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When did you become wise?
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
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“OH MY GOD … OH MY GOD….” Anne-Marie started shrieking as she saw the pretty sky-blue dress... she was the first to open the parcel. “My dear child…” Beth sighed helplessly as she opened hers. She didn’t know what was wrong with this girl… although her heart felt sweet when she thought that Mira care for her as much as her folks… no she considered them as her own… “This…. Good Lord!” Beth shrieked as she saw the gown that was meant for her. It was a beautiful…. Prettier than any she ever owned…. It was probably even prettier than the silk gowns of those madams even though it was only fine linen. “Aunt, the material….” Mira lowered her head with a pout and muttered “Not long… I promise I will make you a silk gown. “Child, what are you talking about??? This is so pretty…” Beth caressed her dress fondly. Matthew and Harry’s reaction was probably the calmest… John, Martin and even Oden’s eyes were misted…. On one side, their own sister was making things difficult for them… and here wa
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“My husband still looks handsome!” Mira sighed with a dreamy look leading to another bout of laughter. “Since everyone’s ready, let’s go.” Jack chuckled to hide his embarrassment. “I am afraid my looks won’t match the cart outside.” Harry straightened his back and lifted his chin arrogantly. “Ha… ha…. ha…” Everyone laughed while Agnes chided “What are you making a fuss for old man? You are not half as handsome as my son-in-law.” “Ha…. ha…. ha….” “We were thinking of walking to the carriage ride stop and getting a ride to the city.” Mira spoke once the laughter died down. “No… no….” Beth shook her head “That will cost a lot of silver.” “Mom, I will pay for everyone.” Martin tapped his chest proudly as he remembered the coins he had in his pocket. Jack was about to refuse when Mira nudged his hand and shook her head. She didn’t want to hurt his self-esteem. “Alright.” Beth nodded happily; She was worried about burdening Jack… she also felt proud that her son could afford a ride
Second chance at happiness Am I dressed well enough for the father of the grand prize winner?
“Excuse me.” Mira smiled politely as she got hold of the attendant. “Madam” He bowed respectfully. “Can you only charge 1 gold coin for our room and hand the rest of the charge to my husband on the sly?” “Madam, is your husband the handsome lord?” “The one you spoke to when you led us to the room.” A pink shade crept up Mira’s cheeks as she heard the man describing Jack. “Sure” The man smiled brightly and bowed “Anything for a pretty lady.” Mira slipped back into the room with a happy smile. It was so rewarding to see everyone’s happy face. “Little Mira, what are we celebrating?” Harry asked with a boisterous smile as the attendant filled his wine goblet. “Just family.” Mira smiled with a shrug. “To family” Harry raised his goblet. “To family” Everyone raised their goblets and drank in one gulp. “Your best dishes.” Jack ordered as the attendant came to take their order. He was confident that he would be able to pay. He had the 5 gold sheets Mira had given him earlier in the
Second chance at happiness My tribute to the king.
“What’s there to be proud of?” Joan twisted her lips that were painted red in disdain “They are just entering in Mira’s name. They will be seated with us after all.” She didn’t notice the purple badge in their hands. Emma lowered her head and pursed her lips resentfully. ‘Why didn’t they look back? Did they not hear her in this crowd?’ The attendants who were guiding the people to their seats bought Mira’s group to their seats which was in the third row and had a good view of everything in the center. “Madam, you have to sit in the front row with the contestants.” The attendant informed Mira by looking at her circular badge. “Um” Mira nodded as she turned to Jack and adjusted his hat to cover his face with an affectionate gaze “I will be back.” “Um” Mira walked with the attendant to the front row and giggled as she heard her father’s sigh “Only husband in her eyes… we old men are totally ignored!” Almera was already seated waiting for Mira. The two held hands first in excitemen
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She regained composure and sat up straight in a few mins. Almera pressed her hand as she saw her despair. Mira smiled to gesture that she was okay. A stout man dressed in rich silk and pot belly walked to the front with a haughty expression. “I can bet anything that this is not his work.” Almera whispered “This is the second lord of Soren. Not a single good root in the lot.” Mira looked at Almera in confusion. “They must have commissioned someone from overseas to do the work.” Almera shrugged “That is not against the rules.” Mira nodded in understanding. Lord Soren walked with his entry with a smug smile. He too had chosen royal red velvet cloth. He had embroidered a beautiful peacock in the centre with feathers cascading throughout the robe. It was definitely a beautiful piece. “Tell me about your design.” “Beauty…. Beauty and beauty” Lord Soren laughed happily thinking his answer was witty. “Why did you choose this concept?” One of the judges who was irritated with his smug
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“This work is most certainly exquisite but quite heavy.” One of the judges who had previously stretched out his hand to touch the robe asked with narrowed eyes “Do you think it is ideal to have such a heavy work for a king to wear? Weren’t you being thoughtless?” There was a tinge of admiration in his eyes although his question was sharp. “Not in the least.” Mira didn’t cower to answer this pointed question. “Unfortunately, that is a burden for whoever sits on that throne has to bear. It is definitely not easy.” Mira feigned a regretful expression before raising her head with a mischievous smile “And my design is definitely a gentle reminder. Didn’t I say the splendor was an illusion compared to the weight of the responsibility?” The whole court burst out laughing with Cornelius in the lead. Orseus couldn’t muck around like his father, but he was most impressed and hid his laughter with a few coughs. The only faces that were not happy were the Slegh’s and Joan. “Eloquent…” Lord Dul
Second chance at happiness The person I owe the most is my dear husband.
The crowd started chanting their favorite works… it was divided …. There were also those fawning on Lord Sween. “Number ….” The royal messenger paused again with a cheeky chuckle. The crowd held their breath as they waited…. “Number 555- Mira Jackson urf Lady Mira Marsden” Mira stared with misty eyes… she turned around to look at Jack. He gestured a flying kiss to encourage her while Almera kept nudging her to get up. Old master Slegh sat like he lost his soul; the two young masters were not much better, only Caster sat there like an infatuated fool. “Marsden…. Marsden…. Yes… Marsden….” Lord Dulston shouted excitedly…. But the crowd was too loud for anyone other than his sons to hear. “Dad???” “That’s the bastard who married my sister…my Bella…. Your aunt.” Lord Dulston was too excited for words “That…. That …is little Bella.” The Dulston brothers including Aldrin stared skeptically at their father. Cyrus thought his sons didn’t believe him and explained “Well, your aunt marrie
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Mira nodded; She was aware that although the prize was announced for five favors, it was also announced that it could be made redundant during the process of making the requests. The reason for the latter half of the decree was simple. A stop gap measure in case the winner didn’t know the immensity of the heavens and earth. “State them before King and country in the order of the most cherished one first, so that none may judge the king unjust.” The royal messenger finished his proclamation and handed the loudspeakers, one to Mira and the other to Orseus. Orseus looked to his father who nodded before he sat back on the throne of judgement. “Your majesty” Mira bowed low in respect “Pray pardon my insolence if my first request were to offend his highness.” Orseus pursed his lips in curiosity and waved his arm to grant permission. “Your majesty, I pray for the title to be bestowed equally on me and husband.” Mira paused “If this is not possible, I pray for your majesty’s kindness in ac
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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
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“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
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“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
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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
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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
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“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
Second chance at happiness My world is besides you…. whether it is murky or still waters.
“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
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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
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“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
