Work Text
/January 1919/
"Colby, my dear, I would like to introduce you to your new valet."The young lord of the Granger family estate let out an exasperated sigh and turned around to see who his dear mother had brought in this time."Mother, how many times do I have to tell you. I can dress and undress myself–"He stopped in his sentence as his gaze fell on the man standing behind Lady Gallent, looking around the room. Apparently he was very much in awe of the rooms and the furnishings of the estate, for his gaze was alert and interested. Colby remembered other servants who had cared little for the estate and he was surprised that this one was different.The lord eyed his counterpart critically. The man was not very tall, about a head or two shorter than Colby. He had short blond curls that were already graying slightly. He stood upright, his hands clasped behind his back, seemingly ready to comply with a request.When his gaze wandered away from the majestic chandelier dangling high above them and met his new master, he nodded politely."Don't be so rude! Of course you need a valet. You are a lord!"Colby looked from the man to his mother, who gave him a warning look.Sometimes Colby really wondered why he allowed her to talk to him like that. He was the lord – she said so herself. So she had no right to approach him like that. But then he recalled in his mind that this woman had given him life and raised him and he bit his tongue, letting her get away with the harsh tone."All right, Mother," he replied, sighing in resignation, and received a satisfied nod in response before his mother left the room, saying, "I hope you'll be dressed sensibly for dinner tonight."The door slammed shut and silence fell over the room.All that could be heard was the smaller man clearing his throat and the ticking of the clock.Colby wanted to say something to break the silence, but then decided not to.Tick, tick, tick ...The clock ticked and ticked incessantly and Colby felt as if it was louder than usual. Was he imagining things?Tick, tick, tick ...Colby admired his counterpart's ability to just stand there unmoved and do nothing. And yet it seemed to him that the man was uncomfortable, because he swallowed and cleared his throat quietly again.Tick, tick, tick ...Would he really say nothing? Didn't it feel ... didn't it feel strange at all?It annoyed Colby a little. If the man said anything, he could accuse him of being impatient or rude for not letting the lord speak first. But he just kept quiet!Tick, tick, tick ...Colby sighed and subsided."So you really don't speak at all without being asked, eh?"The man nodded and for the first time a few words left his mouth. "Well, I don't think that would be exactly polite to a man of your rank, m'lord."Colby couldn't help but laugh and grin. Not only because the man's voice was quite high for his gender, but also because of what he said."What's your name?" Colby asked, getting the typical getting-to-know-you routine out of the way. He hated formalities."Lawrence. Lawrence Fleinhardt."Another laugh from the lord followed and he shook his head in disbelief."My goodness ... Do you have an equally terrible middle name? My condolences."Colby patted the man comfortingly on the shoulder and walked past him to a shelf where glasses and a bottle of whiskey stood. He poured himself some before turning back to Lawrence Fleinhardt."I'll call you Larry."The man blinked a few times in irritation and seemed to consider whether he should say something back or not. Probably no one had ever done such a thing before. Most lords called their servants by their last name. But Colby didn't necessarily want to be one of them."As you wish, m'lord."Colby had expected a protest, but Larry just seemed to accept everything as he was told.Colby cleared his throat briefly and searched for words to bring the conversation to an end."Good. Then we're done with the whole getting-to-know-you thing. Although I don't think I need a valet, I do hope we'll get along well."Lawrence nodded again."I will do my best, m'lord.""That... That will be all."Colby glanced meaningfully at the door leading out of the room into the hallway."All right, m'lord."With a short bow, the valet took his leave. He made his way quickly to the door, which was opened at that very moment, and almost bumped into an elegantly dressed lady."P- Pardon, m'lady."He immediately apologized and tried to hide the embarrassed blush on his face by bowing deeply.The woman simply looked at her counterpart for a few moments before smiling kindly."It ... really is no problem. After all, nothing happened to me.<<She put a hand on the man's shoulder and he straightened up again, looked into the woman's pretty green eyes and, after nodding apologetically once more, left the room.Colby rolled his eyes. He hadn't expected his wife back home yet. Wasn't she supposed to be away for a few days?"Jocelyn, you're already back?" he asked, taking a few steps forward and giving the auburn-haired woman a kiss on the cheek. He sensed that she wasn't very enthusiastic about it, but neither was he. The lord sighed inwardly.Their marriage had been arranged by his father. He had not wanted to take Lady Jocelyn Smith as his wife, but his father had insisted that he needed a lady of the highest standing. And she was.She was of noble blood, beautiful and elegant to boot. Colby could not deny that his wife was a feast for the eyes and he was aware that many men envied him. But ... he didn't love her. And neither did Jocelyn love him. He knew that for a fact. But they had to continue to act as a couple, otherwise the Granger household would be the talk of the town. It would be the focus of critics in the press and the divorce would be a scandal. And Colby didn't want that. Neither for Jocelyn, nor for his mother and him. His father had been involved in a riding accident a few years ago. His horse had apparently fallen down a slope and the former Lord Granger had not survived the fall. Colby ached at the thought of his father. He had not always made the best decisions, but he had always been there for his son. Colby would never forget him."Lady Benett is unfortunately ill and I had to leave early," Jocelyn answered the question, interrupting his thoughts."I hope it's nothing too serious."Colby poured some more into his glass and took a sip. Maybe the alcohol would help him forget his worries."She'll be well again soon, I'm sure."Jocelyn sat down on the sofa and picked up a book that was on the small table next to it. She leafed through it and asked without looking up, "Who... was that just now?"Colby sat down on the armchair opposite the sofa."Mother said I needed a new valet.""I hope this one will stay a little longer than the others."The lord looked at his wife in astonishment. What was that in her voice? He hadn't heard that tone for a long time. It was something like ... interest. What did she care if his new valet stayed and for how long?"We'll see."Colby also picked up a book, even though he didn't exactly consider reading to be his greatest hobby, but he had to keep himself occupied somehow. And so they sat there, silent, absorbed in their own thoughts. As always. "Good afternoon. You must be Mr. Fleinhardt, right?"When Lawrence, now Larry, entered the servants' meeting room, he was greeted by a young lady with black hair. Judging by her uniform, she was probably a lady's private maid."Yes, that would be me. How are you doing?"He extended a hand in a friendly manner and the lady shook it gently."It's nice to meet you. I am Liz Warner, Lady Granger's maid.""I am equally pleased, Miss Warner. May I ... sit here at the table and take care of Lord Granger's shoes?"He looked down at the black patent leather shoes in his hand, which he had decided to clean first."Of course, please. Every employee is allowed to do their duties here."Larry sat down and began his work. As he did so, the room filled up with more and more people. Maids and servants all came in and sat down at the table. They asked Lawrence all sorts of questions and he tried as best he could to get to know everyone and remember their names.There were the two servants, Darrel and Charles, with whom he got on well straight away. They were both polite and fun.Then there was the cook, Miss Lake, and the kitchen maid, Allison.There were a few maids. Juliette was very likeable and so was Nikki.His friends would probably not include the butler Mr. Adams and the chambermaid