53

Chapter 53

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2022, Planet: Grimoire

Maintaining such a calm facade was wearisome, but Grifton chose to do so because he could tell that Anne was at a breaking point. "Anne, why don't you join the others in the grieving process?" He gently nudged her.

"No, I have to remain here until our replacements arrive." Anne was adamant. "Besides, I'm sure you have more questions about this world's traditions?"

Hmm, not really? However, Grifton realized that she was desperately trying to maintain a form of calm, and this was her way of doing so.

"Just go with it, Grifton," Marlayne advised. "For whatever reason, we can understand you two clearly. Anyone else is indecipherable."

"Yes, I think that there is something strange going on," Amberlyn added.

When there was nothing from Calico, Grifton glanced around in bafflement. He was amused and resigned to see that Calico was sprawled out and sleeping soundly.

"He's been crying," Amberlyn told him. "Even he's affected by what happened." She hesitated. "We were all shocked when you shared your memories of why we'd been put somewhere very safe, while you were partially exposed to the elements."

Oops, Grifton winced. "I see, I'm sorry, I hadn't meant to inflict that upon any of you." He hadn't meant to do that. Hmm, he would have to learn how to control those projections more carefully.

"Err, that was indeed scary." Marlayne agreed. "However, I think we needed to see it to understand what happened." Her matter-of-fact tone did little to reassure Grifton.

Well, whatever, he might as well ask more questions as they came to him. "What are the courting traditions?" If he had to ask something that would shock Anne into some semblance of crying maybe that would do it.

"Say what?" Anne gaped at him and then broke into hysterical giggles. She hastily toned it down, but unfortunately garnered a few wrathful glares.

"What're you doing?" One of the other nannies snapped.

Anne didn't even flinch when snapped at. "Emm, I was just thinking of something funny that the butler, my godfather had said to me." Her eyes glinted with real amusement despite tears falling from her ducts.

That's when Grifton knew his tactic was successful.

Much to his amusement, all the ladies began relating similar stories.

"Oh my, evidently he was quite the flirt in his heyday."

"That's right, he would give the Commander a run for his money."

More giggles followed that statement.

"Well, I suppose that it's true he told quite a few tall tales to amuse many of us when we were heartbroken a few times."

Anne sighed when she contemplated the situation. "He always gave unique advice."

Grifton smiled. He knew Marlayne and Amberlyn listened along with him. This was far better to hear related stories and gather from a variety of experiences.

It didn't take Anne long to realize what Grifton had started with his innocent question. She led the circle of reminiscing with a few wild tales that her godfather talked about courting his wife. "Oh, that reminds me. Did anyone go check on butler Shamus' missus?"

Sudden silence swept over the room. All the merriment of seconds ago vanished. "Uhmm, no, I don't think anyone thought to check on her."

Grifton knew what was going on. No one budged because everyone was terrified of finding someone who might be just as dead as the butler.

Anne sighed and they all jumped when a knock resounded at the door. "Come in," Anne called.

Grifton watched to see who entered.

A woman with an imposing demeanor walked in.

"Oh, Missus Shamus." Anne hesitated.

Missus Shamus inclined her head with a small smile. "I heard the commotion in here and thought to join you. I didn't want to remain alone with my thoughts." Sorrow hung over her like a thick cloud.

Grifton was worried. She wasn't going to be long for the world if any of these ladies rejected her right now.

Anne held out her arms. "Of course, you can come in."

There was a torrent of tears from everyone as they closed in around the missus and hugged her, expressing their genuine sorrow for the butler's bereaved spouse.

Once they had all managed to give some support. The widowed woman hummed gently. "So, you were all relating tales that he spun about courtship and how to handle anyone who got too rambunctious, am I correct?"

They all nodded.

"Well, most of those seemingly farcical tales are all true." She shocked them. "They all happened in our far-gone youth." She laughed. "Let me tell you a few experiences of my own." She began starting, but then something happened to interrupt everything.

Grifton had to wonder if it was intentional.

One of the girls who'd remained aloof from the others happened to look outside. "Oh my, your daughter Garnet has gone down to assume the position." She bit her lip when the widow stiffened. "I'm sorry, Miss, I know that you often had arguments with her about it."

The widow sighed. "No, I accepted the reality some weeks ago when my husband had gone in for his last checkup. He was allowed to do whatever he pleased with his last days."

Huh, so the butler had known but chose to go about business as usual? Damn, that old man put new emphasis on stubbornness. If Grifton could've, he would've whistled in admiration. On the other hand, it must make for an awkward situation now though.

Sure enough, the widow spoke further. "So yes, I knew that Garnet would take over. She'd been training hard and going through all the proper protocols for this very moment." She shook her head. "I'm not going to protest her decisions any longer. I knew what she'd wanted to do for some time now. Who am I to deny her something that she's a natural knack for doing?"

That was actually very complimentary and relieving to Grifton. He suspected there was still some discomfort there though. At least they were acknowledging talents that would go to waste otherwise. Not to mention cause a lot of unnecessary tension and resentment against one another.