The guards carried the bag containing the head of the murderer and looked inside. The stench of the now rotten head hit them on the nose and they had to retreat and drop the head back on the table as they covered their nose with their hand and used the other to waft the smell away from them."That should be it," one of the guards said after a few coughs. He looked at the bag as if it was some kind of poison and the slowly walked towards it, his hands stretched to it. He took the bag with his left hand, making sure that he closed the too tight so that the smell wouldn't seep out of it but it did nothing to stop the spread. With every swing that they made, the smell seemed to spread throughout the room."We will take this to the council and inform them of the man's death," the guards said, his voice sounding weird as he held his nose tight."Understood," Edward said with a small nod. "Would the council call for us after? Would they need any of our presence?""We will let you know if th
Emily sat up straight on her bed and folded her legs down. She grabbed her duvet over herself and kept her eyes on Edward, urging for him to continue with what he was saying.Edward took in a deep breadth, trying to steady his shaking being before letting the held breadth out in a sigh. He then adjusted himself on Emily's makeshift bed, using his hands to support his balance on the uncomfortable bed.He looked up at Emily and asked, "can we take this to my bed? This one doesn't look too comfortable."Emily gave a short laugh before saying, "why? Why can't you say whatever it is that you want to say here? I have been laying on this bed for three days straight now and you don't see my complaining.""I don't mean it like that," Edward said, trying to defend himself. "I just want us to--""You just want us to consummate, isn't it?" Emily mumbled with a scoff and Edward shook his head."That is not what I wanted to say--""Then what is it that you wanted to say, huh?" Emily asked, her voic
"So tell me all about home," Emily said as she grabbed a bread from the plate in front of her and put it in her mouth. She swallowed it and accompanied the bread with a small glass of milk before turning back to Victoria and asking, "is my sister fine? Is everyone at home fine?""Everyone is fine, Your Grace," Victoria said and Emily gave her a look that made her to immediately change her words. "I meant, everyone is fine, Emily.""That's much more better," Emily said with a short laugh as she picked up another piece of bread and put it into her mouth. "Has there seemed to be any change since I left?" Victoria shook her head."Apart from your sister turning me to her personal servant, I don't think anything else has changed," Victoria answered as she stretched her hands to Emily's plate. She paused and looked at her mistress, asking for permission to take a piece and Emily nodded."You don't have to act like I marrying a Duke has changed who I am, Victoria," Emily said with a shake of
"This place has a lot of trees and flowers," Victoria said as she and Emily walked outside of the house. She walked towards the trimmed bushes surrounding the house and saw a small flower that had just started to blossom among them. She then plucked it off the rest and began staring at the petals on it. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Emily said as she took the flower from Victoria and sniffed it. It gave out this sweet honey smell that made Emily's belly to rumble. "Yes,it is," Victoria said with a small smile. "This whole place is really beautiful. More than home, if I do say." Emily raised her eyes to Victoria gave her a look causing her to laugh out loud. "That is your opinion and not mine," Emily said as she returned her attention to the flower in her hand. "I personally don't think there is any place like home and I don't think there will ever be." Victoria nodded. "Maybe you just have to accept this place as your home before that feeling ever comes on you," Victoria said and Emily
"You know, I have never been the kind of person who is great at giving advices," Baton said as he poured himself another cup of tea from the kettle. He then turned to Edward who was still sitting on the couch and asked, "do you care for more tea? It seems like yours has finished." "I don't think I want more," Edward said with a small smile as he held his grumbling stomach. He had forced himself to drink the tea that his uncle had given him and taking another one would just mean suicide for him. "Nonsense," Baton said with a dismissive wave of hand. "I will get you another but you will have to pardon my using another cup. Your cup is far away and these bones don't work as they used to." Edward fake laughed at his uncle's joke, watching painfully as he picked another cup and poured him another tea. The black liquid that his uncle called tea poured out of the kettle and into the cup while hot steam rose from it. "Honestly though, uncle, you don't have to do any of that," Edward sai
Baton walked into his house and Edward could hear him cursing and shouting profanities as he scattered the place. He was probably looking for something but Edward knew that whatever it was that he was searching for would be like a needle in a haystack. Whatever he was looking for was probably hidden under the pile of clothes in the sitting room. Edward couldn't even imagine the things that would be under there if the old man was to even search the pile. If he could find a rat in the man's couch, who says a snake won't pop out from under the cloth pile. Edward sighed for the upteenth time as he pulled out his pocket watch and stared at it. Time seemed to be running fast and Edward wanted so much to go back home. As much as he didn't enjoy his wife's company, he still preferred the comfort of his manor to the mercilessly cold wind blowing against him."Just wait a moment, Edward, I think I have found what I'm looking for," Baton shouts from within and Edward grumbled. He knew for sur
