Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 259: Second Lifetime, Freya. (5)

Chapter 259: Second Lifetime, Freya. (5)

Seconoria

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The sun was setting over the kingdom of Seconoria, casting a golden hue over the castle’s ancient stone walls. Princess Freya stood at the edge of the training yard, her eyes scanning the horizon, with her mind occupied with the responsibilities of the day. She had just returned from a council meeting, her thoughts filled with the complexities of ruling a kingdom and the weight of expectations placed upon her shoulders.

She had expected the personal knight her father talked about to come meet her earlier in the morning but he is yet to come and she could only wonder why.

The king, though proud of Freya’s strength and capabilities, believed she needed additional protection, someone formidable enough to ensure her safety at all times and she just has to accept it.

Sir Theodore, with his dark hair and piercing blue eyes, had arrived at the castle earlier that day but perhaps anticipation and nerves after years of watching from the side, he hadn’t been able to meet her. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, his presence commanding respect, and now he made his way through the castle halls, he couldn’t shake the feeling of déjà vu.

His memories of a past life, where he had been known as Prince Theodore and had loved a princess named Alice, were vivid and haunting. This second chance at life had brought him back to the kingdom of Seconoria, but with a new purpose and a new role.

Freya was in the training yard, practicing her swordsmanship with a determination that had become her hallmark. The clanging of metal against metal echoed through the air as she sparred with a training dummy, her movements precise and powerful. Her long midnight hair, usually neatly tied back, was now loose and flowing, framing her face and glinting in the fading light.

As she paused to catch her breath, she noticed a figure approaching.

Theodore.

He was clad in his gleaming armor, walked towards her with a purposeful stride. Freya’s eyes narrowed as she recognized him, having heard the announcement of his appointment earlier in the day. Her initial reaction was one of annoyance and frustration. She had spent years proving her strength and independence, and the idea of needing a personal guard felt like a step backward.

He was as handsome as she noticed and up front, he was breathtaking so she squared her shoulders.

"Princess Freya," Theodore greeted her, his voice steady and respectful, though a flicker of familiarity danced in his eyes. "I am Sir Theodore, appointed by your father to be your knight and shadow."

He appeared cocky and it instantly made her narrow her eyes.

She sheathed her sword and faced him, her expression hardening. "I am well aware of who you are," she replied, her tone edged with defiance. "But let me make one thing clear, Sir Theodore. I do not need a protector. I am capable of defending myself."

Theodore bowed his head slightly with a smile, acknowledging her words. "I have no doubt of your capabilities, Princess. However, it is the king’s command, and I am honor-bound to fulfill my duty."

Freya’s frustration grew, her pride stung by the implication that she needed someone to watch over her. She took a step closer, her green eyes flashing with determination. "If you are to be my shadow, then prove your worth," she challenged, her voice strong and unwavering. "I challenge you to a duel, here and now. Let us see if you are truly deserving of this position."

Theodore’s eyes widened slightly, taken aback by her boldness, but he quickly recovered, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "As you wish, Princess," he said, his tone respectful yet confident. "I accept your challenge."

His Gooseberry was fiery as always.

The air between them crackled with tension as they prepared for the duel. Freya’s heart pounded in her chest, a mix of anger and curiosity fueling her resolve. She did not know this man, yet there was something about him that stirred a distant feeling of serenity, a feeling she could not quite place.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training yard, Freya and Theodore stood facing each other, their gazes locked. This duel would be the first step in a journey neither of them could fully comprehend, a journey that would weave their fates together once more in a knit of destiny and redemption.

Freya and Theodore stood facing each other, their swords drawn, the air between them charged with tension and anticipation. Around the edges of the yard, two figures watched with keen interest: Hannah, Freya’s loyal maid and confidante, and Connor, Theodore’s steadfast friend and fellow knight.

Hannah, with her bright eyes and mischievous smile, leaned against a stone pillar, her curiosity piqued. "This should be interesting," she murmured to Connor, who stood beside her, arms crossed and a bemused expression on his face.