Alexandra. Lawrence didn't know what it was exactly, but there was something about the way they both acted that bothered him. They were whispering all the time and from the few snippets he overheard, he concluded that they were talking badly about some of the staff. That wasn't very friendly! But he wouldn't call them on it. After all, Mr. Adams had hired him and he didn't want to mess things up with him on his first day. So Larry decided to keep quiet.At 7 o'clock he made his way to the lord's dressing room to get the right clothes ready for his lordship's dinner. "I hope Lady Granger has forgiven me for the embarrassing collision, m'Lord?" Lawrence began a conversation as he helped Colby fasten the buttons on the sleeve of his shirt.The lord couldn't help but grin."So you do talk without being asked, Larry."The valet faltered in his movement to fasten the last button and cursed himself inwardly."E- Excuse me, m'lord. I didn't mean to ..."Colby immediately rolled his eyes and interrupted him, "My goodness, that was a joke. Can't you take a joke?"Larry looked up at him from the buttons and the Lord could see how uncomfortable he was."W‐well, m'lord, speaking without being asked in some of my previous workplaces was ... not allowed. For that reason, I am very careful in these cases."His eyes suddenly looked into nothingness as he seemed to remember something. It weren't good memories, obviously.Colby realized something was wrong and he tried to lighten the situation. He didn't know exactly why, but somehow he liked the new valet more than the previous ones."Then we should change that now. If you want to tell me something, then talk to me, you understand? Whether I ask a question or not."Larry's gaze came back to reality and he blinked a few times before his eyes met Colby's.An attempt at a smile showed on his face and he nodded."I understand, m'lord. Thank you."He walked over to the chair where he had laid out the clothes and helped his lordship put on the jacket, which he then brushed off the last of the dust."Have you settled in well downstairs?" Colby asked as he looked at himself in the mirror and saw Larry nod."I have, m'lord. Everyone is very friendly.""Good."Colby sighed and thought about dinner before continuing, "I guess I'll move to the dining room then. See you later."He walked to the door and opened it slowly, but turned around before doing so."Ah, to answer your question. Lady Granger has forgiven you. Even if I don't see what there was to forgive in the first place."With these words, the lord left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving Larry alone so that he could lay out his clothes for the night. "I'm glad you're back with us, Jocelyn. Even if the reasons are not particularly pleasant," Lady Gallent greeted her daughter-in-law and she nodded with a polite smile."I'm very glad too, Linda," she replied before taking a sip of her wine."It really is a shame that Lady Benett has fallen ill. What's the matter with the poor lass?""Probably the flu."When Jocelyn saw her mother-in-law swallowing hard, she immediately added, "Don't worry, it's certainly not the Spanish flu."Colby looked from his mother's still chalky face to his wife, who smiled reassuringly at her.The Spanish flu. How many more lives would this damn disease take? The war had already taken enough lives. He himself had spent some time in the war zones, had fought for his country, had seen so many innocent people die. They were horrible memories. All the death, the blood – he wanted to forget it. But he knew he couldn't. His eyes had seen too much cruelty. The lord was simply glad that he had returned home alive.And now it was this terrible flu that had already killed so many people. Would it come to their home too?Colby hoped it didn't turn out that way. Hoping – that was all he could do, but maybe it was enough."Let's talk about something positive instead, shall we?"The women's eyes turned to him."For example, about the fact that you're dressed sensibly?" Jocelyn suggested and Colby laughed."For example, yes.""I've always said he needs a valet", Linda whispered to Jocelyn, but so loudly that her son could hear it all too well. He suppressed the typical roll of his eyes for his mother's sake."And one who is polite and apologizes even though he is not to blame. I know ladies and gentlemen in this house who find the word difficult to get past their lips."The look she gave Colby told him exactly who she meant.My goodness ... Was it still about the story with her dress? Surely he hadn't spilled a glass of red wine over her favorite dress on purpose! Well ... At least not officially. Jocelyn had argued with him earlier that evening because she thought he didn't care enough about official matters like making a will. According to her, he was 'just living for the day'. At the ball that evening, he had accidentally stumbled with the wine glass in his hand. At least most people thought it was an accident."Well ... If someone is not sorry for something, then there is no need to apologize, is there?" he asked his wife with a feigned smile and she replied."People without decency don't need to do such things, no."The usual tension remained in the air until the end of the dinner. After Lawrence had helped the lord dress again and wished him a good night, he made his way to his room. He was glad that the estate had provided rooms for the staff downstairs, otherwise he would not have known where to live. So everything was well arranged.He remembered the dinner downstairs. Everyone had been really friendly, showing interest and asking questions again. Larry thought that was very polite, even if it had almost been a bit too much for him. He wasn't used to this kind of attention. At his last workplace, everyone had tended to keep to themselves and hardly tried to make contact with others. Here it was completely different – almost like a small family.The valet thought of his family. His mother had died very young, he hardly remembered her, and his father had tried to become a well-known artist until the end of his life. He had failed. Lawrence had decided early on to choose one of the 'normal' professions. He wanted a secure job, a secure income and a secure life. He had worked his way up from the lowest post to valet. And so he had achieved his goal. Security."I can do it, Mr. Adams, believe me."He didn't want to eavesdrop, but as he passed Mr. Adams' door, he heard Alexandra's voice from the butler's study."I can seduce the lord and take that snipe's place.""And what good would that do me?"Larry stood still. What were they talking about? Seduce the lord? Take someone's place? Was that really what he was thinking?"I would make sure that you would always be employed here. And I would put in a good word for you regarding your salary. You could get a lot of money."A silence followed the suggestion. Larry waited tensely for Mr. Adam's response."So you want me to dismiss Miss Warner so that you can be Lady Granger's maid?"Lawrence was startled by these words. Had he heard correctly? The nice Miss Warner was to leave the estate so that these two corrupt people could gain power? That was unbelievable! He had only been here a day and already something like this was happening in the house that he had thought would be different.But what should he do? Should he warn Miss Warner? Should he tell his lordship about the plans? What if they thought he was lying? Larry didn't know what to do. But he couldn't just stand idly by and watch a good person lose their prospects.Never before had he felt so torn."Well ... I'll think about your offer. And now go to sleep."When Larry heard Alexandra's footsteps cross the wooden floor to the door, he hid as quickly as he could in the nearby storage room.Barely breathing, he waited behind the door until he was sure Alexandra had gone. Then he slipped out of the room and went straight to his room.He would have liked to hit himself. Why had he had to eavesdrop? Why hadn't he just kept walking? He had been so stupid.But now it couldn't be helped. He couldn't deny that he had heard the conversation. And even if he could deny it, he would feel uncomfortable in his skin knowing that something bad was being planned here.But he was new to this house, unlike Alexandra and Mr. Adams. Probably no one would believe him if he told the story.With a heavy heart, the valet decided to keep the conversation to himself ... At least until they tried to harm Miss Warner or anyone else.
