Cross Rose Requiem

The weather is starting to warm up after winter.The snow in the front and rear gardens of the manor has already melted, and the flowers and plants have sprouted green branches and leaves.

In the afternoon, the craftsman came to the manor with a rectangular wooden box.Butler Anderson took the wooden box and handed over the rest of the payment to him, then carried the wooden box into the fencing room downstairs in the east corner.

Inside, Anthony and Ram are dueling with swords.

It's one of Ram's latest classes to start.After finishing the gentleman's etiquette class for the upper-class nobles every morning, there is a fencing class in the afternoon.

For Ram, he preferred fencing lessons, though he never beat Anthony.

Morning etiquette lessons include social dancing.Maia, who studied etiquette together, became his dancing partner.Yesterday's etiquette guest, because of a mistake, he was deducted from the dinner of the year.This is really not very pleasant.If it was a fencing class, as a novice, even if he made a mistake, he would not suffer any punishment.

After Butler Anderson came in, he walked towards the Duke who was drinking tea while watching Anderson teaching Ram.

Putting the wooden box on the table, the old butler said, "Duke, your cane has been repaired."

So the old butler took out a black and brown walking stick from the wooden box.This cane is extremely precious at first glance.Of course, coupled with the gems inlaid on the head of the cane, this makes the value of the cane even more expensive.

Ram bet the cane would sell for more than £[-].

He thought the duke didn't use any canes, but unexpectedly, he took them for repairs.In the future, he will also buy such a good cane.This is one of the status symbols that show a nobleman.

A distraction, Ram was knocked to the ground again by Anthony.With a sword pointed at Ram's throat, Anthony said: "If this is war, you have turned into a corpse."

"I'm sorry, Anthony," Ram said in shame, then picked up his sword and got up to continue practicing.

On the other hand, the Duke took over the precious cane that he had sent out for repair for nearly two months.He looked at it carefully, and he was very satisfied with the intact cane.

Then, Butler Anderson handed out a letter: "A letter from the countess."

The Duke took it, and he opened it to have a look.Inside, the countess invited him to have afternoon tea.Nodding his head, the Duke said to Anthony who taught Ram how to practice swordsmanship: "Mr. Anthony, please prepare the carriage."

Anthony put away his sword and went out to prepare the carriage.

Picking up his cane, the Duke left the fencing room.Butler Anderson prepared for his departure.

Ram was the only one left in the fencing room.

He lay on the ground panting.

The devil flew in, and it held an apple it didn't know where it came from. While eating it, it said, "Ram, let's play a game."

Once the demon said to play the game, it would be an absolute disaster for Ram.So you must not agree.He picked up his sword and stabbed at the demon.

The demon flapped its bone wings to avoid it, and said, "Come on, Ram!"

Playing "games" with Ram couldn't be more fun.It has been lonely for more than 200 years.Since the owner of Montrose Manor died 200 years ago, no one has been able to see it.Although the manor is full of its legends.

Against the devil, Ram worked hard to learn swordsmanship.

When spring comes, the gardens around Montrose Manor are full of spring blooming flowers.During these three or four months, whenever Sir Salter visited, Ram would stay by the Duke's side every step of the way.In this regard, Sir Salter found him an eyesore.

Ram seems to know something he shouldn't know.But this kind of thing is unknown to the Duke.He did not express Sir Salter's feelings for the duke.Intuition told him that it would be better if he didn't say anything.

Because of this, he gradually hated this hypocritical businessman.

In the garden of blooming flowers, under the warm sunshine, holding a gun, Ram aimed at the target and shot.The bottle exploded in an instant.

This is one of his lessons.

After social etiquette was over, his morning lessons turned into law, arithmetic and shooting.Of course, even if it's over, you still need to practice by yourself in order to maintain proficiency.Fencing is still in the afternoon. After fencing is over, other studies cannot be left behind.

Therefore, now Ram is studying every day, and has almost no free time, and his whole body is full of studies.Maia's words were much more relaxed than him.At least, she doesn't need to learn swordsmanship, shooting, and in the future, horseback riding.

To his delight, the Duke promised to give him a new gun as a gift if he practiced well.

This excites him.In this regard, he studied harder.

After firing all the gun bullets in his hand, when Ram turned and returned to the manor, he heard a familiar call, which was very small, as if he was afraid of being heard by others.

"Ram--"

It's Bernie!

oh!Oh, God!He heard Bernie's voice!

So Ram got into the flowers following Bernie's voice.Bernie, who was hiding in the flowers, caught him and said excitedly: "Ram!" Look!Ram looks like a noble young master now!

Ram was also very happy to see his old friend: "Bernie, I am so happy to see you."

