Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 28: Preparing for Azul’s arrival

Chapter 28: Preparing for Azul’s arrival

Evening.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

As the golden hues of dusk painted the sky above, Lydia sat upon the pavement outside her mansion, her slender figure illuminated by the soft glow of a flickering lamp post.

She was clad in a flowing gown of midnight blue silk, she cradled a book in her hands, its pages bathed in the warm light as she attempted to immerse herself in its words.

Yet, despite her best efforts, a heavy weariness weighed upon her, her eyelids drooping with each passing moment.

The rhythmic cadence of her breath echoed in the quiet stillness of the evening, a soothing lullaby that threatened to pull her into the embrace of slumber.

But Lydia remained steadfast in her resolve, her persistence fueled by the anticipation of her husband’s return.

Though he was running late, she refused to retire to the comfort of their home without him by her side.

With each passing minute, her patience was tested, yet she remained unwavering in her vigil, her heart yearning for the familiar sound of his footsteps echoing down the cobblestone path.

Though the night grew darker and the chill of evening set in, Lydia’s determination remained unshaken, her growing affection for her husband serving as a beacon of light amidst the encroaching shadows.

And so she sat, a solitary figure beneath the canopy of stars, her book forgotten as she waited patiently for the moment when her husband would finally return home.

Lydia abruptly stood up trying to look less sleepy as she caught the sight of her husband stepping out of his carriage, she tried to stay calm but her heart had plans she couldn’t demand it forsake. Her heart was thundering rapidly anticipating the closeness of Theodore and how his warmth or cold from the weather would engulf her, he started to frown at the sight of her.

"It gives me a very pleasant feeling to find you sitting out here waiting for me" his admission before dousing her erratic heart with rationality

"But the agony I go through inside me is bigger as you stay outside in this cold weather, Gooseberry" he got to her and drew her into his slightly warm arms, the cold merciless.

"Theodore" she whispered her eyes fluttering, struggling not to stay closed

"And you even fell asleep" he continued, ignoring the way his heart shifted at her whisper.

Lydia remained silent as she relished his scent "Where’s Conan?" Theodore looked to his left then right for his right-hand man and shadow.

He came into view "I was out with you, Lord Theodore" Theodore frowned

"I thought I told you to always stay with her"

She stepped out of his arms and he reluctantly let her go, her face now clear of the earlier drowsiness she wiped her palm on her dress, they were suddenly damp.

"Lord Theodore I mean no offence but you are my responsibility, not Lady Theodore " Conan relayed, sending an apologetic glance at Lydia who simply smiled

"This is your mansion, Theodore, I’m safe here," she said

"Our mansion, yes but you need guidance" Theodore defended alongside correcting her choice of words. Not wanting to delve into that topic she decided to acknowledge the three young girls standing behind her husband, she had taken notice of them immediately she stepped out of his arms, which was late but she was simply enjoying her husband’s presence to have noticed before.

"Who are these?"

Realization hit Theodore "Talking about guidance, these are the young girls I bought to help you in the mansion"

She wondered if he said bought or brought but made a quick decision not to ask, as the girls were still at earshot.

"You mean maids? Employed?" She watched as Theodore nodded with a growing scowl on his beautiful face.

"McDonalds! Thank you so much, Theo, that is so thoughtful of you" The frown intensified

"They’re slaves" he advised

"It doesn’t matter, I’m sure they know how to help"

"Can we get you inside now, Lydia " he called her name again this evening, she must be getting on his damn nerves.

*****

Nighttime.

Unknown cabin, Critic-Ishelm.

Eerie whispers filled the air, as a small group of people gathered around a table, all dressed in black cloaks that extended from shoulders to feet, their wary energy bled into the night keeping the passerby away from the cabin, their mouths looking as though it has been stretched a bit wider with a knife but all seems normal to the group, the group of five stood still.

There were no drinks, goblets or food, the whole cabin was a floor of eerie emptiness, dust and squeaking sounds at their every movement, it looked like an abandoned cabin and with the way the group kept on the hold of their cloak, incognito must be what they’re aiming for. The silence that had been in the hall broke when one of the cloaked figures spoke

"He did it" his voice gruff and arrogant, Striker he is called, his shoulders stretching his cloak in an effort to accommodate his large stature.

