The Merchant's Arrival (3)

The burly merchant Percival burst into laughter that echoed through the estate. His laugh was like a thunderclap, loud and powerful that it shook the very foundations of the building and the earth around it.

The sound waves rippled through the air, reaching the ears of the unsuspecting birds that were happily singing on the nearby tree branches.

This sudden noise startled them so much that they flapped their wings frantically, trying to escape from the source of the terrifying sound. They flew away in all directions, leaving behind their cozy nests, disturbed by Percival's uproarious laughter.

Percival chuckled heartily as he looked at Mikael with a twinkle in his eyes. "But me lady, have I ever mentioned how beautiful ye are?" he said, his voice full of sincere admiration.

Not content to stop there, he continued with a teasing inquiry, "How did ye end up marryin' such a man as yer husband? Ye had the whole world at yer feet, and ye chose him."