Chương 49: Book 2 Chapter 1 - Meeting The Family

The next day, Kiara and Dustin met with the new servants and families one by one. Kiara let Dustin do the talking. A few accepted jobs from Dustin at the new businesses he had opened. Others wanted to go back to their old lives, as expected. Many needed time to process, and were offered the chance to stay at the Yountal Estate for the time being, while they made up their minds on what to do next.

The servant quarters were cramped with all of the newcomers, but they knew it was only temporary while everyone adjusted. Dustin had organized the meetings with the newcomers, and he saved Kiara's family for last. She wondered if that was by chance, or if he knew that they were her family. She wouldn't be surprised to find out that he knew somehow, he had a scary knack for figuring that kind of stuff out.

As her family came into Dustin's office, the large receiving room on the ground level, a lump formed in Kiara's throat. It had been months since she had died. Months of worry and stress, trying to get back home, then trying to get her family to safety. Now, having them here in her home, she was overcome. She wanted nothing more than to tell them that she was Kiara, that she loved them, that she was home. She knew, of course, that the World Engine wouldn't allow her to do anything of the sort.

She had mixed emotions. Joy at seeing her family, at them being safe from the situation that had tormented them for the past few months. Pain at being here with them yet unable to reveal her true identity. Some fear about what opinions they might hold of her as Shian Yountal. She hadn't expected it, but she also felt a little bit of anger at the World Engine, now that she was here with her family, so close yet so far away.

It was clear that her family members had mixed opinions about her, and she realized that she would have to work extra hard as Shian to build that trust back up. The emotions welled up inside of her. She held back the tears, but her eyes glistened. Dustin glanced at her, an unreadable expression on his face, then offered her family chairs to sit in. Ron, her father, seemed concerned for her well-being as he noticed her teary eyes, but he refrained from saying anything.

He also glanced at the broken table off to the side, and narrowed his eyes at it momentarily. A hint of almost-subconscious familiarity flashed across his eyes, like when you see something that looks familiar, but you aren't sure where you've seen it before, or if maybe you're just imagining it. Gentry, her mother, was pre-occupied with holding Gabe, who was chattering away happily on her lap, completely unaware of his surroundings.

It made Kiara's heart happy to see him doing so well; she had worried that the sudden violence in Lord Grivalt's estate the day before might have scarred him in some way. Ava, her younger sister, was doing her best to be civil, but kept flashing looks of anger and disrespect towards Kiara and Dustin whenever she thought they weren't looking. She seemed to hate Shian Yountal for some reason, Kiara wasn't sure why.

"Thanks for taking the time to meet with us," Dustin began. Kiara's parents both bowed respectfully from their seated positions.

"Of course, Lady Yountal, Master Savage," Ron replied, "we are happy to serve in whatever way you wish." The news of all of the rescued servants being released from their indentured servitude either hadn't reached their ears, or hadn't sunk in yet. Dustin expounded on that point, "Your indentured service debts have been completely resolved, not just transferred, I want to start by making that perfectly clear. You are free to go where you wish and do as you wish."

He paused to let that sink in, and Ron and Gentry shared a hopeful look. Ava's subtle glare was replaced by a look of surprise, followed by suspicion, after which she looked to her parents to help gauge what her proper reaction should be. Gabe took his mom's distraction as an opportunity to slip off her lap and begin wandering the room. She let him, sparing him a quick glance before turning her full attention back to what Dustin was telling them.

"Should you wish to return to your old lives, that is of course an option, but first we wish to discuss potential employment with you here, at the Yountal Estate. Assuming you are interested, you would be integrated with the other servants here, and paid a fair wage. We can discuss whatever vocations interest you and find suitable positions for you amongst the staff." Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Looks of hope had now been replaced by looks of astonishment and slight confusion. Being released from their debts was one thing, but offering them continued positions of employment was another. Usually, employment at the estate of a powerful merchant family required years of experience, and was competitively sought after by many talented people. It seemed that her parents weren't sure what to make of the offer. Gabe had wandered over to the broken table, which was like a magnet for a three year old's curiosity.

Sharp wooden splinters posed a slight danger if he tripped or fell, which wasn't all that unlikely at his age. Kiara's big-sister instincts kicked in, and she got up and went to retrieve him without even realizing she was doing it.

