I can’t stop thinking about what my father said, even as I stand for Archer as he sews the powder blue silks to the curves of my body. I can’t help but stare at myself in the mirror, brown eyes and a rounded face framed by long strands of hair that have to be in the dressmaker's way.

“Mother, perhaps you will think of me less plain looking if I were to cut my hair?” I ask, feeling my neck would be much cooler without the abundance of hair upon my head.

“Adilyn I have never said you were plain looking, I have commented on how you believe you are plain looking only to have you lash out at me.” I try to recall her wondering which one of us has gone mad, as I distinctly remember standing here just days ago as my mother called me such a thing.

“Perhaps I was wrong, mother my apologies, but my hair-” she cuts me off, flapping her fan across her bosom.

“Your hair stays where it is, you are a lady not a maid.” she says simply watching Archer do his work.

“It stays pinned up anyways mother it is impractical.” I try to reason with her by bargaining with her if I have to.

“Give me just an inch.” I ask her and she sighs deeply, closing her eyes and muttering something about her head.

“You would only hate it and fancy yourself a martyr as well as me a villain for letting you.” I resist rolling my eyes.

“I am not a child, it is only a haircut.” I look at the waves of my hair as they cascade down my shoulders.

“You are a child Adilyn, until you leave this house you are considered a child” she fans herself sending a maid to get her medication.

“It seems these days the doctor can not prescribe enough cocaine for my migraines.” I sigh deeply, grateful the topic did not linger on me.

“Perhaps it is the cocaine that causes the migraines.” I joke laughing softly as my mother can’t help but laugh along with me.

“Perhaps” she chuckles and I feel a pin prick on my leg causing me to gasp suddenly looking down to where the prick came from.

“Sorry…” the timid daughter of the dressmaker says softly to me, never meeting my eyes and I smile at her.

“Stop laughing” Archer says simply from the other side and I nod at him dropping my smile so I can stay still

“It’s quite alright Ellen you are just learning after all.” I sigh feeling them both pull on the fabric around me.

Strangely, Mr.Walsh suggested we have class in the garden. He isn't teaching though, but sitting, he has arranged a small picnic under a large caeruleum tree, the midnight bark complimentary with the bright blue of the blossoms. The sun shines through the curls atop Mr.Walsh's head as he looks out upon the landscape of the grounds.

“Aren’t you supposed to be teaching, Mr.Walsh?” I ask and he groans, picking up his wine and swirling it around in his glass.

“I loathe teaching.” He says honestly while taking a sip of his glass, I can’t help but chuckle.

“Then why do you do it?” I ask, taking a sip of my own wine wincing at the unfamiliar bite of the alcohol hearing him chuckle himself.

“One does not take a request of the Duke lightly.” he explains, setting his drink down on the blanket.

“I wish to go to the capital and learn more myself.” He explains a wistful look coming over him.

“Is that why you have not married?” I can’t stop myself asking before looking at him, seeing his face change into a thoughtful one.

“I am not married because I have not found a woman worth marrying.” he looks almost sickened at the thought.

“empty headed debutants giggling at every word I say not understanding any of it” he shakes his head and I stay quiet thinking over his words carefully before he looks over at me.

“Oh! I didn’t mean… you obviously aren’t an empty headed debutant you have me teaching you.” he pats my shoulder not seeming comfortable with more touching than that

“You haven’t been doing much teaching today.” I tell him looking up at the blossoms on the tree before looking at his shocked expression, he bursts out laughing and I can’t help joining him.

“Fine.. you want a teacher here, read this.” He reaches over and hands me a book with the title Histories of Regum.

“I already know the histories of my own country.” I chuckle looking at the book closely, the leather bindings tied on loosely.

“Oh but you have not known history like this! first hand accounts, diaries, letters, articles of war and family bound together in a breathtaking story. It's one of my favorite reads.” I smile at him as he talks, looking up at the sky with a wistful look on his face.

“So you are a student of history?” I ask him as I pick up a finger sandwich and smirking to myself.

“I am a student in general. I do not specialize, I’d rather not box myself.” he says simply with a deep sigh before taking another sip of his wine.

“Is that what makes you an Ideal teacher? Your accomplishments in all fields” I ask him curious as to how he can hate teaching but came into such a job anyways.

