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Chapter Forty Six
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Oliver came back to the manor late.
After Nathaniel and him had split, Oliver took a carriage back to Central London, and then walked blindly around the city.
This was happening.
They had had an agreement and Oliver wasn't going to just go on another mission after that.
He'd been waiting for this for years. For the chance to get out of this, to repay his debt to Nathaniel and just be done with it.
Forever.
To be free.
And maybe even speak to Callum and explain everything.
Oliver wasn't just going to let go. He was going to find whatever he needed to finish his job here, even if it was the last thing he was going to do.
Once he was back in his room in Fernsby's, he took his coat off and changed.
The cloth was soaked with the heavy smell of cigarettes and cheap food from the places he'd stopped at, so he hung his clothes by to the opened window.
Tennyson was supposed to be leaving early tomor
D FoxIt goes to hell
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Gentleman Code Chapter Forty- Seven
This takes place after Xiao and Henriette’s first meeting in chapter 37 The smoke is lazily curling in a spiral around his long, gentle fingers. Then it’s wrapping them in its blue cloud only to dissolve into the air a few seconds later when he exhales and his breath destroys the dancing shapes. It vanishes. The way he always does, always coming and going. He looks troubled and fails to conceal it this time. I can’t tell why. And normally I’m very good at telling what’s going on in someone’s head. He looks at me and it’s like he wants to ask me something, but doesn’t know how to turn his thoughts into words and voice them. One of Ella’s girls sits next to Xiao and runs her hand over his back. He ignores her and looks back at the table. Albert and him have been playing for the past half an hour in silence and it’s one of the rare cases they seem to be completely lost to just everyth
Gentleman Code Author's Note
A divine move is one that is non-obvious and it balances strategy and tactics to turn a losing game into a winning play.It comes from the神の一手Kami no Itte, meaning "move of God" or "Godly move".It is used in teaching as a motivation to look again at positions in games and consider not just the obvious moves but the less apparent and more innovative ones as well.A divine move is singular-they are of such a rarity that a full-time Go player might play a single such move in a lifetime.When I began Callum and Oliver's journey, I had already decided on the title. It was supposed to be The Lord’s Divine Move.However, the more I wrote, the more I realized it wasn't only Callum's, but Oliver's chance to change the turn of events and break the chains, binding him to his past.It’s a story of two people, constantl
Gentleman Code Prologue
London, 1852The man sitting opposite William put the heavy tumbler on the table.The expensive piece of furniture was conveniently placed next to the richly decorated sofa his companion was almost lying in.He was dressed in a dark, well-tailored suit which most likely cost William's pay for the entire year.Double, even.Judging by his speech, he was someone from the upper classes, yet the nobleman’s behavior didn't match his noble origin in the least.He'd untied his black cravat, spoke of books idly, and didn't seem to be interested in the game they were playing at all.The man hadn't introduced himself when they'd met earlier and he hadn't been accompanied by a servant or another nobleman.William was sure the place they were at wasn't even the man's main
Gentleman Code Chapter One
August 1852He hated all of this. Absolutely any part of it in its entirety.He mostly dreaded the fact he had to sit through another of his mother's richly organized dinners now.At the same time, Callum was glad he wasn't the one expected to stay until its very end. He didn't even want to imagine how terrible that would be.He glanced at Liam- his older brother- who was talking to a sweet, petite blonde girl; her purple dress was covered in frills and ribbons as per the latest fashion.Callum's gaze lingered over the lace of her corset for a few moments longer than appropriate before his eyes moved up to the ivory clock on the wall.The time was showing 9:14.Good.Callum reminded himself not to check the time so obviously often and looked away, searching for a place to put his eyes on.The young lady sitting opposite him was still smiling politely, although Callum knew
Gentleman Code Chapter Two
Oliver was standing in the middle of the small, shabby room in East London.This had been his home for the past few months and he had to admit he might actually miss the place.It was the attic of an old house, governed by Lady Eleanore. The owner had initially refused to accept bachelors, such as he was at an age, perfect for a young man to start thinking of getting into a more serious contract with a lady.But when he'd offered a handsome sum of money, Lady Eleanore had agreed to have him.The morning sun rays made the dust dance in the small room, but Oliver knew rain was coming. The weather changed so fast in London at that time of the year.He didn't have much, except for a few books and a few pairs of suits which he gathered in an old leather suitcase.Oliver wasn't sure if he'd need any of them, though, as he was going to have a uniform for his new job.He was going to be a valet in one of the richest families
