The sun had just started to peek its head over the distant mountain. Overgrown shrubs that shrouded the driveway and native vines that cloaked the entirety of the house bid them a quiet morning which was occasionally disturbed by songbirds and sounds of a creek.

The drapes in the eastern chamber were drawn back to let the morning sun in. Emerald green sheets rustled as Daniel sat up on his bed, to glance out the window. His dark brown eyes searched for a familiarity that had evaded him for a minute. He closed his eyes, belatedly realizing that it was officially their first day at Kelson Estates, far away from the Everard manor where they had grown up.

He climbed out of his bed and made his way to the window, letting the golden rays fall on his face and colour his eyes a darker honey, contouring his sharp features that still had subtle hints of innocent childhood. He unbolted the stubborn brass latch and leaned against the window sill. Gone were the views of over-embellished grandeur of manors and suburbs, there were nobbut the garden below and a mountain at a far distance. Whilst the constant burble of the creek was a nuisance at night, it did make a pleasant substitute for the hustle of the London streets. The flowering plants and shrubs of the garden were starting to take shape under the newly appointed gardener's skilful hand to match the taste of their new master.

"Master Daniel."

Daniel turned round to face Bennie standing in the doorway of the bedchamber as he leaned in to announce, "Breakfast is served"

With that, he left to call Lily, who shared the east wing with him.

Ever the curt and mannered Bennie.

Even in his old age with prominent wrinkles, he had a rod for his back and never bowed to anyone other than his father.

Daniel heaved a sigh, running his hands through his dishevelled hair that now fell just below his eyes. He knew he didn't have much time left before his father would reprimand him for being so uncouth, like their old neighbour he rarely saw.

Nay, Sir Everard would rather be scrutinized and feared than seen socializing with the abutting folks.

A Conundrum among his fellows, and sometimes his own family, was the life of Lord Everard. A character so noble, revered even among the white beard. His lionized political position made sure he was rarely at home. Yet when he was at leisure, he demanded strict conduct and decorum, ceaselessly, from the family and their attendants.

Daniel swiftly changed out of his pyjamas and got ready to greet their first day and he dearly hoped- a changed life. It was established that they were to have an official breakfast that day, so Daniel decided on a pair of navy suspenders and made his way out. The hallway of the east wing was bustling with housemaids, dusting and mopping everything their eyes noticed. The gold and green carpet, which seemed to be a recurring theme in the east wing, was now being changed to a blue and silver alternative, similar to the ones back home.

"Niel."

"Good morning, Lily." Daniel looked back with a playful smile as he greeted his elder sister, pausing to let his sister join him, "Didn't know you were all so attached to Blue and silver."

"From what I heard," She said, as a matter of fact, adjusting her dress to see the stairs, "Lizzie is already getting homesick, and Bennie advised that we try to bring as much Everard manor to Burton Manor here in Kelson."

The painted window panel of the stairway cast a dazzling array of lights on her simple blue swing dress. She had styled her dark brown hair with a simple clip, letting it fall down to her neck in a lush manner.

"And here I was in a deception that we were running away from that god-forsaken place."

Lily paused at the landing of the grand hall and faced Daniel, who stood with head down knowing he was about to be dressed down, with a light smile, "For what it was, I most truly believe, my dear little brother, that godforsaken place was also our home."

Daniel quietly accepted the fact as he let his sister adjust his collar, while he properly took a look around the manor for the first time. The main doors of the grand hall were open to the front garden, giving off a pristine a look through the open windows. A long mahogany table at the centre was filled with vases of freshly picked daisies and chrysanthemums, rendering the space with a waft of a soft pleasant smell. A white marble statue of a stag in the centre complemented the overall fresh and dainty atmosphere of the house.

"I presume mummy is yet to take proper charge of the decorations?" Daniel commented, clenching his hands that were inside his pockets while looking at the flower choices. Ever since that fateful day, their mother had rarely ever left her chambers, always enlisting Lily for the supervision of the household.

"Yes," Lily softly patted his chest. She gave him a sad smile and began walking again only to have run into a tall man, his tanned skin sweaty and seeming rather out of breath.

"Oh! Pardon me, sir," she gasped, not quite understanding who the man dressed in dusty brown slacks and dirty shoes was.

"I am no sir, miss." the man laughed, removing his cap to reveal thick dirty blond hair. "I work on a farm around the corner. I came to help with the flowers."

"I see." Lily cleared her throat and bowed again. "I have to thank you for your help."

The man kept mangling his cap and continued, "Of Course not! I'm glad to be of help. Uhm... Is there any preference from the lady?"

"I fear chrysanthemums ought to be the flower for quite some time."

"Oh!" he took a step back, "forgive me."

