1 Unity of Two Estates

"Lady Serene. " Lord Jake kisses the back of Serene's hand, giving her a seducing smile.

Serene was delighted to see the man he's been in love with, since then. She returned the smile that he was giving her. They could not let the others know their own dark little secret.

It was eight in the morning when the Smith Family have arrived at their estate. They were all conversing with each other as the maids manifest hospitality upon the arrival of a powerful family.

"What a pleasant surprise, Jake." The Lady lowered herself slightly, bowing her head in front of the man. "Oh, it's should be Lord Jake however you are the heiress of your father's wealth. I apologize for my mistake, Lord Jake."

Lord Jake ignored the woman's greeting, gazing behind her to check the people from her behind before returning his gazes upon the maiden. A playful smile arches on his features as he hooked the maiden's small waist by his toned arms, pulling her closer to his warmth.

The Lady was surprised by Lord Jake's unpredictable behavior as her soft hands reached for his stoned–chest, staggered by his movements.

"Dear Heavens, Jake! Stop that! Our parents might catch us!" The Lady whispered in fear of being caught as she forced herself to withdraw from the man's touch.

Jake did not listen instead he presses his body into her own to show his affection to her. Serene knew what he wants but it cannot be done while their family was still present around. Indeed she wants him too, but the thought of being caught makes her quiver in fear.

"Jake, I fear they might catch us in this shameful situation." She comments, hoping the man would halt his actions.

"Hmm, alright. Well, I will be hoping for your company later then." He winks and thankfully he let her go before their parents might see them. "And why do you fear? Our parents will settle an engagement anyway."

"Indeed they will?" Lady Serene asked in astonishment.

Lord Jake nodded in response. "Indeed, they will."

The thought of this made Serene's heart jump in excitement. She was waiting for the moment when they finally get married and be hoping to live together to have children that they could cherish the most.

"Oh come, let us have breakfast together, shall we?" Serene's mother uttered cheerfully as it echoes along the large hall.

No one did utter any protest since their starving appetite have been agreeing since the arrival of the meeting of both families. Lady Alice, Lady Serene's mother, swung her hands over her husband's arm delicately as they saunter towards the Dining Hall. However, Lady Ethel with his husband Lord Hugh, followed with no hesitation as their stomach grumbled in an audible sound.

Serene and Jake, on the other hand, remained on where they were stood at and both gazed at each other. They have no clue if their presence is required in the Dining Hall since all they would only discuss about are their treasures and their businesses.

"Let's go to your room?" Jake caresses her back as he wiggles his eyebrows.

But Serene shook her head in reply. "We have to attend the meeting or our parents would think of us as one of those disrespectful heiresses." Serene was laughing when she saw the disappointment in Jake's features.

Jake sighed in defeat and mumbled something under his breath that Serene could not understand. In the end, Jake followed her instructions and they went inside the huge dining hall where their parents were already seated.

"Oh dear, what took you two so long." Lady Ethel uttered as she was placing her napkin on her lap.

"Serene, come sit with us." Serene's mother ordered as she was waving her hand in the air.

Before obeying his mother's request, she shot Jake with her eyes and saw him seating in front of her seat. They cannot be abreast during the simple feast if both parties are unmarried yet to each other since it marks as a disrespect in their ancestors, their family, and to one's self.

"Let us begin eating." Lord Thior uttered in the occurring silence.

The six people reuniting inside the Dining Hall began eating their foods as the ceramic plates conjugated a thin noise with the steel forks and spoons.

The silence kept on occurring and only to be covered with the thin noises of their plates. Both Estate successors wish to speak with one another but cannot maintain a healthy topic to discuss with.

"Lord Hugh, Lady Ethel..." Lord Thior coughs on his seat. "What will be your plan regarding the opening of new land for trading marks for the different estates?" He asked as he began cutting the lean meat served on his plate.

Serene, on the other hand, withdraw from the hesitation of being unable to eat as her mother scolded her with a warning look. She didn't like the tastes of meat and therefore she separated the meat from the vegetables on her plate and she was relieved when no one had noticed her. Yet, Jake who also began eating, seemingly want something from her when Serene noticed that he kept on stealing glances at her.

"Have you heard of the deserted area at the main Capital? We already bought the area last two days ago and we are planning to start the next week. So I assume I would get very busy." Lord Hugh replied to Serene's father.

"I wish for your prosperity to grow more, Lord Hugh and Lady Ethel." Lady Alice uttered in a gentle tone as she smiled at both pairs.

Serene suppressed herself for arching an eyebrow at each of them since the topic was dull and it was extremely uninteresting. She wanted to withdraw from the dining hall and would rather hook up with the heir of Smith Estate. Since she cannot depart from the occurring discussion, she remained quiet in her seat. She fears her father's anger and may cage her in their mansion until he is no longer have his anger. After all, Serene's mother is unable to do anything when her husband's rage has ascended.

"Lord Thior, Lady Alice, if I may... I wish to have a proposal to discuss." Lord Hugh uttered out of the blue.

All attention became fixated towards Lord Hugh even though Serene is extremely uninterested by the dull discussion, as the Heir of their Estate's wealth, she must be used in these kinds of important discussions. She must be formal in front of other Estate holders and have full respect with them if her main goal is to gain unity between the Six Estates.

"Oh please, of course, you may speak of it." Lord Thior utter in response.

