Fighting For his Favourite ritual

"Run!" she cut him off as she grabbed hold of his wrist and pulled him out of the crowd sprinting into another directing and without wasting time the animal was right behind them making Lydia sprint but she wasn't fast enough so Theodore took the lead as he smiled feeling freer than he has in decades, Lydia was a bundle of sunshine.

Theodore got them into a narrow corner they stood facing each other, Lydia breathless and sweaty, her palm on his arms as she steadied herself, her shawl far down hanging on her arm, his gaze tracing her face down South, she had scared for nothing a hyena couldn't act a scratch on her when he was there, he had been enjoying himself too much to care about the hyena coming after them

"I think… think it's gone" Lydia whispered glancing out of the curve, her dark hair covering half her face Theodore reached out to move it away, getting a better view of her slender neck glistening with a sheen of sweat he gulped

"We can sneak back out" she suggested, still looking out.

"Mhmm" as he leaned in and dropped a kiss right under her ear.

"Lord Theodore?" her call was barely a whisper, her stomach tight.

"Yes Gooseberry" he dropped another kiss under her jaw, an almost wet kiss.

"What are you doing?" she rasped her tone low as she clenched her fist to keep her strength.

"Taking your scents" his voice slightly muffled in her neck "You know how animals find people by scent" he said as he kept himself busy sniffing the line of a protruding vein on her neck.

The damn dungarees, he thought were too neck high and obstructing, he needed more access to the hot spot between her collarbone and neck

"Why?" she asked stupidly. She then stiffened a sigh as her legs shivered her hands landed on his shoulders reflexively.

"I'm hiding your scent from the hyena" he planted a kiss on her chin as he stood straighter, having to bend to explore her neck

"It's all clear now Theo" She placed both her palms on his chest, blushing profusely

"There're a lot more you haven't seen, let's go" he seemed to go straight back to his unruffled self

Lydia after a while came to the unfortunate realization that she needed to look for her sisters, or at least go home before it was late it could get worse if she went back home and all her sisters were already home except her

"Theodore I think we should look for my sisters now" She tugs on his coat lapel to make him look down at her

Feeling unsatisfied Theodore tried persuasion "But the play's yet to start" 

"I heard my sisters talking about going for it maybe I'd meet them there" she enlightened, her eyes wide

"Right around the corner" Theodore informed, heading the way.

"Stop staying behind me gooseberry" he chided as he noticed he didn't like the feeling of not knowing if she was fine back there, he wanted her in front of him

"I don't know my way around here" she clarified and without a word he stretched his left palm for her to take, her eyes met his before she took it as a small blush crept up her cheek

Lydia let herself think back to how he had taken her hands and held her earlier without permission or invitation and she had allowed it, just as she had pulled his arms after, so it was nice that he was giving her a chance to grasp what's happening and consent

She is holding hands with lord Theodore of critic Arley strolling the milieu and buying stuff, running from hyena and she looked up at him, staring at him up close, his broad shoulders carrying the black undeniably heavy fabric with ease, his golden locks in a low bun that seem the ribbon was almost sleeping maybe he ran against the wind, she reached up to touch the tip of his hair but then she appears to recall something, freezing her at a spot on the way instantaneously keeping Theodore's attention that never, in fact, drew away

"Gooseberry?" his brows drawn together and that seemed to prompt her to pull her wrist from his grip

"I… can you please take me home" her voice barely a whisper as she dropped her head gazing at her feet, her fingers desperate to be put to use but she forced her arms to stay by her side

"Are you okay?" studying her he asked

"I don't know my way back" she opted as her answer 

"Lydia…" he called and waited until her ocean blue iris met his electric blue ones

"Tell me what seems to be the problem why do you look stricken with fear" She met his eyes, he was genuinely concerned and felt even more miserable

"Please…"

"Lydia" It sounded like he was scolding her and that brought a pinch of annoyance to reflect on her face

"I'm betrothed" she almost yelled, apparent that she felt wretched 

"His Majesty Salvatore has me betrothed to him two nights ago" she completed with an accepting smile, she was just an illegitimate Statham that had nothing to offer, she should've been more grateful and accepting.

"Do you want him?"

"He's the emperor" she reasoned with a shrug and Theodore got the answer he needed

"Let me take you home" came his curt statement as he swiftly lifted her into his arms, not getting a breath to complain after her gasp Lydia wrapped her arms over his shoulder as he walked them into the night. Theodore gripped her tighter as he thought about Salvatore trying to covet what he had claimed from the moment she was delivered to his mansion as a reward for the little good he had done since he had started to exist and he wouldn't let go. 

