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“This is so pretty.” Joan fawned blinking with feigned innocence. “Your parents might also be coming.” Caster paused “Do you want to ….” “No need.” Joan interrupted and feigned a regretful expression “They won’t accept me anymore.” The real reason was she wanted to enjoy the glory Caster’s reservation would bring. She knew that her poor parents would be seated somewhere in the outskirts of the room if they ever made it to the event. She also knew she couldn’t sit with Caster, but she could still sit in the best seat for commoners. The seating arrangement was divided into classes, the prominent seats for grand dukes, grand dames, dames and dukes along with their families. The next seats would be reserved for nobility and the rest for commoners. Among commoners, there was no distinction between servants and freemen, except who ever registered first would get a better seat. There was a box which was close to nobility reserved for families of the contestants, but again it was a first co
“OH MY GOD … OH MY GOD….” Anne-Marie started shrieking as she saw the pretty sky-blue dress... she was the first to open the parcel. “My dear child…” Beth sighed helplessly as she opened hers. She didn’t know what was wrong with this girl… although her heart felt sweet when she thought that Mira care for her as much as her folks… no she considered them as her own… “This…. Good Lord!” Beth shrieked as she saw the gown that was meant for her. It was a beautiful…. Prettier than any she ever owned…. It was probably even prettier than the silk gowns of those madams even though it was only fine linen. “Aunt, the material….” Mira lowered her head with a pout and muttered “Not long… I promise I will make you a silk gown. “Child, what are you talking about??? This is so pretty…” Beth caressed her dress fondly. Matthew and Harry’s reaction was probably the calmest… John, Martin and even Oden’s eyes were misted…. On one side, their own sister was making things difficult for them… and here wa
“My husband still looks handsome!” Mira sighed with a dreamy look leading to another bout of laughter. “Since everyone’s ready, let’s go.” Jack chuckled to hide his embarrassment. “I am afraid my looks won’t match the cart outside.” Harry straightened his back and lifted his chin arrogantly. “Ha… ha…. ha…” Everyone laughed while Agnes chided “What are you making a fuss for old man? You are not half as handsome as my son-in-law.” “Ha…. ha…. ha….” “We were thinking of walking to the carriage ride stop and getting a ride to the city.” Mira spoke once the laughter died down. “No… no….” Beth shook her head “That will cost a lot of silver.” “Mom, I will pay for everyone.” Martin tapped his chest proudly as he remembered the coins he had in his pocket. Jack was about to refuse when Mira nudged his hand and shook her head. She didn’t want to hurt his self-esteem. “Alright.” Beth nodded happily; She was worried about burdening Jack… she also felt proud that her son could afford a ride
“Excuse me.” Mira smiled politely as she got hold of the attendant. “Madam” He bowed respectfully. “Can you only charge 1 gold coin for our room and hand the rest of the charge to my husband on the sly?” “Madam, is your husband the handsome lord?” “The one you spoke to when you led us to the room.” A pink shade crept up Mira’s cheeks as she heard the man describing Jack. “Sure” The man smiled brightly and bowed “Anything for a pretty lady.” Mira slipped back into the room with a happy smile. It was so rewarding to see everyone’s happy face. “Little Mira, what are we celebrating?” Harry asked with a boisterous smile as the attendant filled his wine goblet. “Just family.” Mira smiled with a shrug. “To family” Harry raised his goblet. “To family” Everyone raised their goblets and drank in one gulp. “Your best dishes.” Jack ordered as the attendant came to take their order. He was confident that he would be able to pay. He had the 5 gold sheets Mira had given him earlier in the
“What’s there to be proud of?” Joan twisted her lips that were painted red in disdain “They are just entering in Mira’s name. They will be seated with us after all.” She didn’t notice the purple badge in their hands. Emma lowered her head and pursed her lips resentfully. ‘Why didn’t they look back? Did they not hear her in this crowd?’ The attendants who were guiding the people to their seats bought Mira’s group to their seats which was in the third row and had a good view of everything in the center. “Madam, you have to sit in the front row with the contestants.” The attendant informed Mira by looking at her circular badge. “Um” Mira nodded as she turned to Jack and adjusted his hat to cover his face with an affectionate gaze “I will be back.” “Um” Mira walked with the attendant to the front row and giggled as she heard her father’s sigh “Only husband in her eyes… we old men are totally ignored!” Almera was already seated waiting for Mira. The two held hands first in excitemen
She regained composure and sat up straight in a few mins. Almera pressed her hand as she saw her despair. Mira smiled to gesture that she was okay. A stout man dressed in rich silk and pot belly walked to the front with a haughty expression. “I can bet anything that this is not his work.” Almera whispered “This is the second lord of Soren. Not a single good root in the lot.” Mira looked at Almera in confusion. “They must have commissioned someone from overseas to do the work.” Almera shrugged “That is not against the rules.” Mira nodded in understanding. Lord Soren walked with his entry with a smug smile. He too had chosen royal red velvet cloth. He had embroidered a beautiful peacock in the centre with feathers cascading throughout the robe. It was definitely a beautiful piece. “Tell me about your design.” “Beauty…. Beauty and beauty” Lord Soren laughed happily thinking his answer was witty. “Why did you choose this concept?” One of the judges who was irritated with his smug