“I’m afraid of that and the many awards I have received for my work in the capital.” I understand better now; he isn’t happy here, another person who will benefit from my marriage to a man I will barely know. I sigh deeply, a gale blows and I feel the topples of my hair become unbalanced for a moment pulling against my scalp causing me to wince before the wind stops.

“Are you alright?” Mr.Walsh asks and I nod readjusting my tightly curled main to balance once more.

“Quite.” I smile up at him before hearing footsteps, my heart jumps to my throat as I catch a glimpse of Herscel’s face at the bottom of the hill as he seems not as happy as his usual self.

“Is t’is what your class ‘as become?” he calls to us, smiling in a teasing way, his hand shielding his eyes from the sun. I look over to Mr. Walsh, his mouth pressed into a thin line, the look he had of peacefulness washed away.

“We are busy Mr.Stott” He calls back simply and I can see Herschel’s face twist into a smirk.

“Ah, I didn' mean to bother you but you’re a ‘alf hour o’er your limit.” He explains and Mr.Walsh’s mouth turns down into a deep frown supposedly at the way Herschel speaks. He takes his pocket watch out and checks the time for himself.

“You’re right.” he stands bowing deeply to me before straightening back up while readjusting his clothes.

“My lady.” he says simply before strolling down the hill not saying a word to me or Herschel simply walking away. Herschel walks up the hill to me offering his hand so I may stand. I take it gratefully and he gives me a warm slime as he watches me stand, I can not think or hear anything he says to me at that moment I can only stare at his face.

“Why do you do that?” I ask him softly and he looks confused, chuckling softly. He brings my hand to his lips brushing them over my knuckles in a soft kiss,

“I beg your pardon?” he speaks softly and I feel blood rush to my face when he looks at me with those eyes of his.

“Why do you speak the way you do? We grew up in the same house, with the same teachers. Why do you speak that way to everyone but then give me such a confession.” he looks even more confused knitting his eyebrows together.

“I don’t know, I feel as if I can truly be myself with you.” he smiles down at me looking around to see if anyone is around before I feel his hand on my waist pulling me closer. My breath hitches and I feel him bury his face into my neck as he hugs me tightly.

“My apologies, I only wished to hold you for a moment.” He whispers, his speech completely changed to be the same as everyone else in the house. He leans back still holding my hips but no longer holding me so closely.

“Why do you hide it if you can speak as everyone else does?” I ask him, placing my own hands on his chest and feeling his muscles.

“I guess I don’t want to be as everyone else is, I’m not special like you daughter of a duke.” He smiles down at me and I blush suddenly burying my face in his chest to hide my embarrassment. I feel his chest shake as he chuckles deeply and I lift my head up to see him as he plays with the top strands of my hair.

“What did you mean… when you said you lived for me.” he pushes me away suddenly, his face now covered in red as he holds me at arm's length.

“W-well isn't that self explanatory?” It’s my turn to chuckle at him shaking my head. He avoids my eye clearing his throat,

“Oh uh… I just mean, it’s a bit hard to say when I'm not in the moment” he scratches the back of his head, and I shrug and pick up my skirts walking past him.

“Alright i’ll see you then.” he turns around grabbing my hand and I smile at him mockingly watching take a deep breath. 

“I mean, I wake up every morning to see your face, my thoughts are occupied only by you, I lay awake at night thinking of you. All I've ever wanted… or ever will want in this world is you.” He speaks sincerely and my heart flutters in my chest before sinking deep into my stomach.

“Herschel… I’m debuting in a few days, you know we can't, we shouldn't…” I sigh, turning away from him and looking at the large Duketom.

“I’m so close Adi! Meeting the king, getting a personal recommendation to be knighted and then.” He takes my hand holding it to his chest and I feel his heartbeat steady.

“I’ll have a title and we can get married, we're already like family, just… don’t accept any proposals yet please.” I blink in surprise at how forward he is,

“You want to get married?” I ask and he smiles, placing one of his hands on my cheek and I can’t help but lean into his touch.

“I would love that more than anything Ms. Adilyn Warwell.” he teases and I pull away from him turning around.

“I’m sure my mother is looking for me, I should get going” I smile to myself feeling a blush creep up my neck as I think about what he said.

“I’ll walk with you, My lady.” he offers me his arm and I take it as we walk down the hill, the wind blows the blossoms on the tree so petals fall softly as we walk.

