"Looks like we got a lot of letters today."
"Yes. Let's see. One from Lord Chas Colton–a regular letter to Madame Rheannon. One from Duke Ithel Colton–sent straight from the duchy. Lastly… from Prince Axelle–well, this one is for you."
Ichabod lined up the letters in front of Hadrian. The only letter that caught his attention was the letter from Axelle.
Finally, after a season has passed Prince Axelle sent me a letter, Hadrian thought. So far, letters that come from Axelle have always been addressed to Rheannon.
"Your Grace." Ichabod held out a letter from Duke Colton. "Did you not notice that the letter from Duke Colton was addressed to Young Master Desmond?"
Hadrian just realized it. "I think it is for Rheannon," he said, flipping through the envelope. Desmond's name was clearly written there.
From the reports that Hadrian received, until now Chas is still stay in Capital Ozera even though he has briefly returned home twice. Letters from Duke Colton were usually addressed to Rheannon as he was separated from Chas and so could not ask his son how his beloved nephew was doing. But this time…
"What he wants?" mumbled Hadrian.
"Should we check it out?" Ichabod asked.
"Not. It's a private letter." Hadrian put the letter back on the table. "If there was something, I'm sure Desmond would have said it right away. After all, Desmond is still small and has no power whatsoever. I doubt Duke Colton wants to get anything out of Desmond."
Still: why?
Is it polite if I ask Desmond what's in it? Hadrian thought to himself. It turned out that he was secretly still curious. Especially considering all the letters from Duke Colton were never addressed to Hadrian. All his letters were always for Rheannon and now even for Desmond.
"I guess the Coltons hate me, huh?" mumbled Hadrian.
"You're curious too, aren't you?"
Hadrian glanced sharply at Ichabod. "I feel like you've been like Rheannon for a long time, Sir Ichabod," Hadrian sighed. Ichabod just chuckled at that. "You can go now. Later, I will hand over the letters myself."
Hadrian did some of his work as usual. Don't get wrong, it wasn't just personal letters that came to his desk that morning, there were also many administrative papers related to regional activities. Autumn has always been a busy season for Paiton.
In the afternoon, Hadrian left his study room. Apart from that he (should be forced) to rest, the afternoon is the right time to submit the letters.
Rheannon and Desmond were feeding fish from a small bridge over a pond in the Melchoir estate's backyard. Rheannon gets the task of bringing fish food, and Desmond throws it into the pond. Several fish appeared on the surface to catch the food that Desmond threw.
Hadrian remembers that he used to do the same thing with his late mother and brother. Then usually, his late father would appear with souvenirs from the regional inspection.
Now it was Hadrian who stood in his late father's position.
"Good afternoon, Hadrian," said Rheannon, interrupting Hadrian's thoughts.
Desmond, next to Rheannon, turned his head. His smile grew wide and bright. "Good afternoon, Father! Taking a break?"
"Yes." Hadrian rubbed Desmond's head once. "I was looking for you in the drawing and dining rooms."
Desmond returned to throwing food into the pool. The fish invaded the food.
"You know, it is said that the fish in this pond has been living for hundreds of years. They have the same fish as the first that inhabited this pond," said Hadrian. He took the fish food container from Rheannon's hand. "The fish here are sacred by the elders. They believe that the fish here are the protectors of this estate. Therefore no one should be fishing for fish in this pond."
Rheannon stared at him in disbelief.
"That means the fish here are very old? They never die?" asked Desmond in amazement.
"Yes, that's what the elders said. I have never received a report or seen any fish floating dead in this pond." Hadrian looked up at the leaves of the trees that protected the pond. "It's also unlikely that any birds will catch fish here."
"This is the first time I've heard of it," Desmond said in awe.
"But, again, that's just a story. It's just that my father believes that every pond or lake – every place – has its own story and protector," said Hadrian. "The dead fish could be–"
Rheannon kicked Hadrian's leg. The look on her face told Hadrian not to continue his sentence.
[Don't say that the carcasses of the fish are eaten by each other. You can destroy Desmond's imagination.]
Fine if that's what she wants.
"When the time is right, how about… if we have lunch together?" asked Rheannon. "It's rare that we can do that, right?"
Desmond seemed to like the invitation. "Father isn't in a hurry to get back to work, right?"
"Not. Let's eat now. Are you still able to walk?" Hadrian asked Rheannon.
"I'm pretty healthy now. Thanks for the offer."
So the three of them walked hand in hand to the dining room. It was Desmond who walked ahead looking for the maids. Meanwhile Hadrian walked right by Rheannon's side.
This is the image Hadrian had seen of his late father. Now he saw him with the family he had built himself.