Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 99: Breakfast With Hound.

Chapter 99: Breakfast With Hound.

Night.

Corridor, Theodore Mansion

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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Lydia is sitting on a sit outside holding a book while Dorothy and Joyous stood by her side waiting for her to go to bed.

"I implore all of you go to sleep, I am leaving for my room now" she said, she needed to stay outside for awhile the fresh air was nice.

"We shall leave the moment you are inside" Joyous claimed.

Lydia dropped the book on her lap. "Your quarters are far and you know how big the mansion area is, it is an order for you girls to go to bed early and prepare for tomorrow" she pointed out, she could get up at anytime and simply stroll inside without fear of the long walk but their quarters are far and it’s getting darker.

"Yes, Lady Theodore, but please go to bed you have been sitting here for too long.you should also sleep and prepare for tomorrow"

Lydia shook her head before abruptly standing up and heading for her bedroom, the persistent maids followed her until she was inside before they wished her a good night and turned around for their rooms.

Lydia sighed after hitting the bed, she missed it but she missed Theodore more, her eyes felt bright and alive so she looked around the room until her gaze dropped on that book that’s been in the bedroom all this while. She picked the book and watched the cover with interest for a minute ’Letters to you’ it read before she opened it to dive in.

Her eyes went with the light night breeze to flutter closed for two seconds before she opened right back. Her eyelids were growing heavy but she didn’t want to sleep. She opened the first page and started to read under candlelight.

’This book is a compilation of the letters a lover sent to his love in all of his life...’

Lydia read that sentence three more times before dozing off to sleep.

The thought of her husband enveloping her mind while her arms envelopes the book.

Red sat in the corner watching her with interest giving off the air of predators. Whoever crosses any door to reach her shall be dead meat.

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Morning.

Kitchen, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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Shi’Enz woke up early today and immediately she left the Statham estate after refusing breakfast. Her mind was plagued with thoughts of cookies and it’s maker. She wanted to see him, them. She wanted to hear his voice again, thundering and assuring.

She needed the taste of his bakes and fries again.

So she left, took a horse and rode to him.

She reached the gates and surprisingly they swung open on their own, she strode in curiously, her horse in tow as she pulled it.

Soon she was inside the mansion and she started to feel fear, she assumed Hound would be angry at her now for not coming earlier, but then she was here after all , so she took a deep breath and headed to where her heart pointed.

As dusk slowly rose with a glow Shi’Enz stepped into the kitchen of Theodore household, it came alive with the flickering flames of a well-tended hearth.

Hound is donned in a finely tailored morning coat, he stood amidst the quaint charm of copper pots and gleaming utensils.

And the fragrance of freshly brewed coffee and the crackling warmth of the hearth intertwined, creating an atmosphere steeped in Critic-Ishire tradition, Shi’Enz breathed it in and tried not to sigh out loud.

With detailed accuracy, the butler selected ingredients from ornate jars and polished wooden containers. The clinking of silverware resonated through the kitchen as he measured out flour, sugar, and spices with a practiced hand.

The rustic scent of freshly chopped herbs wafted through the air as he skillfully prepared a medley of vegetables, embracing the bounty of the season.

Shi’Enz continued to watch in awe and admiration.

She trailed her gaze to his face. The fire beneath the cast-iron skillet casted a warm, golden glow on the his focused expression as he expertly flipped pancakes.

She took notice that his movements were deliberate and unhurried, reflecting the grace of a noble man but he was a butler and works for Theodore.

How then is he so exemplary?

She decided her creepiness was enough so she whispered. "Zachary?"

He froze, his arm freezing mid-stirring.

"Good morning" she added. He then resumed his action.

She blinked at his silence. "I... I’m sorry I came late, I was unable to leave the house" she clarified her voice still a whisper.

"Whenever you are here is the right time" he said.

She smiled, that was the voice she had missed, his peaceful yet unnerving tone.

"Look at me then" she prompted.

He continued to stir a rich mixture in a copper-bottomed pan. The rhythmic clatter of stirring echoed the morning symphony, announcing the culinary masterpiece in progress.

"I shall make you biscuits now" he opted as his reply.

She wondered why he would not turn. "Should I help you with?" she asked softly moving closer.

His lips twitched. "No, you only have to sit like you own my world"

She got closer. "Do I?"

"Yes, you own my world, Shi’Enz" he growled without missing a beat.

Heat rushed to her face as she bit on her lower lip. "I want cookies" she said.

"You shall get them" his easy reply, filled with assurance.

"I also would want for your back not to be the view of you that I get" she added as his back was still in her face.

"Shi’Enz" he drawled. "I was not in a bright mood" he told her.

"But I am here now" she said softly.

He glanced at her. "Yes, you are"

She pouted then, her eyes searching. "So why are you still brooding? Avoiding my gaze" she pointed out.

He clenched his teeth before letting out. "Because you shall leave eventually and that would be unbearable"

He froze when she whispered. "Zachary, we shall do this little by little, appreciate whatever time we get to spend together and also look at each other instead of overthinking what might be"

"You are here and I do not want you to leave" he growled.

"I shall come to you again, and again until perhaps you come to me" she declared. He detected a smile in her voice and it made his heart unclench.

"If I come to you, it shall not be good news" he warned.

She giggled. "Then we shall have to make it good before it reaches" her response.

After a moment of easy silence Hound asked her, he was picking plates now. "How are you here this early?"

"The house is in disarray, an arranged marriage has been set for my sister" she replied, her voice saddening.

Hound remained silent after that sentence, she had thought it will spark a conversation but it only made him sink into his mind.

"Is that how it shall be?"

His question made her frown. "What shall be?"

"Your life, an arranged marriage to another noble?"

"Zachary-" she started but he cut her off.

"You are correct, we should live in the moment but I will loathe the thought of losing you" he whispered, his chest rising and falling angrily.

"Let me find my sister" she said.

He turned to her only then, held her honeybrown eyes colliding with his green ones and drawing the other in like magnets, his eyes held emotions that she couldn’t decipher whilst hers held admiration and hope.

"Shi’Enz?"

Lydia’s voice breaks them apart.

"What are you doing here?"

Shi’Enz smiled turning to her sister. "I came to have breakfast with you, I thought you would be bored" she claimed. It was not a complete lie but Hound would not tell on her.

Lydia’s wary face brightened. "Oh yes, I would have been bored today, come let’s wait at the dining hall" she invited.

Joyous and Dorothy came into the dining hall at the same time. "Good morning Miss Shi’Enz" they said in unison bowing with respect.

"Good morning please help set the table, Hound made a feast" Shi’Enz replied, her eyes eager.

The girls had been upstairs helping Lydia get dressed for the day. They had taken meticulous care of her and hoped she had a great day today.

The anticipation of the impending feast hung in the air, blending with the aromatic allure of the sizzling ingredients. As the final touches were added to the meticulously crafted meal, the kitchen down to the dining transformed into a haven of sensory delight.

They began to eat and they enjoyed their breakfast together, with Lydia’s mind thinking of all the things she would do today.

She had planned to design a jewellery today and that would take the whole day if she lets it.

Miss Janet came before noon to deliver a beautifully made dungaree. The maids were disheartened that the lady wished to undress so she could get inside the dungaree for work.

They wanted her pretty but now she had a passion.

If Theodore was here he would tell her that she could be pretty and passionate. That was what she became in her attire ready to commence work.