Unveiling the Unexpected.

"I want to know what really happened" she looked to connor and he shifted his gaze uncomfortably.

Then his gaze trailed down beside him and Lucinda found little Theodore tugging on the pants of her guard.

"It's ok" Theodore words were directed at sir Connor , it was tiny, almost lost in the silent hall. The curtain had been drawn not to long ago and the sun rays fell on them making Theodore look like a lost puppy with his tail tucked between his leg.

Connor made a sound between a sigh and a groan. "I wasn't initial aware," he began explaining.

"A few days ago Theodore meet me to ask for a favour"

"Hey, uncle Connor!" young Theodore skipped up to the knight in the garden.

He dismissed the servant he was speaking to and turned to the young child.

"What do you request i do for you today Theo" the guard had a knowing smirk.

"Must i have a request to speak to my favorite uncle". Connor shook his head at the child.

"Your cute countenance won't fool me today kid. You don't call me uncle unless you need a favour from me".

"Really?" He propped a tiny hand under his chin as if in deep thought.

"Yeah kid," he shook his head, his shoulder bouncing with a chuckle " besides, I'm the only uncle you know". His head tipped up in pride and triumph.

"Well.." Theo began, digging his feet into the cobberstone path. "If you assist me in my latest sch-" Connor raised a brow "no, i mean surprise. I might just start calling you uncle more".

"Intriguing offer kid. But it won't be that easy. I need a leway ticket out if you make a mess theo. I can't stand your mother gaze. Psst, between you and me," he leaned closer to whisper to only the child hearing "your mother terrifies me." He stood to full height. "And unlike you, I don't have the puppy dog eyes to prevent the woeful punishment waiting for me". Connor was partly wrong about that. Despite the harsh appearance he shows others. He was a loyal puppy where his master and her child is concern, but the lady always had a way to brush off his attempts to be docile to avoid a stern talking to. That ice queen.

He looked down at the child, and found him chewing on his lips, thinking of a solution maybe.

"Ok, tell you what?". Connor peered at the child side way, arms folded.

The boy looked up in question.

Connor turned and walked to where a table holding paper parchment and pen was stationed, a roof over the space; a place for Relaxing and admiring the garden view.

He took the parchment and pen down some words, and after going through it, he handed it over to Theodore. Get your mother agreement to this and I'll help you as you see fit."

Theodore looked down at the paper, his brows furrowed in deep thoughts, the wheels turning in his head. This smart child.

He looked up at sir Connor, determination marring his cute features. "No take backsies," he pointed up at him with a firm stance on his stubby legs. Then he turned around and ran down the stone path way back to the mansion. "You'll do it, no questions asked" he called out as he ran.

"What do you-" but young Theodore had already turned a corner and out of his sight. He could only shake his head and hope the child doesn't do anything too crazy, that might elicit scolding from lady Lucinda.

The next day, Theodore asked for his help to arrange a small surprise date, as he liked to call them. Seeing through the plan , he found no problem and went along with it. It was held in the garden.

That evening, little Theodore ran to him excitedly.

"Here!" Theodore said handing over a parchment to Connor. He took it and studied it, only to find it was the same parchment he gave him. The statement written on the paper was an agreement that the mother; lady Lucinda, gives young Theodore full rights to go ahead with his grand surprise plan with full assistance from whoever he wishes.

He couldn't believe his eyes and had to read it a second time. Surely the lady knew what this meant? He didn't think she would ever in her right mind agree to this. His puzzled gaze strayed from the paper to the excited child eyes, a victorious smile curved on his petal lips.

"But how did you-"

"Uh,uh,uh.. i Said no question asked. I did what you required. Its time to fulfill the end of your deal." he could swear the child became more refined, his words sounding like an adult when he was in a serious situation, just like someone he knew. But that devilish smirk he had, was it from his lady. It felt too sinister at times.

And the child had it on in full blast on his cute chubby face as he skipped away. His dark curls bouncing with him.

He stared after the young boy. His hands were tied now, a deal is a deal. He now knew better than to make one with the little devil again.

" so that's what happened?" Lady Lucinda turned to her son, his gaze still fixed on the floor." Then how did you get my consent. I remember having no conversation with you about a ball..."

"The day of the picnic. I sneaked in the paper after our breakfast. The paper you signed was the agreement". His head fell lower and his grip clutched onto the trousers of sir Connor tighter.

"Sigh" she touched the bridge of her nose in disbelief. She was fooled by her son cute countenance. She never could make that kind of mistake in a normal meeting but this was her son, she wouldn't have had her guard up against him. She knew he was mischievous but to think he went this far.

She turned to Connor "How did he invite those men?"

"That mostly had to do with me. I sent the invite to mostly all the single men I could. But Theodore did have a special request for someone in particular." Theodore tensed beside him.

"Who?" Her brow was furrowed.

"Come to think of it, i really don't remember..." he chuckled nervously but stopped when she shot him with a hard stare.

" i guess that doesn't matter much now. I faced no serious problem with the socialites that came" though she knew beyond a doubt they had a problem with her, even if she just stood and breath in the same room with them.

But she did want to know one thing. Whether it was her own curiosity, or the words of the masked man she met at the ball; she turned to her son.

"Theodore. I would like to know your objectives of the ball you ordered."

Theodore startled gaze met his mother's.

"I-i..j-ju..."

"Huh?". They struggled to hear his words as they stared at him. Theodore could feel the pressure and weight of everyone gaze on him. The words were swimming in his head, hard to place together.

"I-i ...." he shook his head side to side, his nose turning red:

"i-i just wanted a f-father!" He burst out, eyes tightly shut in embarrassment. His words were jumbled and incoherent, Lucinda eyes widen as she saw tears begin to gather at the rim of his eyes.

Suddenly he unclenched his hold on Sir connor, turned and ran away, going up the stairs, clumsily rubbing away at his tears that threaten to fall.

Lucinda found herself calling after him. She had no intention for her son to cry.

"You're all dismissed..." she trailed off, her gaze tinged with worry as she look around in confusion, her gaze met sir Connor then the stair case; where young theo was now gone.

The servants quickly dispersed reading the room and tense atmosphere.