/April 1919/
As he did every evening, Lawrence made his way to his lordship's room. By now he had settled in very well. He had found friends in Darrel and Charles and was popular among the staff. His life was almost perfect. But his thoughts kept wandering back to the mysterious conversation from the first night he had spent here.Mr. Adams and Alexandra had done nothing about their plan and sometimes it seemed to Larry as if he had imagined everything back then, but then he saw the two of them whispering secretly and immediately imagined all kinds of scenarios. Every evening he sent a silent prayer to heaven because nothing had happened yet.The valet opened the door to the dressing room and was startled."M- M'Lord ... I- You're here already? I- I- I ..."Before he could stammer any more, Colby interrupted him, "I came home early from the walk with mother and I thought I could wait here."His servant stared at him wide-eyed and Colby almost felt a little sorry for him. He hadn't meant to scare the man so much. He was only in the room because he had needed a little distance from Jocelyn. It was incredibly difficult with her at the moment. She was constantly trying to get him to be more serious and take care of all the legal matters. If the lord hadn't known better, he would almost have thought that his wife was planning to kill him. But she wouldn't be capable of such a thing. She would surely be too afraid of being caught.Colby tried to push the thought of his wife out of his mind and focused on the person in front of him.Larry.Colby didn't know what it was, but something about the valet attracted him magically. He was always happy when he had to get dressed again for something, because then Larry would come to him. The conversations with the man were really very interesting and the lord enjoyed teasing his employee because he was so easily unsettled. Although he had to admit that this had changed in the last three months."I hope the walk was restful, m'Lord," Larry finally continued and entered the room fully, closing the door behind him. He was glad that he had laid out the clothes for dinner beforehand, so he didn't have to go searching for anything now."It was all right. Mother's not as easy to annoy as you are."Larry had to smile at this sentence. The lord could be really cheeky; you had to give him that. But he had become accustomed to this manner and had even learned to appreciate it somehow."My greatest pity, m'Lord," he returned and Colby laughed."Do I hear irony in your voice, Larry? You shock me," the taller man said, just as sarcastically, as he took off his old shirt and had Lawrence put on a new one."I'm good for a few surprises, m'lord."He smiled as he said this and picked up the jacket."I believe you, actually. Sometimes you're like an open book and other times you're inscrutable."Colby buttoned his shirt and then held out an arm for Larry to take care of the sleeves."I like to remain unpredictable."Colby was silent for a moment before he said something again."May I ask you something anyway?"Larry looked up briefly from the buttons and then back again."Of course, m'lord.""What's your big dream? I don't think you had a heartfelt desire to help grown-up spoiled men get dressed, did you? So what's your dream?"It took a while for Larry to answer. He was silent while he fastened the buttons on the other sleeve and brushed off the jacket."Well?" Colby asked again."I'm interested in ... in the stars."The answer wasn't very loud, but still loud enough for Colby to hear."The stars?" he asked and Lawrence nodded."Yes, m'lord. I would like to know more about the stars. How far away are they from us? Why are they there? What are they made of? There are so many questions I'd like to find out."Even though Colby had to admit that he had never thought about these questions before, he thought it was nice to hear Larry talking about something so happily and with such interest. The valet really seemed to have lost his heart in the starry sky. It was nice when someone loved something so much."But... helping adult spoiled men get dressed is nothing to sneeze at either."Colby laughed. Larry had really loosened up in the last few months. In the past, he would never have given such an answer."If you say so, Larry, then I guess it's true.""Done."Larry finished brushing the jacket and Colby turned to him, placing a hand on his shoulder."Never forget your dream, will you?"For a brief moment, the two men just looked into each other's eyes and said nothing. The silence was not uncomfortable, rather calm and gentle. And neither wanted to break it, it was too beautiful. Finally, Larry nodded with a smile."Understood, m'lord. I won't."And Colby nodded as well."That's good."He went to the door, but stopped when he heard Larry's voice."M'Lord?"The lord turned around."Yes?""What ... what is your dream, m'lord? I mean ... You have wealth, recognition – all the things many people wish for. But what do you wish for?"Colby hesitated for a moment, then smiled mischievously."Find out."He opened the door, left the room and closed it behind him. For a moment, Lawrence just stood there, looking thoughtfully at the closed door. Then he just shook his head, laughing softly, adjusted the new clothes and left the room himself."Larry."It was unusual to be called that by someone other than Lord Granger. Downstairs, everyone called him Mr. Fleinhardt and Lady Gallent only referred to him by his surname.The valet turned and caught sight of Lady Granger coming down the corridor towards him."Good evening, m'Lady. May I be of assistance to you?"The pretty woman glanced around the corridor, apparently to make sure no one else was there but the two of them."I think so, Larry. Can ... we talk undisturbed in the dressing room?"The valet immediately opened the door again and let the lady go first before entering the room himself and closing the door behind him."I- is everything ... all right, m'lady?"Uncertainty coursed through Larry's body as Lady Granger slowly paced back and forth in the room."D-did I do something wrong?"Jocelyn looked up from the floor and took a few steps towards Lawrence."Oh no. You ... you didn't do anything wrong. In fact, I think you're extremely perfect."Larry felt the blood rush to his cheeks as they suddenly became very warm."T-thank you for that compliment, m'lady."Jocelyn walked on again, coming closer and closer to her counterpart until she finally stood very close to him and placed her hands on the door behind Lawrence, trapping him between her arms. The valet blinked in confusion and didn't know what to say. But he didn't have to say anything, because Lady Granger was already talking."Listen, Larry. I really admire you and ... I was thinking that ... well ..."Slowly, she leaned forward so that her face was close to Larry's. He tried to back away, but the door was behind him."M-m'La ..."He didn't get any further, because Jocelyn's lips were already touching his.He didn't want to. He felt nothing for the woman in front of him, but he couldn't fight it. If he pushed her away, he might lose his job. He would lose the secure life he had built up for so long in the blink of an eye. And worse still – he would have to leave his lord! He didn't want that. He didn't want to leave Lord Granger! So he let the kiss wash over him and didn't resist.When Jocelyn ended the kiss and pulled away, she smiled silently."I trust that you won't ... tell anyone about this, yes?"Larry simply nodded, saying nothing.He took a step to the side and let Lady Granger leave the room. Then he closed the door and swallowed. No ... He wouldn't tell anyone about this or he would lose everything. His job, his current home and the person who meant the most to him. No ... He would remain silent.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