Bernie said excitedly, "Me too. Dear Rahm, it's good to see you're alright!"

"Dear Bernie, I'm fine. Didn't expect you to come to see me at Montrose Manor."

"Of course, you are my most important friend!"

"Thank you, my dear Bernie."

Two friends who haven't seen each other for a long time are talking while hiding in the flowers.Finally, Bernie said, "Come with me, Ram. Let's go back to London and continue working together."

Continue to be a notorious thief?

Ram was taken aback by his friend's words.In the past three or four months, he almost forgot that he was once a thief.

Moreover, he didn't know when he had the freedom to go in and out of the garden and the manor, and he could escape at any time as long as he wanted.But he chose to stay.Now that he has knowledge, even if he follows Bernie, he will no longer be a thief.

Therefore, the current him would never follow Bernie.

So he refused: "I'm sorry, my friend. I can't go with you."

Bernie asked: "Why? You lucky guy, do you want to continue to stay in the manor without freedom?"

Ram said seriously: "Ram, I don't want to be a thief in London being chased by the police again."

Bernie said angrily, "You want to dump me? Oh God! You ungrateful bastard!"

Ram was offended by his words: "When I was caught by the Duke, Bernie ran away like a coward."

Speaking of ungrateful, Bernie is the one who is ungrateful.

Bernie froze, then suffocated and said, "Ram, you are my best partner. I can't lose you."

Ram replied, "But, Bernie, I don't want to be a thief anymore."

Bernie was anxious, but he didn't know how to persuade him.After thinking about it, his eyes lit up, and he said, "I have a plan! As long as we succeed, we can not only become superior people, but also have endless wealth!"

Ram asked curiously, "What plan did you think of?"

Bernie said, "Kill the Duke of Montrose and loot the manor!"

Ram is appalled by his daring plan.Bernie didn't know that the Duke was a terrible man.When he competed with the Duke in swordsmanship, he was completely defeated.Not only that, the Duke's marksmanship is better than Anthony's.

Killed the duke?Oh no.He will never do that.So, he refused: "Bernie, please put down your terrible idea."

Ram has really changed.If it was before, he would definitely agree.Is he really going to lose this friend?This made Bernie unacceptable.So he begged, "Dear Ram, please come back to me."

Ram wanted to open his mouth to refuse, but after thinking about it, he said, "Bernie, I need time to think about it. Well, come to me in three days. I'll give you the answer."

Bernie had to agree: "Okay." Then, his hungry stomach made a "cuckoo" sound.

Poor friend, I must have rushed here to find myself without stealing any food today.Ram said, "Bernie, I'm going to get you some food."

Bernie finally felt better in his heart: "Thank you, Ram."

So Ram got out from the flowers and went to the kitchen in the manor.Avoiding everyone, he grabbed two buns and stuffed them into his pockets, then took a bun in each of his left and right hands.

Holding four buns, he left quietly.

Going back into the flowers, Ram handed four buns to Bernie.The young man who took the buns was so hungry that he devoured three buns.Then put the last bun in your pocket and eat it when you are hungry at night.

After finishing the food, Bernie began to say goodbye: "Thank you Ram. See you in three days!"

"Goodbye."

So Bernie sneaked out of the manor.

In the evening, the Duke came back from Chatsworth Manor after taking a bath, and before going to bed, Ram knocked on his door.

The Duke, who was wearing pajamas and leaning against the head of the bed, heard Ram's intention.He said indifferently: "Ram, there is no philanthropist in Montrose Manor."

Ram looked at the duke in his pajamas collar and said, "Bernie will pay for his bread. He's definitely a loyal servant."

Duke Victor taunted: "A loyalty from a thief?"

Ram bit the bullet and said, "Please Duke, give Bernie a chance."

Duke Victor said, "What if I don't?"

Ram shook hands, and he said firmly, "As long as Bernie can stay in the manor, I will never betray the Duke."

Such a promise undoubtedly sold himself to Duke Victor forever.Unfortunately, Duke Victor said disdainfully: "You are from Montrose Manor. If you dare to betray me, I will personally send you to hell."

Ram couldn't answer for a moment.This ruthless nobleman is not only unkind, but also likes to punish people.

As he took his leave, Duke Victor said: "But summer is coming, and the manor gardens are paid for every year to repair them. Your thief friend stays at the manor, and gets nothing but bread for a penny."

Ram could not help but smile, and he thanked: "Thank you, honorable master." Then, he took his leave and left the duke's room.

Walking towards the room in the west corner building, Ram couldn't help but say to himself: "Bernie will be happy when he hears the news three days from now."