Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 50: To Be Wherever Theodore May Be.

Chapter 50: To Be Wherever Theodore May Be.

The other Evening.

At the Baroness’s tea party.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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Shi’Enz felt stuffed and uncomfortable breathing in the hall after having dragged her elder sister away from embarrassing them further than she already had, Shi’Enz had always been the quiet and confused sister who followed the lead of her sisters and also respected her solitude, she mostly watched from behind and has noticed that Lydia was innocent in all of this and she always felt horrible that the only sister who treats her well is the one who everyone intends to hurt kn the statham house, now that she is out of the house, deceived and cheated into marriage with the monster, the peace that supposedly should be hers now is still being threatened by Mira, she sighed, her shoulders slumped as she walks aimlessly around the house. The manse is large but not as large as the Statham estate, this manse has a lot of doors though. It is as if they plan an attack and they are prepared to escape through whatever route the attackers intend to ignore. The mansion is painted, cream and pink, it’s big yet pretty, Shi’Enz would be elated to live here for a year without bother, the whole building gives off serene, happy energy but with all those women inside it is a disaster, she walks further and there are trees and a gate behind them in her view now, she frowned where could that head to?

"You are going out of territory, Shi’Enz" she screamed Ahhhh! As a chilly voice made her jump with a squeal, her left palm colliding with her flesh over her heart, she met Hound’s eyes and involuntarily shivered.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned, wary but familiar. The last time he had stood outside their estate watching her it had felt pleasing and a surprise to her, she had been hit and bothered throughout the day after him, and here he was clad in the brown fluffiest of material that drags from his shoulders to hit legs, right below his knees, there is a white shirt with collars and slacks white as snow inside the fluffy coat, his face is alive and it starves her to touch it.

"I came for you" he growled, her eyes rose to meet his, the green speck in his eyes looked bigger today

"What?" she squealed, her brown eyes wide

He faced the road leading back to the Manse "Why are you outside?" he pointed out.

"The inside rejects me" she sighed, her eyes detached

Hound studied her side view "What happens there completes most women" he said

She shook her head "It drains me and I know women who would prefer to stay back home, some get energised by the events while a few wish to change the energy that these things bring" During the sentence she turned and looked up to his eyes

"I like your eyes," he said

She felt her heart skip. Why is he so straightforward? She tucked her brown hair behind her ears.

"My eyes are mundane" she replied modestly

"Yes, and it is the simplicity that I adore, its ability to be so clear, innocent yet captivating" his whisper raced her delicate heart, her skin flushing profusely.

"You should go back inside, the weather is getting colder" he advised, his eyes firmly on her face.

She nodded "Does Lydia know you are here?" she asked

"She is the Lady of Critic Arley now" he snarled.

She gaped at him for seconds too long before she nodded in understanding, Lydia is to be called Lady Lydia now, especially by the sisters who despised her.

"It was nice having company out here" she muttered courteously, turned in her lemon green dress and into the manse. Bound is off-limits and down a ditch, looking down to chat is dangerous and he could pull her to him if she comes upon the edge too much. Next time, ignore him.

She had a little chat with Lydia that day after going, a chat where Lydia had generously invited her over to the monster mansion if she was interested, she had been very much interested yet declined politely as she knew the family would go berserk if she ever goes over there. It is forbidden now in the Statham estate to say both the Lord and the Ladys name.

Impermissible.

**********

Morning.

The Courtyard, Theodore Mansion.

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There is a courtyard in the back side of the Theodore mansion, that area is closer to the employed quarters, the area is sparse, and the light that goes like a shot from there into the mansion barely lights the side hallways, Theodore had avoided that area during his loving tour, because he thought Lydia will find the place her favourite place in the mansion, but it was at the back and he would very much like her where she is very conspicuous and safe.

Theodore had woken up today, this morning right after Lydia did, the maid had rushed to the room to take care of his wife, where he surged to get Blanc to bring out Mira as Conan had gone back home and Hound, hunting for Red.

Mira was delivered from the dungeon with streams of tears running down her cheeks, some dried trails with puffy eyes, the dungeon was known for its unfamiliar insects and persistent rats, as they would barely be company of humans she must have been scared out of her wits.

The Lord of Critic Arley stalked up to her, his steps slow and preying, Blanc had dropped her on the floor after dragging her out, her palm sprawled on the courtyard floor, and she looked up at the Lord.

"Why did you push my wife into the lake?" he growled, walking around the little maid Mira with predatory intent, she had anger behind her eyes, but upfront she held on to sadness and regret.

She shook her head "I did not push her Lord Theodore" her counter, as her palm connected in a pleading gesture.

"Why did you leave her behind?" he raised another question.

"I don’t know how to swim, I was coming to ask for help, for the lady" she claimed her voice quivering

He smirked "Yet you were sashaying, you didn’t run" his voice dark

She shook her head rapidly "I was shocked to my bones" she claimed

"It’s either you are a good liar or you schemed it well" Theodore pointed out all playful anger out of him

"Theo..." the lord raised his left index, an indication for Blanc who had tried to interrupt him to shut up.

"I shall kill you and that should be punishment enough for pushing my wife to her death" he expressed, griping his sword perhaps intending to pull it for a swipe, one that never happened because the voice of his salvation rang "No!, Don’t kill her Theo" she rushed to him, her fingers quivering.

He turned to her swiftly "Why are you downstairs, you should be recovering upstairs" he said, pulling her to his side, her apple scent invading his senses.

She rolled her eyes, as he rushed to steady her as though he saw her falling "I only almost drowned, I don’t have a disease" she grunted

He frowned "She tried to kill you... Who sent you here?" his attention back on to the maid.

"Theodore you brought her home remember" she retorted, meeting his eyes. "If she had wanted to kill me she would’ve run away yesterday" Lydia added.

"She did try to, I caught her" Theodore pointed out glaring at the maid, who was somehow looking prideful now despite kneeling.

"You left my side last night?!" Lydia screeched completely forgetting the company.

"No! I saw her through the balcony" he claimed sharply

Lydia pouted "You promised to stay throughout the night!" she called out

"I shall tonight, I promise again" he said pressing a kiss to her head.

"Do not kill her, I think it’s a misunderstanding?" she said in a confused mind, she had remembered falling and sinking but the occurrence before going down was a blur to her, she was appreciating the view after abruptly deciding to take a walk around the mansion for the lake Dorothy talked about, making plans on how to beautify it and then Joyce went inside to bring her a seat, then the... Theodore’s voice smashed into her hazy recollection.

"The next mistake you make will be the end of you" he promised, swirling around with his wife’s small palm tucked in his large warm ones.

"If you want me to stay indoors, you shall have to stay in too because if you step out I shall be compelled to come looking for you" Lydia swore in a whisper only her husband could hear. Her ocean-blue orbs were full to the brim with determination.

"I want you wherever I may be, Lady Lydia Theodore, of the love Gooseberry" she giggled while he held a small smile, his gold locks hiding it from view.