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“Mom, make something you and dad like. We had a really big meal at cousins.” Martin had a satisfied smile as he spoke. “Mom, I think I should have a light soup.” Oden touched his paunch with a sheepish smile. They truly were pigs today. “Mom, they ate a whole rabbit all by themself.” Anne-Marie whispered in Beth’s ears before giggling “I tried too… but who asked my stomach to be small?” Beth shook her head helplessly “Oden’s father, what do you want?” “I want to roast it on fire…” John’s eyes showed a rare twinkle, but he soon suppressed it “But the neighbors will know for sure. Let’s just do something simple." “Tell ‘em to go to hell.” Martin was a rebel; he never cared what others thought. If he thought it was right, that was good enough for him. “I will set the fire.” He walked out arrogantly. “I will make sure he doesn’t burn this cottage down.” Oden chuckled as he followed his brother. For once, he agreed. He threw caution in the air and walked out to help Martin build the
Mira woke up early with Jack the next morning. She didn’t feel tired at all. She wondered if it was a dream that she got up and worked at night? She went to her work room and checked before coming to the conclusion that it had something to do with her space. Jack milked the cow while Mira stirred all the pails before going in to get breakfast ready. She had baked fresh bread last night; Jack ate breakfast before setting off to deliver milk to his aunt. Mira sat back at the slate stand and worked on the design on the hand sleeves. Mira finished this work as Jack returned. She went and stirred the three pails again before settling in start the work the half-finished work from last week. She scribbled on the parchment 10 before starting. She worked for an hour and stopped. She went in to space and picked up the dead rabbit that she thrown in on Friday. The rabbit looked like it was only killed a few minutes ago; Even the body temperature was still warm. “Husband” She walked to Jack’s
Jack was peacefully enjoying his meal when the doorbell rang. Mira had finished eating and was sitting back watching him eating with relish. “I will go.” Jack knew her shadow from the incident hadn’t diminished.” Martin and Anne-Marie stood at the door. “Come in.” Jack closed the door once they came in and walked back to the dining table. “Are you still eating?” Martin asked in surprise. They came this late giving them time to eat. “Have you eaten?” Mira smiled. Anne-Marie shook and then nodded. The smell wafting in her nose and tempting her to say ‘no’ but mom would kill her when she got back. “Ha…ha…ha…” Mira laughed looking at Anne-Marie’s cute expression “Would you like to eat some?” Anne-Marie nodded throwing a side glance at Martin, only to be surprised to see him nodding as well. She got them both plates and plated some similar to what she had done for Jack. “Cousin, do you want to adopt a cute and extremely obedient, well-behaved most desirable girl?” Anne-Marie blinke
Joan turned her head arrogantly ‘There was nothing wrong with what she said. They didn’t lock rooms when the bastard stayed with them!’ Mira held Jack’s hand to calm him and smiled reassuringly gesturing to him to remain silent. “That is my work room.” Mira spoke in a neither servile nor overbearing tone “The clothes in there belong to the lords and their wives. I am afraid that I cannot afford to pay if I damage the clothes, so I never leave the door open even if there is no one in the house.” “There is no need to explain.” Beth apologized “It is my fault I didn’t teach well.” “Says who?” Mira laughed “Didn’t you bring Anne-Marie up? She is an angel.” “Gluttonous angel” Martin chuckled as they came out of the kitchen. Jack closed the kitchen door behind them, and everyone chose to forget Joan’s snide remark. “Mom, look this is the cage cousin made for us.” Anne-Marie showed the cages that the rabbits were kept. “Cousin did you give them food again?” Anne-Marie asked in shock. T
Beth was laughing her head out listening to Martin and Anne-Marie’s bicker. She had never had time to sit like this. She was truly grateful to Mira for this experience. She looked up and saw the couple walking together in blissful harmony. Jack was holding the tray and walking beside Mira, nodding and smiling, this was a rare sight; Jack didn’t smile or rather they thought he didn’t smile. This was a side of him reserved only for Mira. Mira was walking beside him holding the pail and chattering non-stop. “Oden’s father, the children are going to be alright, right?” She looked at John for confirmation. John nodded. “Where did you two go?” Martin raised his eyebrows teasingly. “Let’s gather some firewood.” Jack made an expression that read ‘get married if you want to know’ look as he suggested to the others. “Alright.” Anne-Marie jumped up. Joan sat unusually quiet. She wanted to say something mean and disrespectful, but she had just eaten a plateful of really tasty food. She decid
