Grassland, Duke Barrington's Manor
It was a very busy day for everyone at Barrington Manor. The servants walking here and there. Some of them were arranging and decorating the room and the others carrying the foods to be served. Because today is a very special day, The Barrington Manor owner's daughter's birthday party. The Duke and Duchess Barrington hosted a festive luncheon and invited many of their relatives and acquaintances. The busy atmosphere was not only visible in the room but also in the Barrington family's kitchen. The Barrington family cook, Mrs. Hughes shouted over and over again. Even though she was quite old, Mrs. Hughes still seemed enthusiastic about her work. She was busy cooking while giving instructions on how the food would be served.
"Mrs. Hughes, Lucy asks me to give you this.", Someone came up to Mrs. Hughes with a big bag of apples. "Just after Lucy bought your order, she was suddenly called in to help decorating the unfinished room."
Lucy is Duchess Evelyn's personal maid.
"Oh. Thank you, Dumar. You can put that on the table over there.", replied Mrs. Hughes while still stirring the food.
Dumar swiftly put the apples down. Mrs. Hughes fetched a glass of iced lemonade and gave it to Dumar. "Drink this. You must be exhausted after a busy day at the stable and suddenly being asked to bring these many apples. Have the horses finished grooming?"
Dumar drank the iced lemonade quickly, "It's okay, Mrs. Hughes. My work on the stable is done. Lately Duke Barrington has been commuting to Nova Mesto frequently. So, I rarely see him. How is the Lord now?"
"Where have you been? All the servants usually gather to welcome the Duke's arrival, asked Mrs. Hughes with her hands on her hips.
Dumar scratched his head, "You know my father was a very strict. He always told me to wait at the stable when he came home from traveling, so I could get the horses done right away. And..yesterday… I can only catch a glimpse of him from a distance."
Mrs. Hughes just shook her head at Dumar's reply, "Your father never changed. He's always been tough from the start but...he's a loyal person too. Your mother is gone but she never intended to find a replacement."
Dumar just smiled faintly, "Yes that's the way father, Mrs. Hughes..."
"Okay, time to get back to work. I have to prepare Duchess Evelyn's favorite dessert. She specially asked for it." replied Mrs. Hughes while getting ready to wash the apple that Dumar had brought.
Unbeknownst to Mrs Hughes, Dumar's smiling face turned gloomy for a moment before he finally left the kitchen.
And that afternoon the party was very lively. Many guests came to celebrate Duke Barrington's daughter's birthday party. The servants were busy pacing back and forth bringing food and drinks to the invited guests. Dumar was no exception, he was busy directing and helping the coachmen of the invited guests to put down their carriages. Without realizing it was evening. The servants began to clean up the remnants of the party and Dumar's work for the day was finished after the last guest had left Duke Barrington's residence. He was wiping his sweat when from a distance Mr. Otis, Dumar's father seemed to walk up to him staggering.
Dumar approached his father with a panicked face, "Father, are you drinking again?"
Mr. Otis pushed Dumar away. There was a faint smell of alcohol coming from Mr. Otis' mouth, "I met an old friend of mine among the guest coachmen. We were just chatting to pass the time."
"But…" Dumar hadn't finished speaking yet, Mr. Otis patted Dumar's shoulder, "Our job is done for today. You go home first and WAIT your father at home."
Dumar just silently watched his father leave. He walked home with heavy steps. Unlike the servants and Mrs. Hughes who lived in Barrington Manor; Dumar and his father live in a small cottage near the stable.
Inside the hut, Dumar unenthusiastically lay down on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling. His thoughts went back to five years ago, before they were accepted to work for the Barrington family. They still live together complete with Dumar's mother. Then, since when did his parents always fight and one day Dumar's mother, who couldn't stand it, decided to run away and left them. When they were accepted to work for the Barringtons and moved there; Mr. Otis told anyone that Dumar's mother had died. And he forbade Dumar from telling anyone the truth.
Tired of his thoughts, Dumar closed his eyes and somehow, he fell asleep soundly. The evening turned to night. And Dumar would still be fast asleep had it not been for the loud noise to wake him.
"BRAK" The sound of the door being opened loudly immediately startled Dumar, who sat up immediately.
It appears that the shadow walking with staggering steps is none other than Mr. Otis who seems to have just returned home in a state of drunkenness.
"Why is it so dark! Dumar! Dumar!", Mr. Otis shouted angrily.
Dumar hastily lit a lamp and approached his father to help him sit up. But Mr. Otis instead pushed him violently until Dumar fell.
