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Castle Of Thorns [Mature]
Unexpected Encounter
[Verzyne Duchy - Marxstein Castle]
Jared Bartholett
Is that all?
Jared pointed to the small luggage in Raven's hand.
Teen Raven (ML)
Yes. I don't have much; only several clothes and trinkets.
Jared Bartholett
Oh well, suit yourself. You can always get more from the village. Anyway, I've cleared the back room for you to use. Is that okay?
Jared Bartholett
Then get yourself comfortable first. You can start working tomorrow.
Raven entered the back room. It was just a modest room with simple furniture; but he was very satisfied with it. As a bonus, he could see the pathway toward the glasshouse from his window.
He placed his clothing in the drawers and some mementos of his parents on the nightstand.
Once he finished, he ventured outside and discovered Jared busy organizing tools in the garden shed.
Teen Raven (ML)
Need any help?
Jared Bartholett
Nah. I'm just organizing some stuff. You should visit the garden and familiarize yourself with the layout.
Teen Raven (ML)
Okay. I'll be back before dinner.
The garden was massive; now he understood why Jared had difficulties in maintaining it. Although the castle hired people from the village to assist Jared occasionally, overseeing the entire project would still take a toll on his aging body.
The glasshouse was the only place that were out of Jared's supervision. Serafina managed the place herself with some help from her handmaid, Carolla, and sometimes, Raven.
He was so focused on inspecting the garden that he didn't realize he had strayed too far from the main area until he stumbled upon a small pavilion tucked away in a secluded corner.
It turned out there were people in the pavilion, and his presence was not welcomed.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
Who is it?
He heard the voice of a woman from inside the pavilion. The tone was flat and somehow devoid of any energy, as if the person speaking had just awoken from her slumber.
Teen Raven (ML)
I'm sorry, I accidentally...
Beatrice Petterson
Insolent! Show proper respect to her Ladyship and identify yourself!
The other woman, who had confronted him before, chided him.
It seemed like he had intruded upon the Duchess' personal space.
He had the urge to look up and see the face of the woman who had been neglecting her daughter, but he restrained himself and bowed down in deference.
Teen Raven (ML)
Pardon my crude manner, my Lady. This humble servant has unintentionally disturbed you.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
You may rise. Who are you?
He was grateful for the wide-brimmed straw hat he had donned earlier. It proved useful in obscuring his face from the two women.
Teen Raven (ML)
To answer my Lady, I am the apprentice of gardener Bartholett. I have recently begun working here, and my master instructed me to familiarize myself with the garden.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
You don't seem to have enough strength to take care of a massive garden like this one, young man. Perhaps you should start by tending to a smaller part of the garden. Beatrice, don't we need someone to tend to the glasshouse?
Beatrice, noticing her mistress' hidden intention, decisively played along.
Beatrice Petterson
You are correct, my Lady. Miss Serafina has been managing the glasshouse herself; I'm afraid that Carolla may not be much of assistance.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
Hm. Then send word to the gardener. Tell him to assign this one to the glasshouse, and ask Langley to hire some more people from the village.
Beatrice Petterson
Certainly, my Lady.
Beatrice Petterson
You hear that, young man? Now run along and tell your master. Be at the glasshouse before brunch tomorrow; I think the young miss is planning to replace some flowers.
He already knew of Serafina's plan, but he was surprised that the Duchess' lady-in-waiting knew as well. It seemed like the ladyship was not as indifferent to her daughter as she appeared to be.
Teen Raven (ML)
Yes, my Lady. I will relay your order to master Bartholett.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
You may leave.
The Duchess waved him off and resumed her previous activity as if he had never arrived.
He bowed respectfully and then made his way out of the pavilion.
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