Music Recommendation: Come Home- The Newton Brothers
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Dawn was yet to break when two men stood in a quiet alley of a lowly town that many didn't come to walk or pass by. The sky was dark and starless, cold with the wind that tried to sneak into the narrow alley path.
"Why do you want one of them dead? And letting the rest go?" The man questioned, who wore a long brown coat and a hat. "What I don't get is, why even let them go, when they are of such use."
"You speak too much," Noah responded, his face holding no kindness or delicate appearance. Rather he looked like a ghost passing through the towns in search of something lost. "Don't forget what you are supposed to do. I don't want any mistakes in it."
The man was a person, who was used to doing odd jobs depending on the money that was given to him. It started with small jobs like finding information and went to the bigger ones that involved killing someone. He nodded, and replied, "My men and I will let all of them go back to the sea, except one, who will die in torture and blood spilt. The siren is it?"
"Yes," Noah answered. Then he said, "Here is the money for the job," and offered two small bags that jingled inside.
"Always such a pleasure to work for you, Duke Noah," the man grinned, excited to have the gold coins, and he bowed. "Is there anything else that I can be of your use? Don't hesitate to contact me."
Noah gave a nod and walked away from the man, leaving the alley and getting back on his carriage, who was quick to leave the quiet town asleep.
As the Duke of Woodlock travelled back to his town now, his handsome face held a grim expression.
If it was possible, Noah would have set the one siren free too. But he had to make it look like there was a struggle. As if the mermaids and the sirens were taken by someone more powerful than the magistrate Mr. Shaw, who was guarding the hidden pond that belonged to his uncle. One sacrifice for a bigger picture so that his uncle would not come to doubt or guess who was behind it, he thought to himself.
By the time he reached Woodlock, the dawn had broken with sun rays reaching the lands and warming the people.
Once the carriage reached the front of Sullivan's mansion, the vehicle stopped, and Kieran quickly opened the door for Noah with a bow.
"Park it at the front. I will be going out after lunch," Noah ordered his coachman, who offered him a deeper bow.
"Yes, Sire," Kieran answered. Since Eve and Vincent's wedding, Noah occupied himself with work and getting his Duke duties quickly before he could spare time for his errands that concerned what his uncle was up to.
Noah walked inside the mansion, his coat taken by the newly assigned butler, and he continued to walk. On his way to his room, he met his mother in the deserted corridor.
Lady Hilda said, "It seems like the Council Head has been handing you too much work, or is it that you decided to take more work upon yourself?" When Noah came near her, they kissed each other before greeting, "Good morning."
"Good morning, mother," Noah politely greeted his mother. "You seem to have woken up quite early today."
"I have," Lady Hilda nodded, and he noticed her wearing a slight frown on her dainty face. She said, "The Chambers are leaving today. I will be missing them, especially Anaya. She's a good and young lady."
"She is," Noah agreed to his mother's words. "I am sure you can always invite them to visit and stay with us again. Or visit them."
Lady Hilda looked straight into her son's eyes, "She is good, but not good enough for you? Anaya is a lovely woman, with excellent manners and comes from a good family. She's pretty and speaks very fondly about you."
Noah smiled at his mother, "I never said she isn't good enough. I think she's more than good in her own way."
"Then what is it, Noah?" Lady Hilda asked her son. She pulled his hand and took him to a side, where there was a window. She said, "I don't understand why you are letting such a treasure go, when she is perfect for you."
Lady Hilda Sullivan had hoped for her son to be married to the Chambers' daughter, Anaya. It was a good match, and she had noticed how they looked good together. She had been keen about it for a long time and invited the Chambers, knowing the young woman's slight inclination on her son. But her son's mind seemed to have been occupied with work.
She said, "If I knew this was going to happen, where your head is wrapped around work, I would have asked your father to reign as the Duke for a little longer until you are married."
"That isn't the reason, mother. I have my own thoughts and reasons," Noah's tone was polite and barely raised. He said, "You, father, and everyone else here believe that Anaya and I would make a good couple. But no one ever sees what I want. You cannot force things to work because you want to. Everyone is busy pushing their feelings on what they want, without looking at what I want, for me to follow. I do not deny that Anaya is a good woman. But it is because she is a good woman that I believe that it would be better for us to not have the union you were looking forward to."
Lady Hilda was taken aback by her son's words and softly said, "We have never forced you for anything, Noah. You grew up in a family that many can only wish and pray. And what does your heart want? Do you have someone else in your heart, Noah?" She asked with a frown.
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