Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 265: Second Lifetime, Freya. (11)

Chapter 265: Second Lifetime, Freya. (11)

Afternoon.

Seconoria

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

The sun cast long shadows across the grand halls of the castle as black coal eye lined Prince Holland wandered through its corridors, lost in thought. His heart was heavy with memories of a love lost, a wound that time had not yet healed. His Shelly was gone.

He had been betrothed to Princess Freya by royal decree, but his heart wasn’t in it. He had seen the way she looked at Theodore, and he had seen the way Theodore looked back at her. It was a look he had once known well, a look that spoke of unspoken emotions and a bond that transcended words.

This afternoon Holland found Theodore practicing in the courtyard. The clashing of swords echoed through the air as Theodore trained with another knight, a dirty blond man. Holland waited until the session was over before approaching him.

"Theodore," he called out, his voice carrying a note of solemnity.

Theodore turned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Your Highness," he greeted with a respectful nod.

Holland took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I see how Freya looks at you, and how you look at her," he began, his voice gentle but firm. "It is clear that there is something between you two, something strong and real. I would hate to come between that."

Theodore’s eyes widened in surprise. "Your Highness, I—"

Holland raised a hand to stop him. "Please, let me finish. I once had a lover, Shelly who meant the world to me. She passed away, and since then, I have believed I could never fall in love again. But I still recognize love when I see it." he sighed his black lined eyes closing shut.

Theodore felt a lump in his throat, his heart pounding in his chest. "Your Highness, I... I care for Freya deeply. But our duties—"

"Duties are important, yes," Holland interrupted, "but so is following your heart. Freya deserves to be happy, and so do you. I won’t stand in the way of that."

A mixture of relief and gratitude washed over Theodore. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Holland gave him a reassuring smile. "Just Holland, please. And know that you have my support."

On another occasion, Holland found Freya alone in the garden, lost in her thoughts. The vibrant colors of the flowers was a contrast with the somber expression on her face. He approached her quietly, not wanting to startle her.

"Freya," he called softly.

She looked up, surprised to see him. "Holland, whatever brings you here?"

He took a seat beside her on the stone bench. "I wanted to talk to you about something important," he began. "I have seen the way you look at Theodore, and the way he looks at you."

Freya’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away, her heart racing. "I am unaware of what your concerns are," she said, but her voice lacked conviction.

Holland reached out and gently took her hand. "Freya, you do not have to hide it. Love is a beautiful thing, and it’s clear that you and Theodore share something special."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "But what about our duties? What about the expectations placed on us? My father" she sighed.

"Sometimes," Holland said softly, "you have to choose your heart over duty. Life is too short to deny yourself happiness. I want you to know that I support you, whatever you decide."

Freya looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and confusion. "Thank you, Holland. That means more to me than you know."

He smiled warmly. "We are friends, Freya. And as your friend, I want nothing but the best for you."

From that day on, a newfound camaraderie blossomed between Holland, Freya, and Theodore. They would often leave the castle together, exploring the kingdom and enjoying each other’s company. They visited markets, laughed in bustling town squares, and shared quiet moments by the river.

One evening, as they sat by the riverbank, watching the sun set in a blaze of orange and pink, Holland recounted stories of his past love. Freya and Theodore listened intently, their hearts aching for the prince who had endured so much pain.

"You see," Holland said, his voice tinged with sadness, "I thought I would never be able to love again after she died. But seeing you two... it reminds me that love is still possible, even if it is not my own, maybe in another life."

Freya reached out and placed a comforting hand on Holland’s arm. "Thank you, Holland," she said softly. "Your support means the world to us."

Holland gave her a small, appreciative smile. "You are both like family to me now. I want to see you happy."

Their bond grew stronger with each passing day, and they found solace in each other’s company. They would sneak out of the castle under the cover of night, disguising themselves as commoners to blend in with the townsfolk. Freya would laugh with delight as Theodore bought her small trinkets from the market stalls, and Holland would watch with a fond smile, knowing he had made the right choice.

One day, as they wandered through a lively market square, an old woman called out to Theodore. "Young man, something has fallen off your shoulders!" she exclaimed, pointing to the ground.

Theodore looked down in confusion. "I don’t think—" he began, but the old woman interrupted him, pressing a familiar amulet into his hand.

