Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 276: The Third Lifetime, Adele (2)

Chapter 276: The Third Lifetime, Adele (2)

Baron’s Estate.

Thirheria.

***********

As they neared the edge of the woods, where the village lay just beyond, Theodore sighed inwardly. He had to protect her, whether she remembered their past or not. But he also knew that doing so without her realizing the full extent of their connection would be an even greater challenge. He had to treat her with care.

The horse slowed as they approached her home, a modest bungalow estate tucked away on the outskirts of the village. Theodore gently pulled the reins, bringing the horse to a stop. The ride had been steeped in silence, and now, as they reached their destination, the tension between them hung even heavier in the air.

Theodore dismounted first, his movements fluid and practiced, before turning to help Adele down. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes betraying a flicker of the conflicting emotions that roiled within her. With a resigned sigh, she placed her hand in his, allowing him to assist her.

She avoided his gaze, her movements stiff with lingering anger and confusion.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, she quickly withdrew her hand from his, standing prim and composed as if trying to erect a barrier between them. Theodore felt a pang of regret at the sudden distance she imposed, but before he could say anything, the door of the home swung open.

A tall, stern-looking man emerged from the bungalow, his posture and bearing unmistakably noble. He was older, with graying hair and a neatly trimmed beard, his eyes sharp and calculating. Theodore’s gaze darkened as recognition dawned on him—the man before him was none other than Baron Abott, the head of one of Thirheria’s most respected noble houses. And more importantly, he was Adele’s father.

Theodore’s heart clenched as memories of past lives flashed before his eyes, memories of this man—this very same man—being the indirect cause of his Gooseberry’s death time and time again. A wave of bitter irony washed over him. How cruel was fate, to place Adele once more in the hands of a man who had been a harbinger of her doom in life after life?

For a fleeting moment, Theodore had been elated, overjoyed to see her again, to hold her close after so long. Yet, in his disoriented state, he had forgotten that by bringing her home, he was delivering her right back to the man who had haunted his every loss.

Baron Abott’s expression shifted as he recognized Theodore. The lines of his face softened into a smile, a calculated, respectful smile, as he stepped forward.

"Your Highness," the Baron greeted warmly, his voice smooth and measured. "It is an honor to have you here."

Theodore’s eyes flicked to Adele, who stood rigidly by his side, her gaze averted quickly, she’d glanced at him abruptly when her father called him ’your highness’. His heart ached to see her so close, yet so distant, not just physically but in the chasm of memories and lifetimes that separated them. He forced himself to turn his attention back to the Baron.

"I happened to be nearby when I found your daughter in distress," Theodore said, his voice even, though his mind was anything but calm. "I brought her home to ensure her safety."

The Baron’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "You have my deepest gratitude, Your Highness. I assure you, she will be well cared for."

Theodore suppressed the urge to scoff. How could this man, who had stubbornly yet unknowingly caused so much pain, possibly understand what it meant to care for her? His frown deepened, the weight of his memories pressing down on him.

With a curt nod, Theodore glanced at Adele once more, his gaze lingering on her as if he could somehow convey everything he couldn’t say aloud. But she remained impassive, her expression carefully controlled, hiding whatever thoughts and emotions she might have had.

"I shall leave her in your care, then," Theodore said, his voice colder than he intended. The words tasted bitter on his tongue, but there was nothing more he could do, not now, not yet.

The Baron nodded, oblivious to the storm raging within the prince. "Of course, Your Highness."

"Thank you for the ride," she muttered when he held her gaze, her tone still cold as she turned to leave.

"Adele..." Theodore’s voice was soft, filled with unspoken regret and concern. She paused but didn’t turn back.

"Stay safe," he added, knowing it was all he could say for now.

She nodded curtly before walking away, disappearing into the safety of her home. Theodore remained where he stood, watching until the door closed behind her.

He had found her, but the challenges ahead loomed larger than ever. Protecting her would take more than just strength; it would require trust—something that, for now, seemed impossibly out of reach.

Theodore mounted his horse again, feeling a heaviness in his chest that he couldn’t shake. The weight of their fractured reunion bore down on him as he mounted his horse once more. As he rode away, he couldn’t help but glance back, seeing Adele back and standing beside her father, looking impossibly small and distant. A sense of dread settled over him—this reunion, bittersweet as it was, had come at the worst possible time.

His thoughts churned as he rode back to his duties, the image of Adele and her father seared into his mind. He knew he couldn’t just walk away, not when the threats were growing, not when she was so close yet so vulnerable. But how could he protect her, especially when she didn’t even remember the love they had shared across lifetimes? And how could he ever trust the man who had been the root of all their sorrows?

Theodore’s jaw clenched with resolve. He would find a way, somehow, to keep her safe. But he couldn’t ignore the gnawing fear that history might repeat itself, that once again, he might lose her—his Gooseberry—all because of a fate that seemed determined to tear them apart.

*

As soon as Theodore disappeared from view, Baron Abott’s warm demeanor evaporated, replaced by a stern, calculating expression. Without a word, he grabbed Adele by the arm, his grip firm and unyielding, and dragged her toward the entrance of their home.

"Father—" Adele began, but he cut her off with a sharp look, silencing her as he yanked her through the door and into the dimly lit hallway.

Once they were inside, he released her with a forceful push that sent her stumbling a few steps back. The door slammed shut behind them, echoing ominously through the house. The Baron turned to face her, his eyes narrowed, filled with a mix of anger and suspicion.

"Where did you meet him?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Adele blinked, taken aback by the intensity of his questioning. "I—I didn’t meet him, Father. He just found me in the woods."

"How long have you been meeting him?" he pressed, his tone growing harsher. "Do not lie to me, Adele. You know better than to try and deceive your father."

"I am not lying!" Adele protested, her voice trembling. "I have not been meeting him. This was the first time—"

The Baron cut her off again, stepping closer, his face inches from hers. "Has he confessed his love yet?" he hissed, his eyes searching hers for any hint of deception. "Are you pregnant?"

Adele gasped, horrified at the implication. "No! Of course not! How could you even think—"

"You should be in the castle now, under close watch!" the Baron continued, his voice rising with each word. "You know how important this is, how much is at stake, and yet you allow yourself to be seen with the prince like some common girl! Do you realize what this could mean for our family?"

Adele shook her head frantically, tears welling up in her eyes. "None of those things have happened, and they won’t happen! I don’t even know him, he only kissed—I don’t want him!" she cut herself off quickly but her father was already quick to catch on.

Even as she said the words, her thoughts betrayed her. The memory of Theodore’s kiss flashed through her mind, unbidden and unwelcome. It had been her first kiss, stolen from her in the most unexpected of moments. She could still feel the warmth of his lips on hers, the way he had looked at her with such intensity, as if he knew her from another time, another life.

"Then why did he kiss you?" the Baron demanded, as if reading her mind. "Why would the prince, of all people, kiss you?"