The ride back to the Sallow Mansion was filled with trailing words and nervous coughs. Kerv was forced to sit inside since Bellavarn's parents were demanding answers. They were the distraction, after all. Trisha probably understood a bit more since the Braster simply followed along begrudgingly after insistent prodding. Still, neither of them could have guessed what truly happened.

The princess hanging herself. Dying. Then being brought back to life. No one should know the truth. For Kerv to leak such information to the Duke and Duchess would be tantamount to tying the noose himself. Bellavarn also firmly held his tongue.

It wasn't in Trisha's personality to leave potentially dangerous information unattended, especially after recent incidents. She wanted to pry open those locked secrets. Preferably using brute force.

"Can one of you explain to me what happened?"

Kerv continued his polite refusal while Bellavarn continued staring blankly out the window.

The safety of the enchanted carriage and the involvement of her son made Trisha bolder than usual.

"At least inform me if this will come back and haunt us."

Bellavarn, for his part, didn't even bat an eyelid. This action and his following words only amplified Trisha's misunderstanding.

"I think I made a mistake."

Did he appear desperate? Too sincere? My sweet boy deserves the best, even a princess.

Trisha's talk with Anne Lionel showed that the Second Princess had a troubling side, but Princess Lecil was a different matter. She was very respectful at dinner and didn't harass Bellavarn like the others.

"No mistake is irrecoverable, Bellavarn. These things should proceed slowly. It might have been a bit hasty to approach her so suddenly. This is also my fault for pushing you to find someone. I promise, from now on I'll assist you in whatever choice you-"

"I've been foolish."

Trisha clucked her tongue and awwed as she tried to pinch Bellavarn's cheeks. He slapped her hand away out of reflex.

"I meant I should get to know the staff at home rather than avoiding them."

After a few seconds, a thin-lipped smile spread across Trisha's face. Her gaze was beaming with parental pride.

Ah. Being rejected again has opened his eyes.

Braster cleared his throat awkwardly and gave his wife the side-eye.

Aren't you misunderstanding things even more than me?

The worries of a mother trying to marry off her son were unfounded at this moment. Bellavarn was thinking of other things—the root of the problem and the cause for the events at dinner. If rumors continued to spread without his intervention, everything would turn out as he feared. The staff at home were the first obstacle. No doubt some of them still believed he was evil—the newer ones more than most.

Braster decided not to withhold the truth.

"Even I've overheard the gossip circling among the maids.."

Bellavarn looked away from the window and at his father. Taking in the words objectively, he accepted them. If he were to start righting wrongs, at the very least, he needed to get the people closest to him on his side.

"Can I have your permission to gather all non-essential staff at home? I want to make an announcement."

Braster's mouth twitched. He approved immediately.

"I will summon them myself."

"Thank you, father."

Bellavarn rested an elbow on the window sill and went back to plotting, oblivious to the not-so-subtle exchange of motions and gestures between his parents.

Meanwhile, Kerv held his breath and tried to fade into the cushions.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

=

"Hey, psst. Do you know what is going on?"

A slim server rushed to walk next to a pair of passing maids.

"Only that the Duke returned from the palace and now wants us all in the entrance hall."

The taller of the two answered back in a flat tone.

"It's probably related to the Duchess' pregnancy."

The server jumped in surprise, not having heard yet. The shorter maid snapped at him in a stage whisper.

"You seriously haven't heard? Where have you been the past week?

"Sorry, sorry. I haven't heard. I was more worried I'd be fired. I dropped a platter last week so I thought that maybe this was delayed punishment."

The shorter maid rolled her entire head.

"Do you really think the Duke is going to fire everyone? If it's not the Duchess, it most likely has something to do with the Bellavarn."

"Young Master Bellavarn?"

"Does he have another son?"

The maid was in a foul mood.

"He probably acted out at the palace or offended one of the princesses."

"Hm."

The taller maid seemed used to the shorter one's outlandish way of speaking. The server appeared flummoxed. Was this about that rumor the young master assaulted a maid?

"Wasn't it the maid that was blackmailing the Duke and trying to sully the young master's reputation?"

