Princess for brother

Chapter 2

With each new day, life in the Kembel family palace Кембеловbecame more and more eventful and emotional. Ashley and Travis were getting used to the new way of life, even though the shadow of tragedy still hung over their souls. But there were other people in the palace who were closely related to the Kembel familyКембелов, and now they had to get to know them better.

The first person to catch Ashley's attention was Margaret, the housekeeper who had served the family for many years. She was a short woman with white hair pulled back in a neat bun and shrewd eyes. Her face was lined with lines that seemed to tell the story of many years of service in this house. Margaret moved as quietly and deftly as a shadow, but she kept an eye on everything in the palace.

Ashley often caught sight of her in the hallways, and every time their eyes met, Margaret gave a small nod, as if to let them know that she was there to help. But the look in her eyes was not just helpful, but something else — maybe sadness or even a hidden pain.

One morning, when Ashley came down to breakfast, Margaret came up to her with a tray on which a cup of fragrant tea was steaming.

"Miss Kembel," she said in a low but firm voice, " I would like to express my condolences for the loss of your parents. This is a difficult time for all of us.

Ashley nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Thank you, Margaret," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. — I appreciate your concern.

The housekeeper smiled faintly, and in that smile Ashley caught a hint of sincerity and warmth.

Besides Margaret, Thomas, the head butler, lived in the palace, a tall man with a stern face and a stern manner. His presence always inspired respect and even a little fear. Thomas kept the house tidy, and under his direction, the servants performed their duties clearly and without further questions.

Ashley had crossed paths with Thomas several times in the hallways, and each time she felt uncomfortable under his gaze. There was firmness and determination in his eyes, but also something else — perhaps sympathy or understanding of what the heirs were going through.

One day, when Ashley was walking in the garden, she came across a young girl — Liliana, one of the maids. Liliana was the exact opposite of Margaret and Thomas: bright-eyed, cheerful, with a smile that seemed to light up everything around her.

"Oh, Miss Kembel! Liliana exclaimed when she saw Ashley. "I'm so glad to see you. I've heard so much about you and your brother.

Ashley smiled, feeling the tension ease a little.

— And what did you hear?" — What is it? " she asked with a touch of curiosity.

Liliana hesitated, as if unsure whether to speak.

"Well... that you are very beautiful and noble," she finally said. — And that it's not easy for you right now, but you can handle it."

Those words touched Ashley to the core. She felt that there was not only a duty and responsibility in this palace, but also people who genuinely cared for her and Travis.

In addition to Margaret, Thomas, and Liliana, there were several other servants living in the palace, each of whom contributed to the atmosphere of the house. But Ashley hadn't gotten to know them yet.

Meanwhile, Travis was paying special attention to dealing with Thomas. He understood that the butler could be a valuable ally in managing the palace and solving problems that arose. Their conversations often focused on financial matters, the state of their assets, and their future plans.

"Thomas," Travis said one day, sitting in the office with the butler, " we need to thoroughly review the budget. A lot has changed since the death of our parents, and we must be prepared for any eventuality.

Thomas nodded, listening intently.

"I understand, sir," he said. — I've already prepared preliminary calculations. I can show them to you if you like."

Travis looked at the butler with respect. He saw Thomas not just as a servant, but as someone who was loyal to the Kembell family Кембеловand ready to help in times of need.

In addition to the servants, there were other people who lived in the vicinity of the palace and visited the house from time to time. Ashley and Travis knew they were going to get to know them, but for now, their attention was focused on the people who lived under this roof.

As the days passed, Ashley and Travis gradually got to know their new "neighbors" better. They saw them not just as servants, but as people with their own destinies, experiences, and hopes. Although the shadow of tragedy still lingered in the air, Ashley sensed that there was something bright about this house that might help her and Travis get through the difficult times.

But none of them knew that their lives would soon change forever. That a person would come to their home who would turn everything upside down, make them see the world in a new way, and open up to them such depths of feelings that they did not even know existed.

