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Back at Mira’s place, Mira continued her work unaware of the storms blowing and brewing outside. She only came out when Jack called out to say that their parents were leaving. “We will come early tomorrow and help Jack with planting the seedlings. You concentrate on your work” Ursula told Mira their plan. Mira nodded happily as she waved goodbye. Jack was back to himself and started working on his stands as Mira did her work. Jack decided to make a stand similar to the one Mira had… not similar… an exact replica as he remembered the content from her chattering before. “Love, keep this in your work room.” Jack said as he massaged her shoulders. He had just finished making it. “Huh?” Mira raised her head in confusion to look at Jack; her gaze became even more confused as she looked at the stand that was exactly the same as hers… even the inscription. Jack hugged his wife and kissed her passionately… his wife was too cute and enticing when she looked at him with her innocent big eyes
“You are well?” Aldrin had heard about the situation from Almera; His men had gone to pick up the stands last week and there was no one there. “Yes.” Jack looked apologetically at Aldrin “We apologize for taking payment and not delivering the frames. How about….” “No… nothing to it.” Aldrin waved. It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t impressed once he heard about the whole incident; Any other man would have given in, and it would be an acceptable crime. “But you must have gotten in trouble…” Jack felt uncomfortable. “I have a rubber neck…” Aldrin laughed in good humor “I never hang.” “There are four, ready for pick-up and we have ones that has started to bloom as a compensation for the people who were meant to get last week’s order.” “Good... good…” Aldrin nodded as he handed 2 gold sheets and 25 gold coins to Jack “I will send the lads to pick it up this evening.” He turned back to his ledgers. He didn't want to talk to the man who was his imaginary love rival.... what if he
Almera left the trunk with Mira telling her not to waste money on the trunk since it was for a temporary arrangement and to use the one she bought with them. They could return it when it was no longer required as it was currently not being used. It fit the bill as it was a strong trunk used to store expensive cloths at the dressmakers. “Then, I will owe you one more.” Mira giggled in good nature. “Nonsense.” Almera waved as she rode away. Mira and Jack locked the house and rode to Aunt Beth’s on the cart with the trunk as it was still early. No one was home yet…. Only Oden, Aunt Beth and Anne-Marie. “Aunt, we are home.” Jack announced at the door. “Come… come….” Oden opened the door. “Big brother, help me carry something inside.” Jack asked before stepping in. Mira stood by the side giving the men way to carry the trunk inside. “Keep this in Uncle’s room.” Jack instructed as they walked in. They left the trunk in the men’s room and came out. “Aunt, this is the key for the trunk
Jack washed the furs that were soaking for the last 2 days and meticulously cleaned all the fat tissue and any unwanted remnants from the furs before washing them again and soaking them in the reconstituted pickling concoction on Thursday. Martin came over as usual with the long chains. He was surprised not to see Mira as she usually came out to chat with him, but she didn’t this time. “Where’s cousin’s wife?” He asked curiously. “She’s working.” Jack sighed; He complained about how useless he felt. How she tired herself without stopping even to eat. “You are fortunate.” Martin chuckled as he whispered wishfully “Wish I had a wife who cared half as much.” “My wife is best.” Jack put away his wronged expression and became smug again. The next morning, Jack got ready to go to city as usual. “Husband, take this picture to second brother’s smithy” Mira extended the picture of the crown that Almera had given them. “Ask the master how much it would cost us to have it made in a size t
“We will thank both you and your master for your kindness.” Jack received the token and handed it to Mira. Samuel took out another token and gave it to Jack as he noted that Jack handed it to Mira. “We….” Jack was about to refuse when Samuel interrupted. “Keep one on your person.” He handed the token to Jack and reminded “It is better to be cautious.” “Thank you.” Both Mira and Jack thanked Samuel. Samuel stood up as his purpose of arrival had been accomplished “Then I will take my leave.” “Wait…let me get you some…...” Mira took two steps into the house when Samuel tried to stop her – “No need to get anything. I was just …..” “You can’t argue with me.” Mira pouted childishly; Samuel sat back helplessly. She turned to walk towards the kitchen but turned back once again “Are there many visitors at your master’s place today?” “No… just a quiet meal.” Samuel shook his head. “Does your master like pheasant meat?” Samuel nodded although he had an amused smile. Mira went to the
On Saturday as Mira predicted, Ursula, Agnes, Matthew and Harry arrived first and then around 10 o’clock the Ward clan with the exception of Joan and Emma arrived but that was later. Currently it was just Mira's folks. “You are being watched.” Harry warned as he sat down. “When did you manage to offend Jane?” Matthew asked before correcting himself as he saw Jack and Mira’s blank face “Dame Killion.” “We haven’t offended her.” Mira shook her head before asking “Why?” “Her men are here as well.” “Oh…” Mira’s lips curled up as she thought of Samuel’s offer with gratitude. “Then it is a friend I take it.” Matthew chuckled seeing his daughter’s silly smile. Mira told her father and the others about their association with Samuel …right up until their last conversation. “She is a good woman.” Harry nodded “You can trust her.” “Um” Mira nodded before asking “Who else?” “Slegh’s men are here too.” “Um”. Mira nodded before curling her lips in disdain “They can try.” “Don’t be so arr
