chapter 6

Rex woke up at 4 am along with his butler. They headed to the lake. He was happy to head for fishing and aiming for big prizes.

The lake bay and area are quiet and it seems like the baron is the only one there other than his butler John. The sun was yet to rise, everything was quiet, summer breeze from the mountains surrounded. The wind was slow making the lake looks like a mirror, the lake itself was immaculate and clear. The fishermen said that the lake is the house of the tastiest fish in the province but the hardest to catch, many people gave up on fishing in the lake.

The lake is a house of well-reserved aquatic life like fish, crayfish, prawns, mussels, and clams.

"John after you set the traps, come join me fishing."

John set traps for the prawns and crayfish in hope of catching some while Rex swing the fishnet and waited for the joyful dance of the thread.

Time passed by and the sun started raising, Rex has caught 2 small fish so far.

The Baron waited patiently and he was quite having a good time, smiling from time to time.

A couple of hours later, John had caught quite a large catch. He kept them in the traps submerged in the water to keep them alive and extend their freshness as they have to return to the estate by afternoon and by far it was 12 pm.

John went with his boat towards his boss telling him the good news and seeing if the baron wishes for refreshments or assistance. The latter was rubbing his arms and squeezing his eyes in what it seems a deep prayer, "Oh Lord in Heaven.... Please let me catch a big fish"

As soon as John's boat set beside his boat, the string started to be pulled and big tension could be seen and felt even the boat started moving by the fish's pulling force, Rex started pushing hard he was in shock. Panting John help it's a big one, immediately John rushed over yelling to push harder and move backward slowly, he jumped to his boss's boat and pushed with him. Struggling for a couple of minutes the fish gave up and by force, the two gave the fish flew into the sky, it was a big yellow Perch. These types of fish grow big and he was indeed lucky to catch them as fishermen reported that their numbers were in decline recently.

The joy of the baron was overloaded, he started yelling in happiness "I caught a big Perch".

John clapped grinning at his boss, " you did it, master"

Rex turned to face his butler panting, he wiped his face, he was drenched with a red face you can even see tears in his eye, he tried to take a deep breath while panting, "yeah... John I freaking did it like a champ" he giggled as John gave him a dry towel to dry off and water to drink.

"let's measure this bad boy, shall we" with a pitched voice and pants, John and his boss place the fish properly on their boat to measure it. John took out the measuring tape, " it's roughly 90cm/35.43 inches my lord. It's a very good catch."

"Perfect!" he cried, "let us resume back to fishing, one big fish is not enough to feed the whole family."

John nodded "indeed my lord, agreed."

The men stayed at the lake waiting for fishing line signals. The sun raised shinning bright and slowly shifted from morning rise to noontime, birds chippers in the surrounding forest. The panorama view is so relaxing and peaceful.

"it's 1 pm my lord" alarmed John the baron, "we gotta leave or we will miss the dinner"

Rex with a sad sigh, "this was very entertaining. I guess we need to leave. let us gather our feast and head home my friend." the men paddled back to shore, returning to the cottage and heading home. It took them a 2-hour journey finally arriving home to Scarlett's delight, she ran to her veranda and confirmed it was indeed her husband's car. she returned to her room and made a quick check on her make-up and dress. Liz knocked on her door "my lady my lord has arrived. She elegantly walked out and ascendent the stairs in an etiquette manner, "welcome home my love" smiling warmly and gazing at him, scanning him from tip to toe. 'you are done for if I find scent or hair, Rex ' her mind screamed.

He, on the other hand, understood the situation, he hugged her in surprise and kissed her passionately placing his arms around her waist, she kissed him back politely breaking the kiss, not of great moral to have advanced kissing around servants that would be reserved only in their privacy at the bed.

"welcome home Rex, hope you enjoyed the trip and fishing." a mid-aged woman came out from the kitchen, she was dressed in a 1930 pink dress falling down the knees, the dress was gentle pink color with yellow flowers, and her hair was tied up in a ponytail. Her beauty was a rarity, dirty blond, crystal clear blue eyes, snow-white skin with rosy lips and cheeks, medium height, and well-defined curves, in other words, she is divine. "mother... You are here. I thought your highnesses were coming for dinner." he cleared his voice and straightened his back.

"oh dear plans changed, we ladies thought that why not have a ladies' sleepover, mother and aunt are going to stay for a few days too." she hold his hand.

"Aunt is here too, oh boy we will get to hear entertaining stories and tales tonight."

"oh sure but I am certain that you can take the lead tonight and tell us your fishing tale." a woman with similar features to the countess but wearing a navy blue 1930 dress and her wavy hair loose, was holding baby Rose in her arms walked down the stairs smiling warmly towards the couple.

He ran towards the older woman taking Rose from her arms, kneeling on one leg he held his hand up, and she giggled giving her hand and Rex kissed it "I am delighted to have Countess Nancy in my humble house" she cleared her throat smiling, "my pleasure." he stood up kissing Rose, "she looks like you aunt don't you think"

Elizabeth the mother-in-law of Rex commented, "it's too early to say that, she is a couple of weeks old dear."

"go freshen up and join us on lunch dear" Scarlett picked Rose, he nodded and excused himself.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the chef and John were cleaning the fish and preparing them for cooking.

