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Thomas and Almera were both powerful in their own right… Thomas was probably the most powerful Lord in the country, second to none other than the crown prince and yet they needed the intervention of a simpleton. That is because, there is nothing more powerful than knowledge and time. Even the king will be a victim of time if not used appropriately. Mira was fortunate, blessed by the heavens with the knowledge…. How she chose to use it was her discretion! Almera couldn’t wait to fly over and tell Mira all the gossip. But tonight, she didn’t have a chance. She had to first deal with her family and Thomas’s. Both she and Thomas swore inwardly that they would be Mira’s strongest backer, her shield. With the Queen’s indulgence, they both knew what Mira had forfeited for their happiness. Once the banquet was over and the crowd dispersed with the King and Queen leaving the banquet hall, the reaction of the crowd was vivid. The Dowager duchess of Amberton along with her bodyguards rushed o
In Thomas’s apartment, the Duke and Duchess discussed the guest list, Arac was responsible for their accommodation and security arrangements, Food was Ferran’s responsibility. Tyson volunteered to organize everyone’s wardrobe for the event, but no one nodded. He pouted complaining about not being taken seriously and made a ruckus till Thomas gave him an important job, pass messages for him to his fiancée. Mira was working on the third blanket when the bell rang. She looked curiously at Jack. They weren’t expecting anyone. They had gathered with family on both sides on Friday. They quietly came out space and Jack opened the door. Almera and Thomas had runaway from the wedding madness to spend some time with Mira and Jack. They knew the couple didn’t need a ‘thank you’ so decided to cherish and protect the friendship. Almera ignored Jack’s shocked reaction and walked in “Mira, I have decided to take you up on the peace and quiet offer.” “Come … come…” Mira giggled as she invited the
“Love, why did you refuse to attend the wedding?” Jack asked as they relaxed in the hot spring. He knew how much she valued Almera to give up her opportunity so that Almera could succeed and be happy. “The wedding will be huge… everyone who is a who’s who in the country and court will be there.” Mira whispered as she snuggled comfortably in his embrace. “I don’t know what your aunt has against you being in court… and us going to the wedding will bring unwanted attention on you.” She drew circles on his chest. “That will defeat the purpose of whatever aunt has been doing.” She raised her head to touch his face “Nothing is more important than you… not even Almera’s wedding.” Jack felt that his heart was dripped in honey as pink bubbles burst in front of his eyes. His lips curled up into a charming smile that Mira stared in a daze. She cutely pointed at her lips and demanded a kiss as she felt lazy to stretch and kiss him. Jack chuckled as he indulged his wife… but we know where the
“Love… it’s me.” Jack chuckled as he turned Mira to face the mirror. “AAAAHHHHH” Mira screamed again as she saw an unfamiliar lady from far east country staring at her…. Wearing her clothes…. The shop keeper laughed happily “That is attestation that I am very good.” Mira blushed as she realized what Jack was up to… she was truly impressed. Her husband was very clever. They changed quickly, paid the gold coin that Jack had promised and got on the carriage prepared for them and left for the Royal cathedral. The cathedral was packed with anyone who is someone in the country. The guards diligently checked every invitation. Arac frowned as he saw the couple from the far east country. The reason for him frowning was as Thomas’s closest friend after Orseus, he didn’t know of any friends that Thomas had in far east country. But they had the card that was personally signed by Thomas. Thomas only signed a handful of cards…. The rest were done by staff of the Amberton estate. He wasn’t going
Everyone returned after a day of celebration and merry making. Although Orseus joked in front of everyone, his gift for his sworn brother was their love nest, a beautiful palace with ornate gardens. This was where the newlyweds returned after their wedding. They named the beautiful palace ‘Love garden estate’. Although they received numerous gifts that were rare and precious, the one that had perked Almera’s interest and curiosity was the large lace silk bag from Mira. She didn’t look at it at the time as she didn’t recognize her and by the time she did, the line behind them had grown considerably. In order to not annoy the impatient lords, she decided to look at it later. The address on the top brought a smile to her lips. Thomas looked over to see the reason for his wife’s happiness and saw the inscription ““For a dear sister and her Marquess” --- “From your little idiot and the love of her life.” “Am I not the love of your life?” Thomas feigned a wronged expression. “You are.” A
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
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 wi
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