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Orseus raised his eyebrows as he looked towards Thomas, trying to restrain the smirk spreading from his lips as he saw the blatant expression of love from the lovebirds in front of him. This was torture to a single man like him. His sworn brother had no intention of reciprocating his sentiments. Orseus turned his attention to the only two single dogs in the crowd and his lips curled up. Martin was rolling his eyes while Oden had a smirk…. They understood! “The person I used to like …... before my marriage…” Mira’s voice was barely audible, a whisper; She didn’t raise her head… she was too embarrassed, but she had to voice this concern as she felt it was a vital clue to the mystery. “That person was with me to find out where the seal of the Zumerong’s was kept. He has asked me about it in a roundabout way many times. Luckily for me and sadly for him, I didn’t know much about this until recently.” Cornelius rubbed his forehead as analyzed all the information he had just received and s
“Your majesty” Mira called with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “You can call me godfather like Leander.” Cornelius dismissed impatiently as he continued to stare down the youngsters. “I for one have never heard of the winged-flame brothers nor your majesty’s exploits.” Mira giggled; she didn’t take Cornelius’s dismissive attitude into account. “Little Mira…” Harry called out pitifully; He was despised by his goddaughter. Mira feigned ignorance to Harry’s theatrics and continued “Why not have a competition?” She had successfully captured the attention of all the men in the room. “Let’s test the theory- The older, the spicier or the young and vibrant?” She shrugged with her signature mischief and turned to rally Aglaya “Your majesty what do you say?” “I think it is a brilliant idea.” Aglaya clapped her hands “I haven’t had so much fun in years.” “I bet whoever is on my husband’s team will win.” Mira giggled tooting Jack’s horns. “We’ll see.” Harry’s competitive spirits was a
The Dulston’s stood outside the palace waiting for Mira and group to come out for a long time. “Dad why don’t we go home now and see Mira in the morning?” First brother asked with a conflicted expression; he couldn’t bear to his father’s anxious expression. He was also worried that Mira might not like them once she knew who they were. He didn’t want his father’s enthusiasm to be met with disappointment. “How will we….” “Aldrin knows the way. He has been there several times.” First brother, Albert, knew what his father wanted to ask. “Really??” Lord Dulston was not convinced; he knitted his brows “Why?” “Must be to eat delicious food.” Third brother, Alwyn chuckled. “We are business partners.” Aldrin decided to ignore third brother and spoke in a serious tone. He would never admit third brother was right. “What business?” Lord Dulston was even more confused. “He would eat all the dishes served to him.” Third brother kept mucking around. “Mira’s husband makes the slate stand for
“Your Grace” Harrison pursed his lips into a conflicted expression. “What is it?” Jack knitted his brows. “Are you ready to come home?” “Aren’t we home?” Mira twisted her lips. “Your Grace, as Duke and Duchess of Southamberston, your home…….” “Husband, I want to stay here.” Mira interrupted Harrison tugging Jack’s hand with a cute pout. “Then we will stay.” Jack turned to look at Mira with an affectionate gaze before turning his gaze back at Harrison “My home is where my Duchess resides.” His tone and aura were not that of a peasant but that of one born to rule. Harrison bowed low to acknowledge “What orders do you have for us, Your Grace?” “Go about as usual.” Jack waved as he turned back to enter the house. Harrison and the others still stood without moving. “Anything else?” Jack half turned his head as he asked noting that there were all standing in attention. “Your Grace, we are your personal staff.” Harrison spoke with an embarrassed expression “Our place is with you.”
