramble on, "Theodore, do you remember? Have you been to Springton before? You must have been to springton before, and─ your hair is longer and healthier" she said now, studying her but they were already at their destination so the reply she did get was, "We want a clothing made" a reply that he directed to a seamstress.

They were already in the shop and she didn’t even know.

She turned her gaze away from the handsome young man and onto the skinny stern looking woman, "Can you afford my work?" she asked matter factly, they didn’t look at all like the people to purchase her work, despite her shop not being the no.1 shop in the kingdom, she was famous for her good work.

Alice released her finger from Theodore’s then placed both her palms on her waist, drawing Theodore’s narrowed attention to it.

No.

"You see, seamstress, we are quiet-" Theodore cut her off with a shush and his index finger pressed to her lips. She paused shocked and reddening.

Theodore cleared his throat as he took back his hand and gave her a little space, "We can pay, make an attire, that a female can wear but is a male style" he ordered easily, he oozed confidence and everything noble and even the lady felt it.

She looked around her shop for a tape, "You mean slacks for her?"

He glanced at Alice who looked dazed, "Yes," he said to the woman and she nodded, "You shall have to give a part payment" the seamstress.

Theodore nodded, searched his pockets and brought out coins, "Here" he handed some to her and she smiled, her assumptions are indeed correct.

"Come here lad, we need to have you measured" she invited Alice with a smile because the interaction had been so innocent but it appears the girl’s mind was even more innocent yet corrupted.

Alice moved diligently and as she measured her, Theodore looked around outside the door.

"Can we get it tomorrow?" he asked when she was done, when she looked skeptical, Theoodre pleaded, "Please, we barely have time"

The seamstress waved them off, "You are both so young, you have the whole time in the world, my dear" but the two could only look down. It wasn’t that easy for them.

"Come a day after tomorrow, Madame Julia, shall make something beautiful for you" she said through a smile to Alice who nodded before leaving hand in hand with Theodore.

"Are you the─" Alice started but Theodore cut her off.

"Yes, Gooseberry, I am he and we need to get you back home" He said with a confident smile before he escorted her back to the palace.

This was the first time she didn’t come with the market crew and had snuck out through the fence.

"I am glad that you are him" she whispered when they reached the fences.

Theodore turned her to him, their left and right hand still joined together, he cupped her cheek with the other, "I like you," he declared quickly, "Very much in fact" he added, ruefully.

"I think I like you too" she whispered back while Theodore’s narrowed gaze snapped to an area in the distance, without another word he let her go.