Jack and Mira woke up early as their norm. Jack milked the cow while Mira got breakfast ready. She went out to check on the rabbits in the cage and coop. She fed them with the kitchen scraps after sending Jack off to work. She led the cow and sheep for grazing and locked their paddock. She opened the outside door for the piglets to run amok in the mud pit and left the two dogs in charge of each area. She stirred the furs and picked up the spade as she remembered the fish she had left in space. She carried it with her into the house. She locked at the doors due to the scare from last time. She was not going to open till Jack came back. She entered space with the spade and decided on a spot she wanted to keep the fish. She started digging till she had dug knee deep; she copied Jack’s basin measurement one person long and three persons wide. “Now for some water.” Mira thought out loud as she turned to take the pail with the fish and water. She looked down as she felt a cold sensation o
“You want me to go alone?” Mira frowned as she walked out with a bowl of mushroom soup. “No… no…no…” Jack shook his head like a rattle. He didn’t… god knows he didn’t… he just… Mira lifted her eyebrows skeptically as she sized Jack’s guilty face “You did not…” She narrowed her eyes “think that I was going to that …...” “No … no…no…” Jack shook his head denying with all his might, but his red face and lowered eyes were a big giveaway. “Hmph” Mira humped as she placed the soup in front of him and turned to return to the kitchen, but Jack pulled her back into his embrace and hugged her tightly “Love forgive me…please.” He buried his head in her neck acting like a spoilt child. Mira wriggled as she felt ticklish. Jack held her more tightly as he thought she was angry with him and trying to get away. “Love, I am sorry. I ….” Jack spoke in a low voice “You have said it yourself, you have loved him for more than 7 years… you said that you have lived and breathed with a dream of being hi
Mira and Jack walked towards the rendezvous spot. Jack half expected her leave his hand as they neared but she didn’t. Alina and Jason were sitting canoodling each other under the tree. They didn’t expect Mira to come early. “Cough… cough…” Mira cleared her mouth to make her presence known. Alina and Jason repelled away from each other as they though had been stung. “Mira, dear…” Jason called out in shock. He didn’t expect to come seeing what she did. Mira took a step back, holding on to Jack’s hand tightly. “Mira, we …” Alina feigned a sorrowful expression “I was only pacifying him.” “Mira, why is he here?” Jason asked restraining his anger, his eyes looked at her accusingly. It didn’t matter that he was canoodling Alina a minute ago… that was all well and above board. But Mira to be holding another man’s hand was unacceptable. “Why can’t he be here?” Mira asked with an innocent expression before sighing “He is my legal husband after all.” “Mira ..you…” Jason pointed in anger
The king’s men actions were swift. It took them a day to find the truth behind Jack’s drugging event and submit their report. Meanwhile, the Slegh’s gathered in the old master’s study to discuss counter measures. Old master Slegh rubbed his chest uncomfortably as he listened to his sons quibbling.“Father, the only solution is to give up on Lotta.” Cole decided to be the devil’s advocate. Cain frowned; It wasn’t that he had any love for the bastard, but his intuition told him that Lotta was just the tip of the iceberg.“What are your thoughts?” Old master Slegh looked towards Cain. Caster and Cole followed the old master’s gaze.“Somehow, I doubt that will be enough.” Cain shook his head as he slowly lifted his face “Father, do you think it’s old debts catching up with new ones?”“What old debts??” Old master Slegh furiously tapped his walking stick on the ground “Don’t speak carelessly.” His fury shut their mouths but not their doubts, which danced all over their faces in the form o
“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
“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
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
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
“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
“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
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
“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