Herschel only leaves my side when I happen upon my brother’s door, I open to find him where he usually is, sitting at his messy desk with papers strewn about. His breathing is heavy and his face flushed.

“My word, what storm has wreaked havoc through here? Your breathing is heavy, are you ill?” I ask him and he shakes his head breathlessly,

“I am not ill sister, I simply mistook your steps for mother’s” He places a hand to his chest calming himself.

“You wound me Darius, comparing me to such a woman.” I chuckle softly looking around his messy room.

“Don’t be hard on mother, she loves you dearly.” he flips a page in the book he has on his desk and I lean on the back of his chair scoffing.

“Mother loves you dearly, she loves me in moderation.” I sigh deeply hearing his book snap shut.

“Must you be so negative? You know that isn’t true” He stands taking the strewn about papers on his desk and placing them in a pile.

“Must you be so dense? I’m not her little boy so she could care less, you should see how eager she is to marry me off to the highest bidder” He scoffs again, bending down for the other papers.

“You must be careful with your tone sister, especially when I become Duke” I roll my eyes curtsying.

“My apologies, Your grace” I say sarcastically, straightening back up and rolling my eyes, I can’t believe he’s taking her side. My chest gets tight as I feel the frustration boil inside of me.

“Why must you be on her side? Do you know what she said to me today? She would never have dreamed of saying such a thing to you.” I scoff watching him sit on the very edge of his desk, he crosses his arms shaking his head.

“I am not taking anyone’s side here Linny, and yes I did hear but I also heard what you said to her.” he tilts his head and I feel my face heat up in shame at the look of disappointment he gives me.

“It is NOT my fault, she started it but of course she didn’t tell you that did she?” I can’t look at his face, the disappointment would hurt too much.

“When are you going to grow up Adilyn? You’re not a child fighting over a doll, it doesn't matter who started it! this Grudge you keep against mother and father is mad” He sighs standing up and I feel like a little girl being scolded, shame making its way through me.

“You must not speak to me about father! The Duke only has time for his favorite child.” I glare at my brother as he lets out an irritated sigh.

“You’re wrong Linny please see reason” I can’t help but groan openly in a very unlady-like fashion.

“Name the last time father has spoken a sentence to me let alone glanced in my direction” I question him and the look on his face turns into exhaustion at this conversation.

“Father is only busy, He isn’t going to be around forever. Someday I will be Duke but until then-” I cut him off stamping my foot and letting out a yell of frustration.

“Who KNOWS if you’re going to be Duke, with your health record you’ll probably be dead before father!” I stop in my tracks instantly regretting my words as I turn to face him.

“Darius, I didn’t mean to” he lifts his hand up to stop me, He doesn’t look at me sitting back at his desk.

“You have much growing up to do sister, now leave my room please” He says simply, a lump forms in my throat.

“Darius i’m sorry” I say simply but he doesn’t look at me, opening his book back up. The atmosphere is dark and angry.

“I told you to leave. Adilyn.” He says simply and I can’t stand the pang I feel in my chest, I decide to respect his wishes curtsying in front of him.

“As you wish, My Lord.” I straighten back up as he ignores me, and I shamefully leave the room.

I rush through the disgusting yellow walls of the dukedom, the lump welling in my throat feels like it’s strangling me. I feel like a stupid little girl, scolded by a parent for a tempertantrum. I don’t know where i’m going but feel myself bump into someone, I look up to see Mr. Walsh holding an open book looking confused.

“Ad-I mean Lady Wardwell, is something upsetting you?” he asks with more emotion gracing his face than I have ever seen while he teaches. I clear my throat in an attempt to sound normal and not on the verge of tears.

“N-no I’m fine, as you were” I fail miserably, stuttering out a meek sentence in an attempt to brush him off before continuing at a much faster pace. I hike up my skirt so I can attempt to run without toppling over before my tears start to fall. I feel my chest tightening every time I picture the pain on my brother’s face, The disappointment in his voice curling in my memory making breathing impossible. I only stop when I can’t run any longer leaning against a large tree on the grounds, all I can hear is the huff of my own breath. I feel the warm tears against my cheeks as well as the coldness of rain falling atop my head, I am not sobbing. I can barely see the lake in front of me through the fog, feeling a hand on my shoulder I turn around startled. My teacher looks down at me holding his book over his head to cover himself from the rain, his attempt is in vain as his spectacles are blurry with droplets and his damp curls stick to his forehead.

“My… my lady” he speaks between large breaths bringing to my attention that he must have run after me.

“Something is wrong” he says simply, His frames are dangling on the edge of his nose so he can peer into my eyes.

