Music Recommendation- On the Road- Jay Wadley
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Back in the Hawthrone castle, Lucy was in her room without her maids, folding the dress that she had worn today for the fair with Theodore that was deep maroon and had black straps. She dusted it one more time before placing it carefully in her cupboard.
It had been two hours since she had last seen Theodore, and her memories of today were still fresh as she rewinded it back to her favourite moments before living it through over and over in her head.
She plopped herself on the bed, reaching for the toy that Theodore had won for her. Lucy never thought that she would one day ever come to feel this way. The peace and happiness offered to her today felt like a dear gift that she wanted to cherish forever. She knew Theodore was a charming man, but she had seen him today in a much better light for who he was.
Minutes passed by until she heard some sound come from the other side of her room. She wondered if it was a servant who had appeared outside the room, but then she remembered it was only a few minutes ago since a maid had come to refill the jug of water.
Placing the toy back on the bed, she got up from there, walking towards the door. When she opened it, her eyes widened at the sight that greeted her. It was Theodore.
His hair was a mess, and his clothes looked like there was some black liquid on it. Her eyes finally fell on the floor, where she caught drops of blood that fell from Theodore's hand.
"What happened to you?" she whispered in worry.
Theodore didn't reply to her, but instead, he walked forward to step into the room and put his arms around her to hold her. It felt truly precious to have Lucy in his arms, thought Theodore to himself. The little action had Lucy's eyes widen in surprise.
"I missed you," said Theodore, his arms tightening around Lucy to keep her close.
He hadn't meant to show himself in this state where he had blood on him, but the need to see Lucy had been so much that he couldn't resist himself from not coming to meet her.
Lucy didn't push him away and instead was surprised by his sudden visit and the state Theodore had shown up in front of her room. She could feel her heart beating in her chest.
"We saw each other two hours ago," replied Lucy, her voice a little shy and her face red.
"Why does it feel longer than that," murmured Theodore, and he let her go when he felt his mind had calmed itself. "Were you going to sleep?" he asked her.
Lucy shook her head, "Not so soon."
She couldn't help but look at the spots on his shirt, and by the look of it, it seemed like Theodore had got himself into a fight. Whom did he get into a fight this soon? Lucy then closed the door behind Theodore and held his hand.
"Let's fix your hands," she said, looking in his eyes, and she offered him a smile.
Pulling the first aid box that seemed to be something that was being opened and closed more often these days, she cleaned Theodore's knuckles before wrapping the bandage around it.
"Whom did you get into a fight with? Did someone say something?" asked Lucy.
"I had to settle an old score with someone," responded Theodore, watching Lucy's small hands that held the bandage, and when it was time to tear, she leaned forward and tore it by the help of her teeth.
From what Lucy had tried to learn on what was going on in the castle and what had happened the night she had died and returned to life, she knew black blood usually belonged to the people who had more demon composition in their bodies.
"Do you have more people on your list with whom you need to settle your score?" asked Lucy as she placed everything back in the box once she was done with his hands as it was the only ones that had been hurt.
"For now that's all," replied Theodore, and Lucy nodded her head.
"I think I should have bandaged your hands after you took a bath," muttered Lucy while looking at his clothes. "Let me get another cloth," she said before disappearing from his side.
Theodore didn't care about his wounds as it would heal within a while, but seeing Lucy walk around her room to help him, he didn't have the heart to stop her. Instead, he watched her earnestly from where he sat.
They had spent so much time together today that Lucy didn't think twice before bringing the wet cloth to him.
"Thank you," thanked Theodore before he started to clean his face and neck.
Lucy moved to the side, her hands moving to hold each other behind her, and she stared at Theodore. When he looked at her, her eyes slowly shifted away and looked at the wooden divider. It felt like the old days had returned, but maybe better than before. Heart continued to flutter in her chest by Theodore's presence in her room.
When he was done cleaning himself, he placed the cloth on the side table. A small gulp moved down Lucy's throat when his eyes moved back to her.
"What were you doing?" asked Theodore, questioning about her time before he appeared at her door.
She was thinking about their time together…
"Just cleaning the things around the room," replied Lucy, and Theodore took a look around her room which was already clean.
"You should ask the maids to help you," suggested Theodore and then said, "I should go now," he said to her and Lucy pursed her lips before nodding her head.
"I will see you tomorrow," she released her hands, her heart fluttering in her chest which didn't reach her lips as she saw Theodore towards the door.
There was an unexplainable ache in her chest and she smiled when Theodore turned to look at her. His eyes looked darker and his features more precise, something she had memorized. A faint smile on his face, he wished her, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," she said, looking at him leave and she closed the door shut.
She placed her forehead on the door, a sigh escaped her lips. It was easier when she was young to do or ask things, she wondered why she was hesitant now. Maybe it was because she was overthinking about everything, thought Lucy to herself, on what was right or wrong.
Unconsciously, her hands went to feel her arms as she left the door's side, remembering how it felt, so safe and tranquil. A few seconds passed before she heard another knock and she opened the door to see Theodore.
"I forgot something," his face looked serious.
He did? Lucy turned behind, wondering what he had left. The next second she had turned back to look at Theodore, he had stepped closer to her and she felt her breathing hitch.
Theodore then said, "You."