My family has been renting land from Mormont Manor for generations.
Viscount Bruce is an extremely stingy landlord; taxes here are steep, and the farmers labor on barren land are forced to hand over more than half of their harvest.
Our Eric family reached a low point, just as I became a teenager. Life grew harder; my father left home for the city when I was twelve, and he never returned. My mother ended up with four children in total—two sisters and a little brother. As a young boy, I often went hungry and had to wear torn clothes. That was when I began to look at the clean, dignified life of the servants in Mormont Manor with envy. When I finally became a servant there, I was foolish enough to think of myself as one of the upper class, thinking I'd left behind that wretched life.
But reality quickly taught me otherwise…
When the villagers saw me, they excitedly gathered around, patting me on the shoulder and exclaiming, "Look! Owen is back!"
"Just look at him now, wearing a gentleman's suit! Doesn't he look fine?"
"Yes, he's from the Eric family, who live by the fields. You've seen his house; he's just like a little nobleman now."
Little did they know, I'd had to work for everything I was wearing. Our home was a broken-down cottage, with a rickety cart in front holding a few shabby clothes to dry, and a hen lazily pecking at bugs.
My mother and siblings greeted me warmly, while the children's eyes were fixed on the bread I'd brought back. My mother, however, immediately asked me for my wages. Once upon a time, she had been a striking woman, but years of drinking had taken a toll on her, leaving her bloated and gray.
Back then, I resented her, as she'd spend any money I gave her on alcohol instead of food for the family. Eventually, I stopped giving her anything, deciding to sever ties with them. A few years later, I lost all contact and never knew what happened to them.
Now, things were different, and I handed her my wages with a calm demeanor. She quickly stuffed the money away in her apron, saying she'd buy food, though I doubted her words.
My younger sister, Angie, was already fifteen, a lively girl, brimming with curiosity as she ran her fingers over my servant's uniform. "What's this made of? It feels so warm!"
"It's made from wool, standard issue for servants at the manor. They only give us one uniform, and it's my most expensive possession."
Angie's eyes sparkled. "What's the manor like? What do the masters wear? Do they dress in silk and jewels?" My youngest sister, Ariel, bombarded me with questions too.
I smiled and began describing life at the manor, indulging their curiosity as they listened with wide-eyed wonder.
Angie couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "It's all so wonderful, so many beautiful things! Do you think I could become a lady's maid? Brother, can you ask Lady Helena for me?"
"The lady's maids are all trained in specific skills, so they don't take on village girls," I replied with a smile. "But if there's ever an opening in the kitchen, I'll let you know."
Angie pouted. "I don't want to work in the kitchen. I want to be a lady's maid, where I can touch those beautiful silk dresses and jewelry."
After a brief half-day visit, I headed back toward Mormont Manor. Walking along the main road under the late afternoon sun, I could see the manor from a distance, a pale yellow castle nestled on the plain like a piece of cheese. Up close, the manor was even grander, a three-story structure with more than a hundred rooms, identical corridors, and staircases. I often got lost in its maze-like halls when I first started working there.
Viscount Bruce, the master of the manor, lived there with his wife and four children—three daughters and an eldest son named William.
William was married to Helena, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Despite years of marriage, they had no children. The eldest daughter was married off, leaving the second and third daughters still at home.
Their life was everything you would expect of the nobility: lavish, filled with laughter and endless social gatherings. There was always plenty of fine food and wine, horseback riding, and dances.
However, as soon as I entered the castle that day, I knew something was terribly wrong.
The cheerful atmosphere was gone, replaced by whispers and a tense silence.
Anne and Simon quietly told me: "There's been an accident. Master William fell from his horse and… broke his neck."
That night, the whole castle fell into mourning, with sobs echoing quietly through the halls.
The family was devastated, and the servants stayed on alert throughout the night, ready to serve them at a moment's notice.
Anne, with her fiery red hair and spirited nature, sat in the dim candlelight stitching, murmuring, "Helena's been crying non-stop. I hope she finds some peace soon."
Simon sneered, "Of course she's crying. Just last week, she lost her virginity in Master William's bed. She didn't even get a single coin from him, and now he's dead. Poor girl."
Anne glared at Simon, fuming. "You really are despicable."
"I'm just telling it as it is. We have more important things to worry about now. With Master William gone, who will inherit the title?" Simon said with excitement. "Those senior maids must be devastated after all their efforts. After all, none of them managed to get into his bed before he died. I bet they're all crying their hearts out in secret!"
"Not everyone is as conniving as you are," Anne replied sharply.
"I'm being honest here. Do you know if the Viscount has any other brothers?" he asked.
Anne shrugged, "Who knows? There might be."
I answered, "The Viscount's brother's son holds the title of heir, but he passed away years ago."
"Are you saying he left behind a son?" Simon asked, intrigued.
"Yes, there's an eldest son who is now the rightful heir," I replied calmly.
"Then why hasn't he come to claim the title yet? Has he married? What kind of person is he?" Simon pressed for details.
Anne smirked. "We'll just have to wait and see. Once he arrives at Mormont Manor, everything will be clear."
As the fire crackled, I stared into the flickering flames, lost in thought.
"Yes, once he arrives, everything will be clear."