Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 262: Second Lifetime, Freya. (8)

Chapter 262: Second Lifetime, Freya. (8)

Dining Room, Baron Estate.

Seconoria.

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

"Son, I have to tell you that I am very proud of you" John said suddenly as the family ate breakfast that morning making the ever humble Theodore blush, he doesn’t reply but he appreciates his parents.

Lana, his mother picks a well cooked beef and offered to him, "Take this, taste it," Theodore smiled cheekily before taking it from his mothers fork, "How does it taste?" she asked.

"Like your cooking? Mother" Theodore replied confused at the question, he just wanted to eat and live for Freya.

His mother giggled, "No, it tastes like success"

Theodore roared with laughter and his father joined quickly, Samuel glanced at his mother angrily, "This tastes bland mother"

"Then pick another one Samuel do not be a brat" Lana chided her second son.

Theodore glanced at his brother before offering his food, "Here, take this one, tastes about right"

"I guess you were given the best" Samuel scoffed making Theodore frown as he wondered who this might be from the past life.

"They are all the same, but yes Theodore deserves the best, he is making a name and a life for himself" Lana countered with a spine chilling glare pinned on Samuel.

They continued to eat in silence, "Pass me the salt"

"Talk politely like a noble, Samuel!" their father roared making him grit his teeth as he took the salt from Theodore.

"I shall take my leave now, mother, father" Theodore had finished dressing up for work after breakfast and was now by the door.

"Have a lovely day ahead" Lana wished out loud.

John cleared his throat before saying to Theodore, "Meet me in the cart, I shall drop you off by the gate"

"Lovely day, Samuel" Theodore wished him but the boy ignored him as the knight left for work.

Samuel clenched his fist as he glared at the space Theodore just vacated, he was never one to be praised this hard and he hated how perfect Theodore was.

Something had to be done to elevate his life, he thought.

*

* *

*

Dining Hall,

Queen chambers, Castle.

Seconoria.

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

The king and Queen of Seconoria sat across each other having the grand breakfast that they always do, the sunlight streamed through the tiny gaps between the dark an heavy curtains as they prefer the warmer light to bright morning sun.

"Prince Holland had no comment about Freya, do you think he likes her?" Greta, Freya’s mother let her thoughts and worries out, she felt her daughter was no longer feminine enough or prim to attract such men but it was her duty.

The king dropped his fork. "I do not care what he thinks, my princess is going to make him king and that is enough, he is not worthy of much where he comes from"

"But he is still noble" she defended.

Alfed smiled, proud. "Exactly, I am sure Freya can overpower him in every sense,"

’Look what you have turned our daughter into’ Greta wished to object but she couldn’t. It was all her fault that she gave birth to a girl instead of a king.

Whatever Alfred was doing had to be the right thing and she’d support him.

"I have to be in court," Alfred said after dining and Greta gave him her warmest smile as she asked of him, "Say hello to Freya,"

"I love you, Greta" he replied without paying heed to her request and so she nodded, he never liked her trying to soften the abomination.

"I love you too, my king" she said back before leaving for her bedroom.

*

* *

*

Afternoon.

Garden, Princess Chambers.

Seconoria.

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

Freya sat alone in her private garden, a secluded sanctuary within the castle walls. The garden was a riot of colors and fragrances, with blooming roses, lilies, and lavender creating a thing of beauty. The soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze and the chirping of birds provided a soothing soundtrack, a stark contrast to the tension-filled court meetings and the stifling expectations placed upon her.

The maids had spread a soft, embroidered blanket on the grass and laid out a simple yet inviting feast: an assortment of cheeses, fresh fruits, cured meats, warm bread, and a selection of pastries.

Theodore stood a respectful distance away, ever vigilant. His eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, ensuring her safety. Despite his imposing presence, there was a gentleness in his demeanor whenever he was near her, a silent promise of protection, and a love so pronounced it lived for her yet unpronounced in this lifetime.

Freya glanced up and caught sight of him, his silhouette strong and steady against the garden’s verdant backdrop. A sudden impulse struck her, a desire for company and perhaps a moment of normalcy in the midst of her turbulent life. "Theodore," she called out, her voice carrying easily in the quiet garden. "Join me."

He hesitated for a moment, his duty warring with his desire to be near her. But her inviting smile and the warmth in her eyes dissolved his reluctance. He walked over and sat beside her on the blanket, the intimacy of the setting making his heart pound just a little faster.

"You should take off some of this" she whispered poking his silver-clad stomach, it prompted a hoarse laugh out of him as he did it, making her blush like a tomato as she pretended to continue eating.

His shirt pulled up a bit and her gaze involuntarily trailed to her abdomen and the gasp that she drew shouldn’t be from a girl who had trained with half of the knights of Seconoria but this was Theodore and he was on her sheets. She tried to take her gaze but ended up licking her lips until he was done and his blue-blue eyes caught her ocean-blue eyes did she realize what was happening.

Her face reddened faster than it does when its hot after a training session, she cleared her throat when he smirked before she handed him a wedge of cheese and a small knife. "Help me with this, would you?"

Without a word but a knowing smile and a muscle flex, Theodore took the cheese, his fingers brushing hers lightly, sending a spark through both of them. She refused to let her heartbeat make her chest rise rapidly making her redden even more.