They had come rushing when they heard Mira’s desperate scream. They were given only one job- protect Mira and Jack. Neither wanted to think of the consequences of failing in their duty. They ran to help… what greeted them was three grown men hiding behind bushes, two in trees and one standing frozen. They had gotten here before Mira but decided to watch as they couldn’t make sense of the situation. They couldn’t figure out if the men started fighting and attacked each other or if there was another enemy…. What eventuated…they enjoyed watching… Martin came back with the small boar along with Oden. “What are we doing with this?” Matthew turned to Mira ignoring the surprised faces of everyone other than Harry. “They…” Beth pointed at the men and hid behind John. “Let’s marinate and have a big dinner tomorrow.” Mira smiled greedily as she clasped her hands. “Let’s get Almera and her Marquess over as well.” Mira smiled as she looked at Jack. Although it was a statement, she was asking
“Cousin’s wife is very generous.” Martin shook his head. He had heard the other apprentices talking about their families. Mira took good care of them even though they were only cousins. She took care of them the same way she looked after her folks. “Ha… ha…. ha….” Jack laughed as he gave the reins to Martin. He knew Martin liked to ride. They rode back quickly. Mira completed another small strip and came out of space. She decided to do some more floral patterns using yellow threads. Jack and Martin returned shortly after she started embroidering the spare robe. It was almost like a celebratory gathering. The men chopped the woods and made the preparation for the fire since they had to start early cooking early in the morning. Ursula got the beets prepared while Agnes made the blood sauce. By the time Mira came out, Beth had all the vegetables ready. Mira added 4 gallons of water, 8 cups pickling salt, 6 oranges and 2 lemons halved along with 2 bulbs garlic in a large pot. She sque
‘Duk’ ‘Duk’ ‘Duk’The knock on the door came in a timely manner interrupting the staring match between Cornelius, Thomas and Orseus.“Your Grace, Carl is here.” Lazarus announced after answering the door.“Bring him in.” Jack waved his hand, gesturing Lazarus to bring him in, his lips curling in a smile as he pulled his chair to place it exactly before Jerome, hiding him behind him.Martin and Oden snickered as they saw Jack’s actions; Thomas and Orseus joined in once Oden whispered the gist behind Jack’s actions.“Your grace.” Carl greeted him with his usual amiable smile as soon as he entered but his smile soon froze on his lips as he saw the room full of heavy weights.Although he was visibly frozen for a few seconds, as the man of business of the most prestigious duchy, he quickly regained his composure and greeted every single person in the room with the same charm, making everyone forget that he had lost his composure.However, today was one day that his duke decided to test his
“Let’s head downstairs??” Baldwin hooked his eyebrows as he looked at Jack before shifting his gaze towards Cornelius.“Does it matter…” Thomas hooked his eyebrows challengingly “I mean now that we have stocked up our arsenal and are ready to battle?”Orseus had an expression of agreement; he didn’t think that there was a need for secrecy anymore. They were ready to strike.Corenlius knitted his brows unable to make up his mind one way or the other when Jack opened his mouth “Let’s head downstairs. We are not ready; we still have loose ends.”Although both Orseus and Thomas looked unconvinced, they still headed downstairs towards the study without arguing verbally. Everyone, including John and Beth, followed.“Summon Carl.” Jack instructed Harrison on his way downstairs “I have something I need to discuss with him.”Harrison nodded and went to deliver the message.Lazarus left his right-handed man outside the study to bring Carl inside when he arrived, before heading inside, to follow
Everyone waited outside the room while Leal, Cornelius, Baldwin and Caleb entered the room along with Emeralda and Jerome.“Lie down.” Esmeralda had a faint smile as she requested. It had been more than a decade since she saw their young master; even though he didn’t remember them, her inner world was peaceful. They had found each other, they were halfway…. It wouldn’t be long.She sat by his side, concentrating on the examination once she was able to quieten the noises from her inner excitement. She frowned as she realized that although he appeared to be fit from his physical appearance, the information she gathered from his examination was not so promising.Her brows knitted further as the examination continued, raising the anxiety of the men who were standing in the room observing Esmeralda. While Leal and Caleb stood still like pillars, regardless of their clenched fists and knitted brows, both Corenlius and Baldwin started pacing in the room unable to stand still.“How is it?” Th
