Lahat ng Kabanata ng Second chance at happiness: Kabanata 291 - Kabanata 300

“Greetings and Welcome back, Lord Zumerong.” Dowager duchess smiled as she greeted Humphrey and sat down at the main seat, ignoring Elizabeth who was about to take a seat. Elizabeth smiled gracefully as she bowed and stepped back for the dowager duchess and took the seat on the right side.“My apologies your grace, for intruding without prior notice.” Humphrey spoke politely; however, his expression was unapologetic, contrary to his words. “I was anxious to greet Baldwin and ignored etiquette… my apologies.”“No need to apologize.” Dowager duchess waved her hand magnanimously “You lot have always been close; it is only right for you to want to greet him.” Inwardly she was still scheming, glad that they still had Zumerong as their backers if they needed in future.“Unfortunately, he is unwell and in no state to reminisce the past.” She sighed feigning distress before putting on a brave front “But don’t worry, I will send word as soon as he is better. Why don’t you reminisce about the pa

Humphrey raised his hand to signal his men to stop and instructed them to merge with the scattered crowd and raise tents to rest as was the norm for wandering travelers that reached the border gate after its closing time at sundown. The wandering travelers and visitors who didn’t make it to the border gates before they closed, would camp outside, either by raising their own tents or sharing with someone who was better prepared and paying them in return.Humphrey saluted with a mischievous wink towards his commander who was diligently setting up the tent and disappeared into the dark night. Kenward Gideon, the most ferocious warrior and the fearless commander of the most feared and revered forces in the kingdom of Hal also had moments when he was speechless and helpless; the credit for these solely belonged to the Zumerong brothers, whether it was the first born, the heir apparent Alex, the second in line Elias, the third Humphrey, the fourth Wilkin and the youngest Jerome…. None of the

The people from the East kingdom rested in clusters in gypsy land, the biggest cluster with roughly 200 men camped out in the fern forest bordering the outer end of gypsy land.Cornelius and Baldwin decided to tackle the cluster in the fern forest and divided the rest among the others. Matthew and Harry were given 4 clusters of roughly 20 people each, Jack was given 2 clusters of 10 people each, Lazarus was given 1 cluster of 50 people camped almost at the center of gypsy land. Parker and Amice were given 4 clusters near the south end, each having 20 each and Thomas was given 2 clusters at the north end with about 30 people.Although the original plan was for Jerome to call back the people left behind by Alex to protect Cornelius and Jack to assist with the task in the capital, in the end they left 10 men behind and the rest followed Jack instead of staying back as Jerome’s men had already entered and send word that they would be in capital by nightfall; this was a gamble they decided

Jack’s group reached their destination, which was one of the clusters assigned to Parker and realized that this one had already been completed; rather than walking to the other three, he sent 3 of Bari’s men who were the nimblest to scout ahead and find out where they were needed. He chose Bari’s men as this was their land, and they knew it better than anyone else.The scouts returned and pointed at the cluster that was waiting for action; Jack nodded towards the rest, and they set off for their target. They were now like a well-oiled machine, there were no need for even gestures, they knew what was needed, the only order they needed was which one was theirs for the killing!Thomas was in more luck as the cluster he had chosen was still unattended to; he had seen the wisdom of Jack’s strategy and passed the same instructions to his men. They finished in no time due to the smaller number of targets in the cluster and set off to next destination; Midway through, they met with Amice and h

Jack turned back to look at his beautiful wife one more time but he didn't see her; he knew that she was watching him and only slipped into space quickly so that he wouldn’t be delayed. He rushed to the side of the man with severed limb and asked, “I am not sure about what I am about to do. Do you trust me?”“With my life.” The man didn’t have to think twice; a man who wouldn’t leave him to rush to the sovereign’s aid was someone worth entrusting his life to. Everyone knew the importance of being valued by the sovereign.“Even if what I do next could potentially harm you.” Jack questioned once more, his eyes fixed on the man.“Yes.” The man nodded without hesitation and continued seeing Jack’s eyebrows that were hooking up questioningly “If there was a better way, you wouldn’t consider what you were about to do… considering there is none, why should I have any grievance?”“Hur…hur…hur…” Jack chuckled at the man’s blind faith and shook his head helplessly; there was nothing wrong with t