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"I bet they're doing nothing but kissing right now." 

"Please don't put that image in my head," Basil pleaded, his head resting on the window of the carriage, trying to fall into a slumber.

"I don't trust him with her. Clover dosen't even know what sex is. I'm pretty sure she still thinks fairies plant a flower to bloom out a baby." 

"He promised to court her properly." 

Aster snorted, "I've seen those lords prancing in and out of the brothels, Basil. Clover's king is no different." 

"Perhaps he was before." Basil retorted lazily, "who cares, it is but a carriage ride, i am surprised we have not stopped already for Clover to puke." 

Just then the carriage came to a sudden halt, as both Aster and Basil tumbled from the impact. They turned to look at one another, immediately looking out the carriage windows, Aster opened the door.

"Did something happen?" She asked a Knight who sat astride on a horse. 

"It seems the king's soulmate had a bout of sickness. We will be taking a rest, it is near high-noon now and the men will be wanting their mid-day meals. I am sure the king will wish for his luncheon." 

Aster turned her head accusingly to Basil, "nice going idiot." She grumbled under her breath. Nevertheless Basil could hear her but chose to ignore her. 

Aster continued to grumble as she climbed out of the carriage. "You've jinxed us," she glared at her brother, "bloody riding in a stupid fucking carriage to gods knows where.." she muttered, creasing out the skirt of her dress. She looked up and around herself till her eyes landed on the figure of her sister with her dark haired soulmate patting her back as she vomited on the side of the dust road. Basil stood beside her, looking at his younger sister, not liking the pale parlour her face had taken. 

"Gods, I don't like him. Look at them, Basil. You would think her vomiting so violently near his shoes was a show of endearment for him." 

Basil gave Aster an odd look for her words, "you're overreacting. You're just being-" 

"Don't say it." Aster warned in clenched teeth, her tone taking on a dangerous form onto itself. 

"-Overprotective," 

Aster swerved on the kneels of her boots, striking Basil's head with hand, "you arsehole. I am not Overprotective. If anything you are, Mr. Nearly setting the guy on fire after finding out he plans to marry our sister." 

Basil grunted, "marriage is different. She's not ready. There are things-"

"Blah blah blah. I get it, she's our baby sister who is too naive and precious for this world." Aster mocked in a meek soft spoken voice. 

"You're both my baby sisters," he firmly stated, 

Aster snorted, "I can take care of myself." 

He sighed, shaking his head. "At least I'm willing to admit that I'm not ready to let go of the two people I've known since before birth." He said deadpanned. 

"Save it for when his majesty is near, can't embarrass Clove if he can't hear it." 

Basil wanted to roll his eyes but made do with a passive stare, Aster had never been good at honesty, she just bottled things up, she’d never truly get emotional like Clover would, and some believed she only felt rage, which was far from the truth. 

“Speaking of the devil,” Basil muttered, as Cyrus turned his head in their direction, his smile broadening, beckoning them forward. They both repressed a groan, but complied with the king's silent command. 

“It seems your sister is un-use to travel,” he chuckled as the two approached, none of them laughed at his lightheartedness, which soured the air between them into bitter awkwardness. “I hope you found the ride less troubling,” he quickly salvaged in the face of the two siblings' silence. 

“We did,” Aster answered, her eyes drifting away from the king and her crouching sister, to gaze at the treeses that surrounded them, taking in a breath that felt cleaner than any breath she had taken so far in her life. “Are we to stop here for our mid-day meal?” 

Cyrus nodded, “yes, i think it best, with Clover feeling unwell, we’ll need a break. I have sent some men into the woods to find a spot for us to eat.” 

Aster frowned, “we’re not eating here?” 

“No, of course not, I would rather not eat near the dust road, a clearing would do much better. Not to worry though, we will still have men posted by the carriages and horses.” 

Aster nodded slowly, trying not to let the worry appear on her face. Being so close to the wilderness of the forest, already felt an impact on her interbeing, a calling of whisper of home and comfort. She could only imagine the lure it had on poor Clover, nature always was a force upon itself, whenever the three were with a bout of sickness, the elements would always want to ease their pain. 

Aster shared a look with her brother that was not missed by the king, nor his manservant who stood nearby. They prayed that their sister would be smart enough to know when secrets are best left quiet. 

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