I take Herschel’s arm as we walk into the house, someone suddenly runs into me covering me and themselves with what feels wet and I realize it’s water. A coldress runs through my skin as the liquid soaks through the layers of my dress. I look to see Ophelia, her emerald eyes wide as she processes the events. It’s normal for such a girl to fall often with her clumsy nature, but before I can ask if she’s alright Herschel is already scolding her.

“What’s with you? Are you stupid? Or perhaps blind? Can you not see when people are walking right in front of you?” Ophelia’s mouth opens and closes frantically trying to find words to respond, she was expecting me to say something first so when a man’s voice hit her ears it caught her off guard.

“How about an apology or are you too crippled to speak?” Herschel glares at her, I’ve never heard his voice at such a harsh tone it's off putting to say the least.

“Herschel, it’s clean water, I'm fine.” I put a hand on his shoulder and he turns to me, his glare still present before it softens. The look he had not something I will ever want to be on the other end of again.

“Will you fetch me a towel?” I ask and he huffs walking past us both, I see Ophilia’s body relax.

“My apologies My lady.” she curtsies before picking up the bucket that once held her water I assume is going to be put to use mopping.

“It’s quite alright Ophi, although you usually trip over your own feet, running into people isn’t like you and yet you’ve done it twice to me.” I watch her face redden in embarrassment hearing the dripping of the water on my clothes as I hold my arms away from myself.

“What’s been distracting you, are you alright?” I can’t help myself from asking and her face gets redder.

“You could say I've been distracted.” she looks away almost wistfully, i feel my head tilting in confusion before she shakes her head clear again. Ophelia has always been in her own world but the way amusement dances in her eyes and she skips through the halls without paying attention to her surroundings is new as well as dangerous.

“I’m sorry My lady I just can’t help letting my thoughts wander these days, for I am in love!” she says suddenly and suddenly the explanation snaps into place next to the clues all at once, like glass shattering.

“Ooooh.” I can’t help but let slip out as she blushes deeply, smiling to herself and looking into the distance again.

“I’m sorry I've just been keeping it to myself for so long I couldn’t hold it anymore.” she chuckles to herself and I smile slightly envious, her love seems to be attainable, more than a fantasy that will never come to light. 

“That's wonderful Ophi, I wish the best to both of you” I smile at her and she giggles openly before sighing contently. I hear footsteps coming and dismiss her before Herschel can scold her more, she disappears around a corner just as he comes into view with a towel. I can’t help but feel relieved when I see Herschel although his face looks bitter.

“Where did she go?” He asks brows furrowing at me before he looks down the hall, all traces of Ophelia are gone besides the dampness of the floor and echoes of light footsteps down the hall.

“It’s fine, you musn't worry about her.” I take his hand before it is ripped away. He turns around with a huff.

“Don’t be stupid, if you give one of them even a little bit of leeway they’ll all think of you as a joke.” I had never heard Herchel speak so harshly to anyone, the tone stung more than the insult and I can’t help but shrink away from him shyly. He turns around softening when he sees me.

“Adi I didn’t mean… maybe I'm overreacting.” he sighs and walks over to give me a hug, I accept it reluctantly laying my head into his chest.

“Are you usually like that?” I ask softly wondering how he acts when i’m not around, he scoffs a little leaning back.

“No, I just know how hard things are for you, you can’t trust anyone in this house, they're all two faced.” He tilts my head up and I almost lose my breath at his handsome face.

“You can always trust me ok Adi?” He smiles and my heart feels full. I smile back at him and nod.

“I’ve been thinking, and maybe you should stop talking to people around the Dukedom.” he sighs again, turning around to start walking. I'm confused by what he could possibly mean by this.

“Pardon?” I ask softly while walking next to him. He stares forward, he seems almost emotionless.

“Well you can’t trust anyone and I don’t want rumors to start that could damage your reputation so, maybe stay in your room. Besides, distancing yourself may be a good idea because you won’t be talking much when we marry.” This confuses me further, although the first part almost makes sense.

“I’m sorry, what?” I ask with disbelief evident in my voice, he chuckles, flashing a grin at me, at that moment I realize it’s a joke.

“I don’t plan on sharing you much with the public, you’re too perfect.” He chuckles and I sigh in relief,

“You’re truly an oaf” I laugh with him before he stops in front of the ballroom. My father is there, a drink in his hand overlooking preparations. He notices us after a moment and a wide smile spreads across his face.