Theodore Walter is indebted to Barkis Vernice ever since he had met him when he was merely fifteen years old. He was scrubbing the floors that time, ordered by the Madame of the House that he has to scrub the whole landing and finish before they could even get back. His father was aware of his wife's impossible demands and orders but he never gets in her way. Though he never really expects that starting that day, those demands and orders would end. The bringer of the news was clothed in a dark coat, breeches, and the most polished shoes he has ever seen.
"You're Theodore, am I correct?" he asked.
He looked up from the floor. His hands—the skin already wrinkled from all the scrubbing he has done—clasped together to control the fear he felt upon looking such an intimidating man. He looks