"Sir." She bowed, before dragging an amused Daniel, who was quietly at her side all this time, to the dining. Leaving the man standing awkwardly on the hallway for a moment before he too, tore away rather unwillingly.

"I am going to pretend that I didn't bear witness to that pathetic excuse of an exchange to normalize my sense of embarrassment."

"It wasn't pathetic" She slapped his arms feigning offence as they round the corner of the dining and adjusted her gloves.

"I beg your reasoning sister, spare me, but you bowed to him three times if I might be so proficient in my counting skills."

"Oh shush," she smiled at her brother's teasing before opening the doors to the dining.

"You're late," Catherine said as she dabbed a spoonful of jam onto the toast, "and I'm starving."

"Good to know at least someone in this family is not famished," Lizzie leaned back from the table to smile at her brother and sister who had just arrived.

The pair greeted their parents before taking their seat on the table and chuckling over the antics of the younger bunch.

"I've talked to the Josephine Hope finishing school, they have agreed to let Lizzie and Catherine finish the course next summer," their father announced as he folded the newspaper and removed his gold-rimmed glasses to glance at the table, "and Mr Mathews will be resuming his lessons with Daniel by spring of this year."

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Richie, shouldn't we consider giving the children time to settle before all this," their mom said worriedly looking at the children.

"It's better if we get on with it, darling." Richard took one final look at the table, eyes lingering on Lizzie, and heaved a sigh, "this is our home now, and it is sooner the better that we start treating it like that."

"Yes, father," Daniel said, casting an encouraging smile towards Elizabeth who returned the smile albeit guiltily.

Windows completely donned one side of the wall, overlooking the moors, allowing the cool breeze and warm morning light to filter in. The cyan wallpaper added to the relaxing atmosphere of the room.

Some semblance of a complete family, which was lost for so long, was trying to manifest itself at the breakfast that day. Something used to be lacking in some form or another in every occasion they had gathered together in the Burton Manor. It was getting increasingly annoying, even though they dearly loved one another and were in the same boat of grief.

This change, maybe, was much needed for all of them.

"And I also hope that Lily and Neil can visit the nearby farms, Lily can supervise the produce and Niel can look at the conditions of the community," He added in between his sips of morning coffee, "One needs to understand to govern."

"Richard, that is certainly not necessary." their mother set her cutlery down. "He won't be governing anything."

"Anne, you know well as I, that as an Everard I am but obliged to leave an heir, well enough, to continue our name for the prosperity of this house."

"No more children of mine are obliged to give their life for the sake of your ambition, Richard."

"Annabeth." he looked at her, irked.

"I have invited the Westers over tomorrow for tea," Annabeth ignored her husband and announced to her children, "I expect all of you to be attending."

"The Westers?" Richard questioned, frowning, "You invited them?"

"I heard you speaking to the governor yesterday. I hope I didn't overstep."

"No, dear, not at all," Richard continued quite pleased, "Thank you."

"I expect all in your best behaviours." He told the youngsters before he stood up to leave.

Finishing his morning coffee, he cast a glance at Daniel before leaving for his study.

~

It was well over mid-day when Bennie knocked on the young master's study before letting himself in.

"Master Daniel, I would advise otherwise."

Master Daniel, who stood frozen near the back window, wearing a simple grey dress shirt and navy pants with one outdoor shoe on and the other still poorly hidden behind him, heaved a relieved sigh and continued to put on his shoe, "Oh Bennie, you gave me a freight."

"Might I point out how reckless a choice this is?" Bennie said as he set the dusty grey book he was holding on the table beside the window and sighed seeing the room in chaos.

"You might not." Daniel frowned as he looked down the open window of his chamber. There seemed to be not enough safe ways to climb down, but he was set on leaving. Whatever might be the price.

"You don't know this town just yet. Besides, Sir Everard had asked that you read about Miss Wester before their arrival tomo-" Bennie turned from tidying up the bed to witness Daniel ready to all but hurl himself out the window, "The rightmost window on the hallway has a safe landing!"

Daniel halted, looking rather impressed with Bennie as he pulled back the leg that was dangling out the second floor of the mansion, "My, my Look at you, my fellow adventurer!"

"Must you do this, master?"

"Be it a town or a Lady, I have to walk the path to discovery myself. Is it not, my dearest?" Daniel cocked his head seemingly innocent in his question before stuffing the grey book into a well-worn rucksack."You know what to do Ben-Ben," he exclaimed, strutting towards the hallways of the eastern wing and vanishing out of sight.

"I'm afraid I will run out of excuses at this pace," Bennie mumbled before going on his way.

~

"Hurry up!" a young boy rushed past Daniel with a little girl trailing behind him as he entered the buzzing town of Sesscott.

Daniel twirled a wildflower that he picked up on the way as he walked through the wide streets filled with dusty old buildings. Small artisans were busy calling out to customers, youngsters carrying loads of produce through the alleys, and old shopkeepers peered through the glass-panned shops.

