-15-
Days after, Yorn returned to the mansion.
"Anything the two of you would like to mention?" He said.
"No." Miriel replied, her voice hoarse.
They were in the living room. Yorn stood by the doors, one door open with his hand on the handle. He wore a dark brown coat with matching trousers, a cravat at his neck and a top hat on his head.
Miriel was donned in a light-yellow housecoat and a white dress underneath as she sat.
"*cough*cough*" She covered her mouth with a cloth as she coughed and sniffed.
Across her was Mark in a pale shirt and light-brown trousers, with leather shoes over his feet, looking at the windows as he sat.
"Feeling a bit under the weather, Miriel?" Yorn said.
He closed the door, took his coat off - exposing his white shirt underneath - with his hat and sat on a sofa, resting them on a table beside him.
"Never better." Miriel replied. She sniffed and brought the cloth to her nose..
"What about you Mark? Still remember me?" He turned to Mark.
Mark turned his head. His eyes paused at Miriel for a moment then darted to Yorn.
"I do, Uncle Yorn. Much more than you'd guess." Mark nodded.
"So the farm-boy returns a hero. The run-away kid returns a soldier. Who would guess?" Yorn said.
"That was the last thing on my mind. And, I think, anyone else's." Mark lightly shook his head.
"But you did do things well enough and you had recognition for it. That means something. You can raise your head more."
Mark shrugged and nodded his head.
"Did you handle the work while I was away, Miriel?" Yorn turned to Miriel.
"No. I had to show *cough* Mark around." She replied.
"You were free the past few days." Mark said, as he looked at her.
Miriel waved her cloth, then covered her mouth with it as she coughed.
"Tch." Mark clicked his tongue and turned away.
With his hands resting on his knees, Yorn looked at Miriel. Then at Mark. Then he turned his head upward and stared at the ceiling.
He sighed.
"Where is Mark staying presently?" He turned to Miriel.
"We fashioned a room above to his room." She replied.
"How is your stay Mark? Have the servants been good to you?" He turned to Mark.
"It's great. The bed's soft, the bread's soft, even the pillows and the people are great." Mark replied.
Miriel eyed Mark for a moment then turned away.
Sunlight briefly covered the floors - through the windows - then faded again. Wind-blown leaves tapped the glass and were carried away.
Yorn clapped his hands. The sound drew the two's attention.
"Alright, let's be serious."
Mark shifted and straightened. Miriel clasped her hands on her lap.
"The Capitol''s abuzz with celebrations right now, probably for another month if not a few weeks. No one's talking about your betrothal, which means no one's taking issues with it. Not openly at least." Yorn said.
"Good." Miriel replied. "What of your inquiry?"
"Difficult. It could have been the townsfolk, the servants, or the soldiers. And with little to no leads, I may well have been chasing gold." He replied
"Skip the townspeople and the soldiers." Miriel said. "It is probable they received the news the same day or the day after. Perhaps a note or letter delivered by courier or caravan."
"Some of the guards saw you leave. It could be them."
Miriel shook her head.
"I didn't wear a veil when I left."
"So the servants, because they move around the house?" Yorn asked.
Miriel nodded.
"Mind letting me in? I'm sitting here too, you know." Mark said, his brows furrowed.
Miriel eyed him for a moment then nodded at Yorn, who turned to Mark.
"When Albert died, we told no one. Not even the servants. Only Miriel, Louis, and I, knew. Or were supposed to, at least. Miriel left for the Capitol and his siblings turned up before she even returned."
"Went to the Capitol, to do what?" Mark asked.
"Your betrothal."
"Ah." He nodded. "So how do we find the snitch?"
Yorn turned to Miriel, and so did Mark.
Miriel pondered for a moment.
"We wait. If we start asking around, gossip will reach their ear and they will turtle. And I have no will to fake an event just for them." She coughed.
"What did you hear about my relatives, Uncle Yorn?"
"Still doing the same things. They go to the same balls and places and mingle with the same people." He replied. "Do you really think they're related?"
"They knew to act on the letter, neither questioned it nor mentioned it to us. Whether they act alone or conspire with others, it is them."
She continued, "Tell Louis to keep a vigil on any of the servants who leave for town, specially those with letters and items to send."
"Are you not inflating this, Miriel? With Mark alive and returned, there are no avenues for them." Yorn said.
"We cut off their spring of wealth, and they know of the mine. They will never let it go, Uncle. They are merely biding their time. The least we can do is prepare and respond. And if we need to, retaliate."
"Can't argue with that." He sighed.
He looked at Miriel, and then at Mark.
"What of you two? Are we holding your betrothal ceremony?" Yorn asked. He intertwined his fingers and leaned forward.
"We are already betrothed Uncle. That would be redundant." Miriel replied, and Mark nodded.
"Then what of the marriage? When will the wedding be?"
They stared at each other. Then Miriel turned to Yorn.
"Sooner would be better." She said.
"Your thoughts, Mark?" Yorn asked.
The two turned to Mark. His head was down and staring at his hands.
"A year," He raised his head and continued, "I need a year, maybe even longer."
"Hmm? Why's that?" Yorn said.
"It's how long I think I need to, well, learn enough to avoid trouble with the nobles, at least. It's best I have that much down before the marriage."
"That is reasonable." Yorn nodded. "Any problems with that, Miriel?"
"No." She shook her head, "He might even need longer."
Yorn watched the two stare at each other
"We'll have Louis teach you from tomorrow. Is that fine with you Mark?" He s aid.
"That's fine." Mark nodded.
"And to be clear, that is the only reason and nothing else, right?" Yorn looked at the two.
They didn't respond. He shrugged.
"It's settled then. We'll put it off for now, and bring it up again next year. I shall go and inform Louis." He said.
He stood and wore his coat. Then donned his hat.
"And another matter. This one's for you, Miriel."
Miriel raised her head and stared at him.
"With the engagement and other stuff happening, you need a maid more than ever. Stop putting it off. I brought one along today. She's lively and smart. So If you wish to send her away, be reasonable." Yorn said.
"Fair enough, Uncle." She sighed.
"Follow me, I'll take you to her." He left the room.
As he did, Mark turned to Miriel.
"You still have no maids attending you even now?"
"Yes." Miriel stood and fixed her dress.
"Why?" He asked.
"The same thing you did, Mark. They leave."
She left the room and followed Yorn.