His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the amulet. What was happening? It was the same one he had given to Alice in their past life and the one she gave him just last month. He stood frozen, his mind racing with memories and emotions. Moments were repeating themselves... but perhaps just this moment because he had neglected the amulet since she gave him the last time.

The old woman winked at him. "Take care of her," she whispered before walking away.

Freya, who had been examining a nearby stall, noticed Theodore’s stunned expression and hurried over. "Theodore, what’s wrong?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

He quickly slipped the amulet into his pocket, forcing a smile. "Nothing, Freya. Just a bit of a surprise."

He had to give Freya the wishkeeper.

Freya looked at him skeptically but decided not to press further. Instead, she took his hand and led him back to where Holland was waiting.

As the days turned into weeks, the trio’s adventures continued in secret. They became a familiar sight in the kingdom though with different identities, their laughter and camaraderie bringing joy to all who saw them. Holland’s presence provided a sense of stability and support, while Theodore’s protective nature and Freya’s spirited personality made every outing an adventure.

One rainy afternoon, the three of them found themselves in a quiet, secluded meadow. The rain fell softly, creating a soothing rhythm that seemed to wash away their worries. Theodore looked at Freya, who stood with her face turned up to the sky, her eyes closed in bliss.

"Freya," he called softly.

She opened her eyes and looked at him, her gaze filled with warmth and affection. Theodore walked towards her, his heart pounding with a mix of emotions. He took her hand, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I love you, Freya," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I always have, and I always will."

Freya’s eyes filled with tears as she reached up to cup his face. "And I love you, Theodore. With all my heart."

Holland watched from a distance, his own heart aching with a bittersweet mixture of joy and sorrow. He knew that he would never find love again, but he found comfort in knowing that his friends had found each other.

As the rain continued to fall, Theodore and Freya shared a tender kiss, their love was still a secret would not be allowed free to blossom but they would love still. And Holland, standing as a silent witness, felt a sense of peace wash over him, knowing that he had done the right thing in supporting their love and he would fight with them.

Unbeknowest to them someone evil has already noticed them.

*

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Baron Household.

Seconoria.

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

Theodore stood before his mirror, adjusting the collar of his uniform with precise, practiced movements. The early morning light filtered through the small window of his quarters, casting a soft glow on the polished brass buttons of his tunic. As he fastened his belt, the door to his room swung open, revealing his younger brother Samuel, an insufferable grin plastered on his face.

Samuel sauntered in, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Good morning, brother," he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. "I saw you yesterday, you know."

"Whatever the fuck are you talking about, sweet brother?,"

"I saw you, Fraternizing with the princess. Quite the spectacle." Samuel continued carelessly.

Shit.

Theodore’s jaw tightened, but he maintained his composure, focusing on securing his sword to his belt. "What do you want, Samuel?" he asked, his tone clipped and cold.

Samuel’s grin widened. "You know exactly what I want." he claimed but Theodore stood clueless waiting for him to spill it.

"I need a job in the castle, a respectable one. And if you do not help me get it," he moved closer to Theodore in an attempted threatening stance, " I will just have to inform the king about your little escapade with our dear innocent Princess Freya."

No.

Theodore turned to face his brother, his eyes narrowing with barely contained anger. "You are not qualified, Samuel. And you are certainly not responsible enough to hold any position of importance here."

Samuel shrugged, his smirk never faltering. "Perhaps, but that is not my problem, is it?" he cocked his head, his bushy brow rising. "It is but yours. So, what is it going to be, big brother? Will you help me, or should I pay the king a visit?"

Theodore clenched his fists, fighting the urge to lash out. He knew Samuel wasn’t bluffing, and the risk was too great to ignore. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "I shall see what I can do."

Samuel’s eyes sparkled with triumph. "Good. I knew you would see reason." He turned to leave, but not before throwing one last taunt over his shoulder. "Do not take too long, Theodore. I would not want to get impatient."

Samuel was a thorn in Theodore’s flesh.

As the door closed behind Samuel, Theodore exhaled slowly, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He couldn’t afford to let his brother’s threats jeopardize his position or his relationship with Freya. He would have to find a way to secure Samuel a job, even if it was the last thing he wanted to do.

With a final adjustment to his uniform, Theodore headed out of his quarters, his mind already working on a plan. The day ahead promised to be challenging, but he was determined to protect what mattered most to him, no matter the cost.

He barely could say a word to Freya that day because of how busy she was all day and he had to respect it.