Connor chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on the dueling pair. "Indeed. I wonder if Theodore knows what he has gotten himself into."

Freya moved first, her sword slicing through the air with precision and grace. Theodore met her strike with a fluid motion, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. The duel had begun, and it was clear from the outset that this was no ordinary sparring match. Each movement was deliberate, charged with a mix of aggression and something more elusive—a magnetic pull that neither could fully understand.

As they danced around the training yard, their swords singing with each clash, their gazes locked in a heated exchange. Freya’s greenish blue eyes blazed with determination, yet there was an undeniable spark of curiosity and something deeper, more primal. Theodore’s piercing blue eyes held a mixture of respect and an unspoken challenge, as if daring her to prove her strength.

Hannah watched with wide eyes, her hands clasped together in excitement. "Do you see the way they move? It is like a dance," she whispered to Connor, unable to tear her gaze away.

Connor nodded, his lips curling into a wry smile. "A rather intense dance. You can almost feel the energy between them." Hannah blushed, biting down her lips.

Mmm, Freya groaned, she pressed her attack, her movements swift and relentless. Theodore parried and countered with equal skill, their swords a blur of motion. The physical exertion of the duel left them breathless, their chests heaving as they pushed each other to the limits of their abilities. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and the sound of their labored breathing.

Their body remembered despite their minds forgeting.

Because, despite the fierce competition, there was an undeniable rhythm to their movements. Their bodies seemed to instinctively know each other’s next move, as if guided by an unseen force. The proximity of their bodies, the heat of the duel, created a heady mix of tension and unspoken desire. Their faces often came within inches of each other, eyes locked, breaths mingling in the cool evening air.

Hannah nudged Connor with her elbow, her voice teasing. "Looks like they are getting a bit close, don’t you think?"

Connor chuckled, his eyes never leaving the duel. "It is certainly... intense. But I would not say that to either of their faces."

Hannah grinned, a playful glint in her eye, she was nicer in this lifetime and had no feelings what so ever for Connor. "Oh, come on. Where is your sense of romance?"

Freya and Theodore continued their duel, each strike more powerful, each parry more precise. Sweat trickled down their brows, but neither showed any sign of backing down. With a swift maneuver, Freya spun and brought her sword down in a decisive strike. Theodore blocked, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling back.

In that moment, their eyes met, and something shifted between them. The intensity of their gazes was electric, a silent acknowledgment of the connection that neither could fully comprehend. Freya’s heart pounded in her chest, not just from the exertion of the duel, but from the unspoken emotions that surged within her.

Theodore’s gaze darkened.

With a final, powerful strike, Freya disarmed Theodore, her sword pointed at his chest. Silence fell over the training yard, the only sound was their ragged breathing. Theodore looked up at her, his expression one of awe and admiration.

"You have bested me, Princess," he said, his voice low and respectful.

Freya lowered her sword, her heart still racing as she hid a smirk. "I told you, I am capable of defending myself."

"But I would still protect you from the unseen and unexpected" Theodore declared smoothly.

Hannah and Connor exchanged glances, their banter momentarily forgotten as they watched the charged moment between the two. Hannah’s eyes sparkled with delight. "Well, that was quite the show."

Connor nodded, a knowing smile on his lips. "Indeed. It seems our princess has more than proven her point."

Freya stepped back, her gaze still locked with Theodore’s. Despite her victory, she felt a strange sense of loss as she moved away. Her heart, so fiercely guarded, had been touched by something unexpected. She could not understand the connection she felt, but it was undeniable. As she sheathed her sword, she knew that this duel was only the beginning of a much more profound journey.

Theodore rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving hers. "You are truly remarkable, Princess Freya," he said softly, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

Freya felt a warmth spread through her, a feeling she had not anticipated. As she turned to leave the training yard, she knew that her life had been irrevocably changed. The formidable knight who had become her shadow was no longer just a stranger; he was someone who had awakened something deep within her, a connection that transcended time and space, a second chance at a destiny that had been tragically cut short.

A chance she didn’t know about but was affected by.

Theodore was indeed formidable and infamous in her heart.