/August 1919/
"Larry!"The valet turned around when he heard a familiar voice behind him.Colby came running along the path towards him. Lawrence immediately stopped to wait for his lord. Nevertheless, he sighed inwardly. He had hoped that he would at least have had some time to himself on the way to the village."Where are you going?" Colby asked as he reached his servant and he slowly started moving again."I was just going to the village post office to send a letter, m'lord. I'll be back in time for dinner, though."Colby made a dismissive gesture with his hand."Don't worry, I trust you. As it happens, I was going to the village too. Won't you ride in the car with me?"Larry thought for a moment, but then shook his head."Thank you for the offer, m'Lord, but I prefer to walk," he declined gratefully.Colby looked around. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, all the plants were in bloom – it was a wonderful day. Why did he actually want to be chauffeured by car? He could just as well go with Larry."You know what? Your idea is a good one. I'll walk too."Although Lawrence would have preferred to have some time to himself, this company was not as unpleasant as he had first assumed. They were silent for a while, just listening to the birdsong and the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. Larry closed his eyes for a moment and simply enjoyed the peace, pushing away all the bad memories of the last few months. He blocked out Lady Granger's first kiss and all the other things that had happened between him and her afterwards. He didn't want to think about it because it hurt him how weak he was. Why didn't he stand up to her? No ... He couldn't. He would be dismissed because who knew what Lady Granger would tell the public. The truth? Hardly."Will you be coming to the annual ball of the nobility and staff tomorrow night?" Colby broke the silence and Larry gave him a quick glance before looking back at the path in front of them."Do I have a choice not to go?" he asked, something slightly teasing in his voice."Of course. You might as well stay downstairs in your room and spend the evening alone, but ...,"the lord hesitated briefly and Larry followed up, "But?"It felt like half an eternity until Colby finally finished his sentence."But I would really like to have you there with me."Again the two men were silent as they continued on their way and for a moment Colby feared that his valet would not speak to him at all. But finally he just smiled and replied, "Then I shall appear at the ball."Colby had to smile too and he didn't even realize it, but the rest of the way his walk was much more liberated, almost a little skip.Actually, he couldn't really stand the ball because there were so many guests who bored him with their stories of nobility. He always had to pretend to be interested and on top of that, which was far worse, he had to make nice with Jocelyn. The two of them had to look like a happy couple so that no one would notice what was really going on between them. He hated those moments to death. But this year would be different. Because Larry was there. And that was great luck. With every guest he had to greet, Colby became more and more bored. Some of the people he didn't even know by name. They were old friends of his father's with whom he talked every year, but still didn't know exactly who they were. This was mainly because he hardly listened when these men and women talked about their money or their fame."You forget to smile," Jocelyn whispered to him as she leaned over to him. Colby did the same and said softly, "No wonder, when you're standing next to me."When he saw the false smile disappear from his wife's face for a moment, he couldn't help but grin."Good evening, Lord Ingre," he greeted the next guest and the other man merely nodded briefly in greeting. How Colby hated this pompous show-off. He couldn't understand why this man was so sought after by women. But the lord pushed his annoyance aside when he saw Larry standing in a corner of the room with two other servants. He was talking animatedly and laughing at a joke made by Jocelyn's maid.Colby had rarely seen his valet so liberated and carefree. It made him happy that Larry seemed to have settled in really well. The day before he had been a little uptight again, as if something had been bothering him, but now he seemed to be loosening up again.Colby smiled as Larry looked over at him and he did the same. For a moment they just looked at each other until the lord was distracted by an elbow in his ribs. He looked to the side and saw that Jocelyn was pointing out the new guests entering the entrance hall. He sighed inwardly. How many more guests would be coming? Not much later, all the guests had arrived. The ball was opened, as it was every year, by Colby's mother and the butler Adams.The lord realized that it was a nice tradition. Mainly because it gave him more time to choose his partner. While some couples were already starting to join them, Colby was still scanning the rows. He slowly walked past a few women and just as he reached out to Nikki and asked her to join him, Alexandra stood right in front of her and took his hand, saying, "I'm honored, m'lord."Colby had no choice but to choose the pretty maid and they fell into a slow waltz. Although he would have preferred to dance with Nikki, Alexandra had probably felt the request was meant for her. And he didn't want to disappoint the young woman.They danced quite far in the middle and Colby was able to get an overview of everything and everyone.When he saw Jocelyn dancing with Larry, his eyes darkened. Apparently the valet didn't seem to be feeling well. He kept looking back and forth restlessly, danced out of place a few times and all in all made an extremely nervous impression. Jocelyn seemed to be talking to him about something, because Colby could see her lips moving.What was going on there? Larry swallowed hard and tried to focus on the dance as best he could."I'm really pleased that you just asked me to dance."He looked into his dance partner's face for a moment before his eyes wandered around the room again, looking for help.It wasn't as if he had a choice. The looks Lady Granger had given him had been more than enough to know that he had better ask her out."It's an honor, m'Lady," he only replied, suppressing the sigh that was rising. Why had he agreed to come to the ball?The valet glanced over at his lord, who was dancing in the middle with Alexandra. The chambermaid had a smug smile on her face. She seemed happy to finally be spending time with her lordship. He wondered if Colby had feelings for her? Larry had noticed very well by now that there was a strong tension between the lord and the lady. It was not for nothing that Lady Granger had decided to move on to someone else.
'But why does it have to be me?'
