Chapter – 6

-A father's nostalgia-

The next day, Plumette sat at the dining table, eating her breakfast, when she suddenly realised how comfortably she had talked with Jacob. She couldn’t believe he had been such a fun person to talk to, and in a small corner of her heart, she was even looking forward to meeting Lord Jacob again so she could spend more time with him.

Just as she was spacing out in her thoughts, Zachary—sitting on the opposite side of the table—noticed her unusual behaviour.

“Plumette? Are you doing okay?” he asked.

She snapped back to reality. “Yeah, absolutely. Shouldn’t you be leaving now? Aren’t you late for work or meetings?”

Plumette quickly changed the topic, trying to keep him out of her business.

“I’m leaving in an hour. No rush yet,” Zachary replied, eating his breakfast leisurely.

“Good. The chef made this dessert specially today. Here, eat it too,” Plumette said, passing the dessert across the table.

“Mother and Father are leaving today and won’t be back for a while,” Zachary informed her. “They’re in a hurry, so they didn’t get the chance to tell us beforehand. Jonas told me this morning.”

Plumette felt disheartened that she hadn’t been able to see them off.

“Oh… did they say why they’re leaving in such a hurry?” she asked, hoping for some details.

“No. Just something estate-related,” Zachary replied.

The previous night, Jacob had been a mess. Every time he closed his eyes, he could only hear Plumette’s voice and see her smiling face. Eventually, morning greeted him early, and he prepared himself to start the day.

By noon, while he was working in his office, his butler came in with news.

“Lord Jacob, your father wishes to see you.”

Jacob immediately set aside his work and followed the butler to his father’s room, adjusting his dishevelled attire—the result of his stressful workload.

“Father, I’m coming in,” Jacob said as he knocked and opened the door.

He realised his mother was there as well, sitting beside the bed and holding his father’s hand.

“Mother, you’re here too,” Jacob greeted her, taking a seat on the chair across from the bed.

His mother silently acknowledged him and looked at her husband.

“Your father looks brighter these days,” she said softly. “I’m truly thankful to God that he’s getting better.”

“I know, Mother. I’m glad he’s recovering, too—” Jacob began, but he was interrupted.

“Jacob, my son…” Ernest called out in a weak, raspy voice.

“Yes, Father. I’m here,” Jacob replied, holding his father’s hand.

“Are you taking care of yourself?” Ernest asked, concern evident in his voice.

Jacob felt his emotions tighten. “Yes, Father. I’m doing well, and Mother is doing well too. Please don’t worry.”

“The weather has been warm lately,” Ernest continued, gazing out the window. “When you’re free, let us all have tea in the garden together.”

His words carried longing—memories of days when his wife and son would spend time in the back garden, playing and enjoying small picnics every other week. Those days had faded after his brother’s betrayal and the assassination attempt. Since then, his wife had worried endlessly for his health, neglecting her own, while Jacob had been forced to take control of the estate in his stead.

Ernest Narwing had once been a remarkable man, diligently fulfilling his duties and caring deeply for his people. Now, due to the lingering effects of a deadly paralytic drug, he could barely attend even a noble council meeting. Still, he was grateful to see his son grown, and his wife smiling at him as beautifully as ever. Though he deeply missed his best friend, Edwin Fritzki, he managed to exchange letters occasionally with his wife’s help.

“I’ll clear my schedule this weekend so we can spend the whole day together,” Jacob replied.

Just then, a servant entered, holding a tonic.

“It’s time for your medicine, Lord Narwing.”

Ernest’s face twisted slightly at the memory of its taste, but he refused to let the medicine tarnish his image in front of his wife, Phyllis, and his son. With Jacob’s help, he sat up and swallowed it in one gulp, suppressing a gag.

“I’m feeling better now,” Ernest said quickly. “You both should return to your work.”

Jacob and his mother exchanged a confused glance, but not wanting to stress him further, they complied and left the room.

The moment the door closed, Ernest checked to ensure he was alone. With a shaky hand, he reached into the nightstand, grabbed a candy, and popped it into his mouth. The sweetness quickly overwhelmed the bitterness of the medicine, and he relaxed back against the bed.

After all, Ernest Narwing had a secret side—one he never intended to show his family, even in sickness.

After leaving his father’s room, Jacob headed back toward his office to resume work. Halfway down the hallway, his butler, Frank, stopped him.

“Your cousin, Rupert Norfolk, is here to see you, my lord.”

Jacob paused. “Where is he waiting?”

Frank glanced toward the office. “He didn’t wait to be escorted elsewhere, my lord. He went straight into your office.”

Jacob let out a sigh, reconsidering his plan to spend the day working, but with no other choice, he dismissed Frank and proceeded inside.

Rupert—his aunt’s only son—was lounging on the couch.

“Jacob, my cousin! I’ve been waiting forever,” Rupert exclaimed. “I almost went searching for you across your own estate.”

He laughed at his own exaggeration and motioned for Jacob to sit.

With no reasonable way to kick him out, Jacob took a seat on the other side of the couch.

“What brings you here, Rupert?” Jacob asked.

“Two important things,” Rupert replied. “Which one do you want first?”

“How about the more important one?” Jacob said calmly.

Rupert nodded. “My parents are planning to take a short trip before winter ends—and they want to take Uncle and Aunt with them.”

Jacob was startled. He worried whether his father could handle such a journey, yet he also knew that keeping him confined to the estate wasn’t healthy.

“Are they planning to discuss this with my parents soon?” Jacob asked.

“Yes. They said they’ll visit in a few days.”

“And the second thing?” Jacob prompted.

“Chester and Elias asked me to tell you about a hunting trip they’re planning. They couldn’t reach you because of your oh-so-busy schedule.”

“Hunting?” Jacob frowned. “I’m busy these days. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.”

“But they’re inviting others this time,” Rupert added. “They told me to drag you there even if you refuse.”

“Others?” Jacob asked immediately. “Who?”

“To be specific—Zachary Fritzki, his sister Plumette Fritzki, and Grace Crowe,” Rupert replied. “Because of certain circumstances.”

Hearing Plumette’s name made Jacob hesitate.

“What circumstances?” he asked.

“Chester was forced into a date with Lady Grace by his family. The Fritzki family joined them since both families are meeting for a business deal. Things happened, and it led to this.”

“I see,” Jacob said after a pause. “I still don’t know if I can make it. Tell them not to get their hopes up.”

“Too bad,” Rupert said with a grin. “They said they’ll drag you there themselves.”

With that, Rupert stood and headed for the door.

“Oh—and I’ll go greet Aunt and Uncle on my way out.”

Then he left Jacob alone in his office.