Chapter - 1 Visit to Belonia.

The green carriage, adorned with gold-plated designs that gleamed in the late afternoon sun, rumbled steadily along the dirt road that wound through the vast, rolling countryside. Merida Burton, an 18-year-old young woman with honey-brown hair braided neatly down to her waist, sat within the plush interior. The carriage, a gift from her father, Viscount Devon Burton, was a symbol of the family’s wealth and status. The intricate gold leaf patterns, depicting scenes of wildflowers and birds, stood out against the deep green paint, making the carriage a moving work of art as it made its way toward the remote Belonia estate.

Merida’s sharp green eyes scanned the landscape as the carriage rolled along. The countryside was vast and open, dotted with patches of wild heather and ancient oaks that had stood the test of time. The air was clean and crisp, carrying the scent of pine and earth, a stark contrast to the stuffy, smoke-filled atmosphere of the capital where she had spent the last year. It was peaceful here, a welcome change from the bustle of city life, yet the peace was tinged with a sense of unease as she approached the estate where her younger brother, Marcus, resided.

Marcus, just sixteen, had always been the more carefree and impulsive of the two. With his honey-brown perm and a height of 5.7 feet, he was on the cusp of manhood but still had much to learn. Merida had been sent by their father not only to handle important matters at the estate but also to bring Marcus back to the capital. He was to continue his studies, an endeavor that he had been neglecting in favor of mischief and idleness.As the carriage passed through a small grove of trees, the Belonia estate came into view. The manor house, a grand stone structure with tall, narrow windows and ivy creeping up its walls, was nestled at the base of a gently sloping hill. Surrounding the estate were vast fields of golden wheat and green pastures where cattle grazed lazily.

The estate had always been a place of comfort and security, a symbol of the Burton family’s enduring legacy in these lands.However, as the carriage drew closer, Merida noticed a change. The estate, while still grand, seemed quieter than she remembered. The gardens were not as meticulously maintained as they had been in her childhood, with some of the hedges growing wild and the flowerbeds less vibrant. The air here felt cooler, the wind carrying with it a sense of something amiss.The carriage came to a halt in front of the manor’s grand entrance. The large oak doors, adorned with iron fittings, stood imposing and silent. As Merida stepped down from the carriage, her boots making a soft crunch on the gravel, she was greeted by Mr. Thomas, the family’s longtime butler. Standing at 6.3 feet tall, Mr. Thomas cut an imposing figure in his neat black suit with coat tails. His graying hair was slicked back, and his sharp eyes missed nothing as he bowed slightly in greeting.“Welcome home, Miss Merida,” he said in his deep, measured voice. “It has been too long.”“Thank you, Mr. Thomas,” Merida replied with a polite smile, though her mind was elsewhere. “How are things at the estate? And where is Marcus?”Mr. Thomas hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering with something she couldn’t quite place before he composed himself. “The estate is as it has always been, Miss. However, young Master Marcus has been rather… spirited in your absence. I’m sure you’ll find him in the stables or perhaps out riding. He has taken quite a liking to his new horse.”Merida sighed inwardly.

Marcus had never been one for discipline, and it seemed his time at Belonia had done little to curb his wild tendencies. “I see. I will speak with him after I settle in. And Mrs. Jesse? How is she?”“Mrs. Jesse is well, Miss. She is in the kitchens preparing for your arrival, and the maids are making sure your rooms are in order.”“Thank you, Mr. Thomas. I’ll see to it that Marcus is made aware of my presence. I trust everything is ready for the meeting tomorrow?”“Indeed, Miss. All the necessary documents have been prepared, and the servants are ready to assist you with whatever you may need.”Merida nodded, pleased with the efficiency of the estate’s staff, though a small part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. The estate, once so full of life, seemed to have lost some of its vitality. But she pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the tasks ahead.As she made her way into the manor, the familiar scent of polished wood and faint lavender greeted her, bringing with it a wave of nostalgia. The grand foyer was just as she remembered, with its high ceilings, marble floors, and the large crystal chandelier that cast soft light over the room. Family portraits lined the walls, their stern faces watching over her as she walked down the corridor.The maids curtsied as she passed, their eyes downcast, while a few servants hurried past carrying linens and other supplies. It was comforting to see that, despite the slight air of neglect outside, the inside of the manor was still well-kept, a testament to Mrs. Jesse’s diligent care.Merida entered her chambers, where a warm fire crackled in the hearth. The room was just as she had left it—plush, deep green curtains framing the windows, a large four-poster bed with embroidered linens, and a small writing desk where she had spent many evenings reading and studying. She ran her fingers along the edge of the desk, memories flooding back of her childhood, spent here at the estate with Marcus.But there was little time for reminiscing. Merida knew she had to focus on the present. After freshening up and changing into a more comfortable dress, she made her way to the stables, determined to find her brother and bring him back to reality. The day was drawing to a close, and the evening air was cool against her skin as she stepped outside once more.The stables were located behind the manor, a short walk across the courtyard. As she approached, she could hear the familiar sounds of horses snorting and hooves clattering on the stone floor. She found Marcus in one of the stalls, brushing down a sleek black stallion. His back was to her, and he didn’t seem to notice her presence.“Marcus,” Merida called out, her voice firm yet gentle.Marcus turned, surprise flashing in his eyes before he quickly hid it behind a grin. “Merida! You’re finally here!” he said, dropping the brush and coming over to give her a quick, rather awkward hug.“Indeed, I am,” Merida replied, studying him closely. He had grown taller in her absence, his features more defined, though he still had that mischievous gleam in his eyes that had always been there. “And I see you’ve been keeping yourself busy.”Marcus shrugged, leaning casually against the stall door. “Just enjoying the countryside. You know how dull the capital can be.”Merida raised an eyebrow. “Enjoying it a bit too much, I hear. Father expects you to return with me to continue your studies. You can’t spend your days riding horses and shirking your responsibilities, Marcus.”He rolled his eyes, a typical teenage response that grated on Merida’s nerves. “Come on, Merida, we’ve only just arrived. Can’t we have a little fun before we get back to all that?”“This isn’t a vacation, Marcus. There’s important work to be done here, and you have a duty to our family. You can’t keep avoiding it,” Merida said firmly. “Now, wash up and join me for dinner. We’ll discuss our plans afterward.”Marcus opened his mouth to protest but quickly closed it again under Merida’s stern gaze. With a huff, he nodded and muttered, “Fine, I’ll be there.”Satisfied that she had made her point, Merida turned and made her way back to the manor, her thoughts already turning to the tasks ahead. She knew it wouldn’t be easy to rein in her brother, but she was determined to do it. The future of their family depended on it.As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the estate, Merida couldn’t help but feel that this visit would be more challenging than she had anticipated. There was a tension in the air, something beyond Marcus’s wayward behavior, and she knew she would need all her wits about her to navigate whatever lay ahead at Belonia.With that thought, she squared her shoulders and stepped back into the warmth of the manor, ready to face the challenges that awaited her.

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