The thought flashed through the valet's mind and he inadvertently stepped on his counterpart's foot."P- Pardon, m'lady."Jocelyn smiled gently."How nice to hear your first words to me again. You really know how to behave like a gentleman."She hesitated for a moment before continuing."I really appreciate you, Larry."He felt her suddenly take the lead in the dance and he knew exactly why. She wanted to show him that she had power over him. Power that she had been all too happy to exercise for several months now."And I'm sure you appreciate me just as much," she continued. There was a questioning undertone in her voice."O-of course I do, m'lady," Lawrence confirmed cautiously and his dance partner's smile widened even more."And that's why you'll never leave me alone or betray me, right?"Larry hesitated with his answer and he was relieved when Darrel came up beside him and relieved him, saying, "Time to swap partners."He gave the servant a grateful look before turning his attention to his new partner. It was a very pretty young woman who, judging by her appearance, had Indian roots. They talked for a while and he learned that the lady was actually from India and had married a lord in America who had died a few years ago. He offered his condolences, but she just waved them away."My husband was a tyrant. I'm happier alone," she said and Larry glanced briefly at Charles, who was just standing on the sidelines, quietly watching the goings-on. They would make a good couple."Well ... I think I need a short break. And even though you say you're happier alone, I think dancing works better as a couple."He danced with her to the edge and he could see that Charles blushed slightly when he saw the pretty lady."I think someone else should dance with this pretty lady."He placed the Indian woman's hand in his friend's and then sat down on the edge.Smiling, he watched the two, who immediately got into the same rhythm. Even though their stands would probably never make anything of them, they should be happy for one evening.The smile disappeared when he saw Lady Granger's eyes. She didn't take her eyes off him, making it clear that she expected an answer.
'And that's why you'll never leave me alone or betray me, right?'
The words echoed through his head. What would happen if he did either of those things? What would Lady Granger do?He didn't want to admit it, but the valet was afraid. He was afraid that Jocelyn would make up some lie about him and her. She could claim all sorts of things that would cause him to lose his job or worse. He didn't want to imagine the power she actually had over him. So he would have to keep playing her game.
'Come what may.'
Colby entered the mansion and wished Adams, who had opened for him, a good night. He had gone for a little walk after all the guests had left to clear his head. It had helped. The fresh night air had calmed him down after all the hustle and bustle of the evening and he had been able to enjoy some peace and quiet. Especially from Jocelyn. And Alexandra. The maid had danced with him all evening and he hadn't been able to muster the courage to disappoint her. So he had listened to her flattery and not rudely passed her off to another partner.The lord was just about to make his way up to the dressing room when he saw the light in the ballroom. Why would anyone still be in the room at this time of night?He carefully approached the door and opened it a crack.In the room was Larry, sitting in one of the armchairs reading a book. When he heard the sound of the slightly squeaky door, he looked up from his reading and looked calmer when he spotted Colby.The lord entered the room slowly, closed the door behind him and sauntered over to his valet, who put the book aside and stood up.Colby had to smile. It was him. The only reason this ball had been a positive event at all.When he reached Larry, he held out a hand to him, saying, "A sensible dance partner at last."The valet had to chuckle softly before he replied, "You're only saying that because you haven't danced with me yet. I ... am not really good."Nevertheless, he took Colby's hand and the lord put his free hand on Larry's waist."I'm leading."The valet merely shrugged his shoulders and said, "As you wish, m'lord."There was no music playing. The musicians had long since left. The room was silent and yet the two quickly found the same rhythm. They danced across the room and Colby felt that this dance was different from the others. He had danced with many people, but it had never felt like this with anyone. So ... wonderful, so free of worries and fears. He didn't worry about whether he was dancing out of tune. The lord simply enjoyed the moment. And he could sense that his counterpart was doing the same.However, this realization also brought up an unasked question."What did Jocelyn do to you?"He felt Larry's hand tighten and was almost sorry he had asked."M'Lord ... please ... Don't ruin this moment with such a question."The grief and pain in Lawrence's eyes told him enough. The valet didn't want to talk about it. Perhaps he couldn't either. Colby didn't know."All right, I'm sorry," he apologized and took a short pause to formulate his sentence before adding, "But, if you ever want to talk about it ... then please come to me. I'll be there for you. Always!"He saw Larry swallow a lump in his throat and that shiny tears were forming in his eyes. Then he nodded and Colby was satisfied."You don't dance too badly, by the way," he tried to change the subject and Larry laughed."If you ignore the three or four times I stepped on your foot."Colby laughed too."Five. There were five times."And they danced on until they couldn't dance any more. Still smiling, Larry walked down the stairs to the servants' quarters and sighed when he heard voices in Adam's office again.Alexandra.Why did every beautiful moment have to be destroyed by these two?"I've found a way to climb to the highest rang," Alexandra said and Mr. Adams didn't seem very convinced."And how would that be?""A new wife will be of urgency when there is no more Lady Granger, won't it?"Lawrence's blood froze in his veins at this sentence.Was Alexandra talking about what he suspected? But that ... that couldn't be. Even these two unfriendly individuals wouldn't be capable of something like that, would they? Larry had learned during his time here that they were unsympathetic and bad-tempered, but he couldn't imagine that they were really evil."Make sure I can change Lady Granger's tea tomorrow morning ... unobserved, will you?"Larry swallowed. So they had even come up with a plan and prepared it. He shuddered. Mr. Adams and Alexandra were actually planning to get rid of Lady Granger so that Alexandra could take her place.Larry rubbed his forehead thoughtfully and desperately. What was he supposed to do? This woman had done so much evil to him. And he hated her for it.But did she deserve to meet such an end? Could he let anything happen to her?
'And that's why you'll never leave me alone or betray me, right?'
Again it sounded in his head and he shook it to dislodge the voice. If he said nothing, then he would be just as wrong as all those people he despised so much. He would be no different from Lady Granger, Mr. Adams or Alexandra. And he didn't want that. He wanted to be different from them. Through his most important character trait: having a good heart!
