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By Friday morning, Mira was bored out of her skin and couldn’t wait to go to the shop. Almera was waiting for her as usual, the only difference being that her face had the blissful smile of a married woman who was loved and cherished by her husband. “You’re here.” Almera smiled as she pursed her lips mysteriously “I have something that will make you happy.” “What is it?” Mira asked in excitement. Almera took out 4 gold sheets and extended it towards Mira “This was delivered by the palace messenger as a payment for her beautiful gown.” “Really???” Mira’s eyes widened. She didn’t expect to get a payment for the work. “Um” Almera nodded. “The cloth was also delivered by the queen.” “Don’t feel bad. She paid me for the dressmaking as well.” Almera giggled “Our queen is very rich, don’t worry.” “In that case…” Mira smiled as she snatched the gold sheets and kept them in her square shaped pouch. She handed the four completed work and Almera paid her 75 gold coins for each work. She ha
“I am just worried that Aunt Beth and Uncle John might not be able to enjoy it.” Mira knitted her brows “They are servants of the Sleghs. Everything they own….” She stopped midway; the meaning was understandable. “Is that all that worries you?” Almera laughed. “Um” Mira pouted “You don’t understand…” “Maybe I don’t… maybe I do...” Almera shrugged with a her lips curling up with a cunning hint “But I sure as hell have a solution.” “You do???” Mira’s eyes widened before her expression became despondent “I have embroidered their names on the blanket, but I doubt that will do it….” “You’re right…” Almera nodded “They might not want to use something with their servants name on it… but they sure can destroy it stopping your aunt and uncle from enjoying it.” Almera agreed before clapping her hands “My idea will most certainly work.” Mira moved closer to Almera and started tugging her hands with a cute fawning expression. “You can give it to them saying it is a loan and for safe keeping
“Aunt, we are here.” Jack announced as he stood at the door holding the baskets along with Mira. Anne-Marie came running as always with Aunt Beth coming out wiping her hands on the apron. Mira had bought Dax along with them and handed him to Anne-Marie. This would keep the little girl occupied. “Aunt, there is something I need to talk to you about.” Mira spoke in a serious tone and literally dragged Beth out of the house along with Jack. Just as they were about to start talking, Mira saw Uncle John coming and pulled him into the conversation. “Mira has done a blanket for the two of you to keep warm during the winter.” Jack did the talking while Mira kept watch to make sure there were no prying ears including Joan and Emma. “Son, no need…. Our old bones can cope.” John shook his head. “Uncle, this is what we want to do. But...” Jack pursed his lips “We don’t want others to take away what we did for you.” “So, we are going to make you sign a contract in front of everyone…” Jack ex
Harry and Agnes’s reaction was even more exaggerated. Agnes wouldn’t let go of the blanket… her fingers lingered on the embroidery. Harry and Agnes insisted on everyone having supper at their place and Agnes rushed into the kitchen to prepare. Mira and Ursula followed while Mira told Agnes all about the wedding... Mira told Jack about the wedding dress she had to do for next week on their way back. “Love, if you are going to stop eating and do what you did last time… then I won’t agree.” Jack frowned. He didn’t want her to tire herself out like last time. “No…. no… I won’t… I promise…” Mira fawned coquettishly hanging on his hands. “Husband don’t frown…. Truly, I promise.” Mira coaxed Jack who kept his smelly face like a grumpy old man. Mira discovered Jack had become more childish, stubborn, domineering and more possessive since they had the heart-to-heart conversation in the pool. He was more himself in her presence than before. She liked him more for being himself… “I promise…”
Thomas enjoyed 2 weeks of uninterrupted peace with his beloved before getting busy with the task of suppressing the rebellious tribes from the west end. Almera settled into their new home which was far away from the reach of the Dowager Duchess interference and watchful eyes. She spent her days between the Dulston manor and their new estate, the love garden estate. Aldrin was a constant visitor as Ferran was the chief cook. Mira's days were also idyllic. She finished her work for the week and completed the blanket for themselves. She embroidered little angels with a floral pattern on the four corners. It was simple yet looked divine. Friday was Mira’s favorite day of the week. Firstly, she gets to chat with Almera and secondly, she gets paid…. Makes her a step closer to her goal. As usual, Almera was ready with bucket loads of gossip. She told Mira all about how Aveline rushed to the Amberton estate under the pretense of being her best friend only to be ridiculed by the Dowager Duch
Oden lowered his head respectfully as he watched the carriage move away before going back in. “Lady Marsden is very quick-witted, I am impressed.” Samuel laughed as he praised unreservedly “I didn’t mean….” “No need…” Mira laughed “One learns to survive when among vultures.” “This???” He pointed curiously at the root in her hand. “My little gift for you.” She walked back into the kitchen and came back with a whole bunch. “For helping me take revenge with the price.” Mira giggled innocently. Samuel watched the innocence with the affection of an elder while Oden returned with an expression to say he escaped from the clutches of hell but soon changed to an indifferent expression as he realized Samuel’s sizing gaze was on him. “But what will I do with this?” Samuel looked helplessly at the roots. He had not seen them before. “Then how about I make something delicious for you while you wait? Do you have time?” Mira smiled “This is the first crop; we were going to harvest during the
