Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 270: Second Lifetime, Freya. (16)

Chapter 270: Second Lifetime, Freya. (16)

Seconoria.

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The first light of dawn filtered through the ornate windows of Freya’s chambers, casting a golden hue over the room. Freya sat at her vanity, her expression hard as she brushed through her long, dark hair with deliberate strokes. She heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching, and her heart skipped a beat. She knew it was Theodore, coming to escort her to the court, as he did every morning.

She had warned him not to do that but she would’ve hated him if he’d adhered.

There was a soft pull of the door and Hannah came out through the door, her eyes caught Theodore’s and she smiled, "Sir Theodore, Good morning" she wished, he looked at her in a differently now. She was the woman his best friend loved, she was fine, her loyalty to Freya alone makes her beautiful and he respected that. He met her brown eyes before he smiled, "How are you, Miss Hannah?"

"I am splendid, thank you very much" and she is cheerful, he not, her energy is as chaotic as Connors.

"I shall be on my way, the princess will be out soon." Hannah informed him and left with a modest bow.

"Princess Freya," Theodore’s voice called out, warm yet cautious. "May I come in?"

Freya’s grip on the brush tightened, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "No," she replied sharply. "I told you last night, I do not want to see you."

Despite her words, the door creaked open slightly, and Theodore stepped inside, his presence filling the room. "I am sorry, Freya," he said gently. "But I can not just leave you alone. Not today."

Freya spun around to face him, her eyes flashing with anger. "I do not need you to escort me. I do not need you at all, Theodore." she insisted.

She came out dressed in a beautiful yellow and green gown and he felt his heart clench at how beautiful and so familiar she looked. So lovely. "Last night, you suggested we run away, leave the war and the kingdom behind. How could you even think that?" she said and as though his gaze was too overwhelming she sat on the bed.

Theodore’s face softened with regret, but his resolve remained firm. "I suggested it because I love you, Gooseberry. I do not want to see you hurt or sacrificed for this kingdom’s ambitions. But I understand your duty, and I will respect it. That does not mean I will abandon you."

Freya stood up, brushing past him with a huff. "I do not care what you intend to do with your day, follow me around all day if you must. But do not expect me to forgive you" So easily, she could’ve added but she didn’t.

As she marched out of the room, Theodore fell into step behind her. They made their way through the castle’s grand corridors, Freya’s every stride purposeful and angry. Despite her outward fury, a part of her couldn’t help but feel a flicker of warmth at his unwavering presence.

She loved Theodore.

Throughout the day, Theodore’s persistence tested Freya’s resolve. He followed her to the court, to the throne hall, and even to the training grounds. Each time she looked back to glare at him, he met her gaze with a calm smile or a playful wink, undeterred by her anger.

At one point, as they moved from one meeting to another, Freya stopped abruptly and turned to face him. "Why are you still here, Theodore? Why can you not just leave me alone?" she demanded, her voice trembling with frustration.

Theodore took a step closer, his eyes earnest and filled with affection. "Because I love you, Freya. And I will be here for you, even when you don not want me to be. Especially then."

She glanced around carefully incase anyone heard.

Freya’s heart fluttered at his words, but she refused to let her guard down. "You are infuriating," she muttered, turning on her heel and continuing on her way.

Sitting at the garden, Freya finally turned to him. "Whatever are you staring at?"

He smirked, "You?"

Her face and heart hardened, "Why?"

"Because, I could never look anywhere else with you in front of me, Freya" he professed, sincerity dripping from his voice.

She sighed, "What do you want, Theodore?"

"I want you, Freya" he declared surely.

She had to do this now, "You cannot have me, theodore, I am to be married to another"

"Holland will never love you" Theodore reminded because they both knew.

"And so would I not" she gulped as the heavy truth of her words settled in her mind. "Ever" she added.

"Freya please, we are destined for each other" he said alarmingly, she met his eyes for a brief second before shaking her head.

"You know nothing about destiny, Theo, if we were you would not be over there" she meant in a world that her father would never approve of, he wasn’t for her.

"But I am not! I am here for you, with you" he said desperately.

"No," she replied firmly.

"Yes," he retorted as he took her palm, "Yes, Freya"

"I am yours as you are to be mine" he whispered but she shook her head and resumed her day after lunch.

But as the day wore on, Freya found herself torn between her anger and the undeniable comfort of Theodore’s presence. Despite her repeated attempts to send him away, she couldn’t deny the small thrill she felt each time he smiled at her or offered a reassuring word.

By evening, as the sun began to set and they found themselves alone in the castle gardens, Freya finally stopped and faced him once more. "Why are you so stubborn?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost weary.

Theodore stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "Because I know you, Freya. I know you are strong, and I know you are angry. But I also know you care for me, even if you are trying to cancel it. I will be here for you, no matter what."

Freya’s shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of the day catching up with her. "I am still angry with you," she said, but her tone lacked the sharp edge it had carried all day.

Theodore reached out and gently took her face. "I know. And I’ll keep proving myself to you, every day."

Freya sighed, a mix of exasperation and affection. "You’re impossible," she murmured.

Theodore chuckled softly. "I know. But you wouldn’t want me any other way."

For the first time that day, a small smile tugged at the corners of Freya’s lips. Despite her anger, despite everything, she was grateful for Theodore’s unwavering loyalty and love.

He drew her into his arms and swallowed the smile into his waiting mouth, he suckled on her hopeful lips with a hunger akin to a dying man who’d found water, she moaned and clutched his shirt until a clearing of throat threw them apart.

"My lady, we need to get you ready for dinner" Hannah informed.

"Hannah!" Freya screeched softly.

The maid laughed and ran away before the knight too pressed a kiss to his lover princess and left.

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