Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 26: The demon in her nightmares

Chapter 26: The demon in her nightmares

Lydia woke up with a sharp intake of breath, she had been nestled in a bizarre nightmare, Theodore leading a massacre of a small village, there was so much light in the village, it was unreasonable for the dark dream. She frowned, maybe if she had gone out more she’d have been able to remember what place it was in her dream.

As she sat up slowly with a frown her husband’s back came into view, she mustered a smile before acknowledging him.

"Good morning husband" her voice drifted into the early dusk with a fresh feel that made Theodore’s lip tip up, he turned to her shirtless

"Beautiful morning, Gooseberry" he held up a tee as he walked to the high-placed mattress, its height stopping at his thighs, he stared at her ocean blue eyes for a moment, sitting up on the bed she was reaching his chest, he brushed his fingers over her cheeks almost lovingly, she thought.

"Nightmare?" he whispered

She looked surprised before nodding "A bad dream"

"If I could follow you into your dreams, I’d gladly slay your demons" his declaration.

If only he knew, that he was the demon in her nightmares.

She needed a diversion from this talk, so she asked "Did you not sleep?" he looked like he’d been up for hours and the day was just breaking.

"Oh I did, just never enough" he shrugged

He moved her ebony hair away from her face with his index and middle fingers, tucking it behind her ear before announcing "I’d be down the dining hall" Lydia blinked her heart had spiked at that simple gesture.

"We will need maids in the mansion soon" she whispered her eyes shutting voluntarily.

"We already do, I don’t think anyone cares for a work here, Gooseberry" he let her hair fall before turning and heading for the dining.

The breakfast was short and filled primarily with silence as the new couple traded glances with different emotions lodging behind their orbs.

Lydia’s mind kept gliding to her nightmare, the anger and pain she’d seen in Theodore’s eyes was remarkably scorching, he was the assailant yet he looked so broken and alone to her, she felt she was being partial as he was her husband.

She wonders how she is now the Lord’s wife, the sudden change still recent but not tormenting, and trying not to dwell on Theodore’s leverage on the emperor she relishes her food.

Theodore watches as his Gooseberry tries but fails to hide her fragile scepticism, her growing apprehension and blooming attraction about the whole happenings he makes a silent vow to shield her from whatever’s coming.

********

Afternoon.

Statham estate, Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

Clad in a simple milk and leafy coloured dress, the marchioness makes her way to a room on the upper floor of their house, she looks conflicted as a small frown stains her glimmering face, the hallway reflects her mood as the candles flicker continuously. She got to a closed door and blinked away her thoughts before knowing gently.

"Liza?" Georgina whispered "It’s only me, your mother" she added to prompt her first daughter into opening the door for her.

After a moment of silence, shuffling interrupted the soundless moment right before the brown doors swung open "Whatever do you want Mother" her mother’s face contorted.

Liza stood in a sack-like gown, making Georgina wonder where she got it from, she stepped into the room, letting her eyes look around the room, she let her face relax before letting out.

"You cannot stay in your room like this" she pointed out

"I shall stay in my room for however long I can" Liza replied, her chestnut brown hair looking as tangled as a nest.

Georgina took a deep breath, deciding to be civil and calm, which was what she mostly was. "It is bad for you"

"What is bad for me is my junior sister and that bastard daughter of yours getting married before me" Liza spat angrily, her fingers wrapped in a fist.

Georgina’s eyes widened "Watch whatever you spout, Liza"

"I’m the eldest!" she barked

Georgina nodded "It doesn’t matter, you shall find the suitor you seek soon enough" She remained reasonable.

Liza scoffed "The suitor I seek, is Emperor Salvatore" she declared

"But that is unthinkable now" the answer left her mother’s lips "He picked your sister" she completed her voice lower.

Silence ensured.

"I need to know my next move before I leave my room" Liza confessed her eyes holding the amount of determination the marchioness would have appreciated had it not been directed towards a sceptical plan against her sisters.

"Liza... "

"I have an uncontrollable headache, Mother" she declared dismissively, her mother’s presence exhausting her.

