Far From Earth

Silent voice part 3

The grand dining hall was one of the most magnificent places in the castle.

The high ceiling seemed to disappear into the darkness above, while enormous stone pillars stood along both sides like silent guardians. Old portraits of the Bridgerton ancestors hung on the walls. The candlelight flickered across the golden frames, making their cold gazes appear almost alive.

At the center of the hall stood a long oak table covered with a spotless white tablecloth. Silver dishes and ancient candleholders rested upon it. The air carried the scent of fragrant flowers, old books, and burning firewood.

Beyond the windows, the wind howled softly.

Occasionally, raindrops tapped against the tall glass panes, deepening the silence inside the castle.

The children quietly took their seats.

Fredrik’s eyes drifted toward the end of the hall.

Mr. Joseph Bridgerton sat there.

His black silk doublet and silver buttons shimmered beneath the candlelight. A dark blue cloak rested across his shoulders, adding even more dignity to his appearance. His hair, as always, was smoothly combed to the side, and his face looked calm and flawless beneath the pale light. His blue eyes resembled Fredrik’s very closely — deep and sharp.

He ate slowly, every movement controlled and precise. Before speaking, he always paused for a moment to think, then spoke in a calm and measured voice.

Beside him sat Lady Lily Bridgerton.

Her long golden hair shimmered like sunlight beneath the candles. Her pale silk gown and delicate golden embroidery made her look almost like a queen from an old fairy tale. Her skin looked as white as milk, while her thin red lips resembled a delicate painted line.

Mr. Joseph slowly placed his goblet onto the table.

— “Well...” he said calmly. “How was your day?”

The children exchanged glances.

Fredrik answered first.

— “It was good.”

Mr. Joseph’s eyes rested on him for a moment.

— “Only good?”

Fredrik swallowed quietly.

— “We went to the pine forest... then to the library.”

Mark and Thomas silently nodded.

Lady Lily gave a faint smile, though her hands gently tightened around the white cloth resting on her lap.

Then she forced herself to appear calm and quietly said:

— “By the way... Mark and Thomas will soon leave for Scrooge Academy.”

Thomas nearly dropped his spoon.

— “So soon?..” he asked in surprise.

Lady Lily looked at him.

— “It is a Bridgerton family tradition.”

Mark slowly lowered his head.

Fredrik looked at both of them.

A strange heaviness settled inside his chest.

As if the castle itself was slowly pulling them apart.

Mr. Joseph remained seated quietly beneath the candlelight and spoke only one sentence:

— “Scrooge is a place where the sweetest memories remain.”

Yet his blue eyes looked cold.

Very cold.

Silence settled over the hall once more.

Only the soft crackling of candles and the sound of wind beyond the windows could be heard.

Fredrik slowly placed his spoon onto the plate. His mood darkened. The thought of Mark and Thomas leaving made the atmosphere inside the castle feel even heavier.

Thomas remained quiet.

He stared at the candle before him, as if his thoughts were somewhere far away.

Lady Lily finally lifted her head.

— “Scrooge Academy is far away,” she said in a gentle but tired voice. “Discipline there is strict. Every Bridgerton goes there one day.”

Mark quietly asked:

— “Fredrik too?..”

After that question, the hall suddenly fell silent.

Mr. Joseph slowly swirled the red wine inside his goblet. The liquid shimmered beneath the candlelight like dark crimson.

He did not answer immediately.

— “When the time comes,” he finally said.

After hearing that, Fredrik glanced toward Lady Lily.

She immediately looked away.

As if the subject troubled her.

— “They say Scrooge Academy has a massive library,” Sofia said curiously.

Mark gave a small smile.

— “Yes, but I heard the lessons there are very difficult.”

Thomas sighed.

— “I still don’t want to go.”

Lady Lily looked at him warmly.

— “Everyone thinks that at first,” she said softly. “But the place changes people. New friends, new knowledge...”

Mr. Joseph slowly nodded.

— “And discipline,” he said calmly. “Bridgertons must learn to control themselves.”

Fredrik listened quietly.

Yet his thoughts still lingered on the puppy hidden in the shed.

Dinner continued.

The candles along the long table burned steadily, their light reflecting softly on the silver dishes. Servants walked with heavy steps, placing warm meals onto the plates. The scent of roasted meat, spices, and freshly baked bread filled the air.

— “I’ve heard many stories about Scrooge Academy,” Mark said quietly.

Sofia immediately lifted her head.

— “Me too. They say mornings begin very early there.”

Thomas sighed again.

— “Then I already hate it.”

A faint smile appeared on Lady Lily’s lips.

— “You are judging it before even going there.”

Mr. Joseph slowly placed his knife down onto the table.

Thomas immediately fell silent.

Fredrik looked toward his father’s eyes. The blue color shimmered beneath the candlelight like a cold sea.

At that moment, one of the servants entered carrying a large silver platter. On it rested warm honey-glazed bread and roasted quail.

Thomas’s mood changed instantly.

— “Now that’s more like it,” he said quietly.

Mark laughed.

The servant carefully placed the large silver tray at the center of the table. The smell of roasted quail mixed with honey and fragrant spices immediately spread through the hall. Warm steam rose gently beneath the candlelight.

Thomas picked up his knife and carefully cut the finest piece of quail. Unlike the others, he ate slowly, as if he wanted to enjoy the flavor for as long as possible.

Mark curiously began speaking.

— “Did Father study there too?”

A brief old memory flickered through Mr. Joseph’s eyes.

— “Yes,” he said quietly. “Many years ago.”

Sofia asked curiously:

— “What was it like?”

Mr. Joseph remained silent for a moment, as though recalling distant memories.

— “Cold,” he said with a faint smile. “Very cold. In the mornings, ice covered the windows. And every dawn, Mr. William walked into the courtyard and inspected everyone’s boots.”

Thomas’s eyes widened.

— “Their boots?”

— “Yes,” he replied calmly. “If someone’s boots were muddy, the entire class was punished.”

Mark laughed.

“That sounds ridiculous.”

A slight smile appeared at the corner of Mr. Joseph’s lips.

— “You have not met Professor Aldrich yet.”

Fredrik looked curious.

— “Who is he?”

Mr. Joseph placed his goblet down and leaned back slightly.

— “The history teacher. A very strict man. Before every lesson, he twists his mustache twice.”

Sofia laughed softly.

Mr. Joseph continued:

— “And if someone talked during class, he threw chalk directly at their head.”

Thomas barely held back his laughter.

— “Did he actually hit them?”

— “Every single time,” Mr. Joseph answered with a completely serious expression.

Now Mark laughed as well.

Even Lady Lily covered her smile lightly with her hand and laughed quietly.