Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 36: Like Apples and Something Delectable

Chapter 36: Like Apples and Something Delectable

Garden Area, Theodore’s Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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Lydia is found reading a book in the garden, she has entirely forgotten of the beast she encountered in the garden on her first night as she munch on a plate of biscuits, her day is going smoothly with her heart in ecstasy. A movement draws her attention from the geography book she was reading, she sees Joyce one of her maids that she barely encounters because she is mostly at the lake, kitchen or store ostensibly.

"Good afternoon Lady Theodore" Joyous acknowledged with a deep bow making Lydia cringe

"What brings you to me today?" Lydia asked with a small smile but Joyous is a chill girl.

"Lady Theodore the dressmaker is here" she informed, her head bowed too low.

Lydia blinked "Where is she then?" she invited

Joyce nudged her head towards the mansion "At the entrance, Lady Theodore" she murmured

"Why, Let her in, please" the Lady of Critic Arley urged briskly.

Lydia waited impatiently for the dressmaker her palm sweating with anticipation, she had been invited to a tea party by Critic Arley’s Baroness, her presence would be appreciated and welcomed, oh she needed to stop re-reading the letter in her head, but she was just so happy, containing herself is out of the window, the urge to turn towards the dressmaker and get her dress is proof of that, but she’s the lady of Critic Arley so she must live up to the title.

"Good morning My lady" the dressmaker’s voice meets her the moment she steps out into the garden.

"Ms Janet come sit, show me all the dresses you have brought" the Lady of Critic Arley bade gingerly.

Ms Janet looked as happy as a proud mother watching her child take its first step. "I heard the news and I came here as fast as I could, I’m so thrilled about this, I didn’t think it would happen this fast but this is infact beautiful" she scurried to her seat taking the duffel from her apprentice.

Lydia’s brows drew together in confusion "What news?" she invited

"Your first official invitation, you’re going to a tea party!" Ms. Janet squealed rather girly.

"I didn’t know news travels that fast, perhaps the messenger whispered it around before reaching here" Lydia confessed in truth.

Ms. Janet grinned "You never know"

"Who is that?" Lydia asked about the young lady, perhaps her age standing behind the mansion maids and looking around rather too obviously, she had stepped inside with the dressmaker earlier.

"My apprentice, she is from a noble house, call her Abigail" Ms. Janet introduced her face gleaming with pride while Lydia nodded.

She looked to the two maids that were now waiting, Joyce gone again "Bring some tea please, and a cup of water" she requested of Mira, her eyes locked with the maid in question.

"My lady, this dress would do it, it has a cotton texture and is fine enough to blend in when you get there" Ms Janet advised her grin widening as she explained away.

Lydia nodded "Let’s see"

The apprentice had been silent with a small frozen smile since she came in

"Are you okay?" Lydia asked the lady but she simply smiled further "No... I mean yes Lady Theodore, I am fine" she stuttered

"Can I put in a word Lady Theodore" Dorathy drew their attention to her with a shy smile

"Yes go on" Lydia nodded

"The baroness is a very conservative woman, I don’t know if she’d like to have bright colours at her party"

"I do not intend to be one of her devotees, being her friend would be incredible"

"I agree with you, Lady Theodore" The silent apprentice whose name is said to be ’Abigail’ added suddenly.

Dorothy continued "So what I’m saying is, you’re not supposed to blend in when you get there but contrary to that-" she chatted her off

"I should stand out!" Lady Theodore and Dorothy said at the same time before the latter started giggling, proud of herself

"I have just the fabric for that" Ms. Janet declared with a chuckle but the girls simply watched her "Standing out I mean" she added

"Here"

The afternoon grew long and chatty, Lydia picked the right dress and was ready for tomorrow.

********

Hours later

Entrance, Theodore Mansion.

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"So where is the scarf?" Lydia waits for it after only now remembering her request to the dressmaker, they walk back inside to head for the gates as Ms. Janet’s work is done here and she is to leave.