With a slight smile playing on his lips, he steered through the crowds of people flitting in and out of the shops, walking around, talking about their woes and their joys. He moved from one shop to another, a twinkle slowly forming in his eye. From cordwainers and tailors to carpenters and florists, everything piqued his interest. All things new were a mystery to unveil. An unexplored treasure itching to be discovered.

One such place that he unveiled was an old writing supply store. A distinct silver feather had caught his attention as he waddled through the alleyways and upon being discovered by a grey-haired old shopkeeper, he entered the shop to get a closer look.

"Ye have quite an eye, haven't ya?" the old man said standing near the display, watching Daniel as he made his way to him.

"Got it from my mother, I hear, sir." Daniel smiled, he lowered himself to the display to look at the feather that was shimmering under the sunlight, "Silver?"

"Y'bet it is. Cast on Swan's feather, this one," he commented as he picked up the pen and held it at eye level, "bronze nib, lightweight, smooth flow."

"Exquisite." Taking the pen from his grip, Daniel could see each barb, distinct and craftily placed to look natural, "How much?"

"7 sterlings."

"Pardon?"

"Is old goods, boy," the shopkeeper sighed, "Who'd want ter write in an ink pen these days? No, they've those 'retched shiny new pens over der with ever-lasting inks. They do."

"Ballpoints? I wouldn't call it wretched, sir." Daniel frowned as he looked at the old man walking behind the counter to pack the pen. "It's convenience."

"Convenience eh? And what? Well crafted? Modern?" the old man scoffed, "but for who?"

He took the money Daniel offered and handed over the package with an angry look, "Certainly not us folks 'ere, we can't 'ford it, can we?"

"Can't afford it?"

"Can't. Now ye buyin those are no?"

Daniel walked out of the store absent-minded and inquisitive. He looked back at the store to see the old man going back to his place near the display.

Can not afford it.

What does he mean by can not afford it? Their estate clearly does give them enough share... right?

The fragrance of food, flowers, and burning coal filled the air as he made his way into the heart of the town where a marble fountain was erected. The sound of people assaulted him from all sides, drowning him in the warmth of life. A very prominent contrast to the cold metal sounds of machines and vehicles back in London.

"The folks who cannot afford it," He mumbled, swinging the rucksack back his shoulder. Daniel strode straight into the crowd, this time not wandering aimlessly, but with conviction.

Soon enough he entered a store that was poorly lit. The light sound of the doorbell as he walked in prompted a sleepy young lad to suddenly sit up swiftly.

"Welcome!" the young lad said looking at him with frightened round, "How can I help you, sir?"

"Is there a book available on Estate management?" Daniel asked, biting his lips to avoid smiling at his black bed hair that was sticking up in all directions.

"In fact, we do," the boy lit up, "And I don't even have to check the ledgers because I searched for a full day the last time that exact same book was requested."

The boy proudly led the way into the rows of old shelves that were lined up in parallels, "but I didn't even get to the right rack before Mr Thomson called me out and proceeded to find the book himself. Which by and by, to my credit, not far from the rack I was searching at."

Daniel quietly followed the boy to the back of the library, trying his hardest to be polite and not laugh at the sight of a half awake, barely kempt puppy, "I see, you must have a pretty good memory."

"Oh, I'm sorry I must have babbled." the boy looked back startled and laughed at the poorly concealed amused face of his customer, "We don't get many customers generally."

He finally got the book he was searching for and presented it to Daniel, "Here you go. In Fact, our very last customer was looking for the same book!!"

"You must be awfully lonely," Daniel leaning back at one of the racks, habitually propping one hand inside the pocket when his hands brushed on something soft and delicate.

"Hence the babbling," he said as he finally arranged his shirt, which by and by, made Daniel let out a chuckle, and continued, "Are you borrowing, sir?"

"Yes, please." Daniel looked at the retreating figure with a still lingering smile before following along.

"Your name, sir?" the boy asked, opening the ledger for log entries and dipping an old pen into the ink. He handed over another pen to Daniel to write his own name on the record within the book.

"Daniel Everard," he spelt as he wrote his name and smiled, "I hope we meet again sometime then."

"Ask for Robert and you shall find me any day anytime," Robert beamed, "I'm awfully lonely after all."

Daniel laughed as he bid his farewell to Robert and stepped out of the library.

He took out the forgotten wildflower in his pocket to see that it had been squashed but still in one piece. Hoping to preserve it, he opened the book and placed it between its pages when he noticed his name on the record of borrowers. It was the second name on the list. A perfectly neat and cursive name of Daniel written under another with an obnoxiously messy handwriting.

He ran his hands along the muddled scribble before closing the book and wandered off into the crowds again.