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Almera looked at the work Mira completed once they reached the shop. She was extremely satisfied. She decided the pattern of the dress with Mira before finalizing the model. She drew them on a parchment with her notes for the girls who were going to cut and make the dress. “Are you okay for this week? I can pay in advance.” Almera asked as she gave Mira the next 5 sets. “No need.” Mira smiled. While they were chatting, Tyle came in to announce the arrival of Hawks. Almera waved asking him to bring Hawks in. Hawks had come with two copies of the amended schedule of the contract with the two additional items they had discussed in the morning. Mira signed both copies after reading and handed them to Hawks who placed the Dulstons seal on both before returning one to Mira. Aldrin had already signed the copies. “Madam, young master said that the hanging frames have picked up rage and if you could deliver 2 of them with next week’s order.” “Um” Mira nodded with a smile. Once business w
“Don’t bother about figuring out arrangements. My wagon is not particularly tied up. I will send it later in the evening with my men to pick it up.” Aldrin waved “Let’s do like this for now. I will send someone to pick them up if there are orders and you have frames ready on Friday evening.” “Okay” Mira nodded before warning “The roses have not grown to this effect. The Trellis is bare. Have you warned your customer?” “Yes” Aldrin nodded. “Alright.” Mira nodded “What are you charging them?” “Same 100.” Aldrin chuckled “I told them aunt got the special price as she was the first person to buy it. The price of a piece similar to hers is 150 gold coins.” “Um” Mira pursed her lips into a smile. Aldrin paid another gold sheet and 13 gold coins for the Trellis stands. Mira returned to Almera's shop and asked to exchange 100 gold coins for a sheet. She had bought the 86 gold coins from the safe with her today. She told Almera about Aldrin agreeing to send the wagon to collect the Trel
Mira cleaned the 32 furs that they had just skinned and soaked them in the pickling solution as they had done previously. She noted that Jack was lost in thought since Almera left. She wondered if everything was alright with Thomas. “What’s wrong?” Mira asked as she snuggled in Jack’s embrace in space. Jack pursed his lips as he toyed with the idea of whether he should say something. “Love, I don’t want my image in your heart to be petty but I can’t help being petty. The more I get your love, the more I don't want to lose it. Initially, I thought even if it was a few days, I would cherish it and then happily let you go whenever you wanted ... but now.... I cannot...” Jack confessed as he buried his face in her neck. “Ha...aa….ha…” Mira giggled “Husband that tickles.” She wriggled as she turned to face him “I want you, to be you…” She traced her fingers down his face “If its petty then that’s what I like…. If it’s silly… then so be it…I chose to like you just the way you are.” “Hus
“Aunt, we’re here.” Jack announced as he stood at the door with the basket in one hand and his other arm wrapped around Mira’s waist. “Come… come…” Oden opened the door wider; Martin and John had already come back and was relaxing with their mug of ale. “Mira...” Anne-Marie came running from the outside as she heard their voices. She couldn’t go to visit them as second brother told them that the two of them were busy. “Um” Mira smiled as she held Anne-Marie’s hand and whispered in her ears “I bought someone to visit you.” Anne-Marie eyes widened as she looked around “Really?? Where???” “He missed you terribly and snuck in when he got whiff that we were coming here.” Mira giggled. Anne-Marie pouted as she saw the basket in Jack’s hand and the worse thought crossed her mind “You promised” “Ha…ha…ha…” Mira laughed as she saw Anne-Marie’s disappointed face. “Look here.” Mira moved the flap of the apron to reveal the little bunny popping out of her pocket as he heard Anne-Marie’s vo
Beth and John were waiting anxiously for their kids to return. But the heartless gluttons happily ate to their hearts content the delicious meal that Mira cooked. She packed some for Beth and John as she had a feeling that they wouldn’t have eaten anything. Jack didn’t stop her… He was truly feeling guilty now that he had calmed down. His aunt had always stood on his side and protected him wholeheartedly… she truly didn’t deserve his temper tantrum. Beth ran to the door as she heard them bickering noisily as they reached close to the house. Her anxious heart settled as she heard them, she knew that the grudge was forgotten. “Son, are they okay?” John asked with a guilty expression. It was his fault that he didn’t educate his daughter properly. “Um” Oden nodded “Jack asked us to tell you that he was sorry.” “More like Mira threatened him into apologizing.” Anne-Marie giggled as she told her parents what she overheard. “What is wrong with that job?” Beth asked curiously; she knew th
Mira cleaned the fat tissue and waste of the soaked furs along with Jack before soaking them again to pickle for the next 7 days. She waited patiently even though she was burning with curiosity till they finished supper and entered space before asking “What was that about?” “My sixth sense has never failed me.” Jack’s lips curled up smugly. “I was only being cautious when I told you there has to be an element of truth… but it saved us a lot of trouble.” “Huh?” “The person sent by the Dame followed us into the woods. He left only after he watched us putting the rabbits into the cage.” “I was just making sure he knew that the house was guarded.” Jack chuckled. “I … I am pretty sure he didn’t see me ducking in and out.” Mira narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips as she thought back. She was always cautious when she went in and out. Even if the woods were their private space… she made sure … “Don’t worry. I made sure he was engaged.” Jack smiled slyly “He didn’t have time to look at
Mira arrived at Almera’s shop as usual… the only difference was she was not wearing her normal dress but rather the pink gown. “I will wait for you here.” Jack kissed her goodbye before leaving for work. “You’re here.” Almera smiled. “Ready??” She raised her eyebrows challengingly, waving her hand towards the dresses that were completed and packed. “Um” Mira’s thoughts were no longer on the appointment with the queen. Her mind was reeling on how she could protect Almera. “You seem preoccupied??” Almera teased “Are you scared?” “Nope…” Mira giggled deciding to put her thoughts to the back of her mind “How can I be scared of gallows when I have such beautiful company?” “We will party all the way to afterlife.” Mira giggled, her imagination taking a rich charm. “Ha…. ha…. ha….” Almera laughed happily “That is a must.” The appointment with the queen was only at 10, there was plenty of time. Mira gave the completed work to Almera. “What do you want to charge?” Almera wanted to hea
The longer Mira took inside, the more anxious Almera became. She started pacing back and forth almost making Deborah dizzy. “Lady Dulston take a seat.” She helplessly invited her to sit. Almera smiled sheepishly as she sat, barely touching her bum on the chair. Deborah shook her head helplessly before turning her attention back to the chamber. The tall ornate doors finally opened, and Mira skipped out but soon assumed a lady-like stance after being glared at by Almera. Neither the queen nor Deborah could hold their laughter. Almera bowed politely as she requested absence from the queen’s presence. “Why did you take so long?” Almera asked in concern, worry written all over her face “What did you ask for?” “The queen gave me her token.” Mira giggled slithering away from the topic. “I am also very rich.” She shook her pouch giggling successfully putting Almera’s mind at ease and away from the topic. Thomas, Jack and Aldrin were all waiting anxiously in Almera’s back office. The lo
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