The Ghost Heiress (On Hold)

Chapter 15. The Clan

Owen's POV:

We rode hard in the direction of the Sorensons' lands and the trip didn't take more than a few hours. The Sorenson clan was localized in the neighboring village, the main house sitting right at the top of a hill.

The shrine was in the center of the village and it was there where we first stopped at.

Wil-sama had told us that the shaman was informed of Sorenson-sama's real identity and had a copy of her birth certificate.

Aside from the lord and his family, the shaman was the most respected figure in a clan and the people would not doubt his word when he declared Sang as the genuine heiress and newest mistress.

The village that was a part of the clan looked terribly rundown, the houses were in bad conditions, the streets were unkempt and the people looked at us suspiciously as we rode through, only the sight of Sang among us making them relax slightly.

She was clearly well known by the villagers, which was good for they might accept the news with more ease if they liked Sang-sama.

The Shaman, an old man with a bald head and a long grey beard seemed to be waiting for our arrival when we entered the shrine.

He immediately walked over to Sang and handed her a piece of paper wrapped in a pink ribbon.

The paper was a birth certificate proving that Sang Sorenson was Ronald Sorenson oldest child.

After that we rode back to the main house.

The guards at the gate refused to allow us past when Silas went to talk with them in our mistress' behalf; it was only when Sang got down from her horse and faced the men that we could go inside.

Her pull in the household was clear from then on as all servants bowed and smiled at her politely whenever she passed.

"Mey-san!" Sang called to an older woman who was speaking quietly with two of the younger servants. The woman turned and smiled in welcome at Sang, bowing to her and then to us, her brown eyes shining with curiosity.

"Please, prepare food for ten guests on the family wing, and send a message for the whole village to gather around the shrine by mid-afternoon, the clan' Head brings important news." She told the older woman who hurried to obey, clearly used to taking orders from Sang-sama.

I looked at her curiously, observing how well the mantle of leadership settled in her shoulders.

She turned back to us before signaling for us to keep following her. The main house was big, two stories high but of a very simple architecture, without all the decorations and carvings that the Academy's main house possessed.

It was still a beautiful place, of simple elegance, lacking only a few details to bring life into it.

I could see Gabriel-kun studying the place from top to floor, a calculating glint in his eye.

The second floor was where the family and guestrooms were located, the first floor had the servant' rooms, kitchen, dining room and other rooms.

"The rooms at the end of this hallway belonged to Marie-sama, Elise-sama and Ronald-sama." Sang said, pointing out three doors located to the right of the stairs. One of the doors looked completely different from the rest, the wood carved with beautiful flowers and birds with long feathers.

Gabriel moved straight there once he confirmed the room belonged to Marie, whispering something about clothing and sewing.

I could only guess he was planning on raiding Marie's wardrobe to prepare Sang for the ascension ceremony.