"Come here, Gabe," she said sweetly, hoisting him up onto her hip. He squirmed for a moment, wanting to be put back down near the table again, then stopped when he saw who was holding him. He cocked his head slightly to the side, stared at her for a second, then a smile lit up his face and he gave her a tight hug around her neck.

"Sissy!" he exclaimed as he went in for the chokehold of a hug. Kiara's heart melted on the spot, and she embraced him in return, the tears she'd been restraining now flowing freely from her eyes. After a brief moment, she wiped her eyes and turned to head back to her seat, then saw that everyone was staring at her. Dustin had a twinkle in his eyes, conveying his thoughts of 'I knew it'.

Ron was studying her with a look of sadness, certainly reminiscing about the loss of his own daughter, who had been close to Shian's age. Gentry's face was a mixture of relief from Gabe being rescued from the potential danger the table posed, along with being appalled at Gabe's actions. Kiara knew her mother well enough to guess what she was thinking, she had seen that face plenty of times from Kiara's own proclivity for breaking things at inopportune moments.

Here they were, meeting with representatives from a powerful merchant house, one of which had recently defended them from the insane actions of Lord Grivalt, and now her son had mistaken that very person for their deceased daughter. How embarrassing. Ava looked absolutely livid. Possibly angry at the fact that she had lost her older sister, and this situation was reminding her of that fact. That loss was still very recent, all things considered. Ava was the first to speak, "Gabe, get down. She is not your sister."

Gentry's face morphed into one of pure alarm, and she quickly placed a hand on Ava's shoulder.

"Ava," she hissed, "behave yourself." Ava whirled to face her mom, fire in her eyes, but Gentry's look silenced whatever retort she had been about to give. Instead, she glared at the ground.

"I apologize, Lady Yountal," Ron said apologetically, "as you know, we recently lost our oldest daughter, and the pain is still very fresh for our family… It would seem that in Kiara's absence, little Gabe has taken a liking to you. You are, of course, welcome to keep holding him if you wish." Kiara glanced at Dustin. His face was a perfect mask of social propriety, as always, but she could have sworn he was holding back his amusement at the situation.

She placed Gabe back on the ground, smiling as he made his way back over to Gentry.

"No, it is I who must apologize," she said in reply to Ron.

"I saw him near the broken table, and was worried he might hurt himself. I acted without thinking, it was not my place."

"Please," Gentry said, flustered.

"Don't apologize, Lady Yountal. You did what any respectable person would have done. I will keep a closer eye on him."

"Your actions were appreciated, Lady Yountal," Ron added with a gentle smile.

"They seemed almost instinctive. Do you have children of your own? Or younger siblings, perhaps?" Kiara smiled gently as she sat back down. She wanted nothing more than to answer that question, but was unable to. She felt her throat tightening up just thinking about responding. After that silence stretched for a few seconds, Ron cleared his throat and awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"Ah… sorry. That is, of course, none of my business. My apologies if I caused any offense." Dustin, whose mask of calm had been replaced now by a look of gentle concern for Kiara, interjected.

"Not to worry, Mister Dunsun, I can assure you that Lady Yountal is not offended in the slightest." He paused and thought for a moment, then added, "You are very special to Lady Yountal. All of her employees and estate staff are. If employment here at the estate doesn't interest you, we also have quite a few small businesses here in Easton, and can find a place for you there, if you prefer." Ron hesitated for a moment, then asked the obvious question.

"Why? The offer is, of course, appreciated, but also very unexpected, your ladyship. We are humble farmers, quite inexperienced with most matters of business." Dustin nodded softly.

"We know. We're not expecting any kind of pre-existing talent or work experience coming into this. We can give you the training you need in order to succeed. We simply want to help ensure a smooth transition for everyone coming in from Lord Grivalt's estate. We want to make sure that everyone has a way to provide for themselves while they get used to normal living again."

"That is very generous of you," Ron replied with a polite bow of the head.

"Might we have some time to discuss this as a family?"

"Of course!" Dustin responded, with a bow of his own.

"Take all the time you need. In the meantime, you can remain here at the estate. I am here most mornings and nights, so you know where to find me once you've had a chance to discuss it."

"We don't wish to intrude on your hospitality…" Gentry said hesitantly. Dustin waved off their concerns.

"It's no problem at all, Mrs Dunsun. Truly, it is our pleasure to host you here as long as you wish."