Dukes and Servants

For those of you not familiar with this story, welcome! Those of you who know it is re-written and here to continue, welcome back!

Please let me know if you enjoy it!

Reviews are very very very much appreciated! It wouldn't be the first time I get inspired by them to change parts of the story (Pssht.. Top Remus or Top Sirius? I will make this a 'M' rated story eventually if your reviews are satisfying)

Summary: Sir Lupin is a Duke surrounded by rumours. When he
accidently reveals the truth to the gardener, Sirius Black, a long range
of trouble begins. A web of lies and betrayal is hard to escape.

Beware: This is not going to be just a romantic love story! Drama is about to happen.

Beta: Shout in a Whisper 3

Dedication: Vampiress Black.

I owe nothing and you know it. Except the storyline

Introduction:

Sir John Lupin was the Duke of a beautiful piece of land in the south of England. He was a warm and kind man. At the age of 31, he married a lovely young woman from a nearby county and they lived a happy life. But soon a shadow was to fall over the man's life and land.

His young wife died giving birth to his only child and the child died with her. Sir John seemed to loose control over himself and his leaseholders and slowly but steadily, life left his once warm and kind spirit.
So it came that Duke Lupin died without an heir.

With no heir to claim his righteous title, a riot broke out on the peaceful estate. Families from all over the country claimed to be the first in line but many of the documents turned out to be false. One family in particular, an ancient dynasty that had lost their titles due to illicit behaviour, seemed to be determined to seize their chance to claim the title, no matter what.

Then a document showed up, proving the birth of John's younger brother's son. A young man named Remus Lupin. There was no doubt he was the heir everyone had been looking for. And so it was he became the new Duke of the estate.

No one ever saw his face; some said he was only a child, a puppet, ruled by an older, wiser counsellor. Others said he was a victim of a terrible accident which had left him scarred and maimed, a terrible sight to see.

Whatever the true reason was, Sir Remus Lupin never made any public appearances. Nevertheless, he was a wonderful duke. The poor leaseholders on his land never had a better master. He was warm and kind to them and would do everything in his power to make sure they could lead a rather pleasant life. Yes, he was adored by them.

He led a happy, satisfied and slightly spoiled life. But everything changed when he came around.

…

Chapter 1: A Black.

It was a rather sunny Monday morning. He had just finished his breakfast and bath and was now drying himself off. Little beams of sunlight peaked through the windows and caressed his thigh with their warmth. He was sometimes bothered about not being able to run outside when the first beams of a soft spring sun played with the green grass. It was never for long though. Perhaps it was because he didn't know any better. Perhaps it was because he liked the peace and quiet. Somehow, he didn't really seem to mind the situation.

A knock on the door made him quickly put on his underwear.

'Yes?' The door opened and untidy hair followed by a cheery, spectacled face peeked around the corner.

'Sir Lupin? There is someone here who wishes to see you.'

Remus let out an exaggerated sigh. 'Do I really have to?'

The servant smiled. 'It's part of the job, sir.'

Yes, it was, Remus knew, it just wasn't his favourite part. He got dressed and combed his hair. Not that any one would see it but it could never hurt to try to look good. 'It won't get much better than that, you know, sir,' the servant smirked and ducked away as Remus aimed at his head with the brush. It wasn't very appropriate behaviour for a servant, but he was the closest to a friend the young Duke would probably ever get. So instead of rejecting this type of communication, he had encouraged it from an early stage. And he was himself thankful for that. Besides, if someone was to say anything about hair, it was his servant.

Together they left the room and made their way through the castle. It wasn't that big or beautiful, but it was his home. The right wing, his wing, was probably the cosiest part of the castle. No one was allowed there except for his two most loyal servants, the doctors and the maid to clean twice a week.
The rest of the castle was occupied by his employees or an occasional guest. Yes, he had guests; no, he never saw them. The most common reason they came around was because his castle lay in the middle of few other estates. And welcoming as the young Duke was, he always was kind enough to let them spend the night.

His servant led him to the great hall where he sat behind a curtain, as usual. It was just a thin veil, actually. Some brilliant play of light enabled him to see some of the people in the hall. They, however, were not able to see him. How he hated this curtain. He wanted to face people. To give them a smile to accompany his warm, understanding voice.

But he knew it was for his own good. For their own good. Because-

'Duke, Mrs. Black.' The servant woke him out of his thoughts.

He stepped aside and a fierce yet concerned woman strode towards him. She bowed. He had seen her from his windows before. Of course he had never actually met her, but some part of him could tell they would never get along even if they tried. She was a Black, after all. And they all knew what that meant.

'Sir Lupin, I have come to ask you a favour.'

'Speak out.' He made a welcoming gesture with his hand but stopped it mid-air as he realised she couldn't see it anyway.

'My husband is very sick, sir. We can hardly pay the lease and the mines don't bring us enough. Then I heard that you were looking for a new gardener. I need my youngest son to help me around the house and in the mines. The oldest, though. He is- he can… He is a fast learner and a hard worker. He likes nature.' Remus frowned. There had been a very bitter tone in the way the woman spoke of her oldest son. Apparently she wasn't very fond of her him. He shot a glare at his servant who stared back, one eyebrow raised.

He had no idea why, but his words escaped his mouth before he had time to over think them properly.
It felt as if some weird sense of intuition took over.

'If you could please send your son by tomorrow, I'll be more than happy to give him a chance to prove himself.' Beside him, he could hear the servant boy gasp. The woman thanked him, kneeled once more and left the castle. Remus rose from his seat, realising what he had just done.

A few minutes later, Remus found himself back in his room, his servant leaning in the windowsill.
'You do realise you just agreed to hire a Black, don't you?' The man frowned.
'I know. What is he like, anyway? I can't remember ever seeing him.'
The dark-haired boy raised his shoulders. 'I've never met him in person, but I heard he is quite arrogant and obstinate.'
'And you, as my most loyal employee, are given the task to make sure he behaves.'
The servant grinned. 'Who better than me?'
He sighed. 'A Black. Who'd have thought, after...,' the look on the Duke's face ended his sentence prematurely and he clenched his lips together.

'Mwwy.' He said in an attempt to mumble with his mouth closed.

…

Chapter one!