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The old man’s expression didn’t change… but the air between them did. He studied Jack for a long moment, his intent unreadable.“Then…” he murmured, voice low, “you’ve just taken something the Lion once bled for… bled to keep from his own soil.”Jack’s expression tightened, for the briefest fraction of a second. But the old man’s sharp eyes caught it.“You know my father?”“How could I not?” The old man’s gaze turned distant, a trace of melancholy surfacing as he muttered, more to himself than to them, “One does not walk this world and fail to feel the sun.”Then his eyes sharpened again, settling on the young couple.“Do you know how to handle what you’re taking away? This is no ordinary thing to discard when it no longer suits you.”Mira stepped forward slightly. “We don’t… but we’re retrieving it for someone who does.”“I hope so…” The old man waved a hand, as if dismissing them.A faint exhale.“This is all I can do, old friend.I have kept it from your land… for as long as I was
“You… you are the Lion of Zumerong?” He shook his head, disbelief clouding his eyes. “No … you can’t be… not so young…”“Huh?” Mira took a step back, confusion flashing across her face, but she didn’t move from where she stood, still shielding Jack.Jack’s lips curved faintly.Neither of them answered.The man moved.There was no warning… no shift in breath, no tightening of muscle. One moment he stood still, the next a blade slid free from his staff and cut through the air----and stopped.A sharp metallic crack rang out.Jack stood where he had always been.His blade had already intercepted the strike.The tip of the sword hovered inches from Mira----but it would go no further.Jack’s gaze lifted slowly.The warmth from before was gone.“You are not worthy of that face…” the man hissed, his weapon shifting between staff and blade moving as one as he struck again.“Who are you?”Jack didn’t answer.Steel met steel.Once. Twice.On the third exchange------ the staff twisted out of t
Everyone froze at the explosive news Jerome had dropped.It took them a moment to recover, long enough to register that Linus had fainted… before they rushed to his aid.Jerome was already there, catching him before he could hit the ground. His face was stricken with guilt and regret. His lack of tact had caused this. He should have considered his uncle’s age instead of blurting things out like he used to in their younger days.“Uncle…” His voice caught.“Don’t worry… the old man will be fine,” Maryanne said gently. She took the cup Harrison offered and sprinkled water over Linus’s face.Linus’s eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened. His gaze fixed on the blurry figure before him.“Alex… is that you?” he asked weakly.“Uncle…”The image cleared.Not Alex… just mischief wearing guilt.Linus let out a soft sigh and pushed himself upright. “Don’t worry… Uncle is fine…” He gripped Jerome’s hand tightly. “But… what were you saying? You said…”Jerome lowered his head.“Is it true?” Linus pr
Ludo had just left when Harrison announced the arrival of the next batch of visitors.A very pissed-off Cousin Farris… and Uzi. They had been left behind at the Zumerong estate by the Zumerongs themselves.“We thought you were worn out from the journey,” Wilkin said with a sheepish smile. The truth was, they had been impatient… and hadn’t had the heart to disturb their rest.“Hmph!” they both huffed as they dropped into their seats, the sound sharp with lingering annoyance.But irritation didn’t last long here. It rarely did.Their expressions shifted as they took in the room… quick glances, silent counting.Jerome wasn’t there.Neither was Leander.The edge in their shoulders eased, just slightly. So, they hadn’t missed it after all.Zelda followed Jerome back into the formal lounge, her steps measured, her expression composed.Conversation faltered.“You… you… you…”Linus was the first to react. He pushed himself halfway out of his seat, finger trembling as he pointed at Zelda like
Back at Southamberston, the relaxed atmosphere was slowly dissipating.They had gained a lot in just a few days… finding the nephew, cousin, and grandnephew they had thought long gone. And in times like these, the chances of losing them again were just as real.What started as noise and chaos slowly gave way to serious discussion… filling in the exact details of what had happened… especially with Jerome.With each passing minute, the tension began to rise.The first to crack was, of course, the one with the shortest fuse.“Are you sure Jerome is back to himself?” Humphrey asked for what felt like the hundredth time. He pushed to his feet abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “I think I’ll head out and see if I can find anything.”“Don’t be silly,” Linus scolded. “Do you even know where they wandered off to?”Humphrey’s gaze slid meaningfully toward Jerome’s usual partners-in-crime.“Don’t look at us…” Harry shrugged. “Ever since he got his nephew, we’ve lost favour.”“They’ll
They rode in silence.Lady luck didn’t forsake them entirely… they ran into Bari and his men, a few towns away from the capital.“Young---” Bari started, then stopped. He cleared his throat. “Nephew… what are you doing here? So far from home.”“We…” Jack hesitated, pursing his lips, but Mira smiled, naturally calling out, “Uncle Bari!”“Aaiii... little Mira...” He greeted heartily, his attention immediately shifting to the little pearl his friends held at the tip of their hearts.He guided them to a hidden chamber, one that he often used when he travelled. He was no fool… he could see through Jack’s hesitation to speak and Mira hoodwinking them.“Uncle Bari, do you know this place well?” Mira asked, without explaining, “We are looking for apothecaries… ones that carry exotic potions.”“I know this place…” he paused, “well enough. But what are you looking for?”A mysterious grin tugged at his lips. “I know places that aren’t apothecaries, and yet you can get almost anything.”“I want…”
“Mom, make something you and dad like. We had a really big meal at cousins.” Martin had a satisfied smile as he spoke. “Mom, I think I should have a light soup.” Oden touched his paunch with a sheepish smile. They truly were pigs today. “Mom, they ate a whole rabbit all by themself.” Anne-Marie whis
Mira finished mixing and started to rub the furs in the water mixed with powders. “Can you bring the wooden spoon you made?” Jack bought it out for her to look. Mira touched the edges to make sure it was smooth without a single bristle sticking out. “Here, stir the one we did in the morning.” Mira h
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
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 o







