It was quiet at first, as the gentlemen settled themselves on the chair by the hearth. Ainara sitting right across from them. Etiquette in society had held these men tongue tied. During balls, men would be mesmerized by Ainara’s beauty, often leading to even the confident men tongue tide. But right now, it was a different case.<br/><br/>“The manor is no longer cheery is it once where when my father was alive,” she said softly, cutting the deafening silence. “It was a quick burial, something he wanted. Quiet and serene.” But it wasn’t serene, it was simply quiet. How can a burial of a man murdered be serene? Ainara, willed a single tear from her eye, all an act. “I’m sorry,” she said, taking a handkerchief from a pocket in her skirt and wiped the tear from her cheek.<br/><br/>“We are deeply sorry for your lost Lady Ainara,” one man said. “It was a surprise, even for the town court to hear of it.”<br/><br/>Ainara just nodded plastering a weak sweet smile. “Thank you my lord. If there is anything I can do to help solve the case, I would.”<br/><br/>The man on the other sit, cleared his throat. “I apologize, it seems we have forgotten decorum,” he said eyeing the man beside him. “I am Sir Donald Conner, your father’s solicitor, and this man is my assistant, Sir Elbert Connam.”<br/><br/>“Yes, I do believe I’ve seen you some time ago talking with father,” she admitted.<br/><br/>“Yes, Lady Ainara, and as protocol, we are here to cite his last will and testament.”<br/><br/>Ainara’s eyes looked at Sir Conner, feigning a little innocence. “But sir, if so, should you not call those who are involved.” The two men looked at each other, before, taking out a piece of rolled paper.<br/><br/>“My lady, you are the only one who is involved in this last will,” Sir Conner said, giving her the rolled parchment.<br/><br/>Ainara looked down at the scroll, wanting to show a knowing smile, but she restrained herself. She pulled the red velvet string and opened the parchment. She was right, everything was indeed left to her. But suddenly she frowned, when her eyes saw what was written at the bottom. “I am to be…married?” she looked up, genuine shock across her eyes.<br/><br/>“My father, put a clause on my inheritance?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. “H-he said, I never had the need to marry.”<br/><br/>Sir Conner shifted on his sit and Sir Conner looked the other way. “Well my lady,” Sir Conner paused. “You are free to use every inheritance, but you will need to marry before you turn twenty in eight months’ time, of our own choosing, of course. But if you failed to do so, your father is giving free reign for a certain Lord Marcus Hawksmith.”<br/><br/><br/>Ainara wanted to scream, but she held her reign on her emotions and simply looked down, rolling the parchment, and returning it to Sir Conner. “Why isn’t Lord Hawksmith here then?” she said, not daring to look at the gentlemen before her.<br/><br/>“Your father placed a specific instruction that he will only be informed after you have read the last will and testament.”<br/><br/><br/><i>Father you and your eccentric ways,</i>she silently said to herself. “This is news to me Sir Conner, for I have grown up with free reign with what I can do with my life. It appears father does have his limits. But I cannot do anything. Thank you for this Sir Conner, Sir Connam. I shall still let you be the solicitor of the household, with new limits of course.”<br/><br/><br/>“Of course, my lady,” sir Conner said. “We shall bid you good bye for now.” With that both the gentlemen stood up, and so did Ainara. At that moment, the butler opened the door, and escorted the men out.<br/><br/><br/>Immediately, Ainara sat behind the desk and started to write a correspondent.