“This work is most certainly exquisite but quite heavy.” One of the judges who had previously stretched out his hand to touch the robe asked with narrowed eyes “Do you think it is ideal to have such a heavy work for a king to wear? Weren’t you being thoughtless?” There was a tinge of admiration in his eyes although his question was sharp. “Not in the least.” Mira didn’t cower to answer this pointed question. “Unfortunately, that is a burden for whoever sits on that throne has to bear. It is definitely not easy.” Mira feigned a regretful expression before raising her head with a mischievous smile “And my design is definitely a gentle reminder. Didn’t I say the splendor was an illusion compared to the weight of the responsibility?” The whole court burst out laughing with Cornelius in the lead. Orseus couldn’t muck around like his father, but he was most impressed and hid his laughter with a few coughs. The only faces that were not happy were the Slegh’s and Joan. “Eloquent…” Lord Dul
The crowd started chanting their favorite works… it was divided …. There were also those fawning on Lord Sween. “Number ….” The royal messenger paused again with a cheeky chuckle. The crowd held their breath as they waited…. “Number 555- Mira Jackson urf Lady Mira Marsden” Mira stared with misty eyes… she turned around to look at Jack. He gestured a flying kiss to encourage her while Almera kept nudging her to get up. Old master Slegh sat like he lost his soul; the two young masters were not much better, only Caster sat there like an infatuated fool. “Marsden…. Marsden…. Yes… Marsden….” Lord Dulston shouted excitedly…. But the crowd was too loud for anyone other than his sons to hear. “Dad???” “That’s the bastard who married my sister…my Bella…. Your aunt.” Lord Dulston was too excited for words “That…. That …is little Bella.” The Dulston brothers including Aldrin stared skeptically at their father. Cyrus thought his sons didn’t believe him and explained “Well, your aunt marrie
The older guard who followed Caleb passed the message to the Butler to serve the dishes for supper in the underground room where the men were seated. The trunk and all its contents had been carefully put away even before Caleb called the guard over for passing instructions.The older guard was also someone who had followed Caleb over the years and followed him from Worthington duchy to this place; still Caleb was cautious; his master’s words were holy edict for him. If his master said that no one other than the four men present could see the contents of the trunk, then no one other than the four men would see it.Once the maids served supper, he asked them all to withdraw, ordering them to only return in the morning to retrieve the empty dishes from the guards’ quarters.No one spoke while eating; the air in the room was filled with curiosity as a myriad of questions danced in front of their eyes, yet no one dared to break the silence. It wasn’t until they finished eating and had the g
Jerome didn’t know why but tears kept streaming down his cheeks as he read the letter, a deep sense of loss and an overwhelming pang of heartache filled his chest, he rubbed his chest in distress as he found it difficult to breath. He didn’t know why the words of a man he couldn’t remember could make him so emotional, why the possibility of not ever being able to meet him would crush his soul into feeling an irreparable loss.Not knowing what to say or feel, he decided to process everything slowly, he didn’t know why, but he wanted to hold the letter close to his heart, as though it was a piece of his soul that could never be replaced. But just as he was about to fold, he saw a life-like portrait at the back of the page and turned around anxiously hoping to see the face of the person who made his heart feel so much loss.But what welcomed him was the life-like, yet miserable faces of the younger versions of the two men beside him. And under it was a side note-“On after thought, I will
I have not sent anyone to follow her as this will only jeopardise everything. There are too many eyes on my every move, and I cannot afford a single miscalculation. Her brother is a righteous man and will protect her. If anything, untoward should happen to him, God forbid, I have instructed your men who have already been moved there to lend a hand.Your elder brother is too incompetent and have stretched myself beyond my limit and hence can only humbly beg your forgiveness and hope to atone some day when we meet. May the gods be willing and grant my prayer.If things don’t go according to plan, I will have instructed uncle and aunt to go to the castle I had bought in the kingdom of Barr; I have instructed my good friend, Uzi, the Duke of Warringal, to protect them. Most of our father’s men both household men and men in arms, will go with them. They will not come back unless one of us calls them back.Stormwall has been renamed Southamberston by the king but do not worry. Everything wil
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 h
“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 com
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 int
“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 tu
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