Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 283: The Third Lifetime, Adele. (9)

Chapter 283: The Third Lifetime, Adele. (9)

Thirheria.

*********

The week that followed was a whirlwind of activity, with the entire kingdom of Thirheria on high alert. The news had spread like wildfire, ignited by the seamstress’s excitement over the royal visit. What should have been a simple, joyous occasion, Theodore’s thoughtful gesture of purchasing gloves for Adele, had, unfortunately, set off a chain reaction that none could have foreseen.

The Troll King, who had once hoped for a peaceful truce through the union of their two realms, was now seething with anger. His dreams of uniting the kingdoms through a marriage of convenience were shattered, and instead, he saw the budding romance between Theodore and Adele as an insult, a direct affront to his plans. Rumors began to circulate that he was planning a full-scale attack on Thirheria, driven by fury and a thirst for revenge. His people, loyal to their king, were eager to follow him into battle, their resentment towards the human kingdom festering over the years.

In Thirheria, the atmosphere grew tense as word of the impending attack spread. The knights and warriors, ever vigilant, intensified their training. The clashing of swords and the shouts of warriors echoed through the training grounds, the cold air filled with the scent of sweat and determination. The soldiers knew they might soon be called upon to defend their homes, and they prepared with a steely resolve. No one spoke of fear, but it hung in the air, unspoken but understood by all.

The court was equally abuzz, though the chatter there was of a different sort. Some of the nobility, always keen to scrutinize the royal family, expressed disappointment in Theodore. They saw his falling in love as a distraction, a deviation from his duty to the kingdom. Whispers of discontent spread through the palace halls, with some courtiers wondering if Theodore’s affections for Adele had compromised their chances of peace with the trolls. The once-proud prince was now the subject of gossip, with opinions divided on whether his actions had been wise or reckless.

In the heart of all this chaos was Theodore, burdened by the weight of leadership and the love he felt for Adele. His days were consumed with meetings, his every moment spent strategizing with his advisors and military commanders. The council chamber, usually a place of measured debate, now buzzed with urgency as plans were drawn, defenses bolstered, and scouts sent to gather intelligence on the trolls’ movements. Theodore listened intently, his mind racing with possibilities, but his thoughts often drifted to Adele, who was unaware of the full extent of the turmoil surrounding them.

His mother, the queen, was perhaps the most affected by it all. The normally composed and soft-spoken queen now found herself fraught with worry. She could sense the tension in the palace, the hushed conversations and the nervous energy that permeated every room. She worried for her son, not just for the physical dangers that might come, but for the toll it was taking on him emotionally. She had seen the way he looked at Adele, with a love that transcended duty, and while she was overjoyed to see him happy, she couldn’t help but fear what might come of it.

The queen spent her days in a state of quiet distress, her mind constantly turning over what could be done. She visited the gardens less frequently, unable to find solace in the flowers she once tended so lovingly. Instead, she found herself pacing the corridors of the castle, her thoughts racing as she tried to come up with a way to avert the crisis. She had always been a pillar of strength for her son, but now she felt helpless, unable to protect him from the forces that threatened to tear their world apart.

The kingdom was on edge, the busy week passing in a blur of preparation, worry, and speculation. Every day brought new rumors, new developments, as the people of Thirheria braced themselves for whatever might come. The once-peaceful kingdom now stood at the brink of war, its fate uncertain as the tension mounted. And through it all, Theodore, though burdened, remained resolute. He knew what was at stake, and he was determined to protect not only his kingdom but the woman he loved. The storm was coming, and he would be ready.

*

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Thirheria.

***********

Theodore sat in the grand hall of the castle, reviewing the latest reports from his advisors, when a messenger arrived to inform him of Baron Everard’s presence. Theodore sighed inwardly, already anticipating the baron’s request. Everard was notorious for his ambitions, a man whose desires always seemed to stretch beyond his grasp. It was no secret that he had been angling for more influence ever since Theodore began courting Adele. The prince knew he would have to tread carefully; the baron was not a man easily satisfied.

When Baron Everard entered, he bowed low, but Theodore could see the gleam of greed in his eyes. The baron was dressed impeccably, his attire a bit too extravagant for the occasion, as if he were trying to assert his importance through his appearance alone.

’What could he possibly want?’

"Your Highness," Everard began, his tone smooth and practiced, "I come to you not only as a father but as a loyal servant of the crown. My daughter is a treasure, as you know, and it warms my heart to see her so adored by you. However, given the... uncertainties we face, I feel it is my duty to ensure that she is well-protected and that her future, and that of our family, is secure."

Theodore nodded, letting the man speak. He had a feeling he knew where this was going and he didn’t like it.

"I have given much thought to the matter," the baron continued, "and I believe that with the threats looming over our kingdom, it would be prudent for my family to have a stronger position within the court. Perhaps a seat in the council or a chamber in the castle itself, where we can be close to the center of power and offer our assistance more effectively."