She was his.

He had been so shocked when she drew out of his hands because of Salvatore, he had been avoiding the emperor but it is obvious the emperor has successfully drawn his attention now, and no one takes his new ritual.

The weather was chilled but in his arms, she felt warm and protected, the way he held her firmly not too tight to hurt but strong enough to keep her safe, she felt cherished and miserable, why was he being nice, she was getting married to the emperor whenever he deems appropriate and she didn't know if it was unreasonable that her only feeling towards her betrothed was fear and the urge to flee, he made her feel like a chess piece to complete something big going on she, without doubt, does not want to be a part of, but with Theodore…

He looked down at her like he felt her thoughts drifting to him, his blue eyes glossy from the wind hitting his face, a few hairs flying everywhere, he looked so normal and so average in a striking way

He made her feel like she should be wary of him yet he drew her in with curiosity, he made her feel like she knew so little and there was so much more for her to learn and learning new things had always been her weakness. He, the enemy of their empire or maybe the emperor, cast aside by the people he guides and protects yet he works for his city prudently, on the surface she believes, she has an unexplainable urge to know him better but she knows those are all fantasies and reality will soon come to stay.

In real life a noble-born lord would not want her and the crazed emperor of the empire Critic-Ishire wouldn't even notice her let alone have to force his way into her life, all this was in her head, a long sleep she could wake up from, hopefully soon.

The cart ride was fast and quiet, her head pressed to the windows she mauled over everything.

"Gooseberry" his whisper drew her out of her wishful thoughts, this was reality and both men weren't what she needed, not Theodore who made her feel warm, or Salvatore who breathed cold into her veins.

"Thank you for your time and patience today, lord Theodore it was kind of you" She was down on her feet and refused to acknowledge that she missed his arms immediately; he had parked the cart a bit further from he estate, Lydia assumed it was because the lord didn't want her family seeing them together, but Theodore merely wanted her in his arms. They were in front of the Statham estate.

His eyes were now cold and impenetrable as she looked up at him expecting a reply, which came curtly "Go inside Lydia and keep your windows closed" 

Her windows?

How'd he know she doesn't shut them?

His more than socially accepted stare afterwards made her gulp, he then turned abruptly and what was left was an air that was polluted with his appetizing scent as she came to a conclusion

She needs to run away, she must've overstayed her welcome. 

*

**

*

Night.

Carriage, To Critic-Citadel.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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

Lord Theodore sat in contemplative silence inside the luxurious confines of his carriage, as it rattled along the cobblestone streets towards the imposing Citadel where the Emperor resided.

His thoughts were consumed by the urgent mission that lay ahead.

To warn his step-brother, the Emperor, to cease his pursuit of Lady Lydia of the house Statham, the woman whom Theodore cherished above all else.

She is mine, he mused darkly.

Through the carriage window, the landscape passed by in a beautiful blur, but Theodore's mind remained sharp, grappling with the weight of his impending confrontation.

He knew the Salvatore's underhanded and soon relentless pursuit of Lydia would posed a grave threat, not only to her virtue but to her very safety and to his being so helpful had to get him in check again.

So as the carriage rocked and swayed, Theodore pondered how best to deliver his warning.

Should he appeal to his step-brother's sense of reason, or should he resort to more forceful measures to protect his Gooseberry?

The uncertainty gnawed at him, but one thing remained clear, no harm would befall Lydua under his watchful eye.

And no one else can have her unless him.

With each passing moment, Theodore's resolve hardened, his determination to protect Lydia steeled by the fierce possessiveness that burned through him. Through history forgotten.

He would not allow his step-brother's ambitions to trample upon their happiness, nor would he hesitate to use whatever means necessary to ensure her safety.

Salvatore loved to play game and try to make his life miserable but this was Lydia.

As the Citadel loomed into view, its towering spires piercing the sky like sentinels of power, Theodore squared his shoulders and prepared to confront Salvatore. He oozed of self confidence and righteousness as he walked with his companion, Hound.

Though he knew the road ahead might be fraught with danger and uncertainty, he drew reassurance from the knowledge that he would stop at nothing to safeguard the woman he loved, even if it meant challenging the might of an empire.

To not history repeat itself.