The Baroness of Surli (11)

 11 

Samh 1.22.1345 09:00

A few days later, Juliabella was happy the pain in her side was finally under control, and she had recovered enough to sit with the family at breakfast. As all of them scanned the daily headlines on their com-tabs, Juliabella gasped as one appeared on her screen.

“The Count of Anorraq, has been lost in a small skirmish along the border of Anorraq and Western Guillway. Although eyewitnesses report that he was shot and fell on the battlefield, with a cry of, “Juliabella, this bullet avenges you!” The estate refuses to hold a funeral until the body is found—making references to the last time the Count was found alive after going missing in battle. Eyewitnesses counter that the Count himself must have believed he had been killed with such a mournful cry. The Count is without issue, so how long the estate will be able to maintain order over the country without a sitting ruler on its throne remains to be seen.” 

“How can it be?” Juliabella cried out and shared the notice with her parents, who exchanged bewildered looks. 

“As you have seen firsthand,” her father said sagely, “battles are messy things. Many men are killed, and we never find their bodies for whatever reason. It is a shame that he died. After all he had done for us, I was looking forward to getting to know him better. 

“I think the estate should just let it go now,” her father continued. “Hopefully, there will be a few moments of peace from the Xiepvu troops after that last massive series of attacks. If one of our countries is to fall into Civil War, it would be better that it happened sooner as opposed to later.”

Juliabella could not believe her parent would go from just yesterday trying to determine how best to show his gratitude to the Count to this almost heartless reaction over his death today. She quickly excused herself from the table and went to her room where she cried inconsolably for the next two hours constantly scanning the com-tab for any new information about what had occurred. 

As the days passed and no new information appeared, she constantly rebuked herself for not having taken the opportunity she had to throw herself at his feet and thank him while he was still in Sintlycia Falls. She earnestly reproached herself for not going to the citadel herself to find him when she heard he was unable to attend dinner with them that first day. 

After three weeks, she too, had given him up for dead, and decided the best she could do was to seek out the woman, who shared her name. If she were the last thought on his mind, he must have cared dearly for her. Juliabella would make sure she had been informed of the details of the incident. 

However, no matter which databases she searched she could not find anyone connected to him intimately who had that name. In fact, all sources reported him to be an incurable bachelor, and for two months, her search was in vain. Finally, she had to admit that even in that small piece of gratitude that she had try to repay, she had failed. Her dreams were often disturbed by her failure. 

The full book is available for sale HERE or check back tomorrow for the next chapter.