Emily returned to Victoria who had stood by the door side watching everything that happened between her mistress and her husband. She, Emily, was pained and furious and the joy that she had once felt from Victoria being with her immediately washed away. "Is anything the matter, Emily?" Victoria asked as she followed Emily who had walked past her, heading towards the other side of the manor. She turned to look at Edward before returning her attention to Emily and asking, "what did His Grace say? Is anything wrong?" Emily didn't answer and just kept on walking till she reached the uncompleted barn. There she fell on the ground and held her face as she cried. "Emily," Victoria mumbled as she bent down beside her mistress and tried comforting her. "You shouldn't sit in the floor, Emily. Your dress will get dirty." "Just let me be, Victoria," Emily said amidst her crying in a tone that said pain than anger. "I just want to be alone at the moment." Victoria shook her head. "As much as
The sun had started to set and its golden rays reflected on the pond at Victorias and Emily's feet, casting s beautiful golden light across the garden. For the first time since Emily had come to the manor, she finally felt peaceful. "Are there fishes in the pond?" Victoria asked as she looked into the surprisingly colorless water. It was her first time seeing a pond this clean as the one that they had back at home was filled with moss and flies and mosquitoes and toads. No one even dared to go near the pond as everyone seemed to dread it."They are fishes in there, Victoria," Emily replied with a soft smile as she placed her hands on the soft grass and looked into the pond. The moment that she said this, a little fish, orange and white striped, jumped out of the pond and did a flip before landing back in. It seemed to have taken Emily's words as a cue to showcase it's skills."Wow," Victoria said as she held Emily's arm. She had flinched and yelled a little in fear when the fish jump
Emily raised her head from the table, feeling pains around her neck area. With her eyes still closed, she touched it slightly and groaned silently.Opening both eyes, she looked around and realized she was still in the restaurant but it was late at night. "It is already late?" she asked herself and got a reply fr the old butler who just came back from the gents. "Yes, Her Grace." he replied, walking up to her slowly. "And where is His Grace?" the Duchess asked, showing how annoyed she is through the expression on her face. "I do not think he will be..." Mr Brown had not finished talking when Emily hit the table so loud that everyone in there, turned to take a glance at what was happening. "What do you mean?! I have waited for him and yet, he is not going to make it to this place?" Emily asked angrily.The old butler did not know how to calm her down and so he just stood without uttering a sound, arms at the back, heads down.Seeing the old butler not responding, she annoyingly carri
The royal guard quietly walked into the manor which he had seen the Duke's younger brother in. Looking around, he gave a voiceless sound at what he saw. He could not help but put his hand over his head and shake it for what seemed like forever. The structure of the manor made him wonder if it was Williams that owned it or another person. He, then, looked at the floor to see if he could sight a stick for clearing the bush that prevented him from passing.On catching sight of one, he picked it immediately and used it for the purpose. Swinging it, he made way for himself into the manor. "What type of building is this?" he said as he shook his head. He stood in front of the manor in an akimbo position. Sighing, he decided to enter into the manor. Surprisingly, the door was opened wide and this made the guard stop and look back. "Is there not anyone staying here? Why does it look so quiet?" He asked himself as he held the handle of the door. Summoning courage, he entered into the buildin
"I want you to help me monitor the Duke's younger brother, Williams." Mr Brown said as he put his hands in his pocket. The statement uttered by the old butler surprised the total guard and made him open his eyes wide. "The Duke's younger brother? Why?" he asked."I will explain everything to you later on. Just make sure you check every movement he makes and steps he carries." Mr Brown said. "Oh, Okay. I will do just that." the guard replied, bowing his head slightly. They, then, moved back to the living room to join the rest. Going inside, they met the old housekeeper, the Duchess and Duke walking down the stairs. "We will get going now." the royal guards said, smiling to the old butler. "Okay." Mr Brown answered. The royal guards headed to the entrance and left. Turning to Mr Dewhurst, the old butler walked to where they were seated. "Sister Emily!" Beauty exclaimed and ran to her sister who was also running towards her direction. "Beauty!" Emily shouted, hugging her younger sist
"Was that how he got to know about black magic?" Edward asked Mr Brown who was seated near him."Yes. And he hid it from your brother." Mr Brown answered. "Do you know why?" the old butler added, facing the Duke. "No, I....." Edward, then, looked at Mr Brown intensely. The old butler looked at him as if saying "you really do not know?" The Duke looked back at the floor and suddenly tapped his lap twice."I know! Because Williams will use it for his bad purpose." he said, looking at the old butler. "Exactly, His Grace." Mr Brown said, nodding his head. "So if he had the opportunity without my father's help, he would use it against everyone right?" Edward asked. "Yes and also use it against the person that denied him that opportunity." the old butler concluded. "That would mean death....right?" the Duke asked, slowly looking at the ceiling and immediately to the old butler. "Yes." Mr Brown replied. At this point, Mr Brown needed the Duke to get the point he wanted to prove to him. "H
The Duke and Mr Brown got to the manor in no time. This was because they whipped the horses to run faster. Now that they had a proper clue of what they wanted to deal with, they individually made up their minds to end the whole situation."Finally, we are here." Mr Brown muttered as he came down from the horse. He called the second stable boy."Yes sir." the boy answered. "I need you to call the royal guards for me. Tell them it is very urgent." the old butler said, as he rubbed the horse's back. "Okay sir." the boy replied, running as fast as his legs could carry him."Have you told him what to do?" the Duke asked, approaching the barn. "Yes, His Grace." Mr Brown responded. "Good." Edward said, looking into the woods."What do we need to do now?" the old butler asked. "We just need to find the killer since we are this close." Edward replied. "But first, there is something I need to show you. Follow me." the Duke added, going out of the barn and heading to the manor. "Okay His Grace."
