“If I was so bold, I would stash hundreds upon a carriage. But you of all people should realize what I can carry in a horse’s saddle is sustainable enough.”

“But who would you sell them to? You couldn’t return to the same dealer twice—what if they sold you out?” I rolled my eyes, wishing this would be over soon.

“Then I’ll just auction them off to the highest bidder at a black market,” I said, waving off his concern. “I hear certain towns are quite desperate,” I boasted, fluttering my eyes at him.

As if to challenge my conceit, he contently leans his chin over his hand before playfully saying, “Ah yes. So very desperate.” He lazily left his eyelids half closed, mocking me.

“Yes,” I declared, stomping my foot definitively, “desperate, that’s what I said.”

“Hmmph,” he retorted, tapping his finger over his lips as if seriously contemplating the notion. “Perhaps so desperate,” he said forebodingly, casting his gaze above us before returning to focus on me. “That they would just cut out the middleman,” sweeping his hand between us, “and auction you off, instead.” He raised his eyebrows as if motioning for me to speak, as if it’s my turn in this challenge of wits, but no such remark comes to mind. “Was it accurate to assume that you hadn’t realized that?” I threw my head back in exhaustion.

“Well, it seems that His Grace’s intelligence grossly surpasses my own,” I sighed. “Perhaps a medallion shall hang from your neck in recognition?” I teased. The corner of his lips turn upward in a weak smile. “Of course,” I assured him, “I don’t have one on my person, but I could certainly have it delivered to you.” I grinned back at him as though I too find such humor in my idiocy.

“But truly,” he said gently, “I wish to help you.” Help me? I rolled my eyes back at him.

“Ah yes, you have revealed to me my willful ignorance,” I retorted, “and for that I am so deeply grateful for your insight.”

“My Lady, if it’s your wish to leave,” he reached his hand out to mine, tenderly raising it to his face. “Then I will make it my duty to see your desires fulfilled,” he said, gently pressing my hand to his forehead.

While I surmised his pledge to be hollow, his words specifically ring true. Considering the likelihood of it all, he’s not wrong. But still…

“Why would you help me?” I prodded, crossing my arms at him.

“Huh?”

“You seem insistent on helping me, why’s that?” He let go of my hand and steadies his gaze at me.

“Does there need to be a reason? I-I can postpone the wedding,” he quickly offered, biting his lower lip, “providing you the time you may need to reconsider your plans.” Reconsider my plans? I eyed him discerningly.

“Alright… fine. Although I don’t intend on changing my mind,” I said decidedly, although leery of the way his gaze softens upon hearing my answer. “Okay, let’s return to the banquet, I guess.”

“Of course,” he agreed, rising to his feet. As though something’s caught his eye, though, his gaze lingers on me. “Erm…”

“What?”

“Y-You look…” his voice uncertain, dancing around the right words.

“I look what?”

“Your hair—it’s uh…” His voice trailed off in his hand’s reach to my head.

“My hair?” I repeated, cautiously touching my head, “W-What about it—?" Between my fingertips I could feel the smooth points of hedge leaves, along with the wood of small twigs. Ah.

“Here,” he says, reaching out again, “if you allow me I can certainly help.” Ugh, fine.

“Okay,” I sighed, lowering my head, “Just be quick.” With a quick nod, he busied himself with the task of gently pulling out all of the foliage and other debris caught within the strands of my hair.

Buzz… Buzz…

“Fuuc—” His Grace jumped back, sounding almost scared by… my hair?

“What’s going on?” I pressed, peering up at him.

“T-There’s a… erm,” he stuttered, his sight set on my hair, “erm…” A what?!

Buzz… Buzz…

What the–? What is that buzzing?

I reached into my updo and felt something moving. I grasped it and pulled out a green fluttering insect. “Oh,” I realized, holding it in the cup of my palm, “A grasshopper!” Taking notice of the curious expression on his face, I held it out towards him for him to see. “See? It’s just a bug—”

“Y-Yes I can see that,” he quickly mumbled, stumbling on his own words. Is he scared of bugs?

“Hmm, well alright,” I interjected, hoping to move on from the subject. Crouching down to release the creature, I watched as he hopped out of my palm. However, on my rise back to my feet, I realized what a sorry state my dress is in. Multiple layers have been torn in several spots, and the gown has been muddied along its trim.

I viewed his suit for similar traces only to see dirt clinging to the hem of his pants, along with other debris from the hedges.

“This is your fault,” I said plainly, gesturing to both my and his outfit, “Neither of us can go back in this manner.” He pouted his lips in thought before speaking.

“You could borrow my attendants, a new dress shall be provided for tonight,” he offered, “Proper lodging to change would be available, as well.” I raised my brow at him in doubt.

