A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 2 (Part 2)

Alexander walked towards a window and peeked at the sky as the bright daylight touched his eyes.

"Where's that kid, Alex?" Layla approached Alexander as she dried her hands on her white apron.

"He's taking a bath," Alexander responded, staring at the sky.

"It's too early for him to take a bath. He still has mega-tons of work to do this afternoon," Layla said as she glanced through the window.

"It doesn't matter," Alexander yawned. "He needs to learn how to practice good hygiene because he must go to school soon."

"Oh." Layla's lips tightened. "...Erm, yeah."

"He'll be at school for years, right?" Alexander looked at Layla.

"Yes. But where shall he study?" Layla asked.

"...There is a... public school downtown," Alexander replied.

Layla's eyes became wide. "Oh, shoot! We must homeschool him instead," she said.

"Why?" Alexander wondered.

"He will have classmates, of course. And I assume he might tell others how we treat him," Layla speculated.

"Oh, shoot! You're right!"

"Yes, shoot. Stop saying 'shoot'."

"You said 'shoot' first."

"Uh-huh, uh-huh. So... we both agree that he'll be homeschooled?" Layla questioned Alexander.

"Yes," Alexander nodded as he fixed his gaze on the azure sky. "Who shall we hire as his teacher, though?" he then asked curiously.

"...Oh, I know! Amelia!" Layla grinned as she responded keenly. "She has a degree!"

"Your... childhood friend?" Alexander's face scowled as he glanced at Layla.

"Yes! And! She... has a daughter!" Layla ventured as she stepped nearer Alexander.

"So, what's your point that she has a daughter...?" Alexander questioned.

"Can't you see...?" Layla answered with a malicious smirk. "Oliver can marry Amelia's daughter!"

"Disgusting! Oliver is too young!" Alexander shook his head in disgust.

"Ugh... no, that's not what I meant..." Layla crossed her arms as she explained. "Oliver and Amelia's daughter are almost the same age."

"So, child marriage?" Alexander raised a brow as his lips pressed back to his cheek.

"No! Stupid!" Layla clarified as she glared at Alexander. "We'll only betroth them. And they'll marry each other... when they're older!"

"...The idea seems unusual enough for me," Alexander placed his hands on his back and raised his chin as he leered at the bright sky.

     Layla scoffs and rolls her eyes. She then turns her back on Alexander and leaves for another room. Meanwhile, Alexander stands still, gazing at the sky through the window as he processes his wife's words. Then, he sighs and walks away.

     Four years have gone by. Oliver has gained a few feet—and his neat, combed hair droops above his eyebrows. As time passes, Oliver switches his cotton shorts to tight-fitting black breeches and white stockings paired with black shoes. Instead of a casual shirt, Oliver begins wearing white long-sleeved shirts with ruffled sleeves and buttons that run to half his chest.