“No, Your Grace.” Harrison answered truthfully although his face was twisted with embarrassment. “We haven’t either.” Mira giggled “Come in… I will see what we have.” “No, Ma’am… we can’t possibly…” Harrison trembled at the thought of making his mistress cook for him. “Husband, they despise my cooking.” Mira pouted as she tugged Jack’s hand as they entered the front room. Jack looked at Mira causing mischief for no reason with a helpless yet affectionate gaze, but he couldn’t bear to see her pouting, so he turned his stern gaze back at the men “Do you dare to despise?” “Not on my life…” Everyone responded in unison and rushed to enter the front room and stood awkwardly. “That’s more like it.” Mira giggled shrugging happily as she ran to the kitchen. The men waited in attention in the front room while Jack followed his wife. Mira winked at Jack and took out the bread and some of the scrambled dry peasant from space and scrambled some eggs. She poured a jug of warm milk from the p
Jack and Mira set off along with their personal entourage while the maids and men were busy cleaning the cottage getting it ready for the Wards. Old master Slegh along with his three sons and a few guards arrived at the Ward cottage around 9:30 in the morning. Joan too arrived along with Caster accompanied by Emma wearing a silk gown; It could be seen from her gown that she had received new favors from the Slegh’s. John and Beth along with Oden, Martin and Anne-Marie were gathered in the front room, anxiety written all over their faces. They didn’t know what to expect or what to do…. Neither John nor Beth thought they would live to see the day they were free men ever again. Although Oden and Martin were aware, they didn’t expect their dream to be a reality so soon. They were all dressed in the outfit they wore to yesterday’s event; this was their best outfit. The neighbors were all gathered around the cottage, some filled with jealousy while the others genuinely happy for their good
“Let me see who dares.” The guards paused their steps as everyone looked towards the source of the ferocious roar. Jack and Mira walked forward with an entourage of knights; Harrison and Carl followed closely as well. Old master Slegh twisted his lips in displeasure as he saw the person who arrived; the people who he had trodden under feet were now riding in heights beyond his reach. Old master Slegh knew his station was way below that of the Duke and Duchess of Southamberston. Anne-Marie sighed in relief as she saw reinforcements arrive and ran to Mira’s side. Oden and Martin nodded gratefully towards Jack and Mira but were ignored. Mira hugged Anne-Marie comfortingly as she walked towards Beth. “Very well” Cain laughed sinisterly and ordered his men “Check the cottage for damage and other liabilities before this lot run away.” He was thoroughly angered by Jack’s arrogance. “That is a must.” Jack nodded as he ordered Carl “Mr West, please follow and document the condition of the
“I will follow you.” Martin didn’t have to think. He knew his current bounty was Jack’s benevolence. He had decided to follow Jack. “Me too.” Anne-Marie looked at her parents even though she had voiced support for Martin’s idea. “I don’t know.” John shrugged with a helpless expression “I don’t know what I want to do. I never thought I would live to see the day I would be free.” “When I was younger, I wanted to have my own cow and sheep to tend to…. I wanted to farm my land…. But…. I don’t know anymore.” “Is that all…” Mira laughed innocently before boasting “I will make sure you have all of the above.” “But you can’t leave us.” She pouted innocently as she held Beth’s hand. “What nonsense?” Beth shook her head as she patted her hand “Why would we leave you?” “Oden’s father, let’s follow the kids.” Beth turned towards John. “Alright.” John nodded. “That’s settled then.” Mira smiled brightly. “Not yet.” Anne-Marie shook her head as she turned her head towards Oden who was sitti
As Cornelius sat mulling over the past, reeling in guilt, the carriage reached the gates of Southamberston. Aglaya accompanied him silently, she was the keeper of his soul. She knew that this was the greatest regret and pain in his life. She gently patted his hand in a comforting manner as she heard Winkle announcing their identity at the gates, trying to pull him out of despair. She waited for him to nod acknowledging that he was fine before she lifted the curtains to look outside.To her surprise, well not surprise, she should have expected this, this was her wildflower, unlike the other duke and duchess who along with their household would be waiting at the entrance of the manor/castle to greet them, what greeted her eyes was Mira, who was running over to greet them even before their carriage reached the front entrance of the castle. It was not hard to guess, where Mira was, Jack wouldn’t be far behind.“Ha…ha… ha…” Aglaya couldn’t help laughing, shaking her head, peaking Cornelius
Cornelius and Agalya set off in the royal carriage along with Orseus to visit the Southamberstons early the next day. As the path started to become familiar to that in his memory, Cornelius raised the divider to question the footman-“I said we were going to Southamberston duchy.”“We are my royal sovereign.” Winkle, the footman replied bowing politely although he didn’t understand why the sovereign was angry.Cornelius frowned in distrust as he turned to Parker “Care to explain?”Parker rubbed his nose in embarrassment as he forgot to update Cornelius about the results of his investigation yesterday and spoke in a soft voice “Apologies for my royal sovereign.”Cornelius raised his eyebrow impatiently.“Stormwall was re-named as Southamberston when the previous king reclaimed the dutchy following the death of the old master.” Parker hurriedly explained as he noted the impatience on his master’s face.“Why was the dutchy reclaimed? Isn’t the right of inheritance for the Haribeort from
Once the king and the supreme rulers had taken the seats in the chamber of secrets, the chiefs of each governing body in the country entered for their private meeting with the king once their names were called out by the royal messenger. This solemn ceremony was the rite of passage where the new king is entrusted as the keeper of ancient secrets of the country from its inception, things that were for the king’s ears only. The other curious thing was no two chiefs entered at the same time. Each had only knowledge of the matter they were entrusted with. The only living person in the entire kingdom who had knowledge of all the secrets was the king and the supreme rulers.The rite passage ceremony went on till late through the night. No matter how anxious Cornelius was to get to his godson and blast the hell out of the household of Southamberston, he had to wait for the next day.The next day, Jack called everyone to the study very early in the morning. No one thought much of it till they
