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“This current understanding is that Southamberston was annexed under the management of the king’s estate as our master died without an heir…. But that is not true.” Carl started at the beginning.“Is that not the case?” Mira raised her eyebrows.“Not in its entirety.” Carl shook his head. His eyes reflected a deep-seated regret.“Continue.” Jack waved his hand.“The Haribeorts who are the original owners of Southamberston do not follow the norms of inheritance. The father to son or closest male relative rule for inheritance does not exist for Haribeorts.”“Their legacy has always been father to the oldest offspring, whether it is a male or female.”“The only exception is when the heir passes the inheritance to the next in-line.” Carl continued “Let’s say, the eldest daughter who is the heir marries off to a distant land or another dukedom where managing both estates is more than she can handle; She can pass her birthright to her next sibling.”“That is such a fair system.” Mira nodded
Carl took a deep breath as he regained composure “We were later told by the old master in confidence that we were not to ask any questions and that the dukedom would be annexed to the Royal estate due to lack of heir. We were strictly forbidden from contracting this version of the story.”“The current king as far as I have heard is righteous.” Jack pursed his lips skeptically “If this property was annexed unlawfully, then he would have passed it to its rightful heir and never kept it, let alone gift it to another.”“Your Grace, the inheritance rights of the Haribeort family are not widely known. Only a select few are preview to this knowledge and are not allowed to reveal it to another soul. Other than the Haribeorts, the king and the chief of chamber of inheritance rights no one has the privilege to know this.”“Usually after the new king’s coronation, there is ceremony where the chief of every governing body in the country will have a meeting with the king… something like a rite of p
“I don’t think I heard anything confidential that warrants his fear.” Oden knitted his brows as he opened his mouth for the first time since he entered the room.Jack nodded to agree but Mira pursed her lips and knitted his brows.“What is it love?” Jack noted that she didn’t agree.“Maybe… maybe not…” Mira’s expression didn’t loosen as she continued “Think about it…. this is knowledge that only a few share…. Knowledge that could if used by those with malicious intent, incriminate the king of a treacherous act. One if instigated in the right amount could even start a rebellion.”“But what puzzles me is why the old master decided to take it sitting down.” Mira twirled her finger around a loose hair strand “The Haribeort’s must have had some clout to be able to write their own law of inheritance that didn’t conform to the normal laws of the land.”Mira kept twirling her hand as she spoke “He must have been betting on his grandson… something must have reassured him that there was no need
“What case?” Martin turned around curiously before realizing that he was the butt of the joke and sitting back crossing his arms resentfully.“Hur…hur…hur….” Oden and Jack burst out laughing along with Mira “Puchi….”In the evening, everyone started arriving as planned. First Matthew and Harry arrived with Ursula and Agnes.“Your mothers didn’t want to stay at home on their own.” Matthew shrugged when Mira raised her eyebrows quizzically.“We came to keep Beth company.” Agnes walked forward ignoring the skeptical gazes of the boys and Mira.“Yes… yes… we came to give Beth company.” Ursula nodded with a guilty smile.“And not to spy on us.” Mira raised her eyebrows in a playfully taunting manner crossing her arms.“Would we?” Agnes blinked innocently as she whispered to Mirah “Even if your fathers have that intention, do you think we would betray our dear girl?”“Old woman, are you digging my grave?” Harry put on a pitiful expression which led to a bout of laughter.Mira quirked her eye
Mira ignored him and continued to ask Thomas hinting at the extra guests “Should I get Harrison to entertain them while we go down?”“Big sister” Tyson called smiling sweetly shocking Almera and Thomas. When did the little devil turn sweet?“I will be bored if I sit with you all. Are there kids in my age-group so that I can play with?” Tyson blinked innocently looking at Mira with his most adorable expression. Thomas raised his eyebrows skeptically as he heard his brother’s strange request. ‘When did his brother think adult company was boring? When did he start enjoying the company of kids his age? Didn’t he think they were silly?’“Oh… how silly of me!” Mira tapped the back of her head as she pouted “There isn’t anyone your age” She twisted her lips “Jack’s cousin is much younger than you…. but she can show you her pet bunny if you like.” Mira tried to entice, thinking Tyson wouldn’t be interested.“Alright.” Tyson shrugged feigning an unwilling expression and muttered “Better than ad
Thomas continued with the narration-“By the time they returned, it was 3 years later and never a word of the trouble brewing in the heart of the city. The letters your father sent kept them abreast of state and political affairs but never his personal affairs.” Thomas shook his head helplessly “They knew something wasn’t right but couldn’t do anything from where they were.”“When they got back, fate wasn’t generous. There wasn’t much time for them to even ask your father about things as trouble broke out in the southern borders and they were deployed again. Your father urged them to go and would discuss when they got back.”“He didn’t go along with them which was very unusual for him given the enormity of the trouble at the southern borders.…. He didn’t state his reasons, but father said that he thought that it must be due to trouble at home.” Thomas pursed his lips “Father said that Uncle Alex would never let them wander into death’s lap without him…. this was the first…. but who kne
