Chapter 2: Living on Charity

Serena finally arrived outside the townhouse they were staying at. A two-story house which was relatively new but built with practicality in mind. It was nothing compared to where she used to live, but who was she to complain? She should just be grateful, especially considering that she and her brother were living there as charity from Emily Evans.

After the civil war, it was already expected that those who sided with the monarchy would suffer repercussions from the new ruling party. The civil war didn't end with Crown Prince Geoffrey, her ex-husband's death. The war went on for about 3 more months and during that time, the capital has been pillaged. It should have been an ugly sight, but she did not see much as she was safe in the confines of their ducal palace.

In any case, when the civil war was over and Marquess Klaus, the leader of the winning faction, was hailed as the new prime minister of the new parliament, the rebuilding process has begun.

Of course, the most necessary factor to all that rebuilding was funding. Thus, her family, the number 1 supporter of the monarchist due to her marriage with the Crown Prince, was the first to be set as example.

Her parents left the kingdom before the war began, but even during then, they had lost contact for months. Then during the war period until present, their kingdom has closed its borders.

Usually, in that case, they should have been presumed dead and the heir to the dukedom should have inherited the title of Duke. However, they were at war, and when the victors came to be with the new regime, well, it was not strange to see what happened next.

Their parents could only be announced as missing indefinitely since there was no proof of death. Her brother, a Marquis in name and heir to their duchy could not inherit the title.

The duke title was left hanging and according to the new regime, the title shall be kept by the state until proof of death of the Duke has been presented or if the Duke appears before them to claim his rights instead. In the meantime, the State shall have all rights and act as the ruling party of the dukedom.

After that has been announced at the front doors of their estate, without any due process or chance for them to file a complaint, the messenger with their soldiers spent no time to chase them out of their very own home.

Being very much outnumbered and knowing that they were powerless to even put up a fight, they can only leave. At the very least, they were not more humiliated than they already were, because surely, if they haven't left peacefully, the soldiers would have dragged them out.

The servants did not have to bid adieu to the palace as they were just employees, and the State could keep them for the upkeep of the duchy. There were some loyal to the family, but in the face of such adversity and situation, which person in their right mind would choose to side with them?

Well, there was her most loyal maid Beatrice, and Leonard's aide, but they can't possibly drag them to, what probably might be hell that comes next, with them, could they?

Serena left their home with just herself and her handicapped brother who she had to push in a wheelchair. They could not bring a single car since everything has been sequestered, their pockets only have the little alms received from most of their loyal servants, or some who had enough conscience, other than that, they were not able to bring anything of value. In fact, they were not even given time to pack their bags for clothes!

There were not a lot of places they can go to, since most probably everyone from their previous faction was suffering the same, or if not, they were obviously not welcome. Especially since it was made known that she was not Geoffrey's widower, but rather, she was his ex -wife since he has finally divorced her before his death.

Knowing Geoffrey, it must have not really been meant for anything but to save her from what will become of the royal family, but to most, it was good as confirmation of her betrayal/ love affair.

Anyhow, the fist place she thought of moving to was Leonard's flat. The walk from their estate to the riding station was very far but it's not like they had a choice. The only consolation was that there were not a lot of houses or people along the way. Arriving at the town proper they were stopped several times before they realized they should at least cover their faces. So, with masks covering their faces like idiots during the day, they rode the train from Cornwell to Windsor.

Upon arrival, they headed straight to Leonard's flat with the dwindling money they received earlier. However, they could only be disappointed as what they thought could be their haven have already been sequestered. In any case, since they were already in the capital, there was only one person Serena could think of that would help them and that was Emily Evans.

Leonard did not want to face Emily. They were still considered as lovers, but he has been avoiding her for a while due to his condition which Emily still doesn't fully know. When they were driven out, the civil war just ended for only over a month.

In the midst of the war, Leonard was heavily wounded by 3 gunshots. He had to be taken out of the battlefield to save his life. Emily was there during and after his operation. She nursed him to health, but after 2 weeks, he could still not stand up on his own. He was advised to return to the duchy to recuperate.

At that time, he told Emily not to come with him and take care of herself and her family first. He was part of the monarchist faction and being with him will only put her in peril. Emily did not want to, but he reminded her that she still has four younger siblings.

The war ended in only about a week after that.

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TBC