Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 271: Second Lifetime, Freya. (17)

Chapter 271: Second Lifetime, Freya. (17)

Night.

Seconoria.

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

The sky darkened as heavy rain began to pour, the droplets drumming a rhythmic symphony on the rooftops and cobblestones of the castle courtyard. Theodore stood at the edge of the grand hall, watching the downpour with a determined glint in his eyes. He knew Freya loved the rain, and now, as confusion and uncertainty clouded her heart, he wanted to show her that he loved her and would always be there for her.

Without a second thought, Theodore ran into the rain, his footsteps splashing through the growing puddles. The cold water soaked through his clothes instantly, but he barely noticed. His only focus was on Freya, and how he could reach her through the turmoil she was facing. He stood in the center of the courtyard, his hair plastered to his forehead, his clothes clinging to his muscular frame.

He raised his arms and beckoned to the castle, hoping she would see him. "Freya!" he called out, his voice barely audible over the sound of the rain. "Come out here!"

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, from a balcony overlooking the courtyard, Freya appeared, her eyes wide with surprise and curiosity. She watched him for a long moment, the rain blurring her vision and mingling with the tears she had been fighting to hold back.

"Theodore, what are you doing?" she shouted, her voice wavering.

"I am here for you," he replied, his voice strong and unwavering despite the cold. "I know you are confused and hurting, but I want you to know that I love you. I’ll always do what is best for you. Please, come down and join me."

Freya hesitated, torn between her longing for freedom and her sense of duty. But the sincerity in Theodore’s voice, the way he stood there drenched and vulnerable, touched something deep within her. Slowly, she descended the staircase and stepped out into the rain, her bare feet splashing in the puddles as she approached him.

As she drew nearer, Theodore reached out, his hand warm despite the chill of the rain. Freya took it, feeling a surge of warmth and reassurance. The rain poured down around them, a curtain of water that seemed to wash away their fears and doubts.

"Theodore," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I do not know what to do."

He gently pulled her closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that took her breath away. "You do not have to decide anything right now. Just know that I am here for you, always."

Freya’s heart pounded in her chest, her confusion melting away in the face of his unwavering love and support. She leaned into him, their bodies pressing together, the rain cascading over them like a baptism.

When the time felt right, Theodore cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the droplets on her cheeks. He leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, but she didn’t. Instead, she closed the distance between them, their lips meeting in a tender, loving kiss.

The world seemed to fade away as they shared that moment of pure affection. The rain continued to fall, but they were lost in each other, their connection deepening with every passing second. When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads resting together, they both knew that something fundamental had changed.

Freya smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached her eyes. "Thank you, Theodore," she whispered. "For being you."

He kissed her forehead softly, his arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace. "I will always be here, Freya. No matter what."

And so they stood together in the rain, two souls intertwined, finding solace and strength in each other.

Little did they know.

*

* *

*

The betrayal.

Seconoria.

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

The grand throne room of the castle was filled with the murmurs of courtiers and the soft rustle of opulent fabrics. The king sat upon his throne, a figure of authority and power, his eyes sharp and discerning. The heavy doors creaked open, and Samuel, dressed in his finest noble attire, strode in with an air of self-importance. His heart pounded with anticipation, hoping that his revelation would earn him favor and perhaps a coveted position within the castle.

Samuel approached the throne and bowed deeply, his eyes flickering with a mix of ambition and nervousness. "Your Majesty," he began, his voice steady but laced with a hint of eagerness, "I come bearing news of great importance."

The king regarded him with a stern, inquisitive gaze. "Speak, Samuel. What news do you bring?"

Samuel straightened, a smirk playing on his lips as he prepared to divulge his information. "Your Majesty, I have observed a relationship between my brother, Sir Theodore, and your daughter, Princess Freya. They have grown quite close, and I fear their bond may be... inappropriate for a knight and a princess."

A hush fell over the throne room as the king’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "Continue," he commanded, his voice cold.

Samuel’s confidence grew as he saw the king’s interest piqued. "Your Majesty, I believe that their relationship goes beyond mere duty and respect. It is something more...intimate. I thought it my duty to bring this to your attention, in hopes that you might see fit to reward my loyalty and discretion."

The king’s jaw tightened, his mind racing with the implications of Samuel’s words. He leaned forward, his voice a low growl. "And what reward do you seek for this information, Samuel?"

Samuel’s heart leapt with excitement, but he maintained his composed exterior. "Your Majesty, I only wish to serve the kingdom to the best of my ability. A position within the castle, perhaps, where I might continue to aid in protecting the royal family and ensuring their honor."

The king’s eyes bore into Samuel, assessing the man before him. After a long, tense silence, he finally spoke. "I will consider your request. In the meantime, you are dismissed."

Samuel bowed deeply once more, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am forever at your service."

As Samuel left the throne room, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. He had planted the seeds of doubt in the king’s mind, and he was confident that his ambition would soon be rewarded. Little did he know, the consequences of his actions would ripple far beyond his own aspirations.

Poor ill-fated couple yet again.

*

* *

*

The Arrest.

Seconoria.

***********

"I love you like the freedom I can never have" Freya declared.

"I love you past the endless fall of a waterfall, like the endless flow of a river" Theodore replied poetically.

"I love you because it is only right that I do" she said easily.

"I love you because you are my favourite ritual" he vowed loudly.

The serene silence of the forest hut was broken only by the gentle laughter of Theodore and Freya. They had escaped the weight of their responsibilities for a brief moment, finding solace in each other’s company. The cozy hut, adorned with simple furnishings and surrounded by nature’s tranquility, had become their secret haven. Theodore had just finished recounting a humorous tale, and Freya’s laughter filled the room, her eyes sparkling with genuine happiness.

They sat close together on the rustic wooden floor, sharing a simple meal and savoring the rare moment of peace. Theodore reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from Freya’s face, his touch tender and filled with unspoken love. She leaned into his hand, their eyes locking in a moment of pure connection.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a force that shattered their idyll. Castle guards stormed in, their armor clanking loudly, faces stern with duty. Freya’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of shock and fear. Theodore sprang to his feet, instinctively placing himself between Freya and the intruders.

"What is the meaning of this?" Theodore demanded, his voice filled with authority and protectiveness.

The captain of the guards stepped forward, his expression grim. "By order of the king, Sir Theodore, you are under arrest."

Freya’s heart pounded in her chest as the guards advanced, seizing Theodore. "No! What is happening?" she cried, reaching out to him.

Theodore’s eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of determination and sorrow. "Freya, stay strong," he urged, his voice steady even as the guards roughly bound his hands.

Freya struggled against the guards who held her back, tears streaming down her face. "This is a mistake! Let him go!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.

The guards ignored her cries, dragging Theodore out of the hut and into the forest. The peaceful haven that had been their escape was now tainted by the harsh reality of their world. Theodore glanced back at Freya, his heart aching at the sight of her distress, but he knew he had to remain strong for both of them.

They hauled Theodore through the dense forest and back to the castle, where the imposing stone walls of the dungeons awaited. The cold, damp air of the underground cell wrapped around him as they threw him into the darkness, the heavy iron door slamming shut with a finality that echoed through the chamber.

As Theodore lay on the hard stone floor, his mind raced with thoughts of Freya. He knew the road ahead would be perilous, but his resolve to protect her, no matter the cost, burned brighter than ever.

This world was different, History wouldn’t exactly repeat itself, they would try to repeat history and guide it.

This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om