“It’s not important… idiotic even.” I hate crying in front of people, I feel small so I turn to face away from him.

“Nothing that makes you upset could be Idiotic” he moves his hand from my shoulder to my hand pulling me so I face him again.

“Even the sky weeps as you do, so it must be important” I cringe internally when I feel my nose drip.

“I upset my brother.” I come clean to him looking away and wiping my face on my sleeve smearing the aforementioned snot rather than cleaning it.

“I made a comment in bad taste about his health… questioned if he’d live to see his dukedom, it was a cheap shot.” Mr.Walsh furrows his brows and I feel as though I were a small youth crying over a broken doll.

“Would you allow me to speak frankly Ms. Wardwell?” He asks after a few moments of consideration, I nod my head accordingly and he clears his throat.

“Adilyn, that was a bitchy thing to say, but nothing to cry over” I look up at him and gasp.

“How DARE you call me such a thing!” I push him away from me and turn around but he doesn’t leave,

“My apologies but, Tell me why you are truly upset” I cross my arms and sigh deeply, closing my eyes and feeling a headache from the tears.

“My brother and I… we used to be so close, I used to sit in his room with him for hours.” I look out at the lake with a deep sigh,

“When he got well I didn’t expect things to change but, He came of age and started learning how to be a proper Duke. I love my brother and I feel guilty for wishing such a thing but I do wish he would get ill again sometimes.” I close my eyes again tighter to keep any other tears from escaping.

“Of course I don’t really wish such a thing, I only mean I wish we were that close again. I feel as if I can’t talk to him, we have no time for each other and it’s killing me..” My voice falters at the end of my sentence, I place a hand over my mouth before turning around.

“I’ve messed up everything by saying something so… bitchy.” I use Mr.Walsh’s words, I don’t know how he can hear me over such loud pounding of rain but I trust he can as he nods slowly.

“What is to become of us? When I marry and he inherits, will he ever speak to me again?” I don’t know how I could possibly be expecting an answer out of a third party member, but he responds perfectly by pulling me into a hug against his chest. It’s awkward as if he’s unpracticed but appreciated.

“If you and Lord Wardwell used to be as close as you say, there is no reason you should not be just as close after this spat… or any marriage.” He pushed me back to about arm's length.

“I suppose you’re right” I chuckle and he bows Lowly not looking me in the eye as he stands back up.

“Should I escort you back to the house? You could become ill in this rain.” He looks away from me, the red on his cheeks most likely from the cold of the raindrops.

“I’ll be alright, I wish to ponder your words by the lake for a while.” I sigh, wiping my eyes on my sleeve.

“As you wish, Good day Lady Wardwell.” he bows slightly again and I curtsy back, my skirts completely soaked through.

“And you Mr. Walsh” I smile at him before he walks away, I sit on the bank feeling the mud sully my dress in a way my mother will truly scold me for later.

After a while the tears stop, as well as the rain; I hear footsteps but already know who it is walking behind me.

“What are ya doin’ here Adi, you could catch a cold” Herschel asks simply, I turn my head to look at him smiling to put him at ease.

“I’m just relaxing a little.” I sigh looking back at the lake, he walks closer offering me his hand.

“You look awful, I was worryin’ about chu. I didn’ know where you ‘ad gone” he speaks softly, his usual joking tone void in the moment.

“I’m fine Herschel.” I smile, taking his hand and standing up, he looks at my face closely and I chuckle nervously not reaching his eyes.

“I-i know, my mother is going to have a fit, I probably look atrocious… There's mud all over my dress.” I sigh filling the space with noise, him not answering was making me feel awkward and talk more about nothing in particular. I only stop droning on when he cups my cheek looking down at me,

“You’re beautiful” he says simply, I feel my face flush instantly. His eyes burn into mine and I fumble over my words.

“I uh.. Huh wa?” I can’t wrap my head around his words but I come back to earth when he grabs my hand.

“Adilyn, we grew up together. I know that you’re supposed to be like my sister but I can’t help it.” I’m more and more at a loss as he keeps talking, I almost can’t hear him over the sound of my heart pounding in my ears.

“I didn’t realize until I couldn’t find you, I was terrified and even now I can’t get over how radiant you are.” I sniff feeling snot still sticking to my face, My blood is turning hotter with every word he says. I feel my breathing pick up as I almost can't focus on what he’s saying anymore.

“Adi, I live for you, only you.” He gets out finally pulling me closer to him and I have no words, I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding.

“Herschel I.. um” I blush deeply as he brushes hair out of my face, I close my eyes thinking he’s going in for a kiss only to feel him pull away. When my eyes open he’s walking back to the House, and every part of my body feels weak.