Theodore’s eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to the baron’s thinly veiled request for more power. It was not unexpected, but the audacity still irked him. He had seen this same hunger in the man before, in a past life where the baron’s greed had nearly led them all to ruin. The memories of that life, still fresh in his mind, stirred a protective instinct within him. He couldn’t let history repeat itself.

The prince straightened in his chair, his expression turning colder, more regal. "Baron Everard," he began, his voice steady but laced with a subtle warning, "I am marrying your daughter out of love, not out of any obligation to grant your family more power. Adele’s worth is not something to be measured in titles or positions. You should be grateful that she will be a part of the royal family, and feel blessed that she has found love and protection under my care."

Theodore paused, letting his words sink in. The baron’s smile faltered, though he quickly tried to mask it, maintaining a facade of pleasantness.

"But Your Highness, surely—" Everard started to protest, but Theodore cut him off.

"No," Theodore said firmly, his gaze locking onto the baron’s. "I will not have you leveraging your daughter’s happiness for your own gain. The kingdom is on the brink of war, and our focus should be on unity and strength, not on personal ambitions. I suggest you reflect on this, Baron, and consider what truly matters. Your daughter’s future with me is secured by love and respect, and I expect you to honor that."

Theodore’s words were final, leaving no room for argument. He could see the fury flicker in the baron’s eyes, though the older man quickly suppressed it, replacing it with a tight-lipped smile.

"Of course, Your Highness," Everard said, bowing once more. "I only wish the best for my daughter. I will take your words to heart."

But as the baron turned to leave, Theodore could sense the brewing resentment behind his polite demeanor. The man might have been placated for the moment, but his ambitions would not be easily quashed. Theodore knew he had to remain vigilant. Everard’s greed had already caused trouble in the past, and Theodore feared what it might bring in this lifetime.

As the baron exited the hall, Theodore leaned back in his chair, his mind troubled. He had done what he could to curb Everard’s ambitions, but he knew the man would not give up so easily. The prince silently vowed to protect Adele from whatever schemes her father might concoct. Their love was pure, and he would not let it be tainted by greed or power plays. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant confronting the baron’s ambitions head-on.

He couldn’t let her father destroy them again.

*

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*

Outing.

Thirheria

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

With the tension in the air and the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him, Theodore made a sudden decision. He needed to secure his future with Adele, and he needed to do it soon. After the confrontation with her father and the growing unrest in the kingdom, he announced that their wedding would commence shortly. The news spread quickly, filling the castle and the surrounding lands with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

Adele, upon hearing the news that her father had made the prince angry, was a bundle of nerves. Her heart raced at the thought of becoming Theodore’s wife, but the rapid approach of the wedding made her anxious. She longed to see him, to seek reassurance in his presence, but he was constantly occupied with preparations and the affairs of the kingdom. Days passed, and though she knew he was busy, the absence gnawed at her.

Then, one crisp afternoon, when Adele was beginning to think she might not see him until their wedding day, Theodore appeared at her door. His expression was a mix of determination and affection as he reached out to her.

"Come with me," he said, his voice warm and inviting.

Adele didn’t hesitate. She let him guide her outside, where a horse waited. Theodore helped her onto the saddle before climbing up behind her. With a gentle nudge, the horse took off at a brisk pace, and soon, they were racing through the countryside. Adele’s laughter rang out, her worries momentarily forgotten as she clung to Theodore, the wind whipping through her hair.

They rode for what felt like hours, the world around them fading into a blur of greens and blues. Eventually, Theodore slowed the horse as they approached a secluded spot deep within the woods. The air was colder here, and Adele shivered slightly as they dismounted. But there was something magical about the place, a hidden gem in the midst of nature.

Theodore led her to the edge of a steaming pool of water, its surface shimmering with heat. "I found this place when I was younger," he explained, a hint of mischief in his voice. "It is a hot spring, warmed by the earth itself."

Adele hesitated, unsure about the idea of undressing and entering the water with him, but Theodore’s gentle words and reassuring presence eased her nerves. "Trust me," he whispered, his hands brushing against her shoulders, "you will love it."

With a blush creeping up her cheeks, Adele finally agreed. She undressed respectfully, folding her clothes neatly before stepping into the warm water. It enveloped her like a comforting embrace, and she gasped softly at the sensation.

Theodore joined her, his movements smooth and confident. He pulled her close as they waded towards the edge of the spring, where a large, smooth stone jutted out. The water was deeper in the middle than she had anticipated, and she clung to him for support, her heart racing again, but for a different reason now.

They settled near the stone, the warmth of the water contrasting with the coolness of the rock beneath their hands. Adele, always one to busy herself when nervous, found herself distracted by the cold stone. She pressed her palms against it, trying to transfer the warmth of the water to the surface, her mind momentarily focused on the simple task.

Theodore watched her with a soft smile, his heart swelling with affection. He admired her spirit, her resilience, and most of all, the way she was gradually opening up to him. The wedding was fast approaching, and while the world around them seemed to be in turmoil, in that moment, everything felt just right.

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