Knock knock.
"My lady, kindly open the gate," said the almost seven-feet-tall slender servant standing outside the door.
A silver-haired maiden sat on a chair writing her final essay for submission.
She stood up, annoyed and irritated at the interruption.
She opened the door, hiding her anger and maintaining a lady's grace.
"Yes, Mr. Keldein. How may I help you?" said the young lady.
"May I enter, Mistress Abagil?" said the servant with his Sandlands accent.
"Yes, come in," she replied.
"Madam, kindly take a seat before hearing this news," he said, gesturing to the chair.
She took the seat, now curious about what the news could be.
Was she being expelled?
Or maybe one of her investments had tanked?
The possibilities rolled into her head until Keldein spoke.
"My lady, it is with great remorse that I inform you that Lord Cambrin Galont died in his sleep yesterday night, but there is good news too."
"Mr. Keldein, surely you jest. That man will only die on his working table," she said, laughing.
"If it was a good prank anyway, but my father… he wouldn't leave me. He promised he will be there at my graduation."
"My lady," Keldein tried to speak.
"Shut up! You are a liar. It can't be. He is not dead," she said, now screaming.
Suddenly realization started hitting her as tears rolled out of her eyes.
Keldein sat beside her, comforting her.
"Why him, Keldein? He was a good man. A good man, I tell you.
He never exploited anyone. Why would this happen to him?"
Suddenly a knock came at the door.
Keldein opened the door. Abagil wiped her tears.
In came Lady Daphiny Martin.
"My ladyship," Abagil tried to speak, but she looked at Keldein and said, "Leave," in a commanding way.
Keldein quickly moved out.
"Oh love, I rushed here as soon as I heard the news," she said with regret.
"I am fine, my la—" Abagil tried to speak again, and she just pulled her into a hug.
"It's alright, love. You can cry on my shoulder. I won't judge," she said, stroking her back.
And suddenly it all came out — screaming cries of despair.
Abagil cried on the shoulder of her ladyship, Daphiny Martin, the daughter of the High Prince of the East.
She cried and cried until she finally reached the acceptance stage.
Then she got on one knee.
"My lady, I shall never forget this."
"It's better if you do. I can tell by experience — it's better to forget the past and look into the future, my dear," spoke Lady Daphiny.
Even though they both were the same age, Lady Daphiny had a strange air of maturity around her.
"So, shall I call him in, Abagil?" asked Lady Daphiny.
"Yes, my lady. I believe now I am ready," she replied.
"You both may come in now," said Lady Daphiny.
Then came Keldein with another female attendant with a similar thin stature, her height a little shorter than his but still tall for a woman.
How did she know there were two of them? thought Abagil to herself.
"Mr. Keldein, you may continue your news," said Abagil.
"My lady, the lord has written you the sole inheritor, giving you complete claim and eliminating the risk of claimants in the process," said Keldein.
"Oh, so now my Abagil is a countess. That would elevate your station closer to mine, dear," said Lady Daphiny.
"My ladyship, why do you insult me so? You can easily buy a viscount title with the income you have created with your investments over the years," said Abagil, laughing.
"But it is not possible, Countess Abagil Galmont," said Daphiny with a sad tone.
"Why, my lady?" asked Abagil.
"Because…" she stopped with a sad look.
"You can't buy a title twice," she said, showing her paper of proof excitedly.
"My lady, you are truly a gem," said Abagil, sharing the excitement.
"Now then, when are you leaving?" asked Lady Daphiny.
"At the latest, my lady," replied Abagil.
"Good. I shall accompany you then," Daphiny smiled.