The next morning, Mira was busy with preparing the 5 rabbits Jack had skinned for a rabbit stew when she heard the cacophony of chatter from the front. She didn’t wait for the voices to become clear and ran to the barn where Jack was cleaning. “Someone’s outside.” She gasped, her eyes reflecting her fear. Jack had finished cleaning and was washing his hands and feet. He quickened his pace. He came up to her and hugged her comfortingly “I am here.” “It must be Big brother and second brother.” Jack chuckled to lighten her mood when he saw that she was still shaking. “No… no…” Mira shook her head “There’s many …. Many people.” “Let’s go take a look then.” Jack kissed her forehead and comforted “This is our house. I am here.” “Um” Mira nodded, regaining her composure; She raised her head and smiled sheepishly. Jack hugged her closer chuckling ‘His wife was too cute!’ The doorbell rang by the time they came into the kitchen. Mira’s face blushed further as she recognized the thunder
After everyone left Mira and Jack went to check on the traps that they had set. Heavens were truly merciful. Four of the traps had pheasants in them. Jack carefully took them out of the trap and handed them to Mira who threw them in space. The rest of the week went blissfully with Mira completing the work on the three cloths for Almera’s sister-in-law. But it was not the same for others. Jason was wholeheartedly playing the dutiful fiancé while keeping Alina happy. Alina on the other hand managed to recruit Lotta into her web. At first it was a harmless catch up; they had a common ground, were both illegitimate children who couldn’t share the glory of the light of day. Slowly, Alina started enticing her into the web by telling her sob story of how the one man she loved had his heart stolen by Mira and then how she mercilessly ditched him. Lotta could relate. Being an illegitimate child, she could never have what she wanted and had to be content with what was given to her. From the ti
Inside the trunk was a bow and quiver with arrows, both the bow and arrows had an image of a griffin engraved on it; the quiver too had a life-like griffin embroidered on it. There was also a dagger and a long sword with its sheath; while the sheath was embroidered with images of a griffin, both the dagger and the sword had its hilt in the shape of a griffin head. There was also a shield, with a magnificent and ferocious griffin embossed on the face of the shield.The only other things in the trunk were the full chainmail armour, an elaborate waist belt, a leather pouch, a set of tubular bells and cloak with the coat of arms of the Zumerongs which was a magnificent and ferocious griffin, standing tall and proud, embroidered with threads of gold, silver and copper; the image was so life like and imposing that just a glance at the magnificent image commanded respect.Jerome’s hands passed through the items, his hands lingering on the coat of arms on the robe; something flashed past his
“Why official?” The older man’s eyes sparkled as he asked anxiously, excitement surging in his voice “Is there an unofficial version?”“Not until recently…” Matthew’s voice was gloomy but soon brightened as he thought of why there was an unofficial version now. He turned to Jerome and smirked “Guess who your nephew married?”To his disappointment, Jerome cried out in his usual exaggerated manner “Where did I get a nephew from? I am my father’s only son.” Before turning to his father and teasing “Father, you haven’t been up to mischief outside, have you?”“Is this why I was prohibited from going outside without a mask?” Jerome continued chuckling “Are you afraid that…..”“Shut up….” The older man slapped the back of Jerome’s head and muttered shaking his head “I cannot believe there are still miserable souls looking for you considering how insufferable you are….” His words and his body language were contradictory; the affection in his voice and eyes, the gratitude in his posture had co
Jerome lifted his eyebrows quizzically towards Cyan, who looked equally baffled; Neither could make sense of the duo’s ramblings and yet strangely, they could feel the regret and sadness emanating from them.“Did we know each other before?” Jerome turned back to the two sloths who were drowning in self- blame and asked cautiously.“Know???” Harry scoffed before shaking his head regretfully “No…. we don’t deserve to claim to know you… we couldn’t even find you in so many years…. How could we claim to know you?”They say men never cry and yet, streams of hot tears ran down the faces of the two men sitting before him and oddly this made his heart ache as well.The four men sat silently sipping their drinks, gloom looming in the room; no one dared to break the solemness in the room, partly because they didn’t know how to.Jerome, who was rarely short for words suddenly didn’t know what to say; he wasn’t sure if he had unknowingly hurt the two men in front of him.Matthew and Harry sunk in
