Wyatt needed a drink but instead chose to grab a fresh glass of orange juice from the fridge. He stood there in the kitchen and thought about the news he was just given. Not only about the passing of his Great Uncle, but also the inheritance. It was all a little overwhelming, but he needed time to think and collect his thoughts. While he still in the kitchen of his apartment, he could still hear Felix and Gerald talking about what was going on in the living room. While his first instinct was to ask Felix to be quiet, he like that his friend was asking questions which allowed him to sit back and take in more information without having to pry it out himself. He resumed nibbling on his breakfast while listening to the two men exchange words.

“What exactly is a Lord?” Felix asked, “What kind of position is it?”

“Well, it’s an appellation of a person to moral authority,” Gerald answered, “A Lord is entrusted with control and power over the people, the resources and many other things within their appointed territory. They basically are like a chief, a master, or even a ruler in some cases. It’s almost like being a mayor, but the person who is in charge is given the title rather than elected to the position.”

“That’s pretty deep,” Felix continued, “Isn’t this process of inheriting authority over a people and where they live a bit tyrannical? Isn’t the UK a democracy?”

“Of course,” Gerald continued, “Many townships have let go of their lordships, going about the usual democratic process of electing their leaders. Yet there are still some small areas that have refused to let go of their traditions, mostly because some towns can’t afford to form and pay for their own municipal governments. With small populations, sometimes that task is redundant, so they went with the Lordship who performed all those things at a substantially lower cost to the town.”

“That’s unbelievable.” Wyatt said, as he walked back into the living room, “So what you’re saying is that I inherited a job to run a small town?”

“Hey, it’s not like you were doing anything!” Felix reminded him, “You did just get fired from your old job.”

“You did?” Gerald said, as this was the first, he was hearing of it. “What for?”

“I have no idea,” Wyatt honestly answered, “If you find out, let me know.”

“Fascinating,” Gerald said, “That takes care of one of my bigger tasks.”

“What was that?” Wyatt asked.

“Well, I was going to ask you to quit your job.” Gerald answered, “I had a really good letter written up too, about honor and duty. Shame I can’t give it since you don’t have a job to quit anymore.”

“Sorry about that,” Wyatt said, “I didn’t mean to.”

“Of course, you didn’t.” Gerald said, smiling back. “Yet your first duty as the new Lord is urgent, which is arrangements for the wake, funeral, and burial of the previous Lord. This event is going to last almost a week and is going to begin a few days from now in the township of Loonsburg.”

“In Ireland?” Felix added.

“Yes, in Ireland.” Gerald confirmed.

“Wow,” Wyatt said, “I’ve never been there before. I don’t think that I’ve ever left this side of the planet actually.”

“Always a first time for everything,” Gerald said as he stood up. “I can make all the arrangements for you. Expenses will be covered by the office of his Lordship as well as the estate.”

“So, should I start packing now?” Wyatt suggested.

“Just a few bags,” Gerald replied, “I’ll get someone to take care of the rest.”

“Alright,” Wyatt said, as he turned to face Felix. “You coming along?”

“To Ireland?” Felix winced a bit, “I’m not going to lie, I’m not good with funerals. I’ve got some stuff to do here too. I’ll meet up with you later in the week when it’s all squared away.”

“Alright,” Wyatt said, as he understood. He remembered Felix detailing that he didn’t enjoy attending funerals of any kind. So, at least he was consistent. “Come down when you can, and I’ll get an extra room booked at the same hotel.”

“There won’t be a hotel.” Gerald corrected, “You’ll be staying at the manor.”

“The manor?” Wyatt repeated.

“His Lordship resides there, and that is also where town business is conducted.” Gerald explained. “Mediations, town papers, filings, and what not. There happens to be living quarters for both your grace and your workers.”

“I’m sorry,” Wyatt said, “My workers?”

“How many workers do I have?” Wyatt asked.

“Not too many,” Gerald replied, “About a dozen.”

“Oh,” Wyatt said, thinking about it. “When shall I met them?”

“Your Grace has already met one.” Gerald said, smiling back. “I’m your personal assistant. I worked with Lord Crawford for over several years, and it was my honor to do so. One of his last acts was to resign me to an extension so that my ability to assist you was secure and you wouldn’t have to do this alone.”

“That was nice of him,” Wyatt said, “And how long was that extension?”

“Five years,” Gerald replied, “After which you can resign me again if you are satisfied with my performance, my Lord.”

“That’s going to take some getting used to,” Wyatt said, noticing how Gerald ended that last phrase with is new title. “I’ll be right back. I’ll start packing, and no, I don’t need any help. I’ll be fine.”

“Of course,” Gerald said, “I’ll wait out here.”

Wyatt packed two bags, a big suitcase for most of his clothes, and a carry-on bag for his laptop, meds and other small essentials he didn’t want to lose in his regular bag if it accidentally got tossed onto the wrong plane. He also packed a suit, figuring he’d have to wear something nice for the service. He considered calling his mom, but he didn’t talk to her that much. He didn’t get along with his step-dad, and while he didn’t like her guy, they were happy and in the end that’s all that mattered. Wyatt was sure someone else in the family would cover that anyway. Considering what a cheapskate her husband was, it was doubtful they’d make the trip to Ireland. That was one thing he was hoping would benefit him that time out, as he didn’t feel like putting up with the folks at a funeral. Seeing them was gloomy enough. Once he was packed up, Wyatt returned to the living room where Gerald was waiting for him. He looked back at him and the few bags.

“What?” Wyatt asked.