John was asked by the chef to arrange the needed ingredients for the feast tonight. "I think it is better to use some clams and mussels in soup and keep the rest for tomorrow, they won't get spoiled by tomorrow" the chef commented upon inspecting the clams budget "I bit there is 2kg out of these guys here, nice hunting John."

"Thanks, we were lucky, the big fish is rare. it seems to be 3kgs minimum" opening the box where the fish were stored.

"the others are decent I say, good for smoking"

"loid come here" the chef yelled out the name and a young man came from the backyard door, "yes Chef Loius," he said, "prepare the smoke room we will start smoking the fish after you finish come back to prepare chowder soup." the young man nodded, he took the required fish to the smoke room which is located at the end of the garden.

John sat on the chair nearby thinking, he later wrote a list taking him 10 minutes in the process, he then "Mary come to the kitchen, please," John spoke throw a telephone. later a young lady entered wearing french maid wear. "this is the list for the vegetables, herbs, and fruits required for tonight's dinner, go to the farm and bring them asap we don't have much time to prepare. I don't need to remind you that only the best ones you should geet and not available call me, understood?" John explained handling her a piece of paper, she nodded and left throw the backdoor.

"I want to take a bath, won't be late, if she comes before I finish call me." John stood and walked out, he went to his room.

Mary took her 1 hour and a half to return back with baskets full of freshly harvested goodies. She, the chef, loid with Liz and john supervising the process helping clean and chopped the ingredients, and starting the cooking process.

while Loid and chef Louis were cleaning the big prise they were surprised by a hard shinning ball-shaped gunk inside the guts, loid cleaned it from curiosity only to yell "Chef! It's a treasure!" all gathered around to see the founding to be true a golden ring with a big red gem. John ran to the Baron exciting he was nearly crying. when he found him, Rex was drained from color fearing that the fish is not good or something bad happened from the way John was in, panting hard "master you must come to see this, the treasure was inside the fish." Rex, Scarlet, and the mother headed to the kitchen to check the claim.

as Rex laid his eyes on the 'treasure' he froze "isn't it a ruby, the ruby ring of King Fernand I lost while sailing in the lake two hundred years ago? or my eyes tricking me?"

"oh my, I look terrific although it was stuck in a fish's intestines and covered in waste" the mother-in-law commented.

"I will call Dad he is knowledgeable of this matter" Scarlett walked out calling her father through the phone.

the Earl arrived with a jewelry master and gemstones specialist, they examined the artifact, "indeed my lord it is a precious gem Ruby, golden ring pure 24 karats, it does give great resemblance to the King Fernand's lost ring. congratulations your highnesses."

Rex's eyes were full of tears, all clapped, he knelt on one leg holding his wife's hand "to my Queen of Rouge" Scarlett was in awes she was stunned, he's changed, gifting her an artifact priceless one. the couple kissed, and his in-laws were proud. Rex then gifted John, chef Louis, Mary, and loid Lis extra pocket money.

everything went as planned, the dinner was of a king's feast, the food was delicious, everyone was happy even the house workers got gifted money and seafood dishes that were not usually eating it. after the dinner, they left for tea time and dessert, they went out to the garden venue the atmosphere was perfect. Drinking herbal tea that aids digestion, the table was full of fresh fruits, greek yogurt, gelatin dessert, custard, light dessert after a heavy meal and lovely night under the clear sky, stars twinkling, the family is happy that what Scarlett wishes for.

She was smiling and laughing, and her husband and aunt were telling their stories. Not much time was spent outside, all wished goodnight and headed to sleep. While Scarlett was opening her bedroom door Rex appeared from nowhere startling her, "Rex you startled me" she panted holding her chest, giggled leaning forward placing his hand on her head, with the other hand he lifted her chin, kissing her passionately, "I have another gift for you, my love, if you don't mind of course." winked with a grin. She looked puzzled, she nodded and opened the door to find her room decorated with rose petals, red candles, and her favorite incense. He immediately closed the door behind her, he wrapped his arms around her from the back, sniffing her hair and neck.

He turned her slowly facing him," what do you think love? " in a seductive tone. She blushed and gracefully kissed him accepting his gift. He started undressing her and himself, lips remained locked in kisses. He broke the kiss and grasped her hands, "our bath is waiting for us dearest", they walked to the bathroom to find more rose petals, scented candles, and a warm bath. She shook her head smiling, "you are full of surprises... You never were that romantic to me"

His smile faded, and he hold her shoulders "babe look I was a big fool in the past. I am a new me, I saw my ill ways caused you a lot of pain, and that hurt me too to see you in bad condition. I want us to be happy to live what we missed in the past. Let's us mark the new beginning, pur baby is born, our union is in our hands. Forget that woman and let us focus on our family. Our baby girl."

She stared in his eyes, she could tell he wasn't lying at all he was honest this time. .

She sighed and took a breath, smiling back," sure I will but let me trust you back like I did in the past. You need to earn my trust back Rex."

He grinned and embraced her with a kiss, "I love you and won't let you down ever again", she asked "promise me Rex", he obliged nodded "I promise my dear wife Scarlett"

The couple had a great time together and reconciled together marking a new beginning in the family.