Gentleman Code Chapter Three
He was instructed to use the servants' entrance, which was to the side. An old man in an impeccable black suit with the traditional white shirt and a white bow tie greeted him.He was most likely the manager of the Household Servants."Pleased to meet you, Sir. I'm Oliver Abram- Lord Tennyson's new valet." He outstretched his hand, but the man didn't return the greeting.Oliver took his hand back and the other man seized him up and down."You must have a very good recommendation to be hired for work in the household, especially dressed like that. "Oliver knew that even though he was wearing his best clothes, they were of much lower quality than the ones even the cleaning staff wore.The butler didn't wait for Oliver's response and said"This way, and try not to ask too many questions. Lord Tennyson hates them
Gentleman Code Chapter Four
Callum had the worst hangover he'd had in a while.And that said a lot, considering he had a pretty solid experience with port and whisky.He looked around the dark room and saw his clothes from last night all over the floor.Callum had no memory of how he'd gotten back to the mansion, but at least he was in his nightgown.He got dressed. By himself. He'd had a valet only once years ago and never allowed a servant to help him get dressed from then on.Callum was just finishing the tying of his black cravat.It was in very strong contrast with his white shirt, but when he added the black coat he decided it wasn't shockingly bad or dark enough.There was a knock on the door as he was trying to put his hair in order. It had overgrown a bit and he knew how inappropriate that was, so decided to just leave it the way it was."Yes?" he called. It was Thomas.
Gentleman Code Chapter Five
The next day something similar happened and Oliver was beginning to worry he might never actually do any work. He was occasionally helping the maids or the men in the yard, but that was pretty much all he did.He was given the black uniform of the valet, but he found himself rarely wearing it while he was outside with the man-servants.Something that got him the constant disapproving eyes of the butler.That, Oliver was really trying not to poke Thomas's eyes with his constant idleness and obvious not involvement in the way Callum's clothing or appearance were tended.He just didn't see the Lord anywhere.The maids were saying he was often gone for more than even one night, so Oliver could only guess where he went. After all, the old Lord had warned him about his master himself.On the third day, Oliver got up, looked for the Lord, but he was informed that Callum had already gone out, so he headed for Tennyson's study.
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Gentleman Code Author's Note
A divine move is one that is non-obvious and it balances strategy and tactics to turn a losing game into a winning play.It comes from the神の一手Kami no Itte, meaning "move of God" or "Godly move".It is used in teaching as a motivation to look again at positions in games and consider not just the obvious moves but the less apparent and more innovative ones as well.A divine move is singular-they are of such a rarity that a full-time Go player might play a single such move in a lifetime.When I began Callum and Oliver's journey, I had already decided on the title. It was supposed to be The Lord’s Divine Move.However, the more I wrote, the more I realized it wasn't only Callum's, but Oliver's chance to change the turn of events and break the chains, binding him to his past.It’s a story of two people, constantl
Gentleman Code Chapter Forty- Seven
This takes place after Xiao and Henriette’s first meeting in chapter 37 The smoke is lazily curling in a spiral around his long, gentle fingers. Then it’s wrapping them in its blue cloud only to dissolve into the air a few seconds later when he exhales and his breath destroys the dancing shapes. It vanishes. The way he always does, always coming and going. He looks troubled and fails to conceal it this time. I can’t tell why. And normally I’m very good at telling what’s going on in someone’s head. He looks at me and it’s like he wants to ask me something, but doesn’t know how to turn his thoughts into words and voice them. One of Ella’s girls sits next to Xiao and runs her hand over his back. He ignores her and looks back at the table. Albert and him have been playing for the past half an hour in silence and it’s one of the rare cases they seem to be completely lost to just everyth
Gentleman Code Chapter Forty Six
Oliver came back to the manor late. After Nathaniel and him had split, Oliver took a carriage back to Central London, and then walked blindly around the city. This was happening. They had had an agreement and Oliver wasn't going to just go on another mission after that. He'd been waiting for this for years. For the chance to get out of this, to repay his debt to Nathaniel and just be done with it. Forever. To be free. And maybe even speak to Callum and explain everything. Oliver wasn't just going to let go. He was going to find whatever he needed to finish his job here, even if it was the last thing he was going to do. Once he was back in his room in Fernsby's, he took his coat off and changed. The cloth was soaked with the heavy smell of cigarettes and cheap food from the places he'd stopped at, so he hung his clothes by to the opened window. Tennyson was supposed to be leaving early tomor