“You’re wearing blue jeans, your lordship.” Gerald replied, “I don’t I need to explain how that’s not going to work… at least not in public.”

Wyatt looked back at him and sighed. He knew Gerald was right, and he couldn’t dress like he was a going on vacation, he had to dress reasonably well because he was now a lord. Wyatt went back into the bedroom and grabbed a pair of beige kakis, brown shoes, and a very nice white dress shirt. He walked back out into the living room and the smile on Gerald’s face meant he approved of the new attire.

“Don’t forget your passport.” Gerald reminded him.

“Good call,” Wyatt said, as he had forgotten to pack it.

Felix was at the door, and Wyatt passed him the keys.

“Lock up when you take off, and no parties.” He told his friend.

“I’ll try to behave.” Felix replied, “Have fun in Ireland.”

Wyatt was going to call for a taxi, but then realized Gerald had a car downstairs waiting for them as he held the door for him. Once inside the lush town car, they were whisked off for the airport. Once they arrived at the terminal, both Gerald and the driver took Wyatt’s bags and brought them over to check in for him. Gerald walked over to him with an open hand.

“Passport, my lord.” He softly asked.

“Okay,” Wyatt said, handing it over to Gerald. He watched as Gerald walked up to the counter and processed the airline ticket for him. He watched as Gerald not only passed the clerk at the counter a business card, but also tipped the person rather well before taking their boarding passes and walking back over to meet up with him.

“We’re all taken care of,” Gerald informed him, “Two first class tickets to Dublin, Ireland. Our flight takes off in about two hours.”

“Alright, so what do we do until then?” Wyatt asked.

“Well, it’s best to get through security first,” Gerald suggested, “And then from there we’ll grab something to eat, just to avoid eating on the flight.”

It didn’t take them long to get through security, and even find their gate. They had more than an hour to spare once they took a seat at their gate, and Wyatt was more than content to relax and wait while Gerald seemed eager to keep busy.

“There’s a pretty decent café not far from here,” Gerald said, looking back at Wyatt, “How do you take your coffee, my lord?”

“You’re not going to stop calling me that are you?” Wyatt asked, as it felt weird to hear someone call him by his new title.

“Never, my lord.” Gerald defiantly answered. “You are my boss, and I respect your position by using and respecting your official title. But let’s focus for the time being. What do you take in your coffee, your grace?”

“I don’t drink coffee,” Wyatt answered, “I prefer tea. Two sugars, and milk. I can’t stand crème, so get milk or nothing please.”

“That’s interesting,” Gerald said, taking note of that.

“What is?” Wyatt asked.

“I’ll tell you later,” Gerald said, avoiding it for the moment. “What about something to eat? Sandwich? Wrap? Burrito?”

“I’ll take a croissant with egg, cheese and sausage.” Wyatt said, reaching for his wallet to pay for it.

“It’s covered my lord,” Gerald said as he held up a hand to stop him, “Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay, thanks.” Wyatt said, putting his wallet away.

“I shall not be long, your lordship.” Gerald said, giving a slight bow before walking away to the café to fetch food and drink.

Wyatt sighed and sank into his seat, slouching a bit as he couldn’t believe what was going on. The day before he was at work doing his normal thing. Taking calls and selling phone services, and now he was waiting to board a flight to Ireland, and he was the Lord of a territory. This was all just happening too quickly, and he was feeling a little overwhelmed. He was going to spend some time in a new country, meet new people and learn a new job on the fly. It was going to be a rather difficult week. Wyatt folded his arms and was tempted to take a nap, but he had only closed his eyes for a few moments when something happened.

“Excuse me,” a young woman sitting across from him stated. She was quite an attractive lady, with long flowing blonde hair and blue eyes. Wyatt couldn’t help but sit up when he realized she was talking to him. “But what’s that guy’s problem?”

“What do you mean?” Wyatt asked.

“I mean the bowing,” she replied, “The whole your lordship thing.”

“I know it looks weird,” Wyatt confessed, “I’m not used to it either.”

“Are you flying to Ireland?” she asked him.

“Yes, my first time.” Wyatt answered, “I heard it’s nice.”

“It is,” the lady assured him, “Going for business or pleasure?”

“Family business,” Wyatt answered, “Going to attend a funeral.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss.” she said, “Who passed on?”

“My great uncle,” Wyatt said.

“Excuse me,” Gerald said as he returned with the tea and sandwich, and he was glaring at the woman with suspicion. “Who are you?”

“Well, my name is Olivia.” the woman replied.

“Well Olivia, are you a member of the media?” Gerald said, defensive of anyone asking his lordship any questions.

“No, I’m not.” Olivia said, as she grabbed her bags, “Excuse me.”

As she walked away, Gerald looked back at Wyatt who was already looking at him with a face that didn’t seem too impressed.

“What is it, my lord?” Gerald asked.

“Are you going to demand press credentials from every cute girl that wants to talk to me?” Wyatt asked, as he didn’t really appreciate the interruption.

“No, your grace.” Gerald said, passing the sandwich and tea to Wyatt. “She was well dressed and had a press feel about her. I might have been a little too aggressive, so I offer my sincerest apologies. I didn’t want you to be bombarded with questions before we had a chance to go over some press cards.”

“Press cards?” Wyatt repeated.

“Yes, I made up a few answers to remember.” Gerald said, patting the inside of his suit jacket. “Just in case you are approached by media while in Ireland. I thought we’d have time during our flight to review a few.”

“Maybe after the movie,” Wyatt said, as he wasn’t looking forward to it.