"I have waited for you in all of my lives, Gooseberry, and in all of them you had left. Please stay in this one," he pleaded, his eyes locked with hers.

"I wish to stay too, My Lord Husband, because you are forever, Theodore," she whispered, tears glistening in her eyes.

In a world where Lydia Statham, an illegitimate girl shunned as an abomination, is confined to her noble-born family’s estate, her only escape comes through books and stories of the outside world. But destiny intervenes when she receives an invitation to a bridal pick banquet at one of Critic Arley’s grandest mansions. What was supposed to be a chance for a new beginning soon becomes a solitary encounter with Lord Theodore, a feared outcast and enemy of the Empire.

Lord Theodore, of royal blood but without a surname, has never desired a wife, and the idea of cohabiting with a woman seems unfathomable. Yet, at the banquet thrown by Conan, where every young lady was invited, only Lydia appears. Now, Theodore must confront his deepest reservations as he navigates the ritualistic demands and unearths feelings he never anticipated.

In a tale of forbidden desires and unspoken promises, every season, every day, and forever, Theodore's life will revolve around the ritual that is Lydia—his chosen, his fate.

No one came but her. His Gooseberry.


**************
"Call me Lordess Theodore" 
"I am Lordess Theodore and I am his favourite ritual" 


Dear Critic.
Do you wish to https://buymeacoffee.com/nanafirdausi

Discourse with me on discord @i_nanafirdausi

Cover photo is mine.

The grand estate buzzed with frenetic energy as the day of the royal wedding approached. Lady Eleanor, Adele's mother, moved with graceful authority through the lavish corridors of the palace, summoning every essential expert for the monumental occasion. The opulence of the setting, with its gilded walls and elaborate tapestries, seemed to reverberate with the excitement of the forthcoming celebration.


First to arrive was the tailor, a distinguished man known for his unparalleled skill in crafting garments for royalty. He brought with him a selection of the finest silks and velvets, rich with hues of royal blue, ivory, and gold. Adele's wedding gown, a vision of intricate lace and beaded embroidery, would be a masterpiece of elegance and grandeur. The tailor's team worked meticulously, measuring and adjusting, ensuring that the gown fit Adele perfectly.


Chapter 289 - The Third Lifetime, Adele. (16)