"My wife, Lady Ethel wish for the unity of both our Estates."

It trailed off by a flat silence as Serene became confused by the statement provided by Lord Hugh himself. However, Serene's father, on the other hand, laughs joyously and Serene did only listened to its echoes.

"Unity between East and Smith Estate you mean, Lord Hugh? I supposed I may be in need of a grandchild too," Lord Thior trails and laughs to himself.

Lord Hugh on the other hand, awkwardly laughed with him. "Indeed, both I and my wife is in need one too. That is why both of us need your permission upon our child marrying yours. And only if you agree, Lord Thior, if you disagree, we respect your decision."

Serene on the other hand couldn't dare to finish her food as her heart banged on her chest rapidly due to excitement. She lifted her eyes to gaze upon the man she is in love with, surreptitiously and only to find the wide smile plastered on the Lord's face while he was focused on his own plate. Furthermore, Lord Thior couldn't help but withdraw from his seat, ascending from where he was seated to reach out for Lord Hugh's hand for a handshake.

"I have the thoughts of it these last few weeks and it is truly a great news upon hearing it from the Smith Estate. We would gladly accept your offer as no one would protest. My daughter loves your son so deeply, don't you, Dear?"

A tint of faded red occurred on Serene's face as their attention howered towards in her direction. Without any slight of hesitation, Serene nodded her head in response. Her hand caught the glass of champagne provided to her and drank half of it in an agitated situation to eliminate the introversion in her whole system.

"Oh, what a pleasant surprise! My son does talk about Serene all the time saying he wishes to marry her as soon as he can since then."

Their parents stared at both Heirs in awe and Serene and Jake only did lower their heads in a completely agitated state. Serene couldn't even dare to look at her lover after what her mother has discussed with the elders.

"So, what are we waiting for? Let us throw a celebration this on coming Wednesday, shall we?" Lord Hugh suggested, delighted by their current situation.

Lord Thior pointed out his index finger as if he was the happiest man on the entire planet as of now. "That... Is truly a great idea." He emphasizes each word as he kept on pointing his finger at Lord Hugh.

Serene was skeptical of the idea engaged by Lord Hugh after proposing the unity of their estates. Her thoughts about the celebration may include her worst nightmare.

People. Gossips. Judgments.

Oh, how she truly hates people and their judgments. Especially, women who have their eyes on Lord Jake himself. Despite of all the pretty maidens who are deceived by Lord Jake's astonishing features, Serene knew his loyalty could never be broken.

"This Wednesday is a great day to settle a celebration. However, where will it be held?" Lady Alice inquires.

"Well, the celebration is entirely my idea so don't bother upon worrying about it, Lady Alice. It will be held on our Estate."

"Oh dear, we merely have a day to send invites from other Estates. It's so soon yet the sooner the better, they say, isn't it?" Lady Ethel giggles.

Serene's attention was caught off by a foot caressing her dress from the front. In curiosity, she provided Lord Jake a questioning look which he responded to by an unknown mischievous smile.

"What is it?" Serene mouthed in caution, fearing their parents might catch them discussing something.

Jake, on the other hand, tilted his head from the left, giving her a sign that they must now go and talk outside with the absence of their parents.

She seems appalled at first yet after the words had sunken into her acknowledgment, she stare at their parents and back to her lover. "Tell them..." she whispers.

Jake had no other choice left as he sighed in defeat. He cleared his throat only to capture their bewildering attentions. "May I excuse my fiancé? I wish to talk to her privately regarding our engagement if you all do not mind."

The adults were in silence for a matter of seconds as they all stared at each other.

"Well, it seems fine to me." Lord Hugh had permitted them.

"Go on dear, go talk to your Fiancé regarding your engagement. We are all certain about the excitement of the both of you." Lady Alice says to her daughter, allowing her to withdraw from the discussion.

However, the lady sitting beside Lady Alice seems in need of recovering herself from blushing intently. The word Fiancé that came out of her lover's lips indeed had brought butterflies flying inside her stomach.

"Lady Serene?" Jake asked for Serene's attention in a formal tone.

Serene lifted her head only to find that Jake stood already upon his seat, ready to depart the Dining Hall. Serene apologizes and mimicked Jake's movements. They bowed before their parents before departing from the Dining Hall together.

Once they were out of their sight, Jake grabbed Serene's arm and dragged her down the hall. Serene did not utter any complaint as she permit herself to be dragged by Jake. Fearing someone might see them, they went to the Garden instead.

"Jake—"

Upon their arrival, before Serene could dare to utter any words, she was grabbed by Jake by the waist and has been pulled into a long kiss.

Jake's rough hands had their chances to roam themselves over Serene's body, memorizing every inch of her. Jake knew what woman he had chosen was indeed right for him. With a perfect body like Serene's, no man will ever resist. And only if Serene does pay attention to other men and not only to her lover, then perhaps she would notice the lust in their eyes.

Serene hooks her hands on her Fiancé's neck as to deepen the kiss, only to receive a moan from him. She knew she was enjoying the moment as it has been an entire week since they were apart from each other. She misses his lips and she won't let this chance be missed.

However, just as when Serene opened her eyes to gaze at the sight of her lover, she had noticed the faded figure of a woman standing in the corner of her eye. She turns to her left to peek and only to see her sister's wide eyes and agape mouth staring at the couple.