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The following morning arrived beneath a pale autumn sky.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains long before Ernest opened his eyes. For several moments he simply lay still, listening to the quiet sounds that had become familiar since moving into Oriel Estate.

Somewhere downstairs, servants had already begun preparing breakfast.

Outside, birds called from the trees lining the estate gardens while the distant murmur of the hydroelectric station drifted faintly through the open window. The sound was almost soothing now. Six months ago, the valley beyond the estate had contained nothing more than a stream winding between rocky banks. Now turbines rotated beneath stone foundations, transforming falling water into electricity every hour of the day.

He smiled faintly.

It was strange how quickly extraordinary things became ordinary.

Eventually he threw aside the blanket and climbed out of bed.