CH67.2

The Rascliffes mansion, literally one of the largest and most luxurious houses in Arlyn and all of Vidin, a mansion that was passed down from a generation to another in the Rascliffe family, now it's Alphonse Rascliffe property, the only legitimate heir, who is John, has already died, this was one of many thoughts that were haunting Alphonse in this cold evening while watching over the city from his balcony.

He was remembering the events of today, the funeral of his own son, all the nobles from across the kingdom and even from outside the kingdom, minister Morgan himself was present to offer his condolences, his friends from the days of Feinburg academy in Reldret, no one hated him, yet he died thinking that his father does, the regret in the father's heart was unbearable, the grief was eating him from inside, the suffering of losing the only person that made him have an actual goal in his life after the death of his wife, he just wanted to see him get better than him, he wanted him to a favorite for Blamore, not for any personal profit, he just wanted to be proud of him, but during this process he forgot about the most important part, John's happiness.

"I'm sorry Cristina, I shouldn't have pushed him to do it, you loved him purely, I didn't lose my son now, I lost him the day you died.", Said Alphonse while looking at a picture in his hand, it was a picture of John and Cristina together after their marriage, Alphonse missed the smile over John's face here in the picture, he was barely holding himself from crying again, his condition was so bad that he didn't notice that someone was opening the windows from inside the room and entering the balcony from behind him.

"Master Alphonse.", Said a soft female voice from behind Alphonse, he finally noticed that someone had entered, he slowly rotated his head to the side to see a woman in her thirties in a respectful maid uniform, he looked back at the city from above the balcony.

"We finished everything you ordered us to do.", Said The female in total respect, she was feeling that Alphonse was very different.

"Good.", Said Alphonse in a low voice without looking back at the maid.

"Do you wish for anything more?", Asked the maid in a sad tone, it's clear that not just Alphonse who is sad for the death of John here in the mansion.

Alphonse stayed silent in the same position for a moment, the maid knows that Alphonse isn't in a good state now to talk, losing your only son suddenly like that isn't easy.

"Do you wish to talk about it? Keeping all this grief without talking about it will make everything harder on you.", Said The maid politely, Alphonse stayed silent for a moment before finally talking.

"Inform all the servants to take the rest of the week as a vacation, I need nothing else from you now, the same goes for the guards except the ones guarding the gates.", Said Alphonse in his low voice, the maid was surprised by what he said.

"But, master, you may need our help in times like these.", Said The maid in worry.

"I need some time alone.", Said Alphonse seriously without looking back, the maid was surprised and tried to talk but then she hesitated.

"Maybe I shouldn't prolong this conversation, I'm just a maid after all, I just wanted to tell him that all of us are sharing the grief and sorrow together.", Thought the maid while looking sadly at Alphonse.

"As you wish, master, we'll leave, but I wanted to tell you something, all of us are feeling the heartbreak from the sudden death of John, when we knew that he died from a heart attack we felt like a thunder did hit our heads, we couldn't believe that we won't see him again between us, I know that he wasn't the same Mr.John that we used to know after madam Cristina left him and passed away, but his kind heart was still there, hewas always kind to all of us, he was polite, just like you, master, that's why we served him faithfully and feeling morally down now, not because he was the son of master Alphonse Rascliffe.", Said The maid as she was tearing, her words made Alphonse tear but he didn't turn to show her and stayed standing in the same position.

"I-I will get going now, if you wanted anything from me just tell the guards and they know where my house is, excuse me, master.", Said the maid politely while wiping her tears before taking a step back calmly.

"Oleg.", Said Alphonse calmly, he was clearly calling the maid but he was still avoiding facing her, Oleg stopped immediately.

"Yes, master, how can I be of service?", Asked Oleg politely.

"Thank you.", Said Alphonse calmly, Oleg's expression was clearly surprised.

"For what, master?", Asked Oleg.

"For showing such a sympathy for John, he would have loved to hear such kind words from you, and the nice thing is that you are not faking it, I have enough experience to know when someone is faking his emotions or not.", Said Alphonse calmly, Oleg found herself smiling involuntary.

"Y-you are welcome, master, I wasn't faking anything because Mr.John himself wasn't faking his kind attitude with us, we didn't see anything bad from both of you, the least I can do is to keep praying the gods to reunite him with his beloved wife, madam Cristina also had a pure soul, the gods will surely bless both of them.", Said Oleg politely while barely holding herself, she didn't want to cry again, Alphonse on the other side started clinching his right hand.

"Indeed, the gods.", Said Alphonse while looking at the sky in a disgusting manner with his teary eyes!

While looking upwards Alphonse noticed a crow coming from far away and heard its cawing, he knew those crows.

"You can go now, Oleg.", Said Alphonse calmly.

"Fine, master, excuse me.", Said Oleg before stepping back then turning around to exit the balcony and enter the room.

"She looks really sad too, it's the first time I see one of the maids talking closely because I always tend to be invisible from the eyes, but she was crying there.", Said Shisk who appeared to be in the shadows behind the open windows in the corner of the balcony away from the eyes!

"I know, now I want you to keep your eyes open this week, any suspicious moves around the mansion inform me.", Said Alphonse while waiting for the crow.

"And if the hunter appeared?", Asked Shisk.

"It will be my pleasure.", Said Alphonse in a cold voice!