Ms. Janet’s eyes widened "Oh, I almost forgot, in my special package duffel" she wiggled her fingers towards her apprentice Abigail who was lost in the mansion’s view again.

"Is it? Do I have the colour in a dress?" Lydia inquired eagerly.

"Why yes, you have a dress in every colour" Ms. Janet confirmed faithfully.

"And I want her to have three more in every colour and fabric and style, why do I feel like I’ve said this before?" the lord’s voice came from the left side of the mansion making Lydia’s heart stumble but she still added, "Because you have, shouldn’t you be at work, Theo?"

"Honeymoon Gooseberry, Honeymoon" he smiled albeit coldly at her.

"You look about to step out to me" she observed, holding his gaze after roaming it over his body just as Abigail was at the time.

"And you are a bright one, my wife, I shall be back before you know it" he promised moving towards her before he stopped.

"Come here" he opened his arms for a hug "Closer" he prompted ignoring the shy looks from the spectators as she reached him he sniffed her hair openly then placed a kiss on her reddened forehead with pride.

"it will swell my heart to have you miss me more than you should, Gooseberry" he whispered his wishes but she could only gasp.

He smirked as he spun with a heated gaze from his wife trained on him, the bystanders downright forgotten.

******

Outside Theodore Mansion

"Where are we going to Lord Theodore?" Hound said meeting his Lord before he could reach the cart, Theodore has been going out alone too much these days and it is now a major concern, with Conan out of town, Hound had a double job to get done but the Lord seemed to have a different idea of safety.

Without stopping Theodore passed "We... are not going anywhere, you are instead staying back to protect the house"

Hound scowled "I do not intend to do that Your Highness" making Theodore turn to him with a raised brow

"What is that?" He snarled his octave-low

"Apologies Lord Theodore but I can not let you leave the house alone, I have to come with" He squared his shoulders

"Blanc shall be riding me, stay back" Theodore tagged pointedly. Blanc has never been known for his strength nor was he a knight once, he has always only been a trusted coachman with a dagger.

"But Lord Theodore Blanc is..." his sentence is cut off

"That was an order Hound, not a request" he resumed his walk before Hound talked again

"I promised Conan to protect you in his absence" Hound announced as the cart reached them.

"Now I’m the one who needs protection because suddenly I am weak?" he growled angrily

"You have a wife, your Highness!" Hound reasoned

"I beg your pardon?!" he snarled

"You have a weakness" Hound added with a sigh

Theodore’s shoulders raise "She is not a weakness" he bellowed with a frown.

Hound sighed, shaking his head "Our enemies are drawing close, I can feel it" he sounded solemn but Theodore was sure.

"The more reason you should stay behind" he pointed out dismissively.

Theodore turned briskly leaving a confused Hound behind, Theodore was messing around.

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

Nighttime, Theodore Mansion

Lydia in front of the mirror and seated on a wooden seat tries to untangle her hair before going to bed, her husband is yet to be back despite promising to come earlier when he left. She hates it when other ladies touch her hair which forces her to do it herself, it used to be easy and fast but she suddenly sees it as a labor these days and that is not a good sign to her. She heard the door creak but she maintained her pace physically Internal she was in a growing disarray.

Theodore drew closer to her with purposeful step, intending to explain why he was late before settling to something else when he reached her "Let me" he said taking the comb from her in a slow flow and gentle tug.

"You have nice hair" he whispered, his electric blue eyes fixed on her through the mirror, her eyes were closed as she enjoyed his hand running through her hair now

"And your scent, it’s so compelling" he confessed gruffly.

"What do I smell like?" she murmured a question her eyes light and his darkening

"Like apples and something delectable" he rasped, holding her now opened ocean blue orbs, she dropped her gaze first deciding to enjoy his touch and not the erratic beating of her heart, her eyelids shut as she let out a soft moan. His lips nibble on her skin as he bent to take her in better, he shall get a taste of her tonight.