“Search the whole mansion.” The man roared in anger “I want those old bastards before me in 5 minutes or I will skin you all alive.”The men, guards and servants all scattered in fear, searching frantically.Meanwhile, neither Matthew nor Harry was in a rush, they methodically searched the mansion, from one end to the other. Not only did they search all the rooms, but also the tunnels and secret rooms that not even the men in the mansion were aware of.The man stood frozen among the chaos as he heard cry of a goshawk; although the cry of a goshawk was strange in their mansion as there were no goshawks and no hunting grounds nearby to justify the sound, he seemed to be very familiar with this sound. He frowned trying to place the sound, only to have triggered a headache.“Chief are you alright?” one of the guards went forward and stretched out his hands in concern, in an attempt to steady his boss; the man slowly straightened his back and without any change or reflection of his inner t
Matthew and Harry stood in front of the weird looking mansion with an unreadable expression. There was a reason for their mood; this was the very mansion that they had won in a gamble along with their dear friend, Jerome in their carefree younger days. The mansions aesthetics were the result of their rebellion towards the norms that existed regarding the do's and don’t of building mansions for nobility.They had never thought of this place as they had never returned after wining the bet and remodelling the place. Gradually as their days and exploits became too many to count on fingers, as their adventures and achievements started to leave a mark on every feat they undertook, as one of the first and more insignificant feat, this place seemed to lose its original lustre and was tucked away in their memories, only to be forgotten; But now that they were standing in front of it, how could they not remember?The trio had personally deformed the place with their own hands and with the guidan
Matthew left Southamberston palace in the wee hours of the morning, he didn’t take the carriage that was carefully prepared for him and took the horse that he had taken a fancy to and rode off; his first stop was his office to leave instructions for his assistant and also to let them know that he wouldn’t be coming in for the next 2 days due to urgent family matter.As soon as Matthew came out of the chamber of trade and book of hereditary rights, he saw Harry waiting anxiously, next to his ride, mounted and ready to bolt the minute he came.“You took the beauty even before I woke up…” Harry chuckled as he leaned forward and rubbed the mane of Matthew's ride “You didn’t play fair.”“Hur … .hur…hur…” Matthew chuckled smugly as he jumped on to his ride and the two friends rode, bickering non-stop just like the good old days.It took half a day of riding non-stop to reach the west end of the water tribe county, the poor horses were ridden to their death when they finally alighted at the i
They returned to the manor by late afternoon and had the footman deliver all the items that they had purchased from Old Joe to the cottage where Martha and the rest were staying.As they were planning to leave, Jack called Lazarus to instruct him to leave behind 2 men to guard the manor.“Your grace, two men won’t be enough to cover the expanse of the land.” Lazarus shook his head as he explained “The woods of the manor border three other properties of which one is commoner property, and one belongs to someone who does not have a good reputation. Now that your grace’s status has been elevated, there might be unnecessary eyes on the property.” He paused before adding “I have brought six men that can be left here to guard the place if your grace permits.”“Go ahead.” Jack nodded while Mira asked in a low voice “Can those men cook on their own? Should we transfer a cook from the main house?”“They are rough men… they can take care of themselves.” Lazarus shook his head although he was hap
For the rest of the morning, Mira taught Sierra how to make the flowers and leaves with the remaining satin cloth she had in space; of course, she pretended to take the spare cloths from her work room in the manor. She stayed with them for the entire morning, until the Jack came over with grievance in his eyes “Wife, I am hungry.”“Aha…. I forgot …. Wait, I will make you, your favorite meal.” Mira smiled sweetly as she rushed to pacify her husband.Jessie, Martha and Sierra struggled to hold their laughter till the shameless couple walked away before bursting out laughing.Once lunch was ready, Mira didn’t forget to give more than half of the meal to Martha “Call everyone and share among yourself.”“Thank you” Martha bowed as she whispered in a soft voice. They were just worrying about food when their master brought them a generous share of meat and bread. In their excitement to start a new life, at Mira’s invitation, they grabbed their belonging and set off in the morning without thin
“Are you crazy?” Mira frowned once she saw what was written; previously when they were discussing although she couldn’t hear them, she assumed that they were discussing how long they wanted to work for her. She felt like she had crows flying around her head once she read what Sierra had scribbled; before she could stop them, she had done the same to Martha’s contract. Martha hurriedly signed as she heard Mira, worried that she would stop her and grinned happily as she handed the contract saying, “Its signed.” “Yeah… now you cannot get rid of us in this lifetime.” Sierra too laughed happily. Mira seemed momentarily lost in a daze; she forgot to respond; she remembered that they had said the same thing in their last life when they found her sitting on her own and crying her heart out, overwhelmed by loneliness. They sat on either side of her and promised her that they would always accompany her, never leaving her side and even joked with the same words 'you cannot get rid of us in thi