141 Hidden Resolve
Music Recommendation: Phone call- Stuart Earl
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In the town of Woodlock, late in the night, Noah Sullivan stepped inside the mansion that belonged to his family. He was greeted by the butler, who bowed his head and took Noah’s coat off him.
“Would you like me to tell the cook to prepare the dining room for you?” the butler politely asked him.
“I already had my dinner outside, Marshall. I would appreciate a glass of whiskey sent to the study room,” said Noah, and the butler bowed.
“I will be there with it quickly, Sire.”
Noah nodded, but before the butler could leave, he asked, “Did everyone sleep?”
But it wasn’t the butler who answered him but his mother, who stepped into the hall with a shawl draped around her shoulders. His mother had the same black hair as him and walked up to him.
The butler bowed and left his side while Noah turned to his mother. Leaning forward, he kissed her cheeks, “Isn’t it a little too late for you to be awake at this hour, mother?”
“How could I when my son is out and hasn’t returned home,” his mother smiled at him. “Your father hasn’t slept yet either. His hand is troubling him again.”
“Did you call in the physician?” Noah’s eyebrows furrowed, and his mother placed her hand on his arm.
“Yes, the physician came to take a look at him earlier this day. The nerves are acting up again and he’s been given some medicines to take. He’s in the drawing room,” his mother let him know.
Noah and his mother walked from the hallways and reached the drawing room. His father sat on the armrest with his left arm stretched forward.
“Welcome home, Noah. Long day?” Questioned his father, and Noah bowed his head and smiled. His father’s hair had turned completely grey, but the colour of his eyes hadn’t diminished.
“A little longer than usual. How is your hand?” asked Noah, coming to stand before his father.
“Better than always. It is good that you are here, your mother and I were talking about you a while ago,” his father moved his other good hand to point towards the empty chair next to him, and Noah took a seat. His mother was next to occupy another seat while watching her husband and son. The older man said, “The Chambers family arrived in town last morning, and I was hoping you could show their daughter Anaya a few places in town. You have met her before, haven’t you? She’s a lovely young lady.”
A subtle smile appeared on Noah’s lips, knowing what his father and mother were thinking. He agreed, “She is, but I believe she would be far more comfortable in mother’s company or another suitable woman of her own age. Besides, I am busy this week with work.”
“The young lady specifically asked for your company. It doesn’t have to be this week, as they are going to stay in town for longer. Maybe months,” informed his father, before adding, “The Chambers family were hospitable when we went to visit them previously and it is only right that we show them the same generosity and nothing less from it.”
Noah continued holding the subtle smile, and he said, “I will see what I can do, father.”
His mother quickly said, “Mr. and Mrs. Chambers’ daughter has turned into a very fine lady. I think she would be a good match for you. You need someone for yourself, someone you can lean on.”
Noah’s mother had watched him interact and exchange words with women, but it never went anything more than that and somewhere worried her. There was always a wall between her son and the woman who tried to gain his attention. And though he was always polite, he didn’t seem to be interested in taking it forward.
“Is there someone that you like or has caught your eye?” Asked his mother with a hopeful look.
To his mother’s words, his father responded, “If you are going to choose a woman for yourself, it better be a she-wolf. A human’s vitality is low and any other creature is out of question,” the older man’s words were firm, and his eyes held utter seriousness in them.
Noah smiled at his parents’ words and said, “I will let Lady Anaya know when to make the arrangement for us to meet.”
The current Duke of Woodlock had no interest in marrying anyone. Over the years, somewhere, he had decided to not marry anyone as he knew he wouldn’t be able to give his all into the relationship. But the importance of upholding the family name and to carry the lineage weighed on him, to be an example to the other werewolves so they could maintain peace. Noah knew how important it was to stay in a position that had power, for the future he wanted to build.
Excusing himself after wishing goodnight to his parents, Noah reached his study room and dropped the constant smile he wore everyday.
Though Noah was in Woodlock, his mind was in Darthmore, where the young blonde woman was in the council.
He didn’t forget the feeling of her in his arms, and he wished he was the one to be able to comfort her during hard times like this. But he couldn’t give her hope. A few things couldn’t be crossed, and this was where his help ended. At the same time, it made him wonder for how long he would be able to hold his resolve.
Noah’s thoughts went back to a few years ago when he was walking next to his father in the market. It was a sunny morning, and his father was talking to one of the officials of Meadow as they walked.
‘These grounds aren’t perfectly safe. Though away from the shore, the denser parts of the forest make homes to these witches, pulling the humans to their side to follow them,’ spoke the official to his father. ‘Two months ago we had to set the witches and the humans following the witches on fire. The townsfolk were shaken by it.’
‘By the burning or the existence of the witches?” Questioned Noah’s father. ‘If it’s burning, you might as well check again if we have other creatures in here.’
‘Of course, Duke. I have already confirmed and there’s no more creatures now…’
Noah, who walked next to his father, noticed a girl who had golden blonde hair that appeared to be nothing less than the rays of sun that had descended on the ground. The young girl moved her hands and eyes expressively as she spoke to a servant who accompanied her.
The girl was smiling and she walked past Noah, who stopped in his tracks. He turned his head, his eyes following the girl while he appeared stunned seeing her.
‘What are you doing by standing there, Noah?’ his father questioned him, with a displeased look in his eyes. ‘Keep distance from the lowly creatures. Come now.’
Returning to the present, Noah’s face turned grim. He had always watched over Eve from a distance so that she would be safe. But she had ended up in Vincent Moriarty’s company–a pureblooded vampire, who had a bad reputation.