Unannounced Visit
1005 Words
June 30, 1843...
"What's up with you? You didn't go with your brothers again today," Jacob commented as he looked at Julian quizzically.
As usual, the youngest master came in the morning to help him and Charles feed the poultry and collect eggs. As usual, his younger brother called him Yanyan, but today, Julian didn't react which puzzled the brothers. His best friend had been spacing out a lot, and somehow, since it was opposite to his usual cheerful self, Jacob found his silence disturbing.
Julian shook his head.
"Nothing. I just don't feel well today," he answered.
"Why didn’t you say it earlier? How long have you been unwell? Do you want me to go fetch your brothers?" Jacob asked worriedly as he felt Julian's forehead with his hand. "You don't seem to have a fever," he said. "Hannah’s skin is really hot when she's sick, which is often."
Julian sighed audibly as he slumped on the ground.
"I didn't say I'm sick. I just said I'm not feeling well. It's like I feel so uneasy but I don't know why."
"Then why don't you go home and take a rest?" Jacob suggested.
"Yeah, I think I will," Julian answered as he stood up and brushed his trousers from the dirt.
"You can have lunch here first before you go," Jacob invited. "Jessie made some chicken pies," he added with a grin, knowing that it was his favorite, but Julian just sighed and shook his head.
"Nah, I'll just eat later," Julian said which made Jacob’s eyes widen.
"Whoa, you are really sick," Jacob commented; worry marred his face.
Chicken pie made by his eldest sister was Julian's favorite in the world. If Julian didn't seem enthusiastic about the food, then there was really something wrong with him.
"You really should take a rest," Jacob said as he shifted to assist Julian, when suddenly, they heard hoof-beats in the distance. "What's that?"
"I don't know," Julian answered as the two of them tried to see beyond the cloud of dust as the horsemen approached.
"Are those your brothers?" Jacob asked, squinting at the riders, but they were still too far.
Julian shook his head. "My brothers' horses are black. I can see white horses and there are more than two riders coming," he said and the two of them lapsed into silence as they watched the men approach, finally stopping just in front of the cottage.
The youngest de Lancret's eyes widened upon recognizing the rider in front.
"Is this it?" his father asked one of the men with him as they got off their horses.
The old man eyed the cottage with distaste as he walked across the yard towards the little house.
"Father!" he called as he and Jacob stood up abruptly.
The old man glanced in their direction, but didn't say a word. He continued walking towards the cottage and entered without knocking. Julian and Jacob immediately followed him inside and saw how the old man startled Jessica who was preparing lunch, making her drop the plates on the floor. Hannah who was in the bedroom immediately came out to see what the noise was about, and she too stopped frozen as she stared wide-eyed at their unexpected visitor.
The old man didn't bother with greetings. He walked over to the nearest chair and sat there in an imposing manner. "Gather your siblings," he told Jessica. "I want to speak to all of you."
Jessica hesitated for a moment before she moved, dragging her bad leg, and Hannah quickly stopped her, and pushed her to sit down on one of the chairs.
"I'll call them," the second eldest offered as she glanced at the forbidding profile of the man who uncannily looked like an older version of her lover, Jehan.
Aside from age, the other difference he had from his son was that the old master exuded such a cold aura that bordered on menacing, that the atmosphere in the room turned chilly even though it's midsummer. But it was only to be expected. Except in the presence of his favorite child, Johann, the old master did not show any affection or gentleness to everyone else. Even when he was hosting soirees and banquets, the old master was aloof.
They said that it was because when Johann’s mother died, his heart died with her. If it weren’t for the need for a spare heir, people believed that he wouldn’t have married again after his first wife died. Regardless, the poor woman who was his second wife, Jehan’s and Julian’s mother, never received the same treatment nor affection given to her predecessor, and was depressed most of her married life until she died in a freak accident.
Seeing Jacob and Julian by the door, Hannah signaled them to go further inside as she looked for Charles whom she found napping under the shade outside.
"Sister? I'm still sleepy," their youngest complained but Hannah dragged him back inside the house.
After exposing himself in the bright June sun, the icy ambiance back inside made the little boy shiver.
"You're all here?" the master asked, but didn't wait for an answer before he turned to both Hannah and Jessica, his cold eyes narrowing on the two of them. "I will not mince my words," the old man said finally. "I have been aware of your connection with my sons and I want to put an end to it."
Both sisters flinched at the word "connection", since the old man mentioned it like it was something vile.
"I think I've tolerated this madness long enough and I want all of you gone," the old de Lancret announced. "My sons' fiancées will arrive next week, and I want them wed next month. It would be troublesome for everyone if you stayed here," he said as he took a small leather pouch from his pocket and threw it on the table. Inside were several pieces of gold coins with the likeness of Louis-Philippe, King of France.
Money.
- Writer
