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“I am just worried that Aunt Beth and Uncle John might not be able to enjoy it.” Mira knitted her brows “They are servants of the Sleghs. Everything they own….” She stopped midway; the meaning was understandable. “Is that all that worries you?” Almera laughed. “Um” Mira pouted “You don’t understand…” “Maybe I don’t… maybe I do...” Almera shrugged with a her lips curling up with a cunning hint “But I sure as hell have a solution.” “You do???” Mira’s eyes widened before her expression became despondent “I have embroidered their names on the blanket, but I doubt that will do it….” “You’re right…” Almera nodded “They might not want to use something with their servants name on it… but they sure can destroy it stopping your aunt and uncle from enjoying it.” Almera agreed before clapping her hands “My idea will most certainly work.” Mira moved closer to Almera and started tugging her hands with a cute fawning expression. “You can give it to them saying it is a loan and for safe keeping
“Aunt, we are here.” Jack announced as he stood at the door holding the baskets along with Mira. Anne-Marie came running as always with Aunt Beth coming out wiping her hands on the apron. Mira had bought Dax along with them and handed him to Anne-Marie. This would keep the little girl occupied. “Aunt, there is something I need to talk to you about.” Mira spoke in a serious tone and literally dragged Beth out of the house along with Jack. Just as they were about to start talking, Mira saw Uncle John coming and pulled him into the conversation. “Mira has done a blanket for the two of you to keep warm during the winter.” Jack did the talking while Mira kept watch to make sure there were no prying ears including Joan and Emma. “Son, no need…. Our old bones can cope.” John shook his head. “Uncle, this is what we want to do. But...” Jack pursed his lips “We don’t want others to take away what we did for you.” “So, we are going to make you sign a contract in front of everyone…” Jack ex
Harry and Agnes’s reaction was even more exaggerated. Agnes wouldn’t let go of the blanket… her fingers lingered on the embroidery. Harry and Agnes insisted on everyone having supper at their place and Agnes rushed into the kitchen to prepare. Mira and Ursula followed while Mira told Agnes all about the wedding... Mira told Jack about the wedding dress she had to do for next week on their way back. “Love, if you are going to stop eating and do what you did last time… then I won’t agree.” Jack frowned. He didn’t want her to tire herself out like last time. “No…. no… I won’t… I promise…” Mira fawned coquettishly hanging on his hands. “Husband don’t frown…. Truly, I promise.” Mira coaxed Jack who kept his smelly face like a grumpy old man. Mira discovered Jack had become more childish, stubborn, domineering and more possessive since they had the heart-to-heart conversation in the pool. He was more himself in her presence than before. She liked him more for being himself… “I promise…”
Thomas enjoyed 2 weeks of uninterrupted peace with his beloved before getting busy with the task of suppressing the rebellious tribes from the west end. Almera settled into their new home which was far away from the reach of the Dowager Duchess interference and watchful eyes. She spent her days between the Dulston manor and their new estate, the love garden estate. Aldrin was a constant visitor as Ferran was the chief cook. Mira's days were also idyllic. She finished her work for the week and completed the blanket for themselves. She embroidered little angels with a floral pattern on the four corners. It was simple yet looked divine. Friday was Mira’s favorite day of the week. Firstly, she gets to chat with Almera and secondly, she gets paid…. Makes her a step closer to her goal. As usual, Almera was ready with bucket loads of gossip. She told Mira all about how Aveline rushed to the Amberton estate under the pretense of being her best friend only to be ridiculed by the Dowager Duch
Oden lowered his head respectfully as he watched the carriage move away before going back in. “Lady Marsden is very quick-witted, I am impressed.” Samuel laughed as he praised unreservedly “I didn’t mean….” “No need…” Mira laughed “One learns to survive when among vultures.” “This???” He pointed curiously at the root in her hand. “My little gift for you.” She walked back into the kitchen and came back with a whole bunch. “For helping me take revenge with the price.” Mira giggled innocently. Samuel watched the innocence with the affection of an elder while Oden returned with an expression to say he escaped from the clutches of hell but soon changed to an indifferent expression as he realized Samuel’s sizing gaze was on him. “But what will I do with this?” Samuel looked helplessly at the roots. He had not seen them before. “Then how about I make something delicious for you while you wait? Do you have time?” Mira smiled “This is the first crop; we were going to harvest during the
The next morning, Mira was busy with preparing the 5 rabbits Jack had skinned for a rabbit stew when she heard the cacophony of chatter from the front. She didn’t wait for the voices to become clear and ran to the barn where Jack was cleaning. “Someone’s outside.” She gasped, her eyes reflecting her fear. Jack had finished cleaning and was washing his hands and feet. He quickened his pace. He came up to her and hugged her comfortingly “I am here.” “It must be Big brother and second brother.” Jack chuckled to lighten her mood when he saw that she was still shaking. “No… no…” Mira shook her head “There’s many …. Many people.” “Let’s go take a look then.” Jack kissed her forehead and comforted “This is our house. I am here.” “Um” Mira nodded, regaining her composure; She raised her head and smiled sheepishly. Jack hugged her closer chuckling ‘His wife was too cute!’ The doorbell rang by the time they came into the kitchen. Mira’s face blushed further as she recognized the thunder
After everyone left Mira and Jack went to check on the traps that they had set. Heavens were truly merciful. Four of the traps had pheasants in them. Jack carefully took them out of the trap and handed them to Mira who threw them in space. The rest of the week went blissfully with Mira completing the work on the three cloths for Almera’s sister-in-law. But it was not the same for others. Jason was wholeheartedly playing the dutiful fiancé while keeping Alina happy. Alina on the other hand managed to recruit Lotta into her web. At first it was a harmless catch up; they had a common ground, were both illegitimate children who couldn’t share the glory of the light of day. Slowly, Alina started enticing her into the web by telling her sob story of how the one man she loved had his heart stolen by Mira and then how she mercilessly ditched him. Lotta could relate. Being an illegitimate child, she could never have what she wanted and had to be content with what was given to her. From the ti
Mira seemed to be stuck in her nightmare. She woke up the next day on the cold ground of the apartment. The same spot she fainted at the day before when Jason kicked her down. She knew she couldn’t wait for Jason and had to get someone to help her father. The first person she thought of was her godfather even though she hadn’t spoken to him in years. Although her godfather had the façade of a farmer, she knew that, that was not all he was about. She borrowed money from her neighbors who were also her companions in the last 6 months. Although they were also scrapping the bottom of the bowl to make ends meet, none of them hesitated to lend Mira all the coins they had even though they knew that Mira would never be able to pay them back. What they didn't know was, that this was the last time they would see her. It was said that the onlookers understood better; Yes, they understood the fallacy of Mira’s lover’s love, but they weren’t heartless to point it out and tear the poor girl’s he
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
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