Ryan was startled by the screams and quickly looked into the box. When he saw what was inside, he let out a groan. There, lying in the box, was a skeleton—dressed in golden armor and adorned with extravagant jewelry.
The skeleton was carefully laid on a bed of shock-absorbing cotton, its skeletal form covered from head to toe by knight's plate armor. The intricate armor bore beautiful embossed and gilded patterns, decorated with a plethora of sparkling gemstones. Most remarkably, the chest plate was designed with large openings, exposing the skeleton's ribs, and the arm and leg armor were similarly perforated, revealing the bones beneath.
The face of the skeleton was covered by a helmet, its visor lifted. The exposed face was covered with gold and inlaid with precious stones along the mouth and cheeks. The hollow eye sockets were decorated with gold-weaved jewelry and surrounded by pearls, with a sapphire placed in the center. Each bone was wrapped in gold wire and encrusted with gems. The skeleton's hands were adorned with finger rings, each featuring large gemstones. A thick gold chain hung from its neck, encrusted with various colored gems, with the largest piece about the size of a thumb.
The sight was overwhelming. Mr. Granger looked on in surprise, while the three women standing around wore regretful expressions. The extravagant jewelry, while visually striking, made it clear that this display, set upon the skeleton, was a sign of reverence rather than mere decoration.
"What is this?" Mr. Granger asked, clearly puzzled.
Mr. Lambert, who had been researching a variety of historical topics recently, immediately offered an explanation. "In the late 16th century, some people dug up bones from the 2nd to 5th centuries AD. During the Reformation, the church wanted to claim these bones belonged to famous early saints, to solidify their authority. This skeleton is an example of a 'dharma body.' The key difference is that these skeletons are dressed in 18th-century royal costumes and adorned with gemstones."
The term 'dharma body' referred to an ancient tradition where these elaborate skeletons, often decorated with royal regalia, were venerated by the church. The gems and luxury items were added to show the wealth and influence of the church and to legitimize their spiritual claims.
Mr. Lambert continued, "This skeleton likely comes from France. The blue velvet under the bones is decorated with golden luan flowers, which were symbols of the French royal family. We saw similar items in France during our summer vacation."
Hermione had also noted the wax seal attached to the box, with a French inscription: "Reims." Reims, a city in France known for its royal coronations, provided further evidence of the skeleton's French origin.
"Perhaps during Napoleon's time," Mr. Lambert said. "France was in chaos, and some treasures were hidden or moved to England for safekeeping. It seems these items stayed here for some reason."
The discovery of such a valuable and historically significant artifact led to the question: how to handle it? The Grangers and Mr. Lambert agreed to split the proceeds equally according to British law. Treasures found on private land in Britain are typically divided between the discoverer and the landowner. However, the situation became more complicated when it came to the French authorities potentially claiming the items.
The discovery was kept discreet until it was eventually leaked to the press. Ryan's father, taking advantage of the media's attention, was able to negotiate the return of the relics to France. The French government offered over two million pounds for the skeleton and its accompanying treasures.
Hermione, however, expressed some frustration. "If only Galleons weren't so tightly regulated in the magical world, I could have used that money to buy some expensive books."
Later that day, Ryan saw his parents in the living room, happily discussing how they would use the money. They talked about traveling the world and fulfilling their dream of owning a farm. Ryan felt a deep sense of happiness, knowing that his actions had contributed to improving his family's life.
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/STEPHENHART427