Chapter 10: First and last fair before marriage

"Lord Theodore, you mean?" Shi’enz popped in as she took a seat along with her sisters, the only man they’d call a monster should be fine Lord of Critic Arle,y because that’s what everyone is made to believe "You don’t say his name in this estate, Shi’e,nz" Liza scol. Ed, Theodore is the root of their dilemma right now; had they not sent Lydia to his ball, she wouldn’t have been promised to the emperor.r "He is a generous monst, er I believe, eve" Shi’enz no, agreeing with herself as she sat down, arranging her dress collar. "And why would you say that, Miss Har?" Mira questioned with a scowl. "Well Critic Arley is doing better than all the cities in Critic-Ishire, even better than the citadel and a..." Shi’enz had her reasons, but was rudely cut off. "Is it? And how do you know this?" Liza asked her with a look of interest marring her face. Shi’enz appreciated that and enthusiastically replied. "Lydia told me Shi’enz was loud, making the other sisters frown. Of course, Lydia told you, and you believed," Mira said as she licked her teeth clean with her tongue. "What does Lydia even know?" Shi’enz shifted in her seat. "It’s apparent that you have gone out of this estate a hundred times more than she ever has, yet you let her feed your head with nonsense," Liza scolded, her voice ever composed as she checked her nails. "I’m sorry, I just-" "It’s okay, you are naïve, she is stupid, but the king is mine, and I won’t let anyone say dirty things about his empire and him," Liza claimed, ultimately missing the glint that passed through Mira’s eyes at that moment. "She should have rejected his proposal from the emperor," Liza scowled. "If she sincerely hated and didn’t see his effort on the empir, but she expertly kept sh, ut acting the damsel in distress, dropping her cup, she wiped her lips. "She will marry the emperor," Shi’enz reminded with a small frown. She didn’t like the emperor; he had this air around him that made her want to run in the opposite direction of wherever he was, and she didn’t understand what her sister’s obsession was with him. He is crazy! "Not on my watch," Mira declared ruefully as she shielded her chest, always adjusting her massive boobs. "Which brings us back to why we are going to send Lydia to the lord she so cherishes, his work on her dearest Critic Arley up close." Liza’s composure was always intact and solid. It had been two days since they’d left the Cit, del, and the three sisters had already come together with a plan on how to do away with Lydia. . "I think it’s dangerous still," Shi’enz said. She didn’t like the idea. "Just shut up and watch, hare brain," Mira said. She wasn’t having it. Their plan and idea just work "I’m ready!" Lydia’s voice hollered from outside the estate, her voice coming through the wind;ws, she was already waiting outside. There were only four cities in Critic-Ishire: Critic Citadel, which is mostly referred to as Citadel, as that is where the royals dwell, and the capital city. Critic Arley is the largest and most flourished city in Critic-Ishire, which is where lord Theodore governs. Critic-Ishelm most dangerous city in Critic-Ishir, as it has the highest amount of magic practitioners, with a lord no one can remember how he got the title. Critic-hal,e that is occupied mostly by-borns, and slaves, and has an old lord governing them. Early Evening. The fair, Marketplace. Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire. This fair they are attending is an annual city fair celebrating the Lord of the city and Lydia had asked to be taken out to almost every year but they never agreed upon and now they are inviting her without her asking, she knew she should be skeptical because it’s suspicious but she could not help but be happy besides Liza insisted and father will know they took her. The infamous muckraker of Critic-Ishire has written and sold the story of Emperor Salvatore Rhuins inviting the Statham family to the citadel and proposing a marriage union with one of the daughters, stating clearly how no one is aware yet which of the three daughters was the chosen one. The rumourrumorthe the emperor is choosing a bride from the house Statham has spread like wildfire, and their estate has never been as busy as it is these days. Nobles are sucking up to Georgina and setting up tea parties for the upcoming week, where it is to celebrate the chosen bride of the emperor. The emperor has never chosen a bride, so this was a juicy topic, undeniably investing the attention of every creature in Critic-Ishire, Critic Arley mostly. Lydia was elated that her favourite person had written about her even if the muckraker didn’t directly acknowledge her she was still writing about her indirectly and Lydia tore the page adding it to the stash of papers she’d been tearing off and hiding all those years with a smile as she got ready to leave for the fair, she could get a glimpse of the shop the writer drops off her mucks and be satisfied. Her sisters are trying to make up for not attending the banquet with me, she thought as she shook her head. She had forgiven them; they were simply scared, but nothing happened to her, so they missed a feast, that’s all. The Lord’s Mansion, Critic Arley "You cannot persuade me to attend a fair with that much population, Cona,n" Theodore growled as he watched Conan pace in front of his studyom, interrupting his work. He had been here for almost an hour, now trying to convince Theodore there was something out there that could interest him, but he hadn’t heard what it was yet. "But those are your people, Theo, the closer the better," Conan whined as he spread his hands in emphasis. "I don’t have to be in that much close contact with them to guide, protect, or lead them," the Lord defended. If this were anybody else, he would have taken control of this situation, but this is his hand, nd and Conan is a cockroach. "See now, this year is different. Have I ever invited you to the fair before?"Conan asked incredulously, and yes, he has made it his life goal to pest the Lord of Critic Arley into attending this fair every year, and Theodore hasn’t agreed to any since the fair ever started "I’m not going anywhere, Cona,n" he bit out, dropping his gaze back to his papers. "You’ve never followed my advice which is why Lady Lydia is going to be married off to Salvatore before you even make a move" Shouted Conan as his palm met the desk sending a few papers flying "Enough. Get the carriages ready, I can’t stand this," confessed Theodore with his face carrying a frown that Conan didn’t want to wipe out, let him think. Theodore felt attacked at the mention of losing. "I always knew I didn’t deserve you, you’re so unbearably ge,nerou,s" he grinned, he stalked out to get them moving. Lydia, with much effort, has been trying to convince herself this was only a harmless outing with hers, but the more Shi’enz bounced and the more she gets on edge, with Shi’enz sitting right opposite her. Lwas iza next to her, and Miraw opposite Liza. The four sisters sat in the same carriage as they faced each other. Lydia couldn’t be any more relaxed than they weren’t sending her off like they did the last time, but Shi’enz is nervous for some reason, and curiosity makes Lydia thirsty. To get her mind off the nerves wrecking she turned and faced the window, drew the curtain, and stared at the bright night. The stars were all out, gracing the moon with their companionship. She smiled, thinking she would soon be in the midst of a lot of creatures. "Where, here, M M'ladiesie's", the Coachman informed as he came to a stop with the horses in a safe area. The second on Blanc,lanc’ the coachman, stepped into the carriage anana nd Lydia was welcomed with the buzz in the air; she had been forced to shut the curtains as Liza had scolded her on how very unladylike it was. Eager to get down to the ground, she pushed her side of the doors open only for someone to hit the door back, closing, startling a cry out of her that Mira scoffed upon. "Don’t do anything and wait till we tell you to, you don’t know anything about th, is world," Mira told gravely. " Follow me," Liza instructed as she gingerly stepped out of the cart with the help of their Coachman. The second Lydia stepped out o,f the cart, her breath was caught in her throat as her eyes widened.