Meanwhile, the Kembel Palace was living its normal life, filled with the soft rustle of servants ' footsteps, the whisper of the wind in the garden, and subtle echoes of the past. Ashley and Travis were trying to find their place in this new world for them, and minor characters were waiting in the wings to play their part in the unfolding drama.

The days passed slowly in the Kembel family palace, like sticky honey. Ashley and Travis were slowly adjusting to their new life, but the shadow of tragedy still hung over their days. They tried to improve their relationship, but old resentments and distrust were making themselves felt. Meanwhile, the palace was living its own life: servants were performing their duties, leaves rustled in the garden, and soft footsteps were heard in the corridors.

But soon the calm was broken by the appearance of a new man — George. His name was first mentioned within the palace walls when Thomas, the head butler, announced the guest's visit.

"Sir," Thomas said as he entered Travis's office, " Mr. George Harris is here to see you. He wants to discuss with you some matters related to the inheritance and management of the estate.

Travis looked up from the papers he was studying and frowned slightly.

"George Harris?" "What is it?" he asked. — I don't recall knowing you." But let him come in.

Thomas bowed and left the office. A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door and George appeared. He was a tall man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. His gaze was confident and his manner refined. He was dressed in a suit that accentuated his slender figure, and even his gait had a certain air of authority.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kembel," George said with a small smile. — I'm glad to finally meet you in person.

Travis got up from the table and held out his hand.

"Welcome, Mr. Harris," he said, trying to hide his curiosity. — What can I do for you?"

George walked into the office and sat down in the proffered chair. His gaze slid around the room as if assessing the surroundings.

"I heard about your loss and wanted to offer my condolences," he began. - Losing your parents is a difficult experience.

Travis nodded, accepting her words of condolence.

"Thank you," he said shortly. "But let's get down to business. What exactly did you want to discuss?

George leaned forward a little, a twinkle of interest in his eyes.

— I believe that our cooperation can be very fruitful, " he said. — I have some ideas for improving the management of the estate and increasing its income.

Travis listened intently, trying to make sense of the words. He felt that George wasn't as simple as he looked, but his suggestions made sense.

Meanwhile, Ashley, who was walking in the garden, accidentally heard about the arrival of a guest. Her curiosity was piqued, and she decided to find out who this mysterious Mr. Harris was. As she approached the study window, she saw George and Travisdeep in conversation.

Who is this man? she wondered. "And why is my brother so interested in him?"

She watched George, noting the way he held himself, the way he looked at her, the way he smiled. There was something appealing about him, but also disturbing. Ashley felt that this man could bring both good and evil to their lives.

After George left, Travis thought about the meeting for a long time. He knew that George's suggestion might be helpful, but at the same time, he was growing uneasy. Something about the man struck him as suspicious, though he wasn't sure what it was.

Ashley couldn't forget George, either. The image of him haunted her thoughts, making her wonder. Who is he? What does he want from them? And why did she care so much about this stranger?

Since then, George began to appear in the palace more and more often. His visits were polite but insistent. He had a way of winning people over, and soon many of the servants took a liking to him. Even Margaret, the housekeeper, who rarely trusted anyone, spoke of him with respect.

But Travis was still wary of George. He saw him as a potential rival and a threat to his sister's well-being. These thoughts haunted him, and he began to think more and more about how to protect Ashley from possible dangers.

Ashley, on the other hand, had mixed feelings. On the one hand, it was interesting to communicate with George, his manner of conversation, his views excited her imagination. On the other hand, she sensed that there might be something dark and dangerous behind his courtesy.

So in the life of Ashley and Travis, George appeared — a man who would radically change their destinies. Neither of them knew yet where this introduction would lead, but there was already a sense of change in the air.

As the days went by, George's influence on life at the palace grew more palpable. He skillfully wove his threads into the fabric of their existence, and gradually the Kembel palace Кембеловbecame the center of the web that this mysterious man was weaving. Ashley and Travis didn't yet realize the extent of the threat, but their future was already sealed.

George watched, waited, and prepared his move. There was a fire of ambition in his eyes, and a darkness in his heart that no one else knew about yet.