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
As Larry was about to enter the kitchen the next morning, he stopped in the doorway.Alexandra was standing alone in the room, looking around cautiously. When her eyes fell on the door, Larry quickly took a step back so that she wouldn't see him. Then he carefully moved forward again and watched as Alexandra took a small bottle out of her apron, opened it and then poured it into a cup.A lump formed in his throat as he realized it was Lady Granger's teacup. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.All night long he had hoped that Alexandra had only been talking about a figment of his imagination. He hadn't thought that she would really do it and put her plan into action. How could a human being be capable of such a thing?'How could Lady Granger be capable of doing all this to you?' said a small voice in his head and he had to think about it.The night before, he had clearly decided that he would prevent this act. But gradually he began to have doubts about this decision. Jocelyn had done so much evil. And if he simply allowed Alexandra to poison the tea and Liz to bring it up, then he could finally live in peace again.No ... that wasn't true. He could never live in peace again; not with the knowledge that he could have prevented a murder.He had to do something.Lawrence opened his eyes and entered the kitchen, only to find that Liz must have gone into the room through the other door and had already fetched the tea.Alexandra was sitting at the kitchen table and wasn't paying any attention to him, just reading a book. And Larry didn't speak to her either. He turned around, left the room through the door he had come in through and then rushed up the stairs.He tried to catch up with Liz as quickly as he could, sometimes taking two flights of stairs at once.As he ran through the corridors to Lady Granger's bedchamber, Liz came to meet him."Mr. Fleinhardt? Is everything all right?" she asked, and he ran past her without answering, rounded the bend and came to a halt in front of Jocelyn's bedroom door. He didn't care if he was rude; he opened the door and burst into the room.The lady was still in bed and had just picked up her cup."Don't drink that!"She stopped moving and looked confused, but not indignant, at Lawrence."Why not? What's wrong?" she asked and Larry stepped beside the bed, taking the cup from her hand as he struggled for breath."It ..."He stopped in his explanation. Should he betray Alexandra? What would Lady Granger do if she found out the truth? But he couldn't keep it quiet."I saw someone put something in your cup," he finally began again and Jocelyn's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She seemed to be considering what words to use next."It was Alexandra, wasn't it?" she finally asked and Larry shrugged, not answering, but from his wide eyes and the brief shudder that had gone through him, she knew she was right.Lawrence gripped the handle of the cup tightly with his hand and swallowed. He knew it was easy for Lady Granger to see through him. She seemed to know exactly what was going on inside him. Probably right now, too."Well ... I hope my actions answer yesterday's question to me, m'lady," he said after clearing his throat briefly before bowing and walking towards the door."They do indeed."He cast a quick glance over his shoulder as he heard Jocelyn's voice."Thank you, Larry," she continued and with a nod, Lawrence said his goodbyes and left the room.He walked down the corridor and met Liz again at the end, who looked at him questioningly."What's going on?""I ... I had to have an urgent conversation with Lady Granger," Larry explained as he walked on.Liz followed him. Contrary to the valet's expectations, the maid did not ask any further questions. The two of them walked down the stairs to the others in silence and sat down at the table where everyone was already sitting and eating breakfast.Lawrence sat down opposite Alexandra and kept glancing at her the whole time. She skilfully ignored him, however, and talked to Mr. Adams."What is it?" Charles whispered to Larry and he just shook his head."It's nothing. Nothing important anyway," he replied quietly and then decided to change the subject."How did you like your dance with the young lady?"He could immediately see Charles's cheeks flush again and he had to stifle a grin."I take it from the look on your face that it was a nice experience?"Charles shrugged his shoulders and continued eating silently and secretly.Larry's gaze wandered to his counterpart again.She was just sitting there, drinking her tea in peace.She probably hadn't noticed that Lawrence had foiled her plan. She seemed to feel completely safe and content.But she would soon see that what she had done had not worked.And that moment was not long in coming, as the bell to Lady Granger's room rang.Larry could see that it surprised Alexandra. She looked incredulously at Mr. Adams and then at the ringing bell."Would ... Would you please go upstairs, Miss Warner?"Adams quickly regained his composure and drew the attention of Liz, who was engrossed in a conversation with Darrel, to the ringing. The maid immediately stood up and nodded to the butler."Of course, Mr. Adams."She disappeared from the room and went up the stairs.Alexandra looked after her with a puzzled look.
'What went wrong?'
The look in her eyes gave her thoughts away immediately and when she turned and her eyes met Larry's, she got a silent answer.Lawrence saw her turn pale, clear her throat, apologize and stand up.He knew why. The maid was afraid. Afraid that Larry might have betrayed her. He hadn't. At least not consciously. And yet ...Lady Granger knew the truth. He was sure of that.
/September 1919/
The walk had been liberating. Larry had enjoyed just having nature around him. No arguments, no worries – just Colby and him. They had talked about everything. Everything except work.They had talked about their parents, about their childhood, about friends and family. They had told each other how they had become the people they were today. It had been peaceful. And beautiful. Larry hadn't had time to worry about anything.He said goodbye to his lord as this one entered the estate through the front door. He would rather take the back entrance.Still smiling, he walked along the wall of the house and thought about the past few hours. However, he stopped when he heard voices. He peered cautiously around the corner and spotted Lady Granger talking to Alexandra outside the back door. They seemed to be arguing. The snatches of words that Larry overheard at least gave him that impression.He watched the women quietly and wondered whether he should intervene or not. If he just went around the corner and pretended he hadn't seen anything, they would surely stop arguing.Just as he was about to start moving, he saw Alexandra turn to leave. Jocelyn bent down and picked up a stone. Then she struck it.Larry's blood froze in his veins and his breath stopped.Alexandra collapsed and lay motionless on the floor.The valet put a hand over his mouth to stop himself from crying out in horror.What had he just seen? Was it real? For a moment, he doubted that he was awake. It couldn't be.Lady Granger was capable of many things, but this? Larry hadn't expected this.He felt sick as he watched Jocelyn place the stone on the floor and turn Alexandra's body over. Now it looked as if the maid had simply tripped and landed awkwardly on the stone.An accident!Lady Granger wanted people to think it was an accident. 'Of course,' Larry thought and swallowed. 'She's clever and has thought her plan through to full extent. Unlike Alexandra.'Lawrence swallowed. He was overcome with pity. Alexandra didn't deserve that. She could have changed, she still had a long life ahead of her.He had betrayed her. Even if he hadn't answered Jocelyn's question at the time, his expression had told her what had happened. Guilt began to overwhelm him and he felt it tugging at him and his nerves."I'm sorry," he whispered and he couldn't stop a tear from slowly running down his cheek.He knew it was his duty to report what he had seen to the police, but he was afraid. What if Jocelyn found out that he had betrayed her? She would surely make up a story that would somehow incriminate Larry. Maybe she would portray him as her partner in crime? Or as the person who had persuaded her to murder the other woman.Lady Granger had power over him. He couldn't deny that. And he didn't want her to be his enemy.He was aware that it was selfish, but he preferred to leave it at the fact that it had all been an accident. He would remain silent. The shock was deep in everyone's bones. Nobody said a word during dinner.A tragic accident.Alexandra had tripped, fallen on a stone and broken her neck. Lady Granger had found her in the backyard after a walk.'At least that's the story everyone's heard,' Larry thought and sighed.It was hard to know the truth and not share it with anyone. He could have told someone, but that person – whether it was Liz or Charles or Darrel – would surely have asked him why he didn't go to the police. And then he would have had to tell them everything. He didn't want to look like a frightened, weak man who didn't even have the courage to do anything when someone was talking about him. A man who didn't put up a fight. But that's what he was. And he couldn't and wouldn't change."It's really tragic," he heard Alisson say quietly and Nikki replied, "Poor Lady Granger must have had an unbelievable fright."No ... No, she hadn't. But only Larry knew that. Only he knew that Jocelyn was to blame for the 'accident'.His eyes wandered over the faces of the others, who were all focused on their food.Finally, his gaze fell on Mr. Adams. He wasn't eating, just staring thoughtfully into space.What was he thinking about? He had known about Alexandra's plan, had even helped her with it. Did he suspect that the accident hadn't been an accident?Part of Larry hoped so. Maybe Mr. Adams would find out what had really happened. He would go to the police and they would find out the truth. Everything would be sorted out, justice would be served.But could it be called justice when it could just as easily have been the other way around? If Larry hadn't prevented Jocelyn from drinking the tea, everything would have turned out differently.Lawrence didn't know whether it would have been worse or better – it would probably have been just as cruel and unfair.There was no fair outcome in this situation. And there was nothing he could do about it. The night air was cool, but the lord found it relieving after the heat and stress of the day.A chambermaid had died.
