Mother's Investment, Father's Downfall

Synopsis

The day the Sinclair estate was seized, Father clung to me, sobbing uncontrollably. He was convinced that his concubine and her illegitimate son had fled under cover of night by his own secret arrangement, believing no one else had the slightest inkling of it. I tugged at his beard, leaning close to his ear until my breath brushed his skin. "Father," I whispered, "Mother knew all along. She packed them three hundred gold coins for their journey." His sobs caught in his throat, fading into stunned silence. He whirled around to face Mother, his face rigid with shock and disbelief. Mother was calmly sorting through our valuables. She didn't glance up, her voice flat and unhurried. "My lord, it's time to go."