- Sounds good to me. - Caroline said, then taking a look back at the mansion. - I wish I could retire to an estate like this one day... - she added while her look swept over the gardens.
''I assure you, it's not all fun and games. Contrary to popular belief, we do work hard and contribute to justify having a home as large as this. Too many of the upper class live off the wealth their forefathers worked for. That's a bloody waste, I would have thought that living up to what our fathers and grandfathers once were would be the norm...'' he stopped, realizing he had just hit her with an unexpected rant ''Sorry...But I do feel strongly about that.''
- It's alright, John. Everyone feels strongly about something. I am not going to argue, living off someone else's achievements is a waste. In some cases, at least. But on the other hand... Retiring and living off one's own achievements isn't that bad, is it?
''If you've earnt it through honest means, I don't see why not. But living off anothers means, and not striving for better? That's wrong, it could almost be considered abuse in a way. Economc abuse, but abuse all the same.''
- What if that someone worked to ensure you can live such a carefree life? - she paused for a second. - Let us imagine our current generations have managed to undergo the change. The desperately needed transformation. They worked hard, perhaps made some sacrifices. Will the future generations be bad because they live off that success? Would it be a waste, John?
''It would be a waste if they let themselves stagnate and regress. If they did not continue to add to what we built, to continue building for their children, it would be a great shame. We as Humans must always strive for better, because we can. We enjoy the benifts our grandparents worked for, but sitting back and letting it slowly fade away would be an insult to their memory. Enjoy it, yes, but also add to it. Ensure that it continues.''
They reached the small hill John had mentioned eariler, and he proceeded to sit down, streaching out over the soft grass and looking skyward. ''Consider all that has happened in the past, if we did not add to our forefathers achievements where would we be I wonder. I know I'm not sure, that's for certain.''
- I cannot argue with that. - Caroline said after sitting down next to him. She emitted a quiet sigh, her attention focused on the woods surrounding the mansion. - But I'm sure we'd be in a much worse place, as difficult to imagine it might be.
He simply murmered his response and gazed at the ever increasing number of stars for a few moments, before taking a deep breath and slowly closing his eyes, set on enjoying the moment rather than disturbing it with inane talk. A breeze brushed past the pair of them, and the baying of distance animals heralded the inevitable arrival of nightfall. The last touch of sunlight lingered over the mountains for a moment, before disappearing altogether, leaving the stars to light the manor. Faint music began to play from inside the house, signalling Alfred's return home, John guessed it was one of Weber's works. The music seemed oddly fitting, albeit in a most haunting manner, to the current situation.
![[Image: K21Vaai.png]](https://i.imgur.com/K21Vaai.png)