ROYAL BLOOD 👑

Chapter 14: Theodore

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Lysander's voice rang out with authority as he addressed his men, his words laced with a steely resolve. "We will leave no stone unturned until we uncover the truth." Lysander seethed with anger as he paced back and forth, his fists clenched at his sides. "Someone dared to deceive me by sending Elara on this mission in my name," he growled, his voice tinged with frustration and betrayal.

Theodore's eyes darted nervously from face to face, his hands trembling slightly as he struggled to maintain his composure. Sensing his unease, Elara shot him a discreet glance, but he avoided her gaze, his expression guarded.

"We cannot tolerate treachery among our ranks," Lysander's anger simmered beneath the surface, his jaw clenched tight as he struggled to contain his fury. The betrayal cut deep, a sharp reminder of the dangers that lurked within their midst. He declared, his voice resonating with authority. "Whoever orchestrated this deception will be held accountable."

Theodore's eyes darted nervously around the tent, his discomfort palpable as he avoided Lysander's gaze. Elara watched him closely, a knot of suspicion tightening in her stomach. She couldn't shake the feeling that Theodore knew more than he let on, but she held her tongue, unwilling to incite further tension.

As the men exchanged furtive glances, a warrior stepped forward, his voice laced with curiosity and skepticism. "Forgive me for interrupting, my lord," he began, his eyes fixed on Elara with a mixture of confusion and suspicion, "but may I inquire as to how this maiden came to be involved in our mission?"

All eyes turned to Elara, who felt the weight of their scrutiny bearing down upon her. She swallowed hard, her mind racing as she struggled to come up with a convincing response. "I... I received a letter," she lied, her voice trembling slightly with nerves. "It said that I was needed to assist in this endeavor... that it was ordered by your command, my lord."

Lysander's brow furrowed in consternation at her revelation, his expression a mask of disbelief. "I ordered no such thing," he declared, his voice tinged with frustration. "Why would someone use my name to involve you in this mission?"

Elara's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized the implications of her words. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her gaze falling to the ground in shame. "But I couldn't ignore the summons... I had to come."

Theodore's sigh of relief did not escape Elara's notice, nor did the apologetic look he darted in her direction. She met his gaze with a mixture of frustration and resentment, her heart heavy with the weight of his unspoken apology.

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Under the cloak of night, Elara slipped out of the tent, her footsteps silent against the soft earth as she made her way through the camp. Her heart pounded with a mixture of trepidation and determination as she sought out Theodore, her mind consumed by the need for answers.

It didn't take long for Elara to locate Theodore's makeshift shelter, tucked away in a secluded corner of the camp. The flickering glow of a lone lantern cast eerie shadows across his features as he sat alone, lost in thought.

"May I join you?" Elara's voice was barely above a whisper as she approached, her gaze fixed on Theodore's form. Startled, he glanced up, surprise flickering in his eyes before he nodded wordlessly, gesturing for her to take a seat beside him.

Seated side by side, a palpable tension hung in the air between them as Elara struggled to find the right words. "I need to know the truth, Theodore," she began, her voice tinged with urgency. "Why was I summoned to this mission?

As Theodore hesitated, his gaze averted, Elara's frustration bubbled over into a torrent of emotion. "Don't give me that," she snapped, her voice tinged with bitterness. "I don't need your apologetic looks."

Theodore flinched at her words, his expression pained as he struggled to meet her gaze. "I understand your anger, Elara," he began, his voice tinged with regret.

Elara's frustration simmered beneath the surface as she struggled to contain her anger. "You owe me the truth, Theodore," she insisted, her voice tinged with desperation. "I deserve to know why I was dragged into this mess."

Theodore's jaw tightened as he weighed his options, his reluctance palpable in the air between them. "I'm sorry, Elara," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't risk it."

Elara's eyes narrowed in disbelief as she scoffed at Theodore's feeble excuse. "So, you don't mind if I die today?" she accused, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Theodore shook his head vehemently, his expression pained. "No, of course not," he insisted, his voice tinged with urgency.

Theodore's voice wavered as he reiterated his promise to protect Elara. "I swear, I won't let anything happen to you," he vowed, his tone earnest.

Elara's anger simmered beneath the surface as she struggled to process Theodore's words. "Yet I almost died today," she retorted, her voice laced with frustration.

Theodore flinched at her accusation, his expression haunted by guilt. "I know, and I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice heavy with remorse.

He took a deep breath before continuing, his gaze meeting hers with a mixture of determination and apprehension. "But please understand, this was supposed to be just a warning," he explained, his tone pleading. "A warning for you to stay away from Prince Cedric."

Elara's eyes widened in disbelief as the gravity of Theodore's words sank in. "A warning?" she repeated incredulously, her voice tinged with skepticism. "You expect me to believe that risking my life was just a warning?"

Theodore's jaw tightened as he struggled to find the right words. "I know it sounds insane," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "But someone was adamant about keeping you away from him."

Elara's heart sank as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. "So Emilia is the one behind this then," she accused, her voice heavy with resignation.

Theodore's eyes widened in confirmation, his expression betraying his silent acknowledgment of her accusation.

"How do you know?" Theodore asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Elara simply shrugged, her gaze distant. "Just a hunch," she replied cryptically, though the weight of her words hung heavy in the air.

Elara's eyes bore into Theodore's, her expression searching for reassurance amidst the chaos of their predicament. "Theodore, what if I had died today?"

Theodore's resolve wavered under the weight of her question, his brow furrowing in uncertainty. "I would never let that happen," he insisted, though his words rang hollow in the face of Elara's relentless inquiry.

"Just pretend, Theodore," Elara pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me what you would do if I were gone."

Theodore's gaze faltered as he struggled to find an answer, his silence speaking volumes in the stillness of the night. For the first time, he realized he didn't have one.

Elara's gaze softened as she regarded Theodore, a pang of sympathy tugging at her heart. "Theodore, I need you to understand something," she began, her voice gentle yet tinged with gravity. "Emilia didn't just send me here as a warning. She wanted me dead."

Theodore's eyes widened in disbelief, his expression a mixture of shock and horror. "But why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Elara hesitated, weighing her words carefully. "I don't know for sure," she admitted, her tone heavy with resignation. "But I think she sees me as a threat, a rival for Lysander's affections."

A flicker of understanding passed over Theodore's features as he processed her words. "I never realized..." he trailed off, his voice trailing off into the quiet of the night.

Elara placed a reassuring hand on his arm, offering him a small smile. "You're a good person, Theodore," she said softly. "Maybe a little too innocent for this cruel world."