Gentleman Code Chapter Forty Five
Oliver’s hand shot immediately to the knife lying next to the letters. He grabbed it and jammed it into the wooden table."What next time?"Nathaniel didn't even flinch and Oliver hissed, tightening his hold around the handle.“You know perfectly well what I mean.” The man said, hit tone borderline sympathetic. That made Oliver’s blood boil even more and he said, all emotion gone from his voice."You said this will be my last mission,""What did you exactly think- that you'd leave everything and start a normal life?"Oliver’s mind went blank.“No…”“Oliver, look...”"No…You were never actually planning on letting me go, did you?" He said, surrendering whatever plans he’d been holding on to. Nathaniel placed his palms on the table and began speaking.Oliver knew what was following, his boss always did that when he was about
Gentleman Code Chapter Forty Four
"Did you have to explain anything before you came here?" "I just told them it's my day off." "Do valets have days off?" "They do now." "Well, I guess you know better. You're supposed to be one, after all." "Yeah, one who doesn't know how to fold shirts properly. " Nathaniel moved to the window and closed the curtains. "I don't want to know how that goes. But I see you’ve been walking around freely, so maybe you didn’t really have to explain and they trust you." The cloth was torn at places, but it was probably better than nothing. “I didn’t.” The room was facing another old, crumbling building. Everything here in the so-called Darkest- London was in the poorest possible state. They were in one of the Whitechapel's workhouses and the place was brimming with sounds coming from the other rooms and the people inhabiting them. It was still the sa
Gentleman Code Chapter Forty Three
Oliver was standing in front of the shelves in the family library. He sometimes thought it was enough to just spend time there, surrounded by some of the rarest editions of books. He was trying not to think about what had happened last night, so he'd come here. He hadn’t seen Callum in a day. Again. He turned his attention back to the rows in front of him. Oliver had begun understanding why Callum preferred it here. It was different from the one Tennyson had in his study not only by size. The collections here were much more different and wondered how many years it had taken to gather them, how many generations of noblemen had held them in their hands. A great number of them were on political topics, but Oliver found with a surprise the collection contained various other types of stories in other genres. The books were prevailingly in English, but some were in German and French.
Gentleman Code Chapter Forty Two
The sound of the music traveled in the quiet of the night. Callum put on a robe over his nightshirt and headed for the drawing-room. It was was past midnight and the entire manor was asleep. Besides his brother, obviously. He could never mistake the sound of his melody. Callum stood at the entrance and watched Liam play. Every time his brother was behind the piano, it was like he stopped being human for as long as the piece he was playing was going on. Liam was also in a nightshirt, although Callum was sure he hadn't even tried to sleep before coming here. Liam looked up from the keys and stopped immediately, startled. "I'm sorry, I didn't know I'd wake someone up. " "You didn't. I wasn't sleeping either. " Callum moved closer and took one of the nearest chairs and put it next to his brothers'. "I don't want to interrupt you." "You aren't. I should stop anyway. What time is it?"
Gentleman Code Chapter Forty One
Callum was in the sofa in the smaller library. It was the one Oliver occasionally found him in the evening, and not in his study. The Lord had said studies made him feel anxious for no reason and "Something that Liam prefers." Oliver had laughed then, but seeing him now, he thought the room indeed was more fitting to him. Callum was lying down on the small sofa, drowsing. He'd rested his head on his outstretched hand and it was dangling over the armrest.Oliver wanted to kiss the inside of his wrist, but he knew he can’t. Callum looked almost peaceful. Somehow warmer. Oliver walked in with a candle, but put it off when he saw the fire was still burning, its light drawing dancing shadows over Cal's face. Cian had curled in a ball close to the fire and the animal was most likely asleep too. At Oliver's approach, the dog only opened one eye and closed it back again. Oliver knelt in front of the ch
Gentleman Code Chapter Forty
"It's such false piety, " the priest said, exaggerating his pittance and the sad tone of his voice and Liam exchanged a look with his brother.Callum was trying to suppress a smile and was failing miserably."Women, " the priest waved a hand around "are using their charms to make people buy their...whatever they've made.... ""But it is for a good cause, Father Clarke." Liam said and the old man shook his head."You really think so, my dear boy?"“It is for charity, Father. Why wouldn’t it be a good thing?”The man produced a grumpy humph, which that time brought Callum to the laughter he could no longer suppress.Liam had to admit the women helping his mother organize the bazzar had done a great job in such a short time.They had started the tradition of organizing events of the sort every year.And even though it was still something new among the society, people reacted very w
