That Child is Strange - 3

"What did you say the carpenter told you?," the man sitting on that large chair behind the still larger table asked.

" He didn't say anything peculiar, my lord," the man wearing the glasses, standing in front of the table said." However, he did say something wierd. He told me that he was looking after that child since his family had died. But somehow, he found the child strange. He wasn't sad or crying like normal kids of his age...."

"That's enough. There was nothing else particular to note, was there?"

" Nothing, my lord."

" What did you say his name was again?"

"Frank Lart, my lord."

"When will he arrive?"

" He has already arrived, my lord. The young lady bumped into him on the street, yesterday, and gave him a ride to the mansion."

" Julia went out yesterday?"

"Yes, my lord. She apparently visited the Brooklyn library."

"When did she start reading?"

" It was actually a cover for her real intentions. She, to be exact, visited her commoner friend, Miss Lucy, who works as a librarian at the Brooklyn library."

"Ha. What about that governess from the southern principality?"

" Miss Hannah Murray should arrive today before evening."

" What about her? You are not the type to make such a crucial recruitment from the country side. So why choose a country bumpkin like her?"

"She is well experienced as a convent teacher and apparently have no other family than her recently adopted father. I don't think she will ditch much on the young lady's education as any other lady would do. Besides, her background is clear of any scandalous issues, so she won't cause any here also as I assume."

" Well, for the time being, keep an eye on that Lart boy and when Hannah Murray arrives, send her straight to my office. I will check her first before giving her charge of Julia's education."

"Do you perhaps find something wrong about her, my lord? You don't usually meet the new recruits."

"Yeah, Raymond. She is too clean to be believed. Once I talk to her, I'll know. You can go now."

The man with the glasses left the room and closed the door behind him.

In silence of his study, now, Marquis Shuzar sat alone staring at the floor. His eyes filled with a mysterious gleam. He brushed his hand through his brown hair and chuckled.

"Hannah Murray. So that's what you are called now, huh?"

He stood up and went to the window. It was almost time for breakfast. 

"I suppose I'll have plenty of an appetite today."

His smile turned into a a grin.

"I am looking forward to meet you, Hannah Murray, the white witch of Singrad".

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"Yes, I am Frank Lart, sir."

"Good, my name is Raymond Scarlett. I am the head butler of this house. Judging from your recommendation letter, you are well educated. I think I can take you as successor. From today onwards, you will work under me and I will be your legal guardian. Your name, for now, I will let you know, is Frank Scarlett, understood?"

Frank nodded his head with joy and smiled brightly. For a moment, Raymond felt a little embarrassed but went to his normal self within some split second.

"As my apprentice, you should learn to control your facial expressions. You can't show them like that in front of the lord and the young lady."

Frank collected his expression immediately and said," Understood, sir."

Raymond nodded with a soft smile and patted Frank's head.

"Good boy, now follow me."

As Raymond turned to go away, Frank held the edge of his coat. He stopped and turned to the little golden haired boy.

"What?"

"Are.... Are we family now?"

Raymond stared at the child, awestruck. Then, he chuckled and nodded.

"Well, it seems we are. You are my little brother now, alright?"

Frank hugged Raymond tightly and said," Big brother! I will do anything you will ask of me!"

"Well, then follow me. I'll show you around the mansion."

Frank hopped behind Raymond like a little rabbit.

This time, I will not let you go, my family. He thought and went along.

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"Capital, my ass. The streets are even worse here. And this goddamn motion sickness of mine. Argh! It's hella frustrating."

Hannah Murray descended the carriage at the entrance gate of the capital. The guard checked her papers and let her pass through.

"Seems like Marquis Shuzar family's is recruiting a bunch of new servents these days. Yesterday was that boy and today is that young lady."

The guard was mumbling as Hannah passed through the entrance.

A boy, huh. She thought and shaked head.

"Who cares? I will just mind my own business. Afterall, Lucas is not here anymore to get me out of messes."

She told herself and walked on with the map she had.

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