Milena had long thoughts about the photographer from yesterday, it was very unusual. Because seeing the man at first sight made her thought it was just a tourist—until he mentioned that he was hired by someone.
Milena had a long tiring day, and two more weeks until the finals. But that thought made her forget the academics for a moment and thought of that photographer.
Later on, the skies had turned dark, and the moon rises to lit up. Milena had changed into her night gown and made her way to downstairs. The smell of rosemary chicken roast had reached her nostrils, she had found herself already in the kitchen. Dawn had just finished preparing their meals, humming to herself as she finished.
"Now call Alena for supper, dear." Dawn said as she spread put three fine plates to the table.
Milena ignored Dawn's favor, instead she sat down on the chair as her lips parted.
"Have you seen the man earlier?"
Dawn paused and looked over at Milena. "What man? I have seen no man."
"But there was a man… A photographer."
"A photographer?" Dawn wrinkled her forehead.
"Yes." Milena nodded. "He had a camera box, taking photos of our property."
"Well..." She thought to herself. "Have you asked who he was?"
"No, he just said he was hired by someone."
"Right…" Dawn thought of it now clearly, she remembered something. Preferably, she assumed that it could be connected to the same thing. "Perhaps it's the same person."
"Same person? Who is it?" Milena asked.
"A noble lady has been sending me letters for a year. She had great interest in buying the property." She spat as if it were too heavy to bring it out of her mouth.
"You never told me that." Her tone a bit surprised as she looked towards Granny Dawn.
"Well, I wasn't planning to, and it's not like I'll give our land away." Dawn chuckled.
"Then who is this noble?"
"Olheimn, Iris." Dawn revealed, as if saying that name was almost a joke. "That is probably why Marquis Olheimn volunteered to investigate farm companies, probably to get a closer look to our property."
"When was it?"
"Just… a month ago." Dawn dragged her words.
"You wouldn't take away the property, right?"
"No they aren't. They had to take out my kidneys first before they take it."
Dawn didn't know why she said 'a month ago' when actually it has been more than a year that she had been receiving letters from Lady Iris. She would recieve a parchment once or twice a month—reminding Dawn to change her heart, and everytime Dawn declines, lady Iris would increase the offered price. However, Dawn would think otherwise and decide to ignore to Iris' request.
Not until the rotting crops incident, Dawn had concluded that Lady Iris had her own father involved in the investigation, in order to take the matters into his own.
But there was nothing those nobles can do. Legally, the land is rightfully theirs to decide whether what to do with it. Only until if they have the duke involved, there could be a possibility he will issue a land proclamation order.
Dawn had thought to herself once again, now more worried than moments before.
"Maybe there is possibility." Dawn mumbled to herself as she turned her back.
Milena hummed, tried to catch what Dawn had said. Dawn was lost in thought by the possibilities of reclaming her land, because this was her life, her happiness, and her source of income.
Later on that evening, they had finished their supper. It was about nine o'clock in the evening already, Dawn was in Alena's room—scolding her because she hadn't fold her laundry today.
Beside the room was Milena's, she was sitting in her vanity whilst reading a novel. She could hear the mumbles of Dawn's scolding, which made her unable focus on reading the book. Milena took the bookmark from the drawer of her vanity, the bookmark that Duke Laurus had given to her. She slowly slid the novel to the bookshelf, and made her way to her bed.
It was then she thought about the duke once more. She traced the flower petals with her fingers before shutting the book closed, then placed it in back to the bookshelf. She led herself to lay in bed, avoiding the image of the duke in her head.
"You must rest." She told herself as she clicked the lamp to close.
***
The cigarette scent lingered all over the room. The smoke curled to the high ceilings as the chandelier remained unlit, casting amber glows in his study. Laurus leaned in his chair, his left arm rested on the arm rest, while the other hand held the telephone to his ear. His tie was hung loose around the collar, and one button of his shirt was undone, revealing the edge of his collarbone.
"Yes…" He muttered. "We must retire for the night and discuss this settlement tomorrow."
There was a long pause. He exhaled slowly a cigarette that was balanced between his two fingers.
He ended the phone call soon after, setting it down with a soft click. His cigarette was already short, so he stubbed it onto a crystal ashtray.
Three knocks was suddenly heard from the door, and Laurus had been waiting for this all night. Pilmer entered the room, in his hand was a brown envelope. Pilmer reached to the duke and handed him the brown envelope.
"He printed it out as sooner than I expected." Laurus said as he grabbed the envelope.
When he opened the envelope, it revealed black and white photographs, he checked one by one as he slid the photographs— it was a land, a forest, a river, then a farm, and a cottage.
When he saw these photos, he couldn't deeply comprehend why Iris was obsessed on buying the land. To him, the land looked ordinary—somewhat mediocre.
"The photographer mentioned something." Pilmer cleared his throat.
"What is it?" Laurus asked, busying himself by scanning the photos.
"He said that a woman had caught him taking photographs of the land, she must be a resident there."
"Who could this woman be?" Laurus paused himself from checking the pictures.
'Could it be you, Milena?'
"He didn't mentioned anything about the woman. Regardless, he thought that the woman thinks he is suspicious."
Laurus nodded as a response. To Pilmer, the duke looked uninterested by the topic, he didn't say more after, he waited until the duke spoke.
"You may rest for tonight now." Laurus stood up.
"Understood. Good night, your grace." Pilmer bowed and left the room soon after.
Laurus started to feel the strain in his shoulders. He had been busy in the afternoon—reviewing documents. He grabbed the clear pitcher of water and a glass that was on the other table. When he sat down on the couch, he poured himself a drink.
He refreshed his dry throat with Milena in his mind, her image kept appearing more when he already finished his glass of water. He slowly leaned on his back, while his cold gaze was distant.
He kept thinking of her.
He remembered looking at her lips, those lips covered in warm red lipstick. He wondered what it would look like if he'd see those bare lips up close.
Milena, the name repeated in his head.
Laurus wanted to see her again, he didn't know why, he just wanted to see her, again.