'Alexandra.'
Even though many lords and ladies didn't really know their staff, he knew exactly who she had been.
'I danced with her at the ball.'
Colby had to admit that she hadn't exactly been his favorite employee. She had always tried to get closer to him. Again and again he had kindly rejected her, but she had not responded. She had been a determined woman.And Colby really regretted her death, but he couldn't say that he would miss her.
'She wasn't nice to Larry.'
The thought flashed through the lord's mind and he stopped walking. Was this the reason why his grief was limited? Was it because the deceased had hated the person he ... cherished so much?Colby didn't know. He shook his head to dispel the thought and walked on. He walked quietly to the front door, but his attention was caught by a voice from behind the house."Lady Granger!" someone called out. The voice sounded familiar to the lord, but he wasn't sure where from. He crept quietly around the house and stopped at a corner of the wall, peering around.What he saw surprised him.His wife was standing outside the back door with an envelope in her hand. She was talking to a tall man with no hair.
'Lord Ingre?'
"Be quiet!" she hissed to her counterpart. "I don't want anyone to notice us."She handed him the envelope."I know how much money you're in need of ... and I want to help you if you do me a favor."Colby pricked up his ears. What was Jocelyn planning?"What kind of favor is that? In your letter to me, you implied it was about your husband and him having an 'accident'?" Lord Ingre asked and Jocelyn looked around, making sure no one heard her."I want you to get my consort ... out of the way."When Colby heard these words, he had to suppress a laugh. He had always known. He had always known that Jocelyn would eventually go this far. It didn't surprise him at all. Lady Granger had never loved him. Just as little as he loved her. But divorce would have been out of the question for her, because then she would have lost everything. She wanted the inheritance."And you assure me that I will never be short of money again?"Jocelyn nodded and Lord Ingre took the envelope, pocketed it and said, "A good deal. We'll hear from each other, Lady Granger."With these words, he bowed and disappeared around a corner of the house.Colby watched his wife smiling smugly as she re-entered the house before he smiled himself. That had been it. Lady Granger had just caused her to lose her money and her freedom. There was a letter. All he had to do was call the police and tell them to search Lord Ingre's house for it. And that's exactly what he would do immediately. After making the call, Lord Granger went to his dressing room and rang the bell. He sat down in an armchair and waited for his valet to appear.It wasn't long before Larry knocked on the door."Come in!" Colby called out and his servant entered the room."Good evening, m'Lord," he greeted him and searched in the closet for the nightclothes."Good evening, Larry."Colby couldn't suppress the joyful undertone in his voice. The lightness just resonated in it."May I ask what pleases you so much?" Larry asked, smiling gently. But Colby saw that the smile did not reach his eyes. It gave his heart a twinge to see his servant so worried and troubled."If I may know what's wrong with you first?" he replied questioningly and Lawrence sighed."It's just ... I have a big problem and I don't know what to do," he explained quietly."The problem with Jocelyn?" Colby asked and Larry's head turned towards him. He swallowed visibly, but the lord only smiled."It will soon be solved. My consort will be leaving this estate very soon."Larry stopped moving and his eyes widened."What?"Colby realized how much his words confused Lawrence. He shook his head in disbelief."My dear wife has just hired a man to, and I quote, 'get me out of the way'. I immediately informed the police. Soon you'll have nothing to fear. Neither do I," he explained and Larry swallowed. Tears filled his eyes as if from nowhere."W- why is she capable of all this?" he asked. Only after he had said it did he realize that he had been thinking out loud. For his lord looked at him questioningly."What? What is she capable of?" he asked and stood up.Larry hesitated. Was it time to tell someone the truth? The whole truth?He swallowed ... and then he began to speak.He told his lord everything. From the first unwanted kiss to today. The words flowed from his mouth like water from a waterfall. And he couldn't stop. He simply had to say everything. Everything that was bothering him. Everything he had been through. And with the words, the tears began to flow. Larry cried. He cried bitterly about everything that had happened. And his lord simply took him in his arms and comforted him."It's going to be all right, Larry. It's over."Yes ... It was over. If the police found out about a murder as well, they certainly wouldn't be releasing Jocelyn anytime soon. She would get her comeuppance for everything she had ever done.Colby would simply say that he had seen the murder. If the police asked him why he hadn't said anything over the phone, he would say that he had preferred to discuss it in person. Yes ... That was the plan. It was their plan. Larry's and his.And so it was.
