Holding back tears (3)

The news eventually spread throughout the Capital Masoullac. Mariette Tierney will step down from her job as Palace secretary. The nobles were busy talking about it. This would be one of history in the Lamamont Kingdom where a noble would voluntarily give up his peerage.

Mariette took the time to return to the county and discuss with the new county manager and several county officials. This and that were submitted and explained. Programs that have been implemented are reviewed, and program designs that have not yet been implemented will be taken care of.

Then there's the matter of the house.

"This residence was inhabited by Tierney's ancestors long ago. Are you sure you want to leave it to me too?" the new county manager asked.

"Precisely, if I leave it alone, this residence will not be maintained, right?" Mariette said. "I believe you are capable of taking care of this residence, My Lord."

"Ah, but I feel reluctant if I have to make changes here," he said. "Would you mind if I put all your ancestral banners and paintings in one room. I've been thinking about it for a while–I'm going to make a little gallery for the Tierneys."

"Oh, that's an act that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, My Lord."

"Of course, My Lady. However, my descendants must know that Tierney's ancestors built all of this. Our family just carried it on." he smiled. "How are your moving preparations going? Is it going well?"

"Yes. I don't have much to take with me as I have very little personal property. Moreover, my new residence will be relatively small."

Just a tiny two-story cottage with a small front yard. It was much smaller when compared to the Tierney family's residence. A home Mariette could look after herself if Emmanuele and Linda returned to their families.

A house that Mariette could take care of herself if she and her family were going to live there.

"You seem to like that little house by the sea more, don't you?" said the new county manager with a faint smile.

"Hmmm, maybe so. Because I… have had two dreams of that cliff near the house," said Mariette.

"Well, I guess that's a sign. I hope you have a good time there."

"Yes, thanks for the prayers, My Lord."

***

"Today must have been tiring for you, My Lady. How about today you eat an early dinner so you can rest early as well?" offered Linda.

Mariette stared out the window of her study at the Tierney residence. Since it is summer, the days are longer. Outside, the sky was very clear even though it was past noon.

"Yeah, that's fine," said Mariette.

"In that case, okay. I will immediately pass it on to the cook."

With that, Linda left Mariette's room.

The work for the day is over. It was planned that the day after tomorrow, Mariette would return to the Capital Masoullac to take care of the others. There is still a reinstatement trial as well. Anyway, Mariette will be kept busy until the end of summer.

Before I realized it, the process of resigning turned out to be more troublesome than running the Palace, thought Mariette.

"Why do I want to do all this, huh?" she muttered.

Then her eyes caught towards the small forest behind her residence. She doesn't know what moved her, but suddenly Mariette had gone to the stables and asked for the horses to be prepared.

"You will go alone, My Lady?" asked the stablemaster.

"Yeah, just for a moment. Please tell Linda I'm going to the woods at the back," Mariette replied.

"Of course, My Lady. Please be careful on the road."

Mariette led her horse into the back woods at a leisurely pace. There is no rush because the agenda is just to look around. Cool trees, green grass, and some wildflowers grow here and there. There was nothing dangerous, which made Mariette wonder why she had been injured here in the first place.

The forest wolf appeared out of nowhere. Mariette didn't hear it clearly because her senses were a little dull. Suddenly the horse panicked and knocked her over, then the wolf pounced on Mariette.

Then she was found by Elroy.

"If you're calm like this, it means nothing's wrong, right?" asked Mariette, stroking the head of the horse she was riding.

Maybe it was Mariette's destiny that the accident brought her together with Elroy. Or maybe Mariette's true destiny is to die, but Elroy comes and complicates everything. Either way, Mariette's path now had more and more ramifications.

Because Mariette had been sure that she would marry Anatole. Even if she had not married Anatole, Mariette would have served the Palace until the end of her life. Mariette will become Louisa's loyal companion and watch as Louie leads the kingdom.

Whereas now… Mariette doesn't even know what to do after living in her new home.

And it all started in this forest: it started with his meeting with Elroy.

"Thank you," Mariette muttered earnestly.

Now it's time to say goodbye.

On everything.