Idyllic. That’s what it was. Scarlett took a sip of their tea. Chamomile and honey waltzed on their tongue. The heat of the glass burnt through their gloves.

“It’s nice finally having some.. you know, one on one time.”

Scarlett lowered their glass. Eleanore returned their gaze. A grin more radiant than the sun decorated her face. All of the brightest stars in the night sky sparkled in her eyes. “I agree.” Scarlett sighed, a little smile playing across their lips.

“I-It isn’t a lot we actually get time to.. haha… Do stuff like this.”

Scarlett nodded. Eleanore’s cheerful voice was filled with cracks. “It is unfortunate.” Scarlett opined, calmer than a still sea. Not a thought came to mind. Maybe it was better that way. Eleanore leaned closer. Looking into those eyes was like staring straight at the light at the end of the tunnel. Scarlett’s smile turned to a grin.

“Pardon.”

Scarlett snapped out of it. Chatter and glasses clinging flooded their ears. Birds tweeted. Both they and Eleanore turned to face the grinning young man at the table. A candle-flame of annoyance hid behind their neutral face and slight smile. “Am I, er.. interrupting something?” His voice embodied everything prim and proper, as did he.

The black suit he wore looked like a horrible paint splotch in front of the vibrantly colored flowers behind him. People strolled through the garden behind him, admiring the flowers. It was odd how they just disappeared. Scarlett took a deep breath. The lovely scent of wildflowers filled their lungs.

“You’re not interrupting anything, Johann.” They replied, the sight of Johann made things a bit better.

“Would you like to sit down?” Eleanore chirped. “We’ll be happy to have you.”

Johann nodded. He handled the chair like porcelain as he pulled it out from under the table. He took his seat just as a king would a throne. “How are you?” Eleanore asked.

“Well.. uhm……..” He began. He put his fist to his mouth and cleared his throat. “God.” He huffed, staring at the ground. “It’s a lot.”

“Well then. It would not hurt to hear it from the beginning, would it?” Scarlett asked with pinch of lightheartedness.

Johann chuckled, as did Scarlett. “Well.” He sighed, leaning closer. “I came to a very important decision.”

“What would that be?” Scarlett and Eleanore said in a chorus.

“I’m going Wales for the summer.”

Scarlett cleared their throat in an attempt to keep their jaw from falling agape. Eleanore just stared with wide eyes.

“See, it’s ludicrous because a lot of my connections are there and I’m always running some sort of errand in Vienna—”

“-.. So what is the plan exactly?” Scarlett interrupted his somewhat uneasy rambling.

“Ehm. I’m heading to Wales to spend my summers. That way.. business will be much easier to get done.”

“Your garden party is wonderful.” Eleanore chuckled through tightly grit teeth, glancing around.

Scarlett flashed him a reassuring smile. Johann took a deep breath. His tensed shoulders fell. “So, when will we be meeting with Plymouth?”

“Maybe.. ehm.. today. You invited him, didn’t you?”

“I did, Eleanore, but mind you he’s always fashionably late-”

“Did someone say my name?” A sly but playful voice said.

They all turned. There was Plymouth. He rested his hands on his hips. A grin that matched the tone of his voice stretched across his face. He came and took his seat. “It is wonderful having you here.” Scarlett opined with delight. “How have you been?”

“Well, as always.” He huffed, sitting back and throwing one leg over the other. “You?”

Johann’s face lit up like Christmas lights. “Oh I-I’m fine.” Eleanore replied.

“We’re all good here, I do believe.” Johann sighed. “Why were you tardy?”

“For the thousandth time, love cakes, I assure you this is just the way I am.”

Johann sunk down.

“Anyway, you all look a little shaken up. What’s going on, exactly..?”

“Er, Johann, would you like to give him the news?”

“I’ll be spending my summers in Wales.”

“Why is that?” Alex raised his brow. His eyes flew wide. “Isn’t that more than peculiar if over half of your business is done in Vienna?”

“Well.. I’ve got my reasons.” Johann wore a tight smile. He sunk down a little more.

“Where in Wales will you be coming to?”

“Er, I haven’t an idea—Yet.”

“If you do not mind my input, your grace, perhaps you should give things a second thought before you carry on.” Scarlett said solemnly.

“I’ve thought things through.”

“Obviously, You have not.”

“--Johann, I’m confident this is going to be a mistake.” Alex shrugged. “Don’t you remember the last time one of us did something stupid??”

Scarlett cleared their throat. “Johann, it will be very difficult to carry out your duties.-”

“Excuse me, your grace, you’re needed.” A man panted. He stumbled to a halt beside Johann’s chair. Almost everyone in the crowd at least glanced. The man heaved for breath before wiping the sweat from his brow. Johann nodded. He stood up daintily and pranced over.

The two left. The three just looked at each other. The garden’s chatter continued as normal. “God, I hope this party doesn’t wind up a disaster.” Alex clenched his nose bridge.

“I-I think it’ll be okay.” Eleanore said through tightly grit teeth. “He’s just being rash-”

“-Sometimes I wish we were all born the same year, month, day and time.” Alex grumbled, counting on his fingers.

“Calm yourself, Alexander.” Scarlett sighed. “There is no need to stress yourself.”

“I need to go talk to him. This is going to branch into his next awful decision, then he’s going to fall down a literal rabbit hole of terrible-”

“Have a little faith.” Eleanore said softly, resting a hand on his shoulder.

Alex looked over. His harsh expression softened. He took a deep breath. “I will have a chat with him when the time comes.” Scarlett stated. “Alexander, with a head as hot as yours you risk saying something.. undesirable.” Alex nodded quickly.

“Yeah.” He said hardheartedly. “Thanks.”

Alex took a long and deep breath. “I just.. I-I..” His voice burnt with frustration. “God, I wish he could just see it how it is. He’s not his father. He’s not his grandfather. His reputation isn’t not like porcelain.”

“I do as well, but I guess things would not be stressful enough, would they?” Scarlett joked. Alexander chuckled.

“They wouldn’t—but I do have one request.”

“What would that be?”

“Talk to him before he starts being reckless and does something irreversible.”