"Alright, dinner will be sent to you soon"

She followed behind her mother and shut her door with a bang, before drawing in a deep breath, her black lined eye glowing with contempt, directed at her step-sister, Lydia, now Lady Theodore.

Liza’s reason is that if only Lydia hadn’t drawn the emperor’s attention, he wouldn’t have had to pick her stupid sister over her. She must get back her man, no means is foul in the game of love.

*****

Afternoon.

Library, The Lord’s Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

Lydia sat facing her box of books, she noticed

Theodore had added the few books he had around the house for her, but there was no proper assortment to place them in, they’d be a carpenter soon, she thought.

"Lady Theodore..." Hound’s head peeked in through the double doors, her attention turned from the boxes to acknowledge him with a nod

He continued "The dressmaker is here"

Her eyes lit up instantly "Oh... alright I shall be right out" She used the time she asked for to rush upstairs to ease herself so she could have a proper conversation with the guest without thinking about leaving.

As she stepped back out, she headed for the first parlour only to find it empty, knowing fully that Hound was always around her in case she needed anything she called him out

"Hound?"

"Yes, Lady Theodore" she sighed, the sound of that formality putting her on edge.

"Where is the dressmaker?" she cleared her throat, as she felt a bit patched suddenly.

Hound looked to the door "She’s right outside"

Lydia frowned "Why is she outside?"

"That is where guests should stay" he shrugged, his face neutral.

"No, Hound" she paused "She is to wait in the parlour before I come down" She headed for the front of the mansion to get the dressmaker who might be cold now.

"You left her standing outside, for almost an hour, that is very much not a gentleman act" she chastised, not able to help herself

"My men should not be gentlemen" Her husband’s voice came right after hers and she turned to find him coming from the left being in the mansion, a goblet in hand.

"Is that water?" she took the goblet from his hand, Theidore’s eye widened in surprise but he recovered quickly, she took it to her lips only for her to return it fast as she found out it was coffee, she wasn’t parched for coffee.

"Theodore that is a disturbing declaration" She continued their earlier conversation about being gentlemen.

"Pardon me, for I did not mean to disturb you" he smirked and she found it so beautiful she smiled before moving hastily for the door.

The dressmaker was waiting.

"Good afternoon Lady Theodore" Ms. Janet’s voice welcomed her after she stepped outside

Lydia frowned "Can you call me Lydia instead?"

"No" Theodore’s voice came up behind her and she almost flinched at the surprise.

Resisting the urge to ask what Theodore was doing there, she continued to stare at Ms. Janet

"I shall call you Lady Theodore, it’s more fitting" The woman nodded a small smile dwelling on her face.

Theodore’s eyes narrowed, trying to decipher if she was bootlicking his wife but she looked too whole.

"Sorry about the wait, the men barely know how to be socially normal in this house" she apologized as they headed inside

"Never mind it, I’m fine, it’s only when guests begin to arrive, that you’d need more hands" Ms Janet pointed out.

Lydia stopped walking and turned to the dressmaker "You think they’d come?" her voice hopeful

"Why not? You’re now the lady of the city, you can invite anyone" Ms Janet replied making Lydia frown as she countered.

"But we stand the most hated house in Critic-Ishire" She resumed their walk to the parlor

Ms Janet nodded "Singularly you can make a different name for yourself from the one you share with the Lord" the dressmaker highlighted.

"Is that bad advice I hear?" Theodore growled.

Lydia blinked a groan slipping out of her "Theo go to your work, the office? Or garden whatever you want" She threw at him suggestions of how to go about his day.

"I want to stay next to you" he declared,

Lydia turned red, of anger or embarrassment. Ms Janet wondered as her reply came

"But we’ve been together since morning, I shall meet you soon, just let me talk with a normal person for a while" she retorted.

"Don’t fall" he warned before turning to leave with a smile in his beautiful blue eyes.

"You have got to be shitting me!" she gasped, looking scandalized as she sat on the cushion with a huff.

He wasn’t concerned about her referring to him as not normal but here sh is hot and bothered about being asked not to fall.

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