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“How does that man know about your interest in Jason?” Thomas asked in a deflated tone. Not just him, the faces of everyone around the table except for Jack and Mira fell, even Oden visibly tensed. Everyone was aware of Martin’s naivety and straight forwardness by now, which naturally made him their favorite but also triggered their protectiveness, wanting to shield him from the darkness of the world around him.“What???” Martin looked around with confusion as he saw everyone’s deflated expression before his gaze fell on Jack and Maria; seeing their unperturbed expression and Oden’s tense expression, he burst out laughing; he slumped back hugging his stomach as he blurted intermittently between laughs “Did you…ha…ha… think that I…..ha…ha…. told them…. about Jack’s identity …and …. why I wanted….to know…about…him????”“Enough…. You’ve had your laugh.” Jack slapped the back of Martin’s head playfully once Martin had laughed enough.“My mates at my previous smithery sure knew of my beef w
“For the first half of the evening, they were just drinking and boasting, teasing the maids at the joint. It was only when Jason got rough with one of the maids and one of the man servants stopped him, he slipped” Martin smiled like a sly fox who was watching his prey walk into his trap.“Under the influence of the drinks, I guess he forgot to keep his carefully crafted simple minded persona and berated the man loudly asking him if he knew who he was. He also blatantly claimed that he was the heir apparent of Lord Rovner.”Martin: “At that time, I misunderstood his claim. I doubted if he was the illegitimate child of Lord Rovner and whether his confidence came from the fact that this Lord didn’t have any heir.”“I stirred the pot by antagonizing the other patrons at the joint, angering him further making him blurt out in a fit of anger that he was no one’s illegitimate child and that he was the rightful heir and that he was married to Lord Rovner’s favorite daughter.”Martin’s gaze tur
“I made a mysterious face and told him that from what I gathered from their banter, the two of them had some unresolved enmity and that if he wanted to know anything about that Jason fellow, he should ask the Martin fellow.”“After saying everything I wanted to say and adding fuel to the fire I walked away, almost ran away as though there was fire at the end of my tail.” Martin laughed as he remembered the stunned look on the stable boy’s face; he added “I added fuel to the fire by saying that I overheard Jason threaten Martin by boasting that it was only a matter of time before the Rovner estate fell into his hands and at that time he would take revenge.”Martin cleared his throat and Anne-Marie dutifully poured him a cup of water, fully enchanted by the account of his exploits, which contradictory to their usual bickering. Martin didn’t hold off either, he smugly took the water and drank it, throwing Oden a provocative smile. Oden shook his head helplessly.Martin: “The next day, as
“That reminds me…” Listening to the siblings bickering, Cornelius suddenly remembered an incident that happened years ago when he was desperately searching for Alex, refusing to believe that he passed away.“After I cleared the Zumerongs of any wrongdoing and invited them back, a man who looked like a madman had rushed up to me and told me to go north, to the Bartel estate, an estate in the far north.” Cornelius narrowed his eyes as he tried to remember that incident “At that time, before I could ask any further, he started laughing and then spoke a whole lot of stuff that made no sense, he said that he was being chased by leprechauns for stealing their pot of gold and that he was richer than the king and a whole lot of rubbish before pulling me to go along with him .”“He then stopped midway and took two steps away from me and ran in the opposite direction saying that the grim reaper was coming after him.” Cornelius paused, his gaze drifting towards Martin “For some unexplainable reas
Everyone dispersed in the morning in different directions; Jack and Mira too set off for their destination, the newly bought apartment where Martha and Sierra lived. Carl as the man of business and Oden as his apprentice had tagged along. Harrison had already informed them that everything at their old manor was ready; all three cottages had been cleaned and refurbished comfortably.The caretaker was waiting at the entrance with a flattering smile when Jack and Mira arrived. He had to make sure his cozy position was not replaced. He shed his original prenotions about this seemingly ordinary couple who had become rich overnight. From the few interactions he had with their man of business, he realized that the couple in front of him were like a sheep in wolf clothing. He wouldn’t be able to trick them like he used to trick the previous owner.“Your graces…” He bowed low as he greeted fawningly “What can I do for you?”Carl stepped forward “Is his grace's place prepared as advised?”The ca
