Into the Deep

Part 5

The battle between the murk of the night and the luminous intensity of the morning has come to an end. In honour of its conquest, the sun stretched its celebratory rays across the three kingdoms - the sky, the sea and the land. The flora and fauna flourished in festivity as the birds sung their morning alarm, the fish sloshed through the nearby lakes and rivers, while the on-land mammals prepared for their daily adventures.Coarse grass stalks scraped clusters of wildflowers sending a subtle scent of a euphoric perfume in the air. The gloom retreated into nullity as the soft pink haze hugged the Kassmeyer estate. Daylight crammed into the Kassmeyer manor. 

A pastel glow overflowed Ayers' room slightly dulled by tulle curtains that dressed the high walls of his chamber. In resonance with the cheerful environment, Ayers stood in front of the carved mahogany mirror. In preparation for his departure Ayers stroke down his raven hair into a sheet of coarse curls complimented by a leather tricorne. Surrounded by dark-toned furniture among it he stood in a statue like a posture almost belong ing to the gothic interior.  The mirror painted a picture of a bold man, almost malevolent-like in demeanour his broad shoulders a deep grey fabric of a waistcoat that further complemented his muscular frame. Long days spent at the newly possessed mine, gifted Ayers with a sun-kissed complexion which worked in a perfect harmony with a deep red cravat tied around his collar. A navy coat completed a sophisticated yet simple ensemble. 

Ayers was a meticulous man, even though a recently acquired mine promised prosperity, he made sure to coordinate all of the affairs that took place on the mine. This dedication reaped a price. Consumed by days of work and labour Ayers spent a majority of his day at the mine, ensuring a stable beginning for a new business. Deprived of energy Ayers often returned to his estate soaked in irritation.

The consequences had finally manifested in a full show last night when Ayers lost the track of his words. Marina finally managed to cut the final strings of his composure into an abyss.  Achieving to morph a slightly annoyed man into a livid beast she further fueled the irritability Ayers conceived for a seemingly attractive girl. Despite Marina's good looks  Ayers never managed to look past the girl's origins. People like her were viewed as filthy commoners among people of his social status, many times he found himself ashamed to disclose of such union among his high-class associates. However, it was in Ayers' interest to uphold this marriage, in his view, the deal conducted with a girls father would bring him far more benefits. The end promised to justify the means, which is why regret of the last night pounded on the back of his head. Yet the regret wasn't initiated by the aggression he had approached Marina with, it was brought about by the fact that the farm girl now knew the truth, a partial one but still the truth. If Marina's curiosity began looking for plot holes in his last night confession, she would soon discover the true conditions upon which the marriage was conducted.  Ayers couldn't allow for her 'enlightenment', otherwise everything the man so hardly worked for would come crashing down.

Before leaving the estate Ayers planned for a short rendezvous with his wife, in order to smooth over the events of the last night. Perhaps he could 'decorate'  the story to justify him in Marina's eyes or come up with a lie that could pacify her temper. Ayers even considered going as far as beguiling the silly girl to send her into a 'dormant state' once again.In his choice, the noble Baron wouldn't wish her but he preferred to be deaf to her questions and blind for a sight of her. If this required a number of romantic advances summoned by the devilish charisma the Baron possessed, he would do it.