/December 1919/
The months flew by. And finally everything was perfect. Of course, the press had gushed about the Lady Granger scandal, but by now the fuss had died down.And for the first time in a long time, Colby could say that he was truly happy.He had had to spend so many years at the side of a woman who felt nothing for him. A woman who had even gone so far as to plan to get rid of him. A woman who had driven a good man like Larry to the brink of despair and exploited her power over him. A woman who had walked over dead bodies.But now she would pay for it. And Colby was sure she regretted it. He thought of the changes since that all-important day.Miss Warner was Colby's mother's new maid. Mr. Adams had been dismissed after the lord had learned of his complicity in Alexandra's plots. Darrel was now the new butler of the house and he was doing a wonderful job.So much suffering had led to such a change.But now Colby didn't want to think about the past, but about the future.Larry had promised to stay on despite everything that had happened. And it pleased Colby with all his heart.They would experience so many wonderful things together. They would travel, laugh and finally take life lightly. Because they had overcome all the difficulties ... together."Merry Christmas, m'Lord."Colby turned around, averting his eyes from the snowy landscape he had been looking at through the window.Larry stood behind him, smiling, and handed him a small package.Colby only briefly noticed that his valet was paler than usual. He simply put it down to the cold that the man, who had been coughing for a few days, had probably caught.Smiling to himself, he accepted the gift."What is it?" He shook it."Open it," Lawrence replied with a grin.The lord immediately removed the paper to reveal a small casket. Colby laughed."If I didn't know better, I'd think you were going to propose to me," he joked and his counterpart laughed too."Who knows?"Colby opened the box. Inside were cufflinks."You never know which ones to wear anyway," Larry explained quietly and Colby's smile widened."I do now. Thank you very much."And he meant his thanks with all his heart."Of course I have something for you too," he said and led the way. "Follow me."Larry did as he was told and the two of them went upstairs to the lord's dressing room.He carefully opened the door and Lawrence was amazed when he looked at the window. There was actually a telescope!"Is that –", he tried to find the words, but it didn't work. Not only because he felt so weak after the way up and because he found it hard to keep his eyes open, but also because he was overwhelmed."Merry Christmas, Larry," Colby just said and he watched as the valet slowly approached the device and admired it."It ... it's so beautiful," he said, smiling gently. "Thank you so much, m'lord. Thank you very, very much."It was a wonderful moment.But it was short-lived.Larry was overcome with dizziness and he fell. The last thing he heard was his lordship's voice.Then everything went black. "It's the Spanish flu. And it doesn't look good," the doctor explained quietly and Colby heard Liz's breath catch."B-but ... I thought the last wave passed us by at the beginning of this year," Charles stammered in confusion as Darrel placed a reassuring hand on Liz's shoulder."There are still isolated cases, though. Has your valet traveled away from this part of America recently?"Colby swallowed. Larry had paid a visit to his aunt in the South a few weeks ago. She had so wanted to see her nephew. And of course, the lord had not denied his servant the trip. Lawrence had done so much for him and the trip was supposed to be a break for him."Y-yes. He has traveled south to visit his aunt," he replied and the doctor nodded."It could be that he was infected by a visitor coming from a foreign country. People like to travel south."He stopped and looked sad."I ... don't think he'll make it through the night. I'm ... I'm sorry."With that, the man walked up the stairs, leaving the occupants of the house alone."Could I ..."Colby paused and swallowed hard."Could I have a moment alone with him?"No one said anything and yet the looks from the others seemed to be an answer. Carefully, the lord opened the door to his servant's room and closed it behind him.The room smelled of sickness. Colby couldn't really describe the smell, but it was unbearable. It stank."M-m'Lord?"A timid and weak voice made the man flinch and he looked beside him.Larry had opened his eyes, if only halfway. He looked at his lord and smiled gently. But then the smile disappeared again."Y-you should ... not b-be here," the valet got out with almost wide eyes. He turned even paler than he already was."You ... could... c-catch it."But Colby just sat down on the chair next to him and took a hand between his hands."Shh, it's all right. I ... have a good immune system against diseases," he tried to reassure Lawrence and the older man closed his eyes, nodding. He didn't respond for a while and Colby was overcome with fear. He squeezed Larry's hand tightly and he opened his eyes again."S-sorry," he begged for forgiveness.Colby reached with one hand for the damp cloth lying in a bowl on the bedside table and wiped Lawrence's forehead with it."There's nothing to apologize for.""You should ... not worry about me."It seemed to make the valet uncomfortable that his lord was doing such a thing for him, for he tried to turn his head to the side."I think it's my decision what I should and shouldn't do," Colby joked cautiously. Larry laughed weakly."If you say so, m'Lord," he replied, closing his eyes again. The smile came back."Thanks."Colby faltered in his movement and looked down at Larry in confusion."For what?"The valet opened his eyes and swallowed. Tears filled his eyes as he replied, "That ... I was allowed to ... see you one last time."Colby's eyes grew wide and he tried to suppress the panic that was rising again."Don't talk such nonsense! We've been through so much together. Something like the flu won't defeat us."Even though he doubted his own words, he wanted to encourage Larry. He shouldn't give up hope. They both shouldn't! Everything would be fine. It definitely would."I ... I want you to know ... that I ... have always loved you."Colby swallowed the lump in his throat as he heard those words.Love.Larry had loved him. And he had shown it in a way like no other. Colby had always known it. And he had reciprocated the feelings. But the cheeky lord had lacked the words to express it. And even now, in this situation, he didn't know what to say.So he put the cloth aside, straightened up, leaned forward and gave the person he had had feelings for for so long a kiss.He didn't know if Larry had felt it yet, but when he leaned back and looked into Larry's face, the valet had a smile on his lips.Colby felt with his fingers for a pulse on the wrist, but he felt nothing.Larry's heart had stopped beating.Tears streamed down the lord's cheeks, but he didn't care. He fell to his knees and took his servant's still warm hand in his own again.He squeezed it tightly and, sobbing, buried his face in the blanket that enveloped the lifeless body.It was over.He had lost the person who had meant so much to him.And he already knew that his heart would break from the loss. Sooner or later. The funeral service hadn't been very long. Although many people had said something about Lawrence. Liz, Charles, Darrel – they'd all said a few words.Larry had only worked at the estate for a year and yet he had made an incredible impression. So many people would remember him. No one would forget their time with him, no matter how short it had been.And now, as Colby stood alone at his valet's grave, a crucial thought occurred to him."Now you can explore the stars from up there," he whispered softly and he closed his eyes, causing a tear to fall to the ground.Even if Larry had not fulfilled his dream in the world of the living, he would now have the chance to do so. After all, where was closer to the stars than in heaven?"I hope you will be happy, Lawrence Fleinhardt."Colby's voice was tinged with grief, but one could barely hear it when he suddenly had to cough.He had been feeling sick for a few days. And he knew exactly why."It looks like my immune system isn't so good after all. That's why I'm not saying 'farewell'. It's just a 'goodbye'."