Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 286: The Third Lifetime, Adele. (12)

Chapter 286: The Third Lifetime, Adele. (12)

Anonymous.

Thirheria.

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

In the dim light of the dense forest, where even the afternoon sun struggled to filter through the thick canopy, two figures met in secrecy. The first, cloaked in shadows, was unmistakably Adele’s father, his greedy ambition etched into every line of his face. Opposite him stood a towering man, shrouded in a heavy cloak, his features obscured, lending an air of menace to the already tense atmosphere.

Adele’s father spoke in hushed tones, his voice dripping with cunning. "We will usurp the throne right after the marriage. With the royals dead, my daughter will become queen, and I will rule as king."

The tall man, who was none other than a representative of the troll king, remained silent for a moment, his hidden expression unreadable. Then, a slow, sinister smirk crept onto his lips, barely visible under the shadow of his hood. "But how do we get there?" he asked, his voice low and gravelly, filled with dark intent.

Adele’s father leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with unholy determination. "The people from your kingdom are not allowed inside, but I will make it happen. I will make it my only request on that day. The trolls must be prepared for when the gates open."

The troll representative nodded, satisfied with the plan.

"If you do your part right, the promised territory is yours" he promised.

They exchanged more hushed words, nods, and frowns, solidifying their unholy pact. Each knew they were dealing with dangerous allies, but the promise of power drove them both to this treacherous agreement.

With their plan set in motion, they parted ways, each stepping back into the shadows from whence they came. The forest returned to its eerie silence, but the seeds of betrayal had been sown, and soon, they would bear bitter fruit.

*

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Playhouse.

Thirheria.

**********

Theodore stood at the entrance of the grand estate, his heart fluttering with anticipation. He had planned this day for weeks, wanting everything to be perfect for Adele. Tonight, he would take her to the playhouse, a place of enchantment and wonder, where stories of love and tragedy were brought to life. He wanted to see the light in her eyes, to hear the soft gasp of surprise when he told her where they were going.

He adjusted the collar of his finely tailored coat, his fingers smoothing over the rich fabric. ’Calm down, Theodore,’ he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips. ’It is just a play. But still... I want her to be happy.’

Adele appeared at the top of the grand staircase, her delicate hand resting on the banister. She looked ethereal in a gown of soft lavender, the color complementing her fair skin and bringing out the deep blue of her eyes. Her hair was arranged in an elegant twist, adorned with tiny pearls that glistened in the light. She descended the stairs gracefully, her movements fluid and refined, like a swan gliding across a still pond.

"Theodore," she greeted, her voice soft and warm. "You are here. Where are we going tonight?"

He smiled, reaching for her hand as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "It’s a surprise," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "But I promise, you will love it."

Adele raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "A surprise, you say? Well, now you have got me all intrigued." She blushed slightly, a hint of pink coloring her cheeks, and Theodore’s heart melted at the sight.

He took her hand, raising it to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to the inside of her wrist. "Come," he said, his voice low and tender. "The carriage is waiting."

They walked hand in hand to the waiting royal carriage, the night air cool and fragrant with the scent of blooming jasmine. Theodore helped Adele into the carriage, his hand lingering on hers as he settled beside her. The interior of the carriage was plush and comfortable, the seats covered in soft velvet, the windows draped with rich curtains. As the carriage rolled forward, the sound of the horses’ hooves clopping rhythmically on the cobblestone streets, Theodore turned to Adele, his heart beating a little faster.

"We are going to the playhouse," he revealed, his voice filled with excitement. "There is a drama tonight that I thought you might enjoy."

Adele’s eyes widened, a smile spreading across her lips. "A playhouse? Really? Oh, Theodore, I have always wanted to go to one!" She blushed, looking down at her lap. "Thank you. This is... this is so thoughtful."

Theodore took her hand in his, his thumb gently caressing her skin. "I want to share everything with you, Adele," he said softly. "Your happiness means the world to me."

The carriage ride was short, the city streets bustling with the evening’s activity. As they arrived at the playhouse, Theodore stepped out first, then turned to help Adele down, his movements graceful and attentive. She looked up at the grand building, its façade illuminated by the glow of lanterns, the soft murmur of the crowd mingling with the strains of music drifting from inside.

As they entered, the doormen bowed respectfully, recognizing their noble status. A well-dressed usher guided them through the richly decorated halls, past guests in elaborate gowns and finely tailored suits, to their special seats near the front. The interior of the playhouse was magnificent, with gilded balconies, plush red seats, and a grand chandelier casting a warm, golden light over everything.

Theodore could feel the excitement building in his chest as they took their seats. He glanced at Adele, who was looking around with wide eyes, her face lit up with wonder. ’This was worth it,’ he thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction. ’To see her like this, happy and amazed... it’s all I ever want.’

As the play began, the lights dimmed, and the audience fell silent, the only sound the soft rustling of fabric and the quiet creak of the seats. The drama unfolded, a tale of love so deep and pure that it transcended the boundaries of life and death. The actors moved with grace, their voices filled with emotion, drawing the audience into their world.

Adele’s heart clenched as the story took a tragic turn, the female lead falling ill, her strength fading. The male lead’s despair was palpable, his love for her so profound that it brought tears to Adele’s eyes. She tried to hold them back, blinking rapidly, but the tears fell anyway, trickling down her cheeks as she watched the woman breathe her last breath, her lover’s cries of anguish echoing through the hall.

’Why does it have to be so sad?’ she thought, her chest tightening, the fabric of her gown feeling suddenly too tight. ’How can love be so beautiful and yet so painful?’

Theodore noticed her tears, his heart aching at the sight. He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently, a silent offer of comfort. She looked at him, her eyes shimmering with tears, and he gave her a soft, reassuring smile.

As the male lead took the dagger and plunged it into his own heart, declaring that he could not live without his beloved, Adele’s breath caught in her throat. The tragedy was too much, the sorrow overwhelming. She felt a sob rise in her chest, her hands trembling as she brought them to her face, trying to hide her tears.

Theodore leaned closer, his hand reaching up to wipe away her tears. "Adele," he whispered, his voice tender. "It’ alright. I am here."

The play ended to thunderous applause, but Adele could barely hear it over the sound of her own heartache. They made their way back to the carriage, Theodore’s arm around her shoulders, holding her close. Once inside, he turned to her, his eyes filled with concern and love.

"Why are you crying, my love?" he asked softly, his fingers gently brushing her hair back from her face.

Adele sniffed, her eyes still wet. "The play... it was so sad," she whispered. "I can not stand the thought of losing you, Theodore. It just... it just hurts so much."

Theodore pulled her into his arms, his heart breaking at her words. "You will not lose me," hevowed, his voice firm. She never had and she never will, it was her he feared would leave him, "I am here, Adele. I will always be here."

He kissed her, his lips soft and warm against hers, a promise of love and devotion. She melted into his embrace, her tears slowly stopping, the warmth of his body soothing the ache in her heart. As the carriage carried them back home, Theodore held her close, his fingers gently stroking her hair, his lips brushing against her forehead.

"We are together, Adele," he whispered. "And nothing will ever change that. I love you, more than anything."

Adele closed her eyes, her heart finally beginning to calm. She knew that as long as she had Theodore, she could face anything. He was her love, her life, her everything. And that was enough.

She felt a strange amount of relief as an invisible sadness left her.

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