“We will arrive through the back entrance,” he said assuredly. “Only those of my staff that I have absolute faith in shall assist you. Plus,” he continues, “if it’s presumed that this is to be your permanent residence in the future, I highly doubt any guest would question your visit.” I wanted to contemplate his proposition longer, but the allure of a room to myself tempts me after tonight’s events.

“Will there be tea awaiting me?” I teased, mockingly crossing my arms whilst turning up my nose.

“Of course, My Lady,” he said back playfully.

“Then I humbly accept your offer, Your Grace,” I replied.

Now in agreement with each other, he helped me back into my heels and began dusting himself off.

“Alright then, then I will make arrangements with my staff to prepare for your stay.” He glided his fingers over the lip of his coat, straightening out any creases, and held out the crook of his arm in my direction. I almost blushed at the gesture, touched yet fascinated by his commitment to remaining courteous with me. He caught my indecision with an expectant smile. “I insist,” he offered.

“Do you really?” I asked, glancing at my mangled dress and his muddied clothes, “I would assume such customs wouldn’t befit us in this state.” He furrowed his brows curiously at me.

“They most certainly would,” he said assuringly, as though the thought went without question. “Such unruly circumstances beg for our continued grace,” he continued, encouraging me.

“Hmm, well alright,” I concurred.

“My Lady,” he affirmed while I lock my elbow in his. I matched his stride as we made our way through the courtyard. Moonlight poured onto the cobblestone path laid before us. The click of our heels drowned out the faint chirping of crickets hidden in the grass. He guided me towards a secluded stairwell obscured by a row of hedges. I glided my hand down the iron railing as we descend, noticing the intricate designs framed within the bars. They presented a stark contrast to the rest of the estate’s architecture and I considered their reason for being here. A single post stood upright with two offshoots on either side, supporting the hand rail. The centerpiece sat framed between two other curled iron bars. As I inspected the banister, the detailing began to seem familiar somehow, though I couldn’t quite place them.

“Do you recognize it?” he asked eagerly, alluding to the stairwell. I turned my attention to him.

“Hmm?”

“The ironwork in the railings,” he said, gesturing towards it. I peered back at the designs, trying to recall its significance.

“It’s an early depiction of House Barclay’s family crest.”

“Ah, yes I see it now. And that post there in the middle is a birch tree,” I realized, quickly turning to him, “Your family’s symbol!”

“Yes,” he replied, with a smile, “In fact, this stairwell once served as a passageway for my grandfather. It was pivotal during the coup—”

“Led by his comrade Lord Atticus of House Beauregard!” I chimed in eagerly, grinning at him.

“That’s right,” he nodded.

“Ah, I remember learning about it from one of my history classes!” I continued, but as though the mood had suddenly shifted, he narrowed his eyes discerningly at me. “Uh…” Was it something I said? “A-As I was saying, though,” I stuttered, turning away from what felt like a very awkward stare, “Apart from entomology, history was a favorite pastime of mine.” “Although most of my education was tedious at best—particularly while learning proper etiquette,” I muttered, “history class proved much more intriguing!”

“Right...” Hmm? Looking back at him, I noticed his gaze has since drifted away from me, appearing distant within his thoughts.

“I beg your pardon, Your Grace?”

“Huh?” he asked, giving me a quick glance, “Ah, well you spoke of learning about it from class, but uh… Nevermind that, i-it’s nothing.” Nothing?

“Well,” I prodded tentatively, hoping I might reconcile this, “It’s merely that I had just never seen such an early version of your family’s crest before.” His brows furrowed at the thought.

“But didn’t we…?”

“Huh?”

He muttered something under his breath, but I couldn’t hear exactly what.

We go without saying another word for a brief while, before His Grace speaks again. “Well, building onto that subject, it was a symbol mostly used during the months leading up to the coup, but—as I’m sure you know—it was meant as a way to signal what allies were left of the regime.” I looked up at him curiously.

“You seem to be quite informed about the subject.”

“Ah, as it is my birthright,” he insisted. “That,” he leant closer with a smirk, “and escorting my fiancée.”

“Temporary fiancée,” I reminded him as we enter through a corridor lined with golden walls and gentle lighting.

“Maybe,” he teased, shrugging while avoiding eye contact.

“I beg your pardon?” I inquired, narrowing my eyes at him in objection. He ignored my question. I continued to prod him as we make our way through the estate, insisting His Grace answer me. Alas, his insistent silence didn’t subside. Despite our banter, we fortunately avoided alerting any of his staff as we made our ascent to the second floor. He then guided me around the corner at the end of the hall, and we arrived at a doorway.