Hill remembered these people; they were about his age, probably a few years younger, and had always followed Manton.
When Hill left the castle, they were also accompanying Manton during his training.
Hill blinked, it seemed that since he turned ten, the Earl hadn't had any other children!
His mistress had never been lacking, but in those years no children were born, so was that why he valued Edgar so much?
Was it after realizing there might indeed be a problem with his fertility that he began to seriously doubt Edgar's lineage?
However, these bastards would have been kicked out of the castle long ago if they weren't following Manton.
The Earl never treated his bastards as people; giving them food and drink and a bit of education was already generous.
That they could live so comfortably for many years was all because Hill's mother, Melanie, didn't interfere with castle matters.
No matter how arrogant the steward might be, he wouldn't dare to oppress the Earl's offspring.
