A few coins - Part 1

"Good morning sir"

"Morning John Bode."

I answered as I came down the stairs later that morning.

"Where to son?"

Mother asked.

She and her aunt were stood peeping into the dining hall. I was wondering why when I heard the rustling of children in the dining hall. The servants were running to and fro the hall with plates, cups, and trays.

"What is going on?"

She gave out a very happy smile signalling me to keep

My voice down.

"Why?" I asked silently walking up to them.

They made way for me and I was able to glance in.

Mrs Williams was with children who were all seated at the dining table having meals. Oh, that was the reason for the chaos.

I was about to retrace my head when she caught sight of me. She held a wide smile as she spoke to the children but once she saw me it vanished into thin air.

Classic.

I returned.

"Look at the sight, I'm so happy" she squealed. "For years the house had been as dead as anything, look"

"Indeed," I commented honestly realizing I was smiling as well.

"Where are you going?" Aunt asked.

"To the whites."

"That's good, go then." They motioned me to go.

Of course, they would.

But I was only going there since I had promised to come. Not because of Lily but just for the parents and I could also tick that one off my visiting list.

I heard Dennis had visited the Lucas family earlier this morning.

"Social routine is exhausting."

I muttered as I came down the front stairs towards the park.

The bushes in the parish have grown tremendously. I could venture into some hunting someday.

I walked through till I saw the manor in the distance. It stood much bigger and new than ours or any other manors in the vicinity. It towered high above many. That was because the Whites delighted in renovating their house to the current trends. Recently they seemed to have extended their home in the earliest renovation.

They followed trends, whichever they saw from Cerneth or any other town because I tell you, trends began and ended in Cerneth. That city was the epitome of Danbank state, after all, it was the capital. That was why I needed to leave. Anyone who has not visited Cerneth was usually seen as uncivilized . (Not me of course, because I have visited countless times).

During the social season, people traveled there for it was where real social gatherings took place. All the peers, the royals, everyone(that is if you can afford the holiday lodgings and spa fees) visited.

My artwork could start a future there. I could continue in it and when I deem it fit I'm going to Leighton to take over the factory from Uncle no matter how hard he tries to twist it. That factory is mine and I would claim it. But not now, as you can see.

I had an old man and lady, with their loud daughter and bully of a son to deal with.

Once I entered the fence I was met with the servants running around in the compound.

A cry from someone came nearby and I looked to my side to find the source of the cries.

Lord have mercy.

She was dragging the hair of a poor maid who was kneeling on the ground under an apple tree.

I went towards them, to her obliviousness.

"You wretched thing! I would skin you alive! Where did you keep it?!"

"I promise mistress, I did not steal it."

"You liar! Liar!"

"Lily!"

It dropped on her like a bomb and she froze.

"Eu…Eugene.."

"What kind of attitude is this?"

I looked at the crying maid on the ground. Her face and scalp had grown red. How could she?

"Sir," she clutched my legs. "Please help me, help me beg, tell her her to forgive me."

"What is it you're doing?"

Her face grew paler by the moment.

"I… she stole my jewel! These criminal maids stole my jewels!"

"Did you steal her jewel?"

I asked the one clutching my boots.

She sniffed to say. "I did. But I needed it. I needed it for medicine. I asked for a wage in advancement but they refused. The young miss refused. My mother is dying in the physician's home. What could I do?"

She cried the more.

"That's unfair of you," I told her.

"But she stole, she stole from me! Are you saying that stealing is proper?"

"No, it's not but if your family had given her the salary in advance she wouldn't steal! What have you to lose? It's just a penny."

I was tired of the situation. How can she be so cruel?

"Well," she folded her hands. "I'm not the one paying her, am I?"

"She's your maidservant, you have more than enough to offer her, instead of waiting for your parents!"

"Are you blaming me now? Eugene?"

"Get up," I told her.

She shook. "She would kill me, let her forgive me first"

"Get up!"

"You can't do that!"

"Why?"

She retreated when she saw the look on my face.

"How much is it?"

"It's just a few coins, sir."

"You're saying MY precious jewel is just a few coins? Do you know how much I bought….."

"How much did you buy it that cannot be earned?"

She bit her lips and stepped back.

"Good. I thought as much. Get up, follow me home and I will give you the coins."

"What? You will do that for me?"

"Get up."

"Thank you very much sir." she stood up Dusting her knees and clothes.

"You can't take her away!"

She came to block our view.

I noticed the other maids in the house looking at us from their positions and hiding places.

Her features grew soft instantly.

"I would forgive her, just for you. I won't ask for the coins again. You came to see me didn't you?" She came forward to touch my chest but I retraced back.

"What do you take me for? I will return her and your precious coins, very soon. Just be patient." I said through gritted teeth.

"Wait Eugene!"

"Move."

She scampered out of the way when she saw her antics would not work on me.

"Fine!"

She breathed like a bull crossing her arms on her chest. She sent evil glares at the maid. All that was needed were two horns and the portrayal would be complete.

"Follow me," I told the girl who was hiding behind my back.

Once I dashed out of the compound she scurried to my side in fear.

"I would pay her the coins, you don't need to worry."

"Yes sir."