Caleb wasn’t far off with his prediction although the healer's arrival had nothing to do with his message. The healer and a hooded man arrived at Southamberston Duchy late evening of the same day. Everyone was resting in their rooms when Harrison announced their arrival to Jack; Jack asked Harrison to clear the hall of everyone and to inform the others as he went down to the lounge area to greet his old friends. “Venerable one…” Jack greeted as he always did, without the airs of his newly found status. The healer narrowed her eyes as looked at Jack; she didn’t have her usual airy, fairy daze but this time, her gaze was sharp, like that of an eagle, before her lips slowly curled up and she knelt on one knee “Esmeralda greets the young marquess.” She had noted the Butler clearing everyone away from this area and the young commander circling with his men, she knew that there were no more prying eyes around them. The only thing she didn’t anticipate was the audience that was coming dow
Mira kept scolding and kicking the man, without showing the slightest hint of stopping or displeasure from touching his already bloodied body; the truth was, she was trembling in anger, her eyes red with rage, barely attentive to notice the state the man was in. Jack was stunned for a minute before he rushed after her and held her back in his embrace as he coaxed her, shamelessly boasting “Wife, I am fine. Look…. Do you think his three-legged skills are enough to harm me?” “Wife, calm down… let Lazarus deal with him.” Jack held her tightly in his embrace; he could feel her trembling in his embrace and his heart ached for her; although no one in the room knew, he knew why that statement triggered her so much. She had told him about her past life memories. Matthew and Harry had a helpless expression while everyone else other than Thomas and Almera had their mouths agape as they saw Mira in action. Thomas didn’t have time to admire Mira’s gallantry; he was busy soothing his wife who wa
Thomas and Orseus stepped on their toes as they leaned over their father’s shoulders and read the scroll along with them; tears rolled down Cornelius and Baldwin’s cheeks as they saw the scroll in their sworn brother’s hand and read greedily.Their tears didn’t stop even though they finished reading the letter. The guilt of not being there when their sworn brother needed them the most was eating into their soul; they listlessly handed the scroll to Jack and Mira.“So now we have to find Esmeralda to cure Uncle Jerome.” Orseus pursed his lips. He called out to Jerome as Uncle Jerome smoothly, he had no difficulty as he grew up hearing these two names, Alex and Jerome; to him, they were family, more closer to him than Uncle Alaistair and his sons.“If we have guessed correctly, we don’t have to go anywhere searching for her.” Cornelius shook his head and added with an air of mystery “She is much closer than we think.”“Are you saying that the healer that we go to is, this Esmeralda that
“If only we knew….” Harry sighed regretfully “Then we could have followed that man’s trail and found Alex sooner.”“You think too beautifully... Alex would never lead a trail if this was his contingency plan.” Baldwin sneered before his expression turned serious “But we may have stumbled upon some unexpected luck in finding Alex.”“Did granduncle Zumerong shed some light?” Orseus asked, leaning forward eagerly.“Heh!” Corenlius scoffed “They were kept in even greater darkness than us.”“Then are you talking about the man who lives at Mer waters?” Thomas asked hesitantly; he really didn’t know why his father and godfather were so confident, just because he trained with Jack?“Son, you don’t know.” Cornelius shook his head “Leal can never be separated from Alex; wherever Alex is, he will follow, whether it is in life or death.”“There has never been a more loyal shadow.” Baldwin too sighed regretfully.“Then what are we waiting for?” Almera looked around curiously; Mira leaned forward an
Jack and Mira, along with the rest of their group, dragged their exhausted bodies and reached Southamberston palace at the break of dawn. Without making any noise, they all went to their respective rooms without any fuss. Everyone had a room at Southamberston palace even though they each had cottages specially prepared for them; both Martin and Oden went to the rooms that were prepared for them instead of their cottage.Early morning was unusually noisy with many unfamiliar faces around the breakfast table and yet it was as if no one noticed the familiarity of the unfamiliar faces at the table; the only exception was the three unfamiliar unfriendly faces as they sat through the farce as though they were watching a show and not part of it.Almera and Katherine joined them shortly after breakfast, as noisy as ever with Almera complaining that her husband didn’t love her anymore and that he was in love with his first wife, the estate responsibilities and that she always came second.First
Jack and Mira rushed back without stopping; their pace was originally fast, but it became even more rushed after they received John’s message which wasn’t much, just a short line written in a shaky hand ‘Matthew and Harry are back with three visitors’.Don’t misunderstand the shaky hand, it wasn’t fear… It was just John trying to write in his best hand. But unfortunately, it was bound to be misunderstood, due to John’s years of acting, acting timid, which was more believable for his son and nephew, more believable than his daring persona.Thomas had just entered his palace when his page rushed in and announced that he had a note from Southamberston and passed the note. It was the same note that was sent to Jack, written in the same shaky hand, 'Matthew and Harry are back with three visitors’. However, it evoked an entirely different expression from Thomas.Thomas stood up excitedly as he reached for his cloak that he had just hung up; he wrapped it around as he walked and called out to