The Mafia's Contract

Chapter 10

JOAN'S POV

The next day, Miss Sullivan and I stood in the armor room. She taught me how to clean the armors till they were spotless and shiny. Since nobody comes up here often, the armors are usually covered with dust. She told me that I have to clean it from time to time. I made a mental note in my head to remember that.

I looked at the armor room in awe. I didn't know that people could keep this kind of stuff in their houses.The walls of the room were lined with rows of shiny suits of armor. Each piece stood proudly on display. The armors there were of different sizes and designs. They looked old, like they had been here for many decades. I scanned the room, admiring all of them. I had never seen real armors before. Apart from the armors, weapons were displayed on stands or hung from hooks on the wall. There were different types of weapons there - swords, axes, shields and many more. The room made me feel like I was in a movie set in an ancient Era.

I stood beside Miss Sullivan, watching how she polished them. She cleaned them gently with a soft cloth and some cleaning agents. She rubbed the armors until they shone even brighter than before.

"This room is fascinating" I said "I don't mean to intrude but why exactly does the family collect them? Do they like this sort of thing?"

"The Stonewood family doesn't just collect these for fun. These are generational objects"

My eyes widened in surprise "What?"

"Yes, my dear. These armors belonged to the Stonewood family. They've been passed down for centuries."

"Wow" I breathed "They're beautiful,"

"Yes, they are. But they are more than just beautiful things to look at. This room tells part of the history of the Stonewood family. . They are symbols of a family's legacy and a nation's history. You might think they are just business owners. If you think that, you're wrong. Their forefathers were influential leaders who played important roles in wars centuries ago."

"Oh wow. What exactly did they do?"

"They supported the Union cause. When the nation was on the brink of division, they used their wealth and influence to turn the decisions of the monarchy in the Favour of the people. They also helped to remove s*****y. They bought as many slaves as possible and set them free. They fought in many wars too."

I didn't expect this from the Stonewood family. I didn't know they had a history as deep as this. I always saw them as business tycoons. This was rather.... Interesting. It made me see them in a whole new light.

"They helped end s*****y?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Their efforts helped to bring about the Emancipation Proclamation. They believed

in equality and justice for all."

As I absorbed her words, I glanced around the room, imagining the Stonewood family members who had worm these very suits of armor. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the thought.

"The armors here," Miss Sullivan continued "are not just for decoration. Eaach one has a story to tell"

I reached out to touch one of them, running a finger along the edge of a breastplate.

"It's incredible," I murmured.

Miss Sullivan nodded "Indeed it is."

"If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been here?"

"I've been here for over twenty years, dear"

"What?"

She chuckled "Surprising, isn't it? I've known Derrick and Irene ever since they were kids. Dare I say that I helped raised them. They're like my own. Sir Stonewood Senior. hired me when Derrick was just a toddler. It's been a privilege to watch them grow up."

At the sound of Sir Derrick's name, I became even more interested in the story she told. Everything about him interested me. I didn't know why.

"What were they like? Sir Derrick and Ms Irene, I mean."

"Oh, they were quite the pair. Derrick has always been the more serious one, even as a child. It was as if he always knew that he would take over some day, even as soon as he was born. He had always been responsible and mysterious. Irene, on the other hand, she's a firecracker. She was so mischievous as a child, still is. Oh, how I love them to bits.."

I heard that Irene Stonewood lived in the mansion but I had never seen her. I wondered what her attitude was like. From Miss Sullivan's description, I doubted she was anything like her brother. Sir Derrick seemed so..... Cold and without emotions.

"They sound wonderful." I said.

"They are," Miss Sullivan agreed warmly. "And they've been through so much, especially after Mr. Stonewood passed. It wasn't easy for any of them. Bless his soul. He was a lovely man"

I felt sorry for them. It was hard to lose a parent. I should know that, out of all people.

My thoughts drifted back to sir Derrick himself. I couldn't shake his image away from my mind no matter how hard I tried. I remembered the sight of him standing under the moonlight yesterday. His eyes shined brightly. I had the urge to hold him close and.....

"Is something on your mind, Joan?" Miss Sullivan's asked me.

I flinched slightly "No ma'am. I was just thinking of all that you said, that's all"

"I see. It's a lot to take in. You'll learn more about them as time goes on, don't worry"..

"I look forward to it"

Miss Sullivan finished up with another armor and asked if I could finish up. I assured her that I had gotten the hang of it. As soon as she left, I continued cleaning them. I hummed to myself as I cleaned. Everything was going well until... I heard something. I ignored it, thinking it was just my imagination.

As I worked, I felt a strange sensation. It felt like someone was watching me. I glanced around, half-expecting to find someone else in the room with me. But there was no one.

I returned to my work, trying to shake off the unease I felt. But then, movement caught my eye—a flicker of movement in the reflection of one of the armors. My heart skipped a beat at the movement.

I looked closer to see who it was. In the reflection, I saw a young woman. She looked at me through the reflection. She smiled. She looked oddly familiar.

I turned back but saw nobody.

"Hello?" I called out.

Nobody answered.

Who the hell was that?