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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
In a forsaken corner of the city stood an old forgotten cabin. Inside the wooden cabin that was dark, dingy and stinky, a figure was slouched on the floor like a piece of rag. The wind howled relentlessly protesting the injustice and brutality, but the cloudy sky seemed like heavens closed its eyes.The sound of horse hoofbeats broke the symphony of the lamenting wind. A decent looking carriage moved through the dark night towards the cabin. The horses neighed as they were halted to stop.Inside the cabin, the figure struggled to get up at the sound of a carriage stopping outside the cabin. Hope ignited in her heart; She was unwilling to believe… maybe, just maybe…...The door was pushed open, and a well- dressed man and woman entered.“Jason….” The figure called out in a feeble attempt.“Not dead yet?” A disdainful male voice sounded.“Why?” Mira raised her head painfully with every ounce of her strength. She had to know…. She had to know why the man she loved from the age of 10, the
Mira felt a small light lighting her path in the darkness. She wondered if she was being guided on the way to hell for her deeds. She stepped in the path lighted by the small light. She was ready… she deserved it….Her life flashed past as she followed the small light engulfed in the darkness around her… Everything made sense to her. The seal that the wicked couple was talking about was not her father’s seal of authority as the ‘Head of Trade and Book of hereditary rights’ but the seal that belonged to the Zumerong estate. The Zumerong was one of the oldest and most prestigious families in the old world, but due to a political unrest, the family had to leave the city under the cover of the night some 15 years ago and no one had heard about them ever since.The Zumerong seal was given to her father by his best friend who was the heir apparent to the estate for safe keeping until they returned. He didn’t want the seal to fall in the wrong hands if they met with trouble on their way. He
Jackson pursed his lips. He didn’t know whether to believe or not. He had also read about rebirth and reincarnation in ancient texts…. But they were all myths…. No one had ever reported or seen anyone proof.“I don’t want you to make a hasty decision.” Mira smiled. “I will give you a small proof.”Jackson raised his eyebrows skeptically; it would be a lie to say that his interest was not aroused.“Give me the parchments, unlock the door and hide behind the curtain. Don’t make a sound.” Mira’s lips hooked up with a knowing smile “If I am not mistaken, Jason should be coming in anytime. He will come in apologizing for all the pain he put me through.”Jackson felt that her smile was becoming brighter and more charming. He stared half dazed in her smile.“He will pretend to be very happy when I tell him about you agreeing to null the marriage but then become sorrowful as he tells me that this was not right time and that he finally has a chance to be appointed as one of the advisors at the
On the way back, Mira told Jackson that she wanted to stop by the village supply shop and buy something for his aunt and family. She had borrowed some money from her father but didn’t tell him.“Let’s do it another day.” Jackson couldn’t wait to get home and be alone with his wife. The other reason was, he didn’t have enough money in his pocket. Everything he had saved up for the month was used up for her at the healer’s place.“That’s okay…. Just a quick look…. Please…. please….” Mira blinked pitifully.“Alright.” Jackson couldn’t bear to refuse. He planned to ask the shop keeper to open a borrower’s account for him. This was common in this era. Most people would have this sort of borrower’s account against their household with the supply shop, the butcher, the milkman and so on… There were only few individuals who could pay as soon as they bought something, others would pay it off slowly or when they got their wages or sold their harvest.Mira also wanted to look at the items in the
Jackson went to the nearby woods to get some wood as soon as they got home. He had to solve the problem to the hen’s cage since they had already bought the hen.Mira started to prepare supper. It was nothing special. Just some roasted vegetables and porridge. That was all they had.Mira sat thinking about how she could make money while the porridge cooked. She remembered how she had learned to sew in her past life after she divorced Jackson and had gotten married to Jason. At that time, it was more a passing fancy for her to kill time as Jason was never home; he was always meeting up with people in the big city and at the king’s court.Heh! She was too naïve… he must have been holed up with Alina. Mira shook her head to free herself of the thoughts of the vicious couple. Thinking back to the sewing lessons she learnt, she didn’t know if she had really learnt anything worthwhile. She had to try to see if it was any good.She was very good at embroidery… Ursula had taught her well since
Jackson slowed his pace for Mira as they walked to the collection point for the carriage. The usual 5 minutes’ walk took them 15 minutes, but they still had plenty of time before the carriage departure. Being early meant they got a seat in a comfortable position in the carriage.Jackson usually did not waste money on carriage ride. He would walk; it would take him an hour and a half to get to his office in the Slegh estate following the shortcut through the fields and streams. But today, since Mira was coming along, he decided to splurge and take the carriage. It would cost him 3 silver pieces each.Mira handed 20 pieces of silver to Jackson as she knew he didn’t have any money on him. She left the 30 pieces with her as she wanted to see if she could find something in town to make money.“Sleep. I will wake you when we get there.” Jackson put his arm around her shoulders pulling her into his embrace. He knew she was tired. The trip to the city in the carriage would take an hour.Mira
Jackson felt a heartache as he saw all the stuff, she bought but he didn’t have the heart to scold her. He only sighed inwardly as they walked to the carriage pick up point.They sat in the carriage quietly on the way back. Mira gave Jackson the buns she bought for him and dozed off as she was really tired. Jackson’s lips curled up as he ate the buns his wife bought for him. He was really hungry as all he ate since morning was the half egg and slice of bread at breakfast. He woke her up when they reached the stop near their home. He carried all the items while Mira carried the basket with needles and threads from the corner shop.“Let me tell you an exciting news….” She paused as she remembered the money she spent and sighed “Actually there is one good news and one bad. Which do you want to hear first?”“Bad news.” Jackson pursed his lips. He didn’t want to hear as he thought she was going to tell him that she regretted her choice and wanted to go back on her word to live a good life
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 t
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 s
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
“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 upholdi
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
The arrangement for the coronation ceremony was slightly different from previous years to increase efficiency. In the previous years, the elite of the society met in the palace hall and joined the procession after breakfast. This year, the palace guards formed 20 parking stations and associated tents for the nobility and 20 parking stations with tents for commoners although the facilities in the tent were not comparable to that of nobility; Each carriage that would park at any one of these stations where the palace guards would provide the smocks in the color identifying their social status.The concept of wearing this head-to-toe smock was to represent the flag which was the rising sun. The royal family and their household would be wearing golden smocks; similarly, the grand dukes and their household would be wearing orange, the dukes and their household would be amber, the lords would be yellow mixed with amber, nobles, scholars, merchants of high status in bright yellow, commoners i
“I am afraid I have to disappoint you.” Thomas’s lips curled up as he remembered his banter with Mira. “Your Grace is being modest.” Ecky shook his head in denial as he thought ‘No one would be able to match his master’. Thomas chuckled as he let Ecky help him dress. Although he was no longer in a panic to rush to Almera’s side, he still got ready hurriedly. He had figured out the reason for her scream, now it was more out of curiosity… curious what shock Mira had given his wife. Almera had just finished dressing and walked into the main lounge when she saw Thomas staring at her in a daze like a fool. “Who stole my husband’s soul?” Almera giggled as she walked up to him. Who didn’t like to see undisguised admiration and infatuation in their lover’s eye? “The enchantress is before me…” Thomas whispered as he hugged Almera’s waist claiming sovereignty “But I will be gladly held captive by her for all eternity.” “Someone’s got their mouth in the honey jar... Tsk…. tsk…” Almera feign