Chapter 19 The Return Home
82%1
Finished
Brielle’s gaze turned ice-cold. Deliberately, she slammed her shoulder against Clara. “Aye, I’m big. I could sit on you and squash you flat. Care to test if I’m lying?”
Clara was crushed into the corner, wedged between Brielle and Donna like a seed in a cracked nutshell. Taking advantage of the space that had opened up, Brielle waved to Violet outside the carriage and patted the empty spot on the velvet seat. “Violet, climb in.”
Violet’s face lit up with relief. She scrambled inside. “You’re too good to me, Lady Brielle.”
Clara, twisted uncomfortably in the pinch, whined, “Brielle, the carriage is barely big enough as it is. Why must you bring a maid along? You’re crowding Ms. Donna Whitmore.”
Donna certainly felt the squeeze; she could scarcely draw breath.
“And why should I care if you’re stifled?” Brielle scoffed. If you don’t like it, get out and walk.”
Brielle’s body might have been frail, but it carried significant weight. Sitting there like a small mountain, no matter how hard Clara tried to shove back, Brielle remained an immovable object.
In the end, Donna could endure it no longer. She ordered her other two maids to vacate the carriage. Only then did the interior become breathable.
Donna was seething but helpless. Her expression remained sour for the entire journey.
Technically, Brielle was the one making the obligatory return visit to her family home. However, Donna had been convalescing at Clarke Estate ever since she was knocked unconscious and substituted on the wedding day. Only now was she accompanying Brielle back to Whitmore Manor.
Yet, those unaware of the truth assumed it was Donna who was making the formal visit.
Just then, at the wrought-iron gates of Whitmore Manor a cluster of servants had gathered. As the carriage rolled up, they buzzed with excitement. “They’re here, they’re here! Ms. Donna Whitmore has returned.”
Brielle descended first, followed closely by Donna.
A swarm of servants rushed forward, swarming around Donna. Not a soul paid Brielle any mind. They looked right through her as if she were invisible. One servant even trod heavily on her foot without apology.
Violet bristled with indignation. “How can you behave so rudely?”
Brielle pulled her back. “Let it be.” She had no desire to court trouble, especially with her head still swimming. She simply wanted this ordeal over with so he could return to her bed.
She strode straight through the gates.
Inside the courtyard, a grand, winding stream curled around the perimeter of the estate. Arched stone bridges spanned the water, whilst vibrant flowers and lush grass throned with life. It was a veritable paradise. Massive boulders rose from the center of the lake; unlike ordinary garden rocks sculpted into fanciful shapes, these were raw and colossal-like the fragments of a mountain. The pavilion situated in the middle of the lake looked diminutive by comparison.
The architecture was imposing, featuring carved timber beams and painted rafters. Although the estate was situated in the heart of bustling Kinston, the interior felt like a retreat nestled among mountains and rivers.
1/3
09:53 Thu, May 7 0
Chapter 19 The Return Home
There was no denying it-the ley energy flow here was exceptional.
Finished
She walked, observing her surroundings. Upon reaching the inner quarters, she noticed that the stone lanterns lining the path were carved in the shapes of various mythical beasts. At night, when illuminated, they would resemble the glowing eyes of guardians, protecting the home and warding off malefic spirits. These were common wards employed by the royal mages of Persandria.
She couldn’t help but frown. Did the Whitmore family also employ a mage from Persandria?
She had never heard of any renowned sorcerers in Veridia before. Yet, since her rebirth here, she kept encountering them, one after another.
Perhaps, she considered, the magic practitioners of Veridia had adopted techniques from the Persandrian mages. Perhaps she was overthinking it.
However, when she followed her instincts to Brielle’s courtyard, the Luminary Chamber, she found the decorations there to be even more peculiar. The courtyard was filled with artifacts designed to enhance energy flow and fortune-all of which were intimately familiar to her. As the High Priestess of Persandria, ordinary enchantments would not escape her notice. Who was the master who had erected this sanctuary?
Filled with suspicion, she saw an elderly nursemaid emerge from a corner room. When the old woman saw her, her face lit up with genuine delight. “You have returned, my lady.”
This was Juliet Cross. She had served as the Chancellor’s wet nurse. Later, she had come to care for Brielle’s mother. They had grown close, and after Brielle’s mother passed, Juliet remained behind to look after Brielle.
In Brielle’s memory, whenever she had been bullied or mocked, Juliet was often the one to defend her.
But in recent years, Juliet’s legs had grown weak, limiting her ability to intervene.
“Juliet.” Brielle hurried over and took the old woman’s arm.
“Oh, my lady, you have finally returned. I have been so worried these past days.” Juliet clutched Brielle’s hand, refusing to let go.
“Juliet, who arranged all these decorations in our courtyard?” Brielle asked curiously.
Juliet paused, looking confused. “Decorations? In this courtyard? Have they not always been so? It has been
decades.”
“Decades?” Brielle was shocked. The original Brielle had never paid heed to her surroundings, so her memory held no record of this.
“Aye. If you refer to those beast-shaped stone lanterns, your mother arranged all of that.” Juliet guided her to a stone bench to sit. She reminisced, “I recall now-nothing in this estate has changed for decades. Your mother had the grounds extensively reshaped after she married into the family, and nothing has been touched since.
“Many visitors praise our estate’s beauty. We have your mother to thank for that. But she passed too young. Such a tragedy.” Juliet sighed with deep regret.
“I vaguely recall-your father’s career was faltering back then. He suffered a run of terrible misfortune. But after the estate was altered, his fortunes reversed. He rose all the way to Chancellor. Do not underestimate what your mother set in place. These artifacts surely influenced the fate of the entire Whitmore family…” Juliet recalled old memories, appearing ready to chatter on endlessly.
2/3
Chapter 19 The Return Home
Finished
Brielle was deeply shaken.
Brielle’s mother?
But Juliet was correct. The Whitmore family’s fortune was formidable. Even her fate astrolabe could detect its resonance.
However, so many years had passed, and such enchantments required maintenance. The fortune was beginning to wane slightly, though it would not gravely impact the Whitmore family yet.
The items Brielle’s mother had utilized were all hallmarks of Persandrian royal mages. Who exactly was Brielle’s mother? Could she have been from the same order as Brielle?
Unfortunately, Brielle had suffered a severe illness in her youth that had clouded her mind. Her memories from before that time were blurred, especially those concerning her mother.
“Juliet, since my mother died young, did she leave behind any keepsakes?”
Juliet pondered for a moment. “Your mother’s belongings are locked in the chest within your armoire. Did you not avoid looking at them because they caused you grief? Why do you ask now?”
“I simply miss Mother,” Brielle answered casually, before rushing into the chamber.
She had to discover the truth of Brielle’s mother.
“Which chest, Juliet?” She scanned the room-wardrobes and cabinets lined the walls.
“It is the trunk at the bottom of the wardrobe behind the bed,” Juliet answered slowly from outside.
Brielle dashed to the rear of the bed. But as she opened the cabinet doors, she noticed that the lock on the wooden chest inside had been forced.
Her brow twitched. A sense of foreboding washed over her.
She lifted the lid. It was completely empty.
Her mother’s keepsakes-all gone.
30
W
82%
Fate Binds Me to Lord Clarke