A shorter cloaked figure nodded in the candlelit darkness "I knew he would" Looper claimed nodding his head in pride

"I can not believe you bastards sent him as a scapegoat" This figure has his hood dropped, his red hair long and slimy.

"He went along willingly" the large gruff figure Striker reminded

"Because he didn’t know what he was getting into" his voice grew louder and angered

Looper smiled before placing a hand on his shoulder "It was all a part of the game, the plan" he clarified

Shrugging his hands off his shoulders he declared "I’m going to take revenge for our brother’s death...murder" the agitated figure proclaimed in heat.

Completely ignoring him, "What are we gonna do now?" asked Swisher

"We wait for the right moment to strike" Looper informed

"He never gives a loop, don’t dream" Swisher’s answer didn’t deter his partner.

"Oy he has a wife now, those creatures always make one a piece of shit" Looper’s reply drew an eerie attention

Swisher frowned throwing at Looper immediately "Is that why you like this? you piece of shit"

"Nah he was always like this" Striker’s laugh boomed in the space after his admission

"Enough!" A female voice rang out authoritatively, ultimately shutting up all the earlier sass and laughter, she started her speech after holding the gaze of each one of them.

"This discussion was not supposed to transpire today but we’re gathered here today because Azul is soon coming to the empire and we need to be prepared with good news to receive him"

Nobody interrupted her, none wished to, and none dared.

"Pull all the gimmicks you can, we have to bring the royal house down" She continued walking around them in slow steps, her long cloak sweeping the floor.

At the silence she spoke "And that includes no other than, Lord Theodore himself"

"Yes, Commander Zamora!"

Everyone shouted out, looking so hopeful with confidence and admiration brimming in their eyes as they gazed at their commander, but the man with vengeance in his heart could only glare.

******

Nighttime.

Statham estate, Critic Arley.

The marquis and marchioness of Critic Arley started to get into bed as the maids left the room after preparing them both for bed, their movements in sync as their routine was already engrained in each other’s minds. As Jillian lied first, Georgina quickly but quietly joined him, a small smile on her face, she laid on his chest and he held her firm.

"Have a good sleep love" he whispered

"You too my love" She looked up at him as she replied.

They both let out soft content sighs settling better in each other’s arms, their connection as strong as it had been from the beginning, both minds occupied with thoughts about the house.

"Something is happening with Liza and it bothers me, Julius," she whispered after minutes of silence, she knew he wasn’t asleep yet, he never fell asleep right away.

"Oh Georgina, she’s just a little ashamed of herself, it’s nothing to worry about, she shall get her head out of whatever hole she had it stuck in"

She shook out of his hold to face him properly, in the candle-lit bedroom she couldn’t make out his face much but she knew her husband.

"I’m not even sure Mira is a good choice for the emperor"

"She shall be fine, I had thought this a bad idea before, but this power is what the Statham house needs" The smile he had on his face looked like a proud father’s smile to Georgina but it was far from it.

"I just feel so uncertain and in me somewhere I know Liza would have been the right choice" She dropped her voice to a whisper not completely trusting of room walls

"Liza is too smart and hard to control, the emperor would not want that" Julius highlighted making Georgina frown.

Is that what all this is about? A silent wife? Like she’d been?

"I would sleep now" she lied on her side, turning her back to her oblivious husband who kept his smile as he pulled her back into his arms.

*

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Bedtime.

Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

Right after dinner, Lydia moved into their bedroom and lay on her back, the dress not too tight but still managing to make her breathless, as she stared up at the dark ceiling her mind drifted to how protective her husband had been earlier, not wanting her to catch a cold or fall sick, she couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on her face, Theodore might be the monster in Critic-Ishire but he was a caring husband in his dark mansion.

The wooden door to their bedroom drew open and In came her husband looking as impeccable as possible, it was as though he hadn’t lived today and simply just got dressed for the day but she knew better. Lord Theodore was all hers and she could spend all her day watching him, but as she looked at him closely she noticed he hadn’t noticed her, probably because she was now neck dip under the covers but he suddenly drew out of her enjoyable thoughts with a more appealing comment.

"I have something for you".