Theodore expertly cut thin slices and handed them back to her. They continued in this manner, Theodore opening jars of preserves, slicing bread, and peeling fruit, his strong hands deft and precise.

He was simly a sweetheart, A knight charming.

The conversation flowed easily between them, punctuated by laughter and teasing banter. Freya offered him a piece of ripe fig, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Have you ever had one of these? They are my favorite."

Theodore held her gaze somewhat intimately before he accepted the fig, biting into it and savoring its sweetness. "Delicious," he said, his voice warm. "But I think you might be a bit biased."

Freya laughed, a sound like the tinkling of bells. "Perhaps. But try this." She handed him a small pastry filled with sweetened ricotta and honey. "It is a taste of heaven." she moaned.

They continued sharing the various delicacies, each one a small delight. Theodore found himself relaxing, the burden of his duties momentarily lifted by the simple pleasure of her company. At one point, Freya offered him a slice of bread with a dollop of cherry preserves, her eyes watching his reaction closely.

"This is wonderful," he said, savoring the rich, tart flavor. "But I have to say, I think I prefer the gooseberry jam."

The word slipped out before he realized it, a name from another life, another time. Freya froze, her hand halfway to her mouth. Her eyes widened, a flicker of confusion and something deeper passing through them. Gooseberry. The term stirred something within her, a faint, elusive memory that she couldn’t quite grasp.

But she didn’t ask him about it. Instead, she stuffed the bread into her mouth, chewing deliberately to hide her reaction. Theodore chuckled at her sudden voracity, the sound deep and genuine.

"Slow down, Princess," he teased gently. "There’s plenty more where that came from."

Freya swallowed and smiled, her cheeks flushed. "I can’t help it. Everything tastes better when shared."

Theodore’s smile widened, and she noticed how it transformed his face, making him look younger, more approachable. His usual stoic expression softened, revealing a kindness and intelligence that she found deeply appealing.

"You have a lovely smile, you know," she said before she could stop herself, the words slipping out naturally.

Theodore looked momentarily taken aback, then his expression softened further. "You would have an ethereal look if you smile"

She looked at her fingers, "It makes me look weak─"

"And adorable" he cut her off his fingers lifting up her chin up to meet his gaze.

"Freya you are beautiful and strong, there is no amount of kindness that can reduce that, if anything, it will make you greater"

"I am great?" she let out, vulnerable than she’d ever allowed herself for years.

Theodore stroke her chin with his thumb before meeting her gaze, "You are anything you want to be Freya, I am right by your side to becoming as great and free as you may wish" her heart raced as he inched his fingers higher and searched her eyes, "Be a Queen and I would still be your Theodore" he punctuated by slightly parting her lips as he used his thumb to pull her lower lip down abit.

"My Theodore," she echoed his words, her heating gaze falling to his lips.

"I am forever yours, Gooseberry" and that snapped the link, Freya blinked and sat upright, she’d been leaning into him without knowing.

"Let us eat" she said and Theodore could only take a deep breath before resuming the now bland meal.

They continued their meal, the atmosphere between them warm and companionable. Freya found herself stealing glances at Theodore, admiring the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed, the way his hands moved with such grace and precision. She marveled at the ease with which he navigated their conversation, his intelligence and wit shining through.

As they finished their impromptu feast, Theodore helped Freya pack up the remnants, their hands brushing occasionally, sending tiny shocks of electricity through them both. And as they stood up, ready to return to the castle, Freya felt a newfound sense of strength and determination, bolstered by the quiet, steadfast presence of the knight at her side.

The day continued easy for Freya, she had dance, cutlery, music and archery lessons all with Theodore by her side.

"Do you know?" Freya brought up suddenly.

Interested, Theodore leaned in, "Know, what?"

"That I do not appreciate being reffered to as ’Mine’" She pointed out making Theodore frown.

"Who dares refer to you as theirs?" He growled.

With a soft glare, she placed her fingers on his bulging arm as she explained, "I meant, the possessiveness applied to calling a lady, my lady, it does not appeal to me"

"And neither does it me" Theodore declared.

She giggled, "Since when?"

"Since seconds ago" he said, sheepishly.

And that was how a habit to cross lifetimes was created.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, casting a golden glow over the garden, Freya felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Despite the challenges and uncertainties of her life, moments like this reminded her of the simple joys that made everything worthwhile. Theodore made her feel free and able.

Theodore, for his part, felt comforted by the growing connection to Freya, a bond that seemed to transcend the boundaries of their current lives. He couldn’t explain it, but he knew that protecting her was more than just a duty—it was a calling, a purpose that filled his heart with both resolve and hope.

"Thank you, Freya. And you have a way of making even the most mundane moments feel special." Theodore said as they stood in front of her chambers, the maid had rushed inside to prepare for her night ritual.

"Rain!" Freya exclaimed suddenly and true to her words, the wind already started to smell like the wind.

"I should go" but before he would finish she had already ran inside and he had to leave with a curious smile.

Does she hate the rain? he never got to find out in their former life, though she looks exactly thesame here, she has her own new personalities and he was eager to learn them.

But he was wrong, Freya could never hate the rain, never hate the blessing nature was so willing to pour over them, to wash away the weight on her shoulders.