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“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
Mira nodded; She was aware that although the prize was announced for five favors, it was also announced that it could be made redundant during the process of making the requests. The reason for the latter half of the decree was simple. A stop gap measure in case the winner didn’t know the immensity of the heavens and earth. “State them before King and country in the order of the most cherished one first, so that none may judge the king unjust.” The royal messenger finished his proclamation and handed the loudspeakers, one to Mira and the other to Orseus. Orseus looked to his father who nodded before he sat back on the throne of judgement. “Your majesty” Mira bowed low in respect “Pray pardon my insolence if my first request were to offend his highness.” Orseus pursed his lips in curiosity and waved his arm to grant permission. “Your majesty, I pray for the title to be bestowed equally on me and husband.” Mira paused “If this is not possible, I pray for your majesty’s kindness in ac
Orseus ordered with a solemn expression “You shall return their papers of servitude to them tomorrow." "The court guards will bear witness to this exchange; they shall continue to reside in their current residence to the very moment of exchange.” Orseus continued to state the rules. He was smart enough to guess that there must have been a reason for Mira to use her precious favor to request freedom when she could easily buy it with her prize money. He took care of the request with sincerity removing all possible obstacles for her as he knew his mother liked the person in front of him and their relationship with Thomas. Old master Slegh and his sons bowed to acknowledge. John couldn’t believe his ears. He never even for a second thought he would see the day when he was a freeman again. He hugged Beth overwhelmed with emotion as she wiped her tears that were fiercely streaming down her cheeks. They looked at Jack through misted eyes. Jack shrugged; he couldn’t take credit for this. O
“All rise.” The royal messenger announced as Orseus stood up from his seat to leave the hall. The king’s private legion of guards ushered the royal family and the members of Mira’s family to the King’s private chamber while the crowd in the hall were left to be dispersed in an orderly manner by the palace guards. Once everyone was settled and the guards left the room, Orseus looked at Mira with a sizing gaze and ordered “Speak” “Your highness, I need your word that anything I speak from this moment will not leave the four walls of this room before it is resolved.” Mira shook her head. She was still not confident in voicing her request. Orseus narrowed his eyes. “I swear on my legions to King and country.” Thomas stood up to support; He knew his sworn brother was on the verge of losing his patience. The rest of the members in the room, including Jack, stood up to swear. Mira giggled as she saw Jack standing to swear the oath but soon covered up with a cough as she felt a burning g