In the stables, the early morning mist had not yet completely dissipated.
Old John had just pushed open the wooden door of his dormitory when he saw a squad of Guards marching in formation through the main stable gate.
He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t mistaken. The Guards were fully ard, their expressions solemn.
"What’s going on?"
Allen walked over, carrying a bundle of hay. He followed Old John’s gaze and froze in surprise.
Duan trotted over from the other end of the stables and said in a low voice, "I just heard from the guy who delivers our als. The Lord Baron fell gravely ill and passed away last night."
The three of them stared at each other, seeing the shock in one another’s eyes.
Old John let out a long sigh and made a gesture as if embracing the stars. "May Oriane guide the Lord Baron’s soul..."
Seeing this, Allen and Duan quickly followed suit, making the sa prayer gesture and muttering the prayer under their breath.
Just then, Murphy returned from the well carrying a bucket of water. He paused for a mont when he overheard their conversation.
He set the bucket down, made the sa devout gesture of embracing the stars, and prayed in a low voice.
After praying, he placed the bucket by the manger and began adding water for Red Leaf.
Duan continued, his voice tinged with regret, "I heard it was a sudden high fever. The doctor worked all night to save him, but he couldn’t be saved in the end."
Allen shook his head. "The Lord Baron has been wearing himself out for the domain all these years. His health has been poor, especially since three years ago... Rember? He hasn’t even attended the Harvest Festival ceremony these past three years."
Old John gazed toward the Inner Castle, his eyes dim. "I’ve served the Duval Clan for thirty years. I saw the prosperity when the previous Lord Baron was in power. To think that now..."
He trailed off, realizing he shouldn’t say any more.
anwhile, Murphy worked on in silence, ticulously grooming Red Leaf’s mane.
Suddenly, a squad of Guards marched toward the stables. The captain at their head spoke in a stern tone, "By order of Lord Kelvin, we are searching the entire city for suspicious individuals. Did anyone hear any unusual disturbances last night?"
Old John stepped forward and answered respectfully, "Sir, we were on duty in the stables all night. We didn’t hear any unusual sounds."
The captain nodded, writing sothing on a clipboard. "The Lord Baron has passed away from illness. Lord Kelvin is worried soone might take the opportunity to cause trouble, so security is being tightened. Don’t wander around unnecessarily for the ti being."
After the Guards left, Allen sighed. "It seems Lord Kelvin is quite grieved, to order such a strict search."
Duan leaned against the stable doorfra. "He was his father, after all. But isn’t a search like this a bit over the top?"
"It’s always better to be cautious," Old John said, picking up a pitchfork to start cleaning the stables. "The domain is in a precarious state right now. With a new Lord about to take over, we have to ensure nothing goes wrong."
"Could it be Siel..." Duan began, but he faltered fearfully under the harsh glares of Old John and Allen.
Murphy just kept on with his work, completely focused.
Seeing Murphy’s composure, the other three quickly returned to their own tasks. Old John resud cleaning the stables, Allen began mixing feed, and Duan went to haul hay.
Old John noticed that Murphy had remained calm from start to finish. Recalling how Murphy had imdiately joined them in prayer and was now so focused on his duties, he couldn’t help but praise him internally. ’As expected of the most outstanding groom of the younger generation, and the one Lord Arthur has his eye on. So sharp.’
The stables fell quiet for a ti, with everyone busy at their tasks.
Only the sound of horses chewing hay and the soft clatter of tools remained.
The sun climbed higher, and the morning chill vanished without a trace.
After a while, the Stable Master hurried over, his expression grave. "Listen up, everyone. Do not leave the stable area for the ti being. Many people will be coming and going from the castle during the Lord Baron’s funeral, and we must ensure the stables remain orderly."
Old John answered on behalf of the others, "Understood. We’ll be sure to do our part."
The Stable Master nodded and added, "The Lord Baron worked tirelessly for the domain his entire life. We must do our jobs well and not disappoint him."
After the Stable Master departed, the n did not take the opportunity to chat again, simply lowering their heads and working in silence.
...
Night fell, and the lights within the castle flickered on one by one.
Murphy lay on a pile of hay in the dormitory, circulating his energy with [Breathing and Guiding].
KNOCK, KNOCK!
At the sound of knocking, he slowly opened his eyes, a black glint flashing within them before vanishing.
"Co in," Murphy said calmly, unsurprised by his visitors.
Bart and Hank pushed the door open, carefully closed it behind them, and lit the oil lamp by the entrance. They then sat down casually on the pile of hay across from him.
"Did you hear?" Bart lowered his voice. "The news about the Lord Baron’s death."
Murphy nodded slightly. "I heard when the Guards ca to search today."
Hank rubbed his hands, looking uneasy. "I went to the South Gate to move so things today and heard the sentries say an urgent ssage was being sent to the South. Do you think... Lord Sylvan will rush back imdiately?"
Bart leaned closer. "I heard that too. The servants are all saying that as soon as Lord Sylvan gets the news, he’ll set off to return north imdiately. Based on the travel ti, he could probably arrive in less than a month."
Murphy was silent for a mont. "Lord Sylvan is the Baron’s Eldest Son. It’s only natural for him to return to mourn his father."
"But..." Hank hesitated. "Lord Kelvin is in charge of the domain now. For Lord Sylvan to co back at a ti like this..."
Bart chid in, "I heard things aren’t going so well for Lord Sylvan in the South. If he really cos back this ti, I’m afraid it won’t be just to mourn."
Murphy sighed. "These are matters for the lords. We should just focus on our own work."
The three of them fell into thought.
Murphy slowly got up, took a few potatoes from a corner, and handed them to Bart and Hank.
Murphy began to peel a potato and said, "Whether Lord Sylvan returns or not, our work won’t change. The Baron’s Domain will need more horses in the future, and we have to make sure every horse is in peak condition."
Bart nodded in agreent but couldn’t help but clutch the potato in his hand. "I’m just worried... If the two lords get into a conflict, what are we servants supposed to do?"
Hank was also worried. "Especially you, Murphy. You’re favored by Lord Arthur now, and Lord Arthur is Lord Kelvin’s trusted confidant..."
Murphy sighed again. "Do our own jobs and stay out of trouble. That’s our duty."
The sound of the night patrol Guards’ footsteps ca from outside the window, and the three of them tacitly fell silent.
Only after the footsteps faded away did Bart say softly, "You’re right. We’re just grooms. Taking care of the horses is what matters."
Hank stood up. "We have to be up early tomorrow. We should head back."
After seeing them off, Murphy extinguished the oil lamp by the door and lay back down on the pile of hay.
In the darkness, a faint black glow emanated from his body, allowing him to rge completely with the night.
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