Happily Ever After

Chapter 22

(Y/N) POV

"Miss (Y/N)! Miss (Y/N)!" Anne abruptly opened the door of the indoor garden.

"Gah! You almost gave me a heart attack, Anne. Must you say something then do it in a calm, collected manner whether it be important or not."

"My apologies Miss (Y/N). It was rude of me to interrupt your tea time in such an impolite way."

"You have my forgiveness. Now, please do tell me what you wanted to say earlier."

Anne took a deep breath and began to speak. "While I was purchasing some vegetables at the market, I heard the some people chat about a rumour that has been spreading around town like wildfire."

"Hmm... what kind of rumour and what about it?"

"It's about Sir Alois Trancy, Miss (Y/N)."

"A-Alois?" I almost choked on my tea. "What about him? He is long gone. He passed away two years ago, and people are talking about him only now? I can't believe it!"

"Some people said they have recently seen the young earl in several locations across the town minding his own business. They thought it was his ghost, but no! The witnesses said that they certainly saw him in full flesh and bones with a jet black butler."

"Impossible! He died in the fire along with the rest of the his servants and his family."

"But Miss (Y/N), have you ever thought that maybe he survived or that he wasn't inside the manor during the incident?"

"No, not really... but now that you've mentioned it, almost everything was burnt down to ashes, even the corpses and their remains. There is no way to be sure if his body was among them. There is also no evidence whether Alois even reached home before the fire started for all of the witnesses have suddenly disappeared. Everyone assumed that he died simply because he was nowhere to be found."

"And when you reached the Trancy manor, you said that everything you saw was just the burning manor. Nothing more, nothing less."

"No, no horses, no carriage, nor traces of any person outside."

"How odd..."

"I have never thought of it this way before. Perhaps the investigators overlooked some vital clues during the investigation. I shall look into this matter immediately. Help me get ready at once. We shall leave in thirty minutes."

"Right away, Miss (Y/N)."

"Mr. Robinson! Please prepare the carriage. We are heading to the Trancy Manor in half an hour."

"As you wish, milady."

If the rumours were true, then I might have a chance to see Alois once more. Not only that, maybe Luka, Auntie Margaret, and Uncle George survived too! You never know.

However, one thing that bothered me was the so called 'jet black butler' who accompanied Alois. I used to visit the Trancy manor almost every week, and not once did I see a 'jet black butler'. Also, I thought every single Trancy servant was nowhere to be found. Perhaps they missed one? Nevertheless, I had an uneasy feeling at the pit of my stomach.

~•~

My jaw dropped in pure awe and complete shock. Lo and behold, the great Trancy manor had risen from the ashes as it stood before me in its full former glory.

"Wha- h-how can this be?" Anne asked in disbelief.

"I don't know! I cannot believe it either. It looks very different from its previous state one year ago."

After several minutes of contemplating whether I should knock or just leave it be, I finally found the courage to the former. I walked towards the door and gently knocked three times.

About a minute or two later, the huge door opened, and my (E/C) hues met two golden ones that belonged to a certain butler in a full black attire.

"Good day, Miss. Would you kindly state who you are and your business here at the Trancy estate?"

"(Y/N) (Y/L/N) of the (Y/L/N) family and the heir of (C/N) [Company Name]. I have come here to see the earl and talk with him about some personal matters."

"I see." The butler took out something from one of his pockets which seemed like a list or a schedule. He then proceeded to flip the pages as if he were searching for something.

"My apologies, Miss (Y/N), but it looks like you do not have an appointment with the earl, therefore he cannot possibly meet with you today. If you would like to see him, please do schedule a meeting in advance next time. You may now leave."

"Leave? What do you mean by leave? Do I really have to schedule a meeting just to see him?"

"Yes, milady. My master is a very busy man. Again, my apologies. Have a safe trip home." Before the butler could close the door, I quickly stopped him before he could do so.

"Wait! May I not talk to him even for a short amount of time? I only wish to see him and maybe have a brief conversation. Three to five minutes shall be sufficient." I tried my best to convince him while still keeping my poise.

"No, Miss (Y/N). Earl Trancy has given me strict orders not to let in anyone without a schedule or appointment unless he himself tells me to do so. Now if you'll excuse me, I must tend to him right this instant."

"But-" before I could finish my sentence, a familiar voice interrupted me.

"Claude, where are you?! I'm starving already!" He shouted with anger and impatience.

"Alois? Alois are you in there?!" I asked, but there was no response. Instead, I heard footsteps approaching the front door. The moment Alois was in front of Claude, a harsh slap landed on the his pale cheek. Anne and I flinched, while Claude did not seem affected at all, keeping a stoic expression present on his face.

"I told you to prepare lunch. What are you doing here chatting with some ladies and neglecting your chores?" Alois scolded. "Are you planing to starve me to death?"

"My apologies, your highness. Lunch will be ready in a few minutes. I am simply sending off some uninvited guests at the moment."

"I don't care. Just make sure to serve it under five minutes," Alois demanded.

"Yes, your highness." Claude placed a hand on his chest and bowed.

"And you," Alois turned to face me.

"Me...?" I asked.

"Yes, you," Alois replied.

He took a minute to scan over my features, which made me a little uncomfortable to be honest. What bothered me the most what the fact that he looked at me as if he had seen a stranger.

"Who are you...?"

~•~

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