“What wrong?” Jack asked as he smoothed the frown adorning his wife’s beautiful face as they sat in the carriage on their way back to the Southamberston estate.Mira shook her head to indicate it was nothing although the confusion on her face didn’t disappear.“What is it that troubles my wife?” Jack tilted her chin to face him “Something is bothering you from the time of the crowning ceremony.”Mira raised her eyebrows in surprise. She never expected Jack to notice. She thought he was distracted by everything around them and that she had covered it well.“Nothing can distract me from you.” Jack chuckled looking at his wife’s silly expression.“Smooth talker.” Mira pouted as she rested back in his embrace although her heart felt it was dipped in honey. It was a blissful feeling to know that the person you loved also had only you in their eyes.“What is it?” Jack wasn’t going to give up without an answer.“Nothing… it’s just…” Mira bit her lips hesitating whether to speak but decided to
Thomas and Jack looked at their wives who were giggling foolishly and shook their heads helplessly. Thomas introduced Jack to the other gentry helping him build connections while the ladies gossiped. The hot topic for the ladies was of course, the fabulous gown that Mira and Almera were wearing. Everyone wanted to know where the materials were purchased and how long it would take to get them made.Matthew and Harry mingled with old acquaintances introducing their wives and John. Martin and Oden stood politely by their side. Both felt extremely awkward and overwhelmed as they had never attended such an affair in their lifetime although Oden kept a calm façade given his training at Slegh’s.Joan stood in the periphery of the hall with Emma staring viciously at their family that was dressed like the nobles, enjoying everyone’s admiration. Joan couldn’t understand why she had to stand in a corner forgotten even though she carefully planned for herself to rise to prominence. She couldn’t st
Cornelius’s eyes narrowed as he spotted Harrison behind Jack before sighing in a whisper “Kids! Didn’t we tell them to keep it quiet?”He turned to signal Parker as he realized that there was only Harrison following Jack. Of course, he knew Harrison represented the Hariebot’s and thereby Jack’s maternal home.“Wasn’t the edict awarding the dukedom passed on to Southamberston?”“Yes, your royal supreme majesty.” Parker bowed respectfully.“Then why isn’t the butler here to receive and guide the lord?” Cornelius’s temper rose “I need an explanation for this arrogance. I will visit the duchy after the feast. I want to see who dares?”“There…. There….” Aglaya gently tapped on Cornelius hand “Let’s deal with it later. Don’t spoil the festivities with your temper.”“Haiiii” Cornelius sighed before sitting back.Orseus hooked his eyebrows towards Bernard as he noted the change in his parents’ expression. Bernard shrugged before turning to look at his father for an explanation. Parker blinked
Similar to the sacred hall, everyone gathered in the grand hall according to their status. However, unlike the ceremony in the sacred hall not everyone attended. It was attended only by those who had an invitation among the freemen and servants.Jack and his entourage walked into the hall under the lead of Harrison and Lazarus to the section reserved for the Southamberston. Joan and Emma watched as they saw their family walking through the crowd unhindered under the protection of the Southamberston guards first with wide open mouths and then slowly gritted their teeth in resentment as they thought of their plight where they were waiting in the crowd.Emma clenched her fists as she threw a resentful glare at Joan whom she decided was the cause of all her misery; if it were not for Joan, she would be the one wearing that beautiful gown and walking through the crowd with her head held high, attracting the envy of the crowd. Joan did not notice the resentment in Emma’s gaze as she wasn’t i
“By this holy oil and the power bestowed on me by the ancestors and your Royal father, I anoint you as king of Hal from this moment forth” The chief of the elder priests poured the holy oil using the ceremonial spoon on Orseus’s head.The elders of each adorned him with golden spurs and armills. The grand dukes along with Knight commander Parker Hemmington knelt on the ground raising the four swords above the heads pledging their allegiance once the Elders finished and stepped aside. Each of the elders, blessed the sword and passed it finally to the chief elder; each time the chief elder would raise the sword and present it to Orseus who was seated on the high throne proclaiming-“With the swords of righteousness, do justice, protect the faith of the ancestors, help and defend widows and orphans, restore the things that are perishing due to our negligence, maintain that which have been restored by the life force of your ancestors, punish and reform what is unjust all the while upholdin
Jack and his team made their way to their position in the procession. Everyone was excited. This was their first time participating in the procession. Anne-Marie could help but keep looking at the bear within the sun printed on the smock. This was the only differentiating factor in the smocks. Every smock had the insignia of the duchy printed within the country flag which was painted on the front and back of the smock. Not even Matthew and Harry had attended one of these events.The previous king didn’t have a coronation, he upsurged the throne in anger. The coronation before that was more than 50 years ago and the ones who could remember the event could be counted on fingers as the event was not open to everyone. In the past, the coronation was only attended by the nobility. This was one of Cornelius’s reforms even though he never had a coronation; Everyone citizen, noble, freeman or slave could attend the coronation.In line with the past traditions, the bells at the clock tower rang