When Sydney, Christopher, Samantha and Libitina were on their way to the Shantire estate, Libitina was still trying to recover from her shock.
The boyish face was now replaced by an angular jaw and deep-seated eyes. There was still a gentleness there, but it was muffled by his strong and lean build, and his dark eyes which were no longer clear. The familiar dark curly hair on his head and his face full of youthful freckles were the only remaining signs of her saviour's brother back in Enzak.
On one hand, she was pleased that Brian had survived the bandit attack from years ago. On the other hand, she had so many questions on how he had been rescued, how his life had become, how he ended up working for Samantha in a wondrous turn of miracles. Did Henrik come for him? What happened to everyone in Enzak after they both left? Does he know who she was?
The fact that Brian was in the carriage behind theirs, along with Peter and the other guards, was like a fiery brand on her mind. Libitina finally decided to talk to him when she found the opportunity.
She turned to look out the window and the sprinting scenes of green grasslands entered her view.
The Shantire fief was similar to the Merveille and Jospehian fiefs in that there were many fields. But unlike the two fiefs, the Shantire fief was a little drearier. The downcasted grey sky was paired with fields which were overly wet with rainfall, and there were hardly any crops. Only a few farmers roam the empty land Sydney and Libitina exchanged glances. It seems that the state of the Shantire fief was as desperate as what Christopher described, if not more.
Finally, their carriages reached the front of a small two-storey building. Sitting nervously on the carriage seat, Christopher finally gave a genuine smile as he introduced his home to the passengers of the carriage while fiddling his fingers.
"Welcome to the Shantire estate. I am so e-excited to show you around."
However, before they could get in the front door, a rude, sharp voice blasted out from the insides of the Shantire estate. Sydney immediately held Samantha and Libitina from disembarking and signalled Christopher to head out first.
Just as Christopher closed the door of the carriage, the doors of the Shantire's small mansion were flung open as a man with a twirly handlebar moustache strode out with his luxurious walking stick. He wore a luxurious black suit with blood-red flower prints that surprisingly looked elegant despite its pompous appearance.
"Mark my words, Baron Shantire. If you do not consider my offer, perhaps the next time I see you it will be on the streets just like any poor beggar. Considering the state that your fief is in, I wouldn't be surprised if this fief becomes renowned for its poverty. I wouldn't have come here to offer you my help if I did not respect you."
"Young Master Houston, I am afraid that selling the fief is strictly out of consideration," the short and plump Baron replied humbly but firmly, his bushy white eyebrows flying. Unlike Young Master Houston, his clothes were faded like Christopher's, and looked more like a commoner's attire than a noble's. He looked around and noticed Christopher standing at the building's porch. "Oh, Christopher, you've returned!"
Christopher walked up to his father and smiled, restraining his emotions. It had been around two months since he left the fief for the first time to look for help, and he had missed his father dearly. However, the snide voice of Young Master Houston interrupted their reunion. "This is your son, Baron Shantire?"
The shadow of the tall noble loomed above Christopher as he stiffened, pressing his lips together into a thin line.
"Yes, this is my son," Baron Shantire replied kindly. "Christopher, greet Young Master Jeremiah Houston. He is the nephew of the Prime Minister, Duke Houston, and has come to visit us on a courtesy call."
"G-greetings, Young Master Jeremiah Houston,��� Christopher stuttered.