Inside the mansion in a big spacious study Josh and Simon were before Sarah, The study had tall windows that let in streams of sunlight, casting a warm glow over the dark wooden shelves ton the walls. These shelves were filled with books of every kind, from thick, leather-bound volumes of history to slim, paper-covered novels. The air in the room smelled of aged paper and the faint aroma of pipe tobacco, it seems as if the previous owner of this study was a smoker.
In the center of the room stood a large oak desk, its top crowded with an different items. There were quills and inkwells, scattered papers covered in a neat handwriting, and a brass lamp with a green glass shade. An open journal lay on the desk, filled with the owner's thoughts and notes. Next to the desk was an armchair, worn from years of use, young Derrick was sleeping on it.
"So what do you think? Not to shabby isn't it?"Sarah asked with a soft smile gracingbher lips, the Manor was extravagant and beautifully designed to Josh it felt like he was in the royal palace albeit a bit inferior.
"It's beautiful, why didn't you tell us you are also an aristocrat Sarah?" Simon asked, Sarah had her reasons, even her son did not know that his mother came from a noble house, house Manchester. According to Josh's knowledge house Manchester was a family close to the crown, with each head of the family being a member of the Royal council, but unlike other houses who always had an internal strife where some were on the side of the crown while the others were on their own, house Manchester was the only family her majesty trusted with the Kingdom's secrets that is why they had also deemed it the title;The house of secrets. Arnold Manchester was an archeologist, a fleet general and also his majesty's right hand man, this was a man that served the kingdom until his last days, placing the crown even above his own family. The man was basically a living legend especially for guys like him, but now he was gone and he would soon be replaced by a younger and much efficient young man, meaning that the Manchester family's power will diminish at a fast rate unless Sarah could fill her father's shoes but from the looks of it, she had no idea who her family truly is.
Sarah seemed to think that her father was just a measly mine owner who loved money more than his family that he ended up dying alone without no one to see him breath his last. Behind Sarah was a huge portrait of the Manchester family, his father Arnold who had a simple suit and a hat next to a young boy of about ten years, a woman who resembled Sarah alot with a cute baby girl in her arms, this was Sarah's family Portrait.
"Oh I'm not, my father was a business man, a good one and he also owned the biggest mine in the whole kingdom so trust me when I say I am not an aristocrat. " nodding at her answer Josh decided to stop Simon from asking anymore questions and hear what she has to say since she called them out here.
"Olay now that we have that out of the way, let me fill you in on the purpose of this meeting, judging from your personalities I saw that you are two good young men and in all honest I can't run this whole thing alone, I need helpers....I can trust." She pointed out, her intentions were pure, she truly wanted to help them and also she needed to also stay vigilante after all her father had many enemies.
"Trust is something earned, and I do not think we have done nothing to earn your trust. Plus we are basically strangers, are you not afraid we might do horrible things to you,him and all the other personal in here?" Josh asked in a bold tone, but Sarah waved her hand at Josh's negative words.
"As long as he trusts you enough, then I'm happy,, so what do you say? Which jobs would you two want?" Simon being curios of the big city chose to be the coachman, and Josh after a moment chose to be the butler.
Having settled that issue Sarah rang a bell and a servant came in running, she instructed him to take measurements for their uniform.after a long day of being shown around the manor Sarah brought them to their rooms, Josh Josh and Simon's rooms were next to each other, Sarah left them to rest and the two men retreated to their respective rooms. Once inside Josh did not even have the time to take In the room's appearance,going straight for the bed, he closed his eyes in thought but within moments of laying down he fell asleep.
Waking up to the sound of a light knock on the door, Josh felt hungry, wondering if it is dinner time, but the sounds of birds and the little streams of light coming from the closed window stopped him in his tracks[Damn its morning already, I did not even have a chance to eat.] Still in his thoughts another knock on the door followed, slowly getting out of bed Josh went for the door.
"Good morning Mr belling I have brought your uniform, after you are done the madam requests your presence in the dining hall." A beautiful maid stood at the door with neatly folded clothes in her hands, receiving the clothes from her she turned around and left. Josh retreated back into the bedroom and went into the small bathroom to freshen up. After he was done he put on his new uniform comprised of,a black tailcoat with shiny brass buttons, a crisp white shirt with a high collar, and a neatly tied cravat. His black trousers were pressed and his shoes polished to shine.
His ebony black hair combed back, showing a handsome face with high cheekbones and a strong jawline. His Abyssal black eyes lazy and strained, and a small, doubting smile touched his lips as he stared at himself on the huge mirror in the bedroom.
"Looking good, I guess." He spoke, stealing one last glance at himself before leaving for the dining hall.
Making his way down the staircase he met many other servants of the manor , some were friendly and some shot him unfriendly looks but he wasn't one to complain so he greeted those who greeted him and left those who didn't.
In the dining hall, sunlight streamed through the tall windows, lighting up the large wooden table. The heavy red curtains pulled back, givung the hall enough lightt. The dark wooden panels on the walls filled with paintings of the Manchester family's ancestors.
The table set for breakfast, with silver candlesticks, even though the candles are unlit. Plates of fresh bread, bowls of porridge, and platters of fruit, filling the room with a warm, inviting smell.
Sarah, Derrick, and Josh were already seated around the table. Sarah was quiet, her hands resting on the table. Derrick, beside her, fidgeting slightly, glancing at the food eagerly. Simon sat at the far end, looking towards the door, waiting.
The room was calm, with only the soft chirping of birds outside as they waited for him to arrive, upon noticing Josh they all smiled and young Derrick heaved a sigh of relief, possibly thanking the lord he could finally eat. Sarah signaled for him to seat in a chair not to far away from her, "You are finally awake, yesterday I came to invite you to dinner but you were already fast asleep it seems. Did you sleep comfortably?" Sarah spoke and asked with a light smile gracing her lips, Josh nodded"yes I did, thank you for your hospitality Ms Manchester." He answered respectfully, Sarah's smile wavered a bit as he answered
"To the both of you, just because I have employed you does not mean you should treat me different, I am still Sarah." Sarah pointed out, and Josh and Simon nodded in understanding.
After the breakfast Sarah requested for them to accompany her as she had some meetings to attend to and also show them around the city. A coach with the Manchester crest was by the door, it was made of darkwood and it was intricately crafted, Simon moved to go pet the horses and Josh moved to go open the coach for Sarah and Derrick, before going inside followed by Simon who was supposed to learn the routes first before he could start his job as a coachman.
"Take us to the mine." Sarah instructed the coachman who was a middle aged man with a stern looking face, the coach took off heading for the mines, the carriage was silent and everyone was lost deep in their thoughts.