The shorter maid sneered at him.

"Melody wasn't lying. You can't fake something like that. She worked here for six months and was a picture-perfect maid."

"Ester's standards are different since she doesn't like working."

The server was confused. Wasn't this Melody character playing an image? Well. Mentioning that might earn him a smack. The maids seemed to take the event personally.

Better not poke the beast.

Ester's head turned sharply to glare at him as if she heard his thoughts. He ducked his head and moved away quickly.

The Entrance hall was brimming with people. Some milled around and shared hushed whispers, but everything halted when Duke Braster Sallow appeared. He stood atop the landing, overlooking them from the bannister. Without instruction, the staff formed neat-ish rows as they waited for stragglers the staff to gather.

Just over 50 people were present. Half were maids who kept the house clean and ran errands. There were a few gardeners and groundskeepers. Cooks and chefs. A pair of carriage drivers. Servers, a busboy, a stable hand, etc.

The guards weren't counted in that number. Those available, including Karen and Torel from the night shift, assembled near the perimeter.

Other than a few like Oslo, Kerv, and Henry, all of the Sallows staff, guards, and soldiers remained at the Sallow Estate. In the need of temporary employees, The Duchess held interviews and handpicked anyone who showed a modicum of promise. With the right amount of attention and nurturing, anyone here could become a valuable asset in their own way. With the promise of being brought to the main house if they performed well, many were happy to serve.

Without going into too much detail, the Sallows owned most of the North-Eastern Region of the Kingdom, informally called Winterland for it's constant snow. They ruled it in the name of the King, but it was largely managed and owned by the Sallows. Their family developed the harsh yet beautiful land into a hub of trade, tourist destination, and military stronghold. The mansion was technically on the edge of that land but was considered an extension of the capital, so it remained a bittersweet locale.

The Sallows have been staying at this mansion for over half a year now, so everyone held the secret hope that the announcement would concern their return to the North. The Duchess with child, after all.

The front doors swung open theatrically. Bellavarn strode in as if it was planned. Feet shuffled to turn and stare at Bellavarn as the doors shut themselves with a poignant thud. A moment of silence fell over the hall as the crowd processed it was Bellavarn who called them to assemble.

"It has come to my attention that rumors about me have gone unaddressed."

A few exchanged glances and some looked uncertain at this change of developments.

"I realize this uncomfortable atmosphere you are standing in is due to my own choices. Looking at you all now, I can tell some of you see me differently than you did previously. "

A few looked ashamed while some others stared at him openly. Bellavarn's steady gaze swept over the crowd, pausing at each clearly visible face. It bothered him greatly how few he recognized. With all his memories, shouldn't some of them be recognizable?

"I can see there are many new faces and even old ones that I don't know the names of. Through my actions of locking myself away, I have ostracized not only myself... but all of you as well. Regardless of what you currently think of me, I wish to apologize."

There was a silent stir as Bellavarn bowed at the waist. A noble bowing to servants? To a stablehand and busboy?

He remained bowed a second longer before straightening.

"I hope to correct my mistakes and get to know each of you a bit more personally over time. I request that you all keep an open mind and attempt to work with me going forward."

A sneeze.

"That is all I wished to say. You can all go back to work."

Bellavarn turned around and walked back outside.

The spell broke and people moved, erupting in gossip.

=

Bellavarn shivered. He regretted not planning his exit strategy. There was no way he could walk back inside now. He would have to walk around back... pretend he went for a jog. Yeah, that would work.

The snow crackled underfoot as he took a step to the left. The large mansion door creaked open.

"I give you a 7/10."

Rubbing his nose, he turned to see Kerv holding a door ajar.

"I thought I did pretty good."

He sniffled.

"I noticed your nose was runny during your little speech. How long were you waiting out here?"

Kerv received a jab to the shoulder as Bellavarn walked past him.

"They're all gone... right?"

Kerv whispered.

"Nope. They are all standing there staring at the door."

Bellavarn pivoted on a heel to walk back out, but a laughing Kerv caught his collar.

"I'm just pulling your chain. Everyone left a few minutes ago."

A scowl and another punch was his reward.

"Jerk."