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Martin saw Mira packing the rest of the meat buns into two sets in fresh coarse linen. One pack had two and the other had seven. He was more curious as he saw her lunging a basket in an unsuccessful attempt before asking Jack to carry it. But he didn’t ask. It wasn’t his place to ask. “We have to remember to get things from the supply shop.” Mira chatted as they walked “Everything is almost over.” “Um” “Oh… and that…. and this…. and ….” Mira kept chattering all the way and Jack acknowledging. Martin was amused by their interaction and didn’t pay attention to the path. “Oh… no…. we walked to my place…” He cried in horror as he realized that he was standing in front of his house. Mira giggled while Jack raised his eyebrows in disdain as if he was looking at an idiot. “I am coming with you to pick the animals.” Martin pursed his lips stubbornly refusing to enter the house, thinking the black hearted couple were going to leave him here. “Who said you weren’t?” Jack twisted his lips
Mira and Anne-Marie cuddled with the lambs while John, Matthew and Ursula sat in the cart with the piglets. Three brothers walked shoulder to shoulder leading the cow. It was definitely a sight to watch. “You were right about the lad.” Matthew watched the boys walking shoulder to shoulder. Ursula just smiled. She was happy as long her baby was fine. Although Mira was not born to her, she became Mira’s mother when she was two. She fell in love with the little bumble bee. Over time she forgot that this was not her baby… No that’s not right. This is her baby! They reached back at Mira’s house while daylight was still shining brightly. Everyone went to straight to the barn. Larkin’s men left with the cart after unloading and checking the branding area of the animals were fine. They left one cart for Harry to return the next day as instructed by Larkin. “Love, where do you want everything to go?” Jack looked at Mira. “How would I know?” Mira shrugged with a pout. The closest she has had
Jack milked the cows before setting off to work. He drank a glass of milk and ate bread, leaving the house a little earlier than he usually did. Mira had given him a jug to give at his aunt’s place before going to work. Mira sat at her desk working on the pattern she had in her mind. She had finished the top yesterday. It was a floral pattern with the reflective parts making the petals of a fully open flower that were lined with the copper thread and a beautiful half-closed flower shaded with the brilliant, red and copper thread. The vines were done with olive green and this pattern extended from the neckline to slightly below the bust. The waist was left plain creating an illusion of a full bust and thin waist. The skirt was patterned to be a fully rounded skirt and the embroidery covering every inch. Jack’s day was not any different to his usual routine. Just as he was about to get off work, the supervisor informed him that there was an aggrieved woman anxiously looking for him. Ja
Mira had finally completed embroidering the work that she had designed on Tuesday. This was her first completed design. She did a copy of the pattern on a small coarse linen cloth and kept as a keepsake. She giggled as she thought of a name for her design ‘garden of love’. She started her next work seeing there was plenty of time for Jack to come home. As per her agreement with Almera, she looked at the watch and started marking the time on her cloth. She had to get a small parchment on her next trip to the city. Time went quickly without any incidents till the next day. Mira had got up to take a break from her morning work. She didn’t know why, but she felt like she had to lock her work room. She locked the door as she always followed her intuition. She went to the kitchen to bake bread and some pork soup for Jack's supper. She hummed a little song to herself as she worked. A low thud was heard from the direction of the side gate. Mira’s heart skipped a beat. The dogs or rather pu
“I need space.” The minute Mira thought about it, she was pulled in. She looked around. Even though it was dark outside, the space here was well lit up, bright as day. She walked around calling out “Anybody here?” “Anyone home?” “Does this place belong to anyone?” “Does anyone know how I got here?” Only silence greeted her; Mira sat down pouting. “This is your space.” She heard a faint whisper once she quieted down. Mira raised her head and looked up. She was an apparition of an elderly woman. “You…. you… a ghost?” Mira asked in fear. “Ghost??” The elderly woman laughed “I wouldn’t know.” “Who are you?” Mira asked once her heart calmed. “I am one of the guardians of time and space.” “How?? I???” Mira lowered her head. She knew but she didn’t know… “You are not meant to be here. You and I know that.” The old lady chuckled. “Are you here to take me back?” Mira asked in a low voice; sadness clouding her heart. She didn’t live long with Jack… she wanted to grow old with him…
They ate the buns that Almera packed for them as they rode back. This had become their norm. Almera didn’t bother her to eat. She understood that Mira wanted to hurry back home. They returned the cart early and walked to the supply shop. Mira told Jack about Aldrin’s request. Jack nodded. Mira had only 3 gold coins and 20 silver pieces in loose change but that was plenty for them. They had shopped with just 50 silver pieces. Mira stocked up on all the vegetables, a barrel of ale, 2 lots of herb pouches and even treated themselves to two small barrels of wine. She did feel a heartache as she gave Joe a gold coin and received 50 silver pieces. She muttered to herself “It’s alright. We are working hard to live a good life.” Jack chuckled. How could he not understand his money grubber wife? Once they reached home, Mira followed Jack into the woods after they kept the 2 gold sheets in the locker. She wanted to look for mushrooms. Jack started chopping after asking her not to go far. Mir
They rushed back; Mira washed the furs clean while Jack watered the plants. Just like before, Mira flung it into space. “Husband, would the supply shop have alum?” Mira asked as they walked to go to her parents’ place. “What’s alum?” Jack had never heard of it. “It’s like a white powder that is used for …” Mira thought for a while before saying, “cleaning fur.” She pouted and muttered “That the only use I know.” “Don’t know.” Jack shrugged “Joe usually has a bit everything.” “Can we take a quick look?” “Um” Strangely, Joe did have it. She bought a small bag of salt and alum. Each cost 10 silver pieces each. Joe only had a bag of Alum; Let’s just say it was not a popular item in their countryside. They set off to Mira’s parents place as soon as they finished at Joe’s. This time, they took a carriage ride as they were both tired. 10 silver pieces poorer! “Mom, dad, we are here” Mira announced as they entered. “Come… come…” Matthew was always happy to see his little girl. “Dad,
Jack and Oden chopped the remaining wood that he had bought back from the woods while Martin stacked them to the side of the house. “So, what happened?” Oden asked; the haze in his heart had disappeared as he saw Jack and Mira interacting. “You remember that bastard Mira used to like” Jack kept his eyes on the kitchen door as he spoke in a low voice. “What about him?” Martin asked in annoyance. “He came here three days ago.” Jack told them everything and how he found Mira hiding in a corner shivering with fear “The bastard wanted to use her to create a scandal so that I will lose my selection at that court position.” “He has some skill. You should have seen the crowd here when I got home.” Jack’s voice was filled with disdain. “No wonder, Mira wouldn’t open today.” Oden nodded thoughtfully. “Bastard, he dares to scheme against us brothers?” Martin was furious “We should teach this bastard a lesson.” “Someone already did.” Oden smirked; He was the apprentice of the Slegh’s man o
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