"You useless child! Just guarding the house is not good!"
"I'm sorry father, I..." Dumar had not finished speaking, his father threw the beer bottle in his hand towards him. Broken beer bottles scattered on the floor. Fortunately, Dumar's father missed the shot because he was drunk so it didn't hurt Dumar.
"Who gave you permission to answer! Useless child! Why did your mother run away without taking you with her! Damn woman!!"
Dumar was silent while Mr. Otis was still angry and drunk. Mr. Otis hit Dumar several times to vent his emotions. Dumar didn't even fight.
With a blank stare he tried to withstand the blow he received. It was not the first time that Dumar had been abused by his father when he was drunk. So he was not surprised by his father's action even though he himself did not remember when his father had changed like that. Slowly his little heart seemed to tell that this was the reason his mother left them. But what he couldn't understand until now was why his mother never took him. A tear seemed to flow in Dumar's eye but he hastily wiped it away. It seemed his father was tired of beating him and fell asleep. Dumar lay back down and tried to sleep while trying to forget what had just happened.
It was a cold night outside and the faint sound of an owl could be heard. It was as if nothing had happened that night. And no one at Barrington Manor knew what was going on except Dumar and his father.
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The next morning as usual Dumar went about his routine of cleaning the stable while his father was walking some horses around Duke Barrington's sprawling manor. When suddenly someone known to Dumar came to the stable.
"Young man, is Mr. Otis here?" a man who was quite old but still looked dashing and looked dignified.
"M-My father is taking some horses for a leisurely walk so they don't stiffen. Is there anything I can help you with, My Lord?" Dumar replied, looking down nervously. Never before had he spoken to Duke Barrington directly. So far, he's only ever seen it without ever speaking directly at all.
"Ooo you are the son of Mr. Otis. How old are you now?" asked Duke Barrington as he walked around the stable.
"This year it is eighteen, My Lord", Dumar replied as he followed Duke Barrington's footsteps.
"You are big and strong now. I remember when you first came here you were little. Now you have almost surpassed my height.", Duke Barrington turned his head with a smile.
Dumar simply nodded awkwardly.
"Time flies very fast, yes for those of you who are still young. Yesterday you were a child, now you are a man. Last week, my daughter Elizabeth just celebrated her fourth birthday. I wouldn't be surprised if she's soon to be a pretty girl like her mother.", Duke Barrington spoke of his daughter with an indescribable sense of pride.
"You must love her very much, My Lord."
"Of course. She is the child of us both. How about you yourself? Your father must also be very proud of you. The only son he managed to raise to be as dashing as he is now."
"O-of course sir…M-…M-My father is also very proud…", Dumar struggled to finish his sentence while trying to smile.
"Daddy!", suddenly a little girl ran towards Duke Barrington.
Duke Barrington immediately welcomed her and carried her with a happy face. In the distance Duchess Evelyn smiled while waving her hand.
"It seems that my wife has already called me. Then please tell your father that tomorrow morning we as a family will go to Nova Mesto. I should be the only one going on business but Elizabeth always cries when I say goodbye and I don't like making her sad. And it just so happened that my wife wanted to visit her friend as well. So, the two of them will come with me tomorrow.", replied Duke Barrington walking away carrying Elizabeth
"Very well, My Lord. I will tell my father when he returns.", Dumar replied politely.
Duke Barrington suddenly turned to look at Dumar, "Have you ever been to Nova Mesto, son?"
"Never, My Lord. I only know the village where I come from."
"Hmmm…. Then how about tomorrow you help your father take us to Nova Mesto?"
Dumar looked up in surprise, "Is it okay, Your Grace? I mean…is it alright if I leave my job at the stable?"
Duke Barrington smiled, "Of course. I don't think it will be a problem."
Dumar's face looked happy but soon replaced with doubt.
Duke Barrington was aware of Dumar's doubts. He lowered Elizabeth from the sling and patted Dumar on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll assure your father that it's all right if you come with him. A young man like you, needs to see the world outside."
"Th-thank you, My Lord.", Dumar replied excitedly.
Duke Barrington walked over to Duchess Evelyn holding Elizabeth's hand and left the stable.
Dumar watched from afar until they were out of sight. It wasn't the first time Dumar had felt a tap on his shoulder. His father often patted him on the shoulder but… Duke Barrington's pat felt different. It was warm and didn't scare him. For a moment, Dumar felt he had someone he could rely on and trust.
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