“Erm…. I have not seen them before, so I don’t know… but there was a man who was leaning back against the cart…” Ursula squinted as she tried to think back “He looked very miserable… like he was on his last leg….”“Can you try and think where he was hurt?” Orseus asked excitedly.Ursula pursed her lips downwards as she tried to think back “Not sure… but his shirt was dyed red…. The lady…. I mean Jack’s mom had a wound to the left side or may be right….” Ursula frowned “She had a wound that was oozing blood on one side… I remember because she was clutching this wound as she was urging me.”“Aunt, do you remember anything?” Jack turned towards Beth.Beth shrugged pursing her lips before whispering “It was a complete shock…. One minute we were happy and looking forward to the future… the next second everything came crumbling down.” No one thought more about Beth’s mumbling.“Ummm” Thomas hummed as he narrowed his eyes in thought “Looks like we have to unlearn everything we know and start
“Come... come… let’s talk inside.” Matthew invited everyone inside.“Dad…” Almera stood up in surprise as she saw the newly arrived guests “Why are you here?”“Have you finished dinner?” Aldrin asked Jack before anyone could respond.“Um” Jack chuckled although he was curious why the Dulstons were here.“It was …yumm…” Thomas rubbed his tummy with an exaggerated satisfied expression. Aldrin pursed his lips into a dissatisfied pout while everyone laughed, breaking the awkward situation.Jack invited everyone to take a seat while Mira and the ladies withdrew to the dining room. Orseus and Bernard came out and took their seats with faces full of jouissance, ready to watch the show. Almera stood at the doorway between the two rooms and repeated scrunching her face “Dad, why you here?”Cyrus sighed not knowing where to start.“It’s a long story.” Albert spoke in an unhurried tone as he couldn’t bear to see his father’s embarrassed face.“Start from the beginning.” Almera crossed her arms as
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 guida
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
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
The carriage stopped at the manor; it was a short ride. Jack and Mira alighted from the carriage without waiting for the etiquette that was customary in the circle of nobility.Mira’s face lit up, her lips curling up into a blissfully happy arc as she whispered, “We are back.”“Um” Jack habitually snaked his arm around her waist and walked forward; he raised his hand to gesture the footman to stay back, conveying that their services were no longer required.“Help the ladies with their luggage and rest after that till we are ready to leave.” Mira turned around and instructed in a gentle tone at the footman who was waiting eagerly for his master’s orders while Jack opened the doors.“Let’s open the side gate and lead the ladies to their homes before resting.” Mira spoke softly, as she looked at the footmen who were carrying the heavy suitcase over.“Um” Jack nodded and silently walked over to the side wicket gate on the right side of the manor and opened it. He walked in along with Mira;
“I asked you if there is a chance….” Mira smiled mischievously “What will you be willing to do to get that chance?”“I could sell my soul to the devil for that chance.” Jessie’s face beamed with genuine happiness as she boldly declared; there wasn't even the slightest hint of hesitation on her face.“How about selling it to me?” Mira lifted her chin arrogantly, her lips curling in a happy arc “I am much prettier and kinder than the devil.”Jack inwardly shook his head helplessly as he looked at his wife, who was smiling happily like a sly fox, with eyes filled with affection.“Ha….ha…ha…” Jessie laughed watching Mira’s adorable actions before sighing “Thank you for listening so patiently. I don’t know why I told you all this. I don’t even know you.”“I am not joking.” Mira’s expression turned serious “What if I can give you that chance? Are you willing?”Jessie looked at Mira for a long time with a sizing gaze before shaking her head, “Why me? I have nothing to offer.”Mira pursed her
“My husband lives with his family in their estate. He wanted me to stay back in the countryside till he convinced his relatives of the idea of us being married and bring me along once he received everyone’s approval, but my father disagreed. He rented this apartment for me so that I could be close to my husband.” Jessie’s voice became lower and lower as she spoke; she didn’t know why she was pouring her heart out to the lady in front of her but she wanted to… she didn’t feel any reservation when she was talking with her.“I see.” Mira nodded in understanding; it was the same as in their previous life but why was the timeline different? She thought for a few minutes before pushing it to the back of her mind. She looked at Jessie and asked “Will your husband be angry if you are not there when he comes? Do you want to head back?”“He won’t come.” Jessie bit her lips “He has never come to see me in these two weeks. He dumped me here and left as though he was fleeing for his life.” She shru
The caretaker walked over to apartment 53 once he made sure Carl and Oden had all the ledgers and materials they required. He knocked loudly and waited patiently without a trace of his usual impatience and disdain. He had a feeling that the tenants in this apartment were very important to the duke and duchess; he stood reflecting on whether he had done anything excessive in the past.He sighed in relief inwardly once he finished introspection; he hadn’t done anything excessive other than his usual impatience and grumpiness. He had even given them some extra time to catch up rent on several occasions.“Mr Williams.” Sierra greeted with a bored expression as she opened the door. She had no idea why this grinch would come so early to their apartment to take the joy out of their life. She knew their rent was due; it was not like they were going to run away or anything. Martha’s funds would be soon depleted, and they couldn’t afford to keep staying here any longer. They needed to figure a w