MasukAnd with that, I shall vanish into the shadows, armed only with a dwindling coffee supply and an increasingly dramatic sense of urgency. The characters are off causing trouble somewhere else, and I… am off to plot their next chaos. If you enjoyed today’s chapter, a like 👍, gem 💎, or rating ⭐ works like a tiny magical charm—it keeps the story alive and may even summon me back sooner than expected. Sleep well, dream wild, and may your own adventures be slightly less hazardous than mine!
Taro and Lael slowly walked out of the cave; however, they were no longer dressed as they usually did. Instead, they wore long robes very similar to the attire of the Eastern Kingdom, with hoods covering their faces and leaving only narrow slits for their eyes.They surveyed the area before nodding towards the rest who were hiding in the cave. They too walked out, their attire similar to that of Taro and Lael. While Taro had been fiddling with the door, Lael quietly fetched robes from the hidden compartment, distributed them according to size, and returned the spare ones to their original place.Similar to their side of the cave, this end was also on the edge of the forest. They quietly followed Seb who had a map drawn out on sheepskin. They moved swiftly and cautiously for more than an hour before reaching the estate, which was not only heavily guarded but also had high walls like a fortress.Normally, they would have surveyed the estate and formulated a plan first. Today, however, t
Lady Luck didn't seem to favour anyone in particular. Even though they diligently went from one apothecary to the next, no one managed to find even a single stalk. Still, they continued onward, each hoping the others had better luck.Matthew and John had just come out of the fifteenth shop when they saw a red and green flare light the skies above in the far east direction.“I need to head back.” Matthew spoke with urgency. “Come, I will drop you back at Southamberston and head there…”“Southamberston is on the way,” he added, seeing John about to protest.“No… I meant I am coming.” John pursed his lips into a stubborn line.“Not on my life…” Matthew shook his head, “I have no idea what’s up ahead.”“Alright… Get your brother-in-law’s permission and come.” Seeing John refusing to budge, Matthew could only bring out Alex.John followed grudgingly. He knew there was no point arguing. Perhaps he could trick Alex into agreeing, just like he had in their younger days…Matthew didn’t wait fo
Zelda’s steps paused, but only momentarily before ignoring everyone and walking past them as though she couldn’t see them.No one thought much of it, most of them were used to her temperament, for the rest, it really didn’t matter.Only Gustav shouted and ran after her, “Stop right there… you snatched and didn’t even pay… how can you be so shameless?”Alex pulled his back once they entered the lounge, or perhaps thought he had enough fun at their expense, “Stop shouting… when have you ever won against her? Aren’t you just asking for a beating?”“Unfair…” Gustav muttered feigning a displeased expression as he sat down. He looked around and asked with a sly smile, “Where is the cub and his lioness?”“You do not want to go anywhere near him.” Cornelius chuckled feigning an expression of fear and failing miserably at that. He added pointing at Alex, “even the lion doesn’t dare…”Gustav raised his eyebrows inquisitively as his gazes flitted among the trio.“After Alex’s treatment, Mira fel
Alex wasn’t aware of the Siphons being brought back. He raised an eyebrow as he stared at the other two. However, before they could speak, the old man spoke up.“The strange thing is, I cannot sense their presence or even the scent of them ever existing past the front entrance.”Jerome, Matthew and Harry’s eyes widened in enlightenment, and they quickly exchanged glances to confirm each other’s theory. At the front entrance was where all the Siphons were handed over to Eldora.“What do you mean?” Cornelius asked with a puzzled expression.“It's as though they never existed... no, that's not right. It's as though they never entered this house at all.” The old man shrugged as he sat back. His eyes moving over to Alex with curiosity, “What’s going on?”Alex gave him a quick explanation… at least what he knew.“Impossible…” The man shook his head in disbelief. “There is no cure for Deora Dé…death is inevitable.”“Then congratulations… you have obtained enlightenment and can now communicate
The next day, everyone still gathered around Mira first before breakfast. Although there was no change, it did little to dampen their hope. With the little butterfly, Annemarie, leading the way, the youngsters planned on what surprise they should arrange for her when she woke up.Cornelius, Alex and Baldwin sat in the lounge. Their attitude and mannerisms were anything but relaxed.Elias and Humphrey walked in, with Humphrey bickering but both stopped as they saw the sight in front of them. This was not an unusual sight but one that they had not seen for a very long time even if it was not relaxed, the warmth was not a mirage. While the two brothers were debating whether they should interrupt or leave, Aglaya, Elizabeth and Beautrice walked over from the other side and nestled in their husband’s embrace.“How long has it been since we…” Elizabeth sighed, the words choked in her throat. However, the heaviness didn’t linger as Cornelius laughed as he remembered their last reunion decades
Once the chamber was dismissed, many of the courtiers came forward to greet and express their well wishes to Alex. Although no one doubted his position as the grand duke of Worthington, they didn’t want to overstep boundaries.After the polite exchange, everyone dispersed.“Let’s go home, son.” Linus tried once again. He knew he wouldn’t succeed but he had to try.“Uncle…” Alex coughed awkwardly. He saw the hope in his uncle’s eyes and could only swallow the rest of his words. He turned his gaze towards his heartless siblings for support, but they too chose to play dumb and feigned ignorance of his wordless plea. They either found the tiles on the floor or the cloud patterns in the sky above their heads fascinating.“Let’s go.” Cornelius had just arrived after changing his court attire.“Aren’t you already in your backyard?” Humphrey chuckled, “Where are you going?”Cornelius scratched the back of his head before answering in a righteous tone, “I am going to visit my godson and goddaug
“Husband, I want to go to that cloth merchant’s shop.” Mira tugged Jack’s hand acting like a spoilt child. “I just remembered something…. Please…” Mira pouted and blinked with a pleading gaze. “Um” “Let’s go now.” Mira ran to the room to change and take the money. They hired the cart from their usua
“Aunt, I am home.” Jack called out standing at the doorway. Beth hurriedly wiped her hands on the apron rushed to open the door, but Anne-Marie beat her to it. “Cousin...” Anne-Marie jumped into Jack’s embrace before looking behind him and asking with a sad pout “Where is cousin’s wife?” “She is wor
Both Beth and John were back to normal after a day’s worth of good rest. Ursula went back home with Matthew when he came in the afternoon, after preparing both dinner and supper. She didn’t wait for Oden and Martin to come back as Beth was already feeling better after eating the porridge with the me
“She is useless anyway.” Joan smirked as she pulled Caster’s hand. “Leave this house today and the two of you are dead to us.” John warned as Emma was about to walk out the door with Joan. “Makes no difference.” Joan shrugged her shoulders as she walked out. Silence filled the room. No one spoke… on