"If I were in his shoes, I would have dealt with the Duke severely. But I would not let it be obvious that I am the one carrying out the acts. It would just be like an insect, eating up the vegetable from within." Hannah said firmly. Emily looked at her, opened her mouth and waved one of her fingers in the air as if to say something. Hannah thought she had offended the Duchess and immediately knelt to beg her. "I am so sorry Her Gra...." She was about finishing the statement when Emily interrupted her."No no, that was not what I meant. Please rise." Emily said as she assisted the housekeeper to stand by using both of her hands. She held her shoulders tight and said "Look Hannah, you have really helped me to see what I needed. I can not walk on this journey alone." the Duchess added."I need your help. I would explain everything to you." Emily said as she quickly dragged the housekeeper by her hand and ran as fast as she could. "Her Grace, I do not seem to understand what is going..
"Wow! The sky looks radiating, making it difficult to take my eyes off it." Emily said, swinging her hands sideways and making claps. It had been a while she felt genuinely happy and refreshing. With all that had been happening, she had been in her space, scared to come out. But was helped by her best friend's comfort and definitely, her husband, the Duke. Hannah, who always stayed behind her, followed her slowly. As the housekeeper walked having both of her hands in front of her, with her fingers interlocked, she observed the Duchess. "She looks peaceful and free. I think she is already getting comfortable in here." Hannah thought. "Hannah." Emily called. "Yes ma" the housekeeper answered, moving to her side. "How long have you been here?" the Duchess asked. "For thirteen years, Her Grace." Hannah said as she bowed slightly. "You have actually stayed here for long." Emily added, facing her. The housekeeper responded with a nod."Which means you know a lot about the Duke and his fa
Emily woke to the singing of the birds near her window. She turned slightly to the opening that made the sun rays shine brightly into the room. The light from the beautiful day's gift made her cover her face with her right hand. "Urgghh, it is too bright!" She exclaimed.As she was about sitting upright, a hand out of nowhere put down the drape."Why would the sun ever think of hurting you?" The voice said. She turned immediately and was about jumping up from the bed when she saw Edward.On seeing him, she sighed and relaxed back on the bed."Were you that scared?" Edward said, sitting near were she was lying and rubbing her forehead. She mumbled something he did not hear. "Good morning my Queen. I hope you are better now?" Edward continued. "Good morning His Grace." She replied, sitting up again. Looking at him, she asked "How did you know I was not okay and where is Victoria?""Victoria is carrying out her duties in the kitchen. She reported to me this morning about your welfare. S
The Duke followed Mr Brown to the barn. It was already late at night and so they took a wooden lamp along with them. Mr Brown got to the barn and signaled for them to sit. Edward obeyed and sat. Despite the fact that Mr Brown worked under him, he still showed respect to the old man. He had been working for his father before he kicked the bucket. He had also been taking care of he and his junior brother, William ever since they were little. With several sacrifices, the old butler had taken his time to train them well but William chose the wrong part to follow.Thinking of all the good and bad times they have had together, it made Edward love the old butler even when he gives certain attitudes."Mr Brown, what is the matter?" Edward asked as he sat slowly on the wooden box that was used by the stable boy. "Your Grace, I am sorry for disturbing you after meal. I just needed to relay some essential information to you." the old butler replied, looking at the Duke. While saying this, he al