The caretaker walked over to apartment 53 once he made sure Carl and Oden had all the ledgers and materials they required. He knocked loudly and waited patiently without a trace of his usual impatience and disdain. He had a feeling that the tenants in this apartment were very important to the duke and duchess; he stood reflecting on whether he had done anything excessive in the past.He sighed in relief inwardly once he finished introspection; he hadn’t done anything excessive other than his usual impatience and grumpiness. He had even given them some extra time to catch up rent on several occasions.“Mr Williams.” Sierra greeted with a bored expression as she opened the door. She had no idea why this grinch would come so early to their apartment to take the joy out of their life. She knew their rent was due; it was not like they were going to run away or anything. Martha’s funds would be soon depleted, and they couldn’t afford to keep staying here any longer. They needed to figure a w
“My husband lives with his family in their estate. He wanted me to stay back in the countryside till he convinced his relatives of the idea of us being married and bring me along once he received everyone’s approval, but my father disagreed. He rented this apartment for me so that I could be close to my husband.” Jessie’s voice became lower and lower as she spoke; she didn’t know why she was pouring her heart out to the lady in front of her but she wanted to… she didn’t feel any reservation when she was talking with her.“I see.” Mira nodded in understanding; it was the same as in their previous life but why was the timeline different? She thought for a few minutes before pushing it to the back of her mind. She looked at Jessie and asked “Will your husband be angry if you are not there when he comes? Do you want to head back?”“He won’t come.” Jessie bit her lips “He has never come to see me in these two weeks. He dumped me here and left as though he was fleeing for his life.” She shru
“I asked you if there is a chance….” Mira smiled mischievously “What will you be willing to do to get that chance?”“I could sell my soul to the devil for that chance.” Jessie’s face beamed with genuine happiness as she boldly declared; there wasn't even the slightest hint of hesitation on her face.“How about selling it to me?” Mira lifted her chin arrogantly, her lips curling in a happy arc “I am much prettier and kinder than the devil.”Jack inwardly shook his head helplessly as he looked at his wife, who was smiling happily like a sly fox, with eyes filled with affection.“Ha….ha…ha…” Jessie laughed watching Mira’s adorable actions before sighing “Thank you for listening so patiently. I don’t know why I told you all this. I don’t even know you.”“I am not joking.” Mira’s expression turned serious “What if I can give you that chance? Are you willing?”Jessie looked at Mira for a long time with a sizing gaze before shaking her head, “Why me? I have nothing to offer.”Mira pursed her
Bari didn’t ask any further questions and lead the group towards the tavern that was written on the scroll ‘Green Serpent Tavern’.Unlike the taverns in the other parts of the kingdom, this one reflected the true lifestyle of the gipsy where drinking was only one of the activities. There were performers, gamblers and even sporting events like blind-folded archery with live targets.“Do we have a name for the one you want to meet?” Bari asked in a low voice as they neared the tavern.“They will find us.” Cornelius answered, “We just need to sit somewhere conspicuous.”Bari nodded and was about to head to the stone gambling section which was the area that attracted the most attention when they were approached by a gipsy woman who was dressed in the attire of a dancer “Are you here for gems?”Cornelius nodded.She smiled and flirted with them as she led them slyly to a hidden area and whispered, “Behind the painted is the room where you will find what you are looking for.” As she spoke,
“Take him and go home…” Cornelius advised John in a whispered, putting on a show of staggering and maintaining balance while he laughed loudly “I am not carrying this bore….. take him to the tavern…. Throw him there …. Then we will drink till the morning bird calls.”“Let’s send him to the tavern and we will go together.” John whispered back even though he kept the act of being drunk.“Take you???” Cornelius had an expression of horror “Alex will skin me alive…go…go… don’t make trouble for me.” He pushed John away laughing loudly “Go…go…. go to the tavern…. Get a bed and a wife … drink till the morning bird calls… drink till all our toils are forgotten…. Drink…. Drink….”John had no choice but to keep up the act and with the assistance of Amice, head back with Martin. He thought that his opportunity for adventure had finally come but looks like that was still a pipe dream; when he was younger, his brother-in-law protected him, allowing him to taste measured risks under his watchful ey
‘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