Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 275: The Third Lifetime, Adele (1)

Chapter 275: The Third Lifetime, Adele (1)

Outskirts.

Thirheria.

***********

"Hey!"

Theodore turned sharply, his breath catching in his throat as his elated sky blue eyes locked onto hers—those ocean blue eyes he had yearned for across lifetimes. She was running to him, her presence igniting a fire in his chest that had long been smoldering. It’s her. She ran into his arms and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in.

"Gooseberry," he breathed, his voice trembling with the weight of countless memories. He gathered her face in his palm as he gazed at her puzzled eyes, "You remembered," he whispered, hope and desperation intertwined in his words. He couldn’t hold back any longer; he swooped down, capturing her lips in a kiss that was soft, tender—aching with the sorrow of a love that had spanned lifetimes. He had missed her more than words could convey, his

But the dream shattered as she started to squirm and struggle in his arms.

"Stop," she mumbled, pushing him away, her touch like ice against his burning need. "Whatever the hell are you doing?" Her voice cut through him, sharp and unfamiliar.

No.

He released her promptly from his hold, his heart plummeted as she glared at him, her eyes cold and distant. "What an absolute pervert, why would you steal my first kiss?" she screeched.

Theodore staggered back, her words striking him like a physical blow. His heart twisted, and he felt the sting of tears welling up, but he forced them away, blinking rapidly as he hardened his gaze. He had been foolish to hope.

Of course, she didn’t remember. It was nature’s cruel curse, leaving him to bear the burden of their shared past alone but he was happy she’d wished to the wishkeeper amulet to unite with him again because that’s the only way they’d have this chance.

Theodore’s heart, still reeling from the shock of her rejection, quickened as he noticed the fear etched across her face. Before he could process any words of explaination or apology, she breathlessly explained pointing at the place she’d been coming from, "There is something, Something dangerous was after me..."

His eyes sharpened, scanning the area. The peaceful woods surrounding the village of Thirheria had taken on a menacing air. The tall trees loomed overhead, their leaves rustling ominously in the wind, and the serene river that wound through the area now seemed to murmur of hidden threats.

What was she doing here? The realization struck him—there was no reason for a lady to be here, alone and in danger. Was this nature’s twisted way of reuniting them?

Before he could ask more, a loud crash echoed through the woods, and Theodore’s blood ran cold. Emerging from the shadows was a massive troll, its grotesque form towering over them, eyes locked onto Adele with murderous intent, Adele shuddered as she took a step backward.

"Get behind me!" Theodore commanded, pushing her behind him as he drew his sword. The troll let out a guttural roar, and without hesitation, it charged at them.

Theodore met the beast head-on, his sword slicing through the air with precision. The troll swung its enormous club, the force of the blow causing the ground to tremble, but Theodore deftly dodged it, countering with a powerful strike to the creature’s side. The troll howled in pain, staggering, but it wasn’t done. It lashed out again, faster this time, catching Theodore off guard. He narrowly avoided a deadly blow, his focus intensifying.

’My word’

Adele watched in horror, her heart pounding in her chest as Theodore battled the creature with unwavering determination. Each movement was fluid, a testament to his skill and strength, but the troll was relentless. It swung its club wildly, intent on crushing them both.

With a final, calculated strike, Theodore’s blade found its mark, driving deep into the troll’s shoulder. The creature roared in agony, and as if finally realizing it had met its match, the troll suddenly retreated, stumbling back into the shadows from where it had come.

Theodore stood panting, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away as he turned to face Adele. She was exactly as he remembered her from their past life—beautiful, her ocean blue eyes wide with a mix of awe and lingering fear. Her straight, healthy black locks framed her face, her inviting lips slightly parted as she tried to catch her breath, and her innocent eyes traced his features.

He, too, took her in. She was everything he remembered and more. Despite the circumstances, his heart ached with the familiar pull he had always felt toward her. She didn’t remember him but he was sure he could make her feel again.

Adele, on the other hand, was equally captivated. She studied him curiously—his golden locks, those crystal-blue eyes that seemed to crackle with electricity, the perfection of his nose, and the chiseled jaw that made him look like a figure carved from marble. He was tall, imposing, and he had just saved her life.

"Are you okay?" he finally managed to breathe out, his voice gentler than he intended, it made her find him suspicious.

She looked down at her feet, her cheeks reddening, a stark contrast to the danger they had just faced. "Why did you steal my first kiss?" she murmured, her voice laced with a mix of embarrassment and anger, she picked that more important than him knowing of she was ok after the troll attack.

Theodore gulped, taken aback by her reaction but he didn’t have a reseanoble reason to tell her that had made him kiss her. "I think what you should be saying is thank you." he replied instead.

Adele scoffed, her anger finding anchor in his words as she turned on her heel. Without another word, she stormed away from the clearing, leaving Theodore standing alone, his heart heavy with the realization that their reunion was both a blessing and a curse.

He couldn’t let her go just like that.

He watched Adele’s retreating figure, his heart torn between letting her go and the overwhelming need to protect her. He couldn’t just let her leave, not after what had just happened. His instincts screamed at him to stay close, to ensure she was safe. Mounting his horse, he spurred it forward, the soft clop of hooves on the forest floor catching up to her determined strides.

"Stop following me!" Adele snapped, not even turning to face him, her voice sharp with irritation.

Theodore clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. "I am not letting you walk alone through these woods, especially after what just happened."

She halted abruptly, spinning around to face him, her cheeks flushed with anger and she was downright flustered. "I am fine."

Theodore smiled finding that habit cute and just like Freya’s, she was really here.

"I told you, I am fine! I can take care of myself." she wailed minutes later when Theodore persisted after her.

"And I told you," Theodore countered, his voice firm but calm, "that I am not leaving you alone until I am sure that you are safe. If you will not get on the horse so I can take you home, then I will follow you all the way there."

Adele glared at him, her frustration mounting as she realized he was serious. She resumed walking, her pace quickening, but she couldn’t ignore the steady presence of Theodore and his horse behind her. The cold air bit at her lungs, and with each step, the chill seemed to seep deeper into her bones. Her breath came out in frosty puffs, and despite her anger, she knew she wouldn’t make it far on foot in this weather.

After what felt like an eternity, her stubbornness finally gave way to practicality. She stopped, her shoulders slumping as she muttered, "Alright, alright... I will get on the horse."

Theodore didn’t gloat or smirk; he simply extended his hand, helping her up onto the horse behind him. The warmth of his body was a stark contrast to the cold that had been gnawing at her, but she refused to acknowledge it, focusing instead on the anger that still simmered within her.

They rode in silence, the only sounds being the rhythmic thud of the horse’s hooves and the distant murmur of the river flowing nearby. Theodore’s mind raced, the earlier confrontation with the troll fresh in his memory. He had found her—his Gooseberry—yet it couldn’t have been at a worse time. The enemies were growing bolder, their attacks more frequent, and the trolls, under the command of their malevolent king, were becoming more dangerous.

He frowned, his thoughts darkening. How was he supposed to keep her safe? The thought of her being anywhere but right under his protection filled him with dread. Yet, he knew that her trust in him was fragile, especially after he had stolen her first kiss, mistaking her recognition for the memory of their past lives.

Theodore stole a glance at Adele. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her gaze fixed stubbornly ahead, avoiding his. The tension between them was palpable, a mix of unspoken emotions and the remnants of their shared history—known only to him—hanging heavily in the air.

He didn’t want them to start this lifetime in bad terms.

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