The glow of the late morning sun shone brightly through the gazebo, filtering through the cherry trees and lighting the side of their faces. The gardens of the estate were big and quite luscious, as expected of a duke's estate. The duchess’ favourite flowers, tulips, filled the garden in long rows, the occasional sculptured trees and bushes decorated the grounds every now and again, while flowering trees were strategically placed, to bring even more colours to the garden. Rose vines crept around the marble columns of the gazebo Rocío and Santiago sat in, and some hydrangea bushes surrounded it. The gardens were easily both Santiago's and Rocío’s favourite place in the estate, while Elena preferred the library. Thus, quite fittingly, Santiago and Rocío enjoyed a sweet pomegranate tea and sandwiches in the garden's gazebo.

Santiago frowned, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back on the steel chair. “You look terribly exhausted…” He huffed.

Rocío yawned, she lifted one gloved hand to indicate to him to wait and the other to cover her mouth. “I am,” she finally said after she gulped down a bite of her cream sandwich. “I still couldn't sleep…”

Santiago leaned forward and picked up his cup of tea from the glass table. “Elena is quite concerned.” His brows knitted together, and he pursed his lips into a thin line.

“Only because she thinks it’ll ruin her debut,” she scoffed with a roll of her eyes

“Partly… but now you're making me worry too,” her brother added as he leaned towards her, analyzing the bags under her eyes and sunken cheeks.

Rocío shook her head as she rolled her eyes once more. “I'll be fine, you really needn't worry, Santi.”

After Santiago sipped his tea, he fixed his white jacket, adjusting his cuffs. “You make me worry when you say that you know?”

Rocío groaned. She picked up another sandwich from the platter between them. “What can I say to make you feel at ease?” She raised an eyebrow.

Santiago's handsome face twisted into a frown. “Nothing, I'm afraid. I'd rather see you well rested.”

She bit into the strawberries and cream sandwich, enjoying the sweetness and freshness of it. It was light and soft in her mouth.She closed her eyes, feeling her lids heavy and hot as the bright sun tired her out. Though she knew that if she were to sleep, she wouldn't be calm. “Well, hopefully this goes away soon.”

Santiago ran a hand through his wavy mahogany hair and huffed. “I might have to ask Tomás to prescribe something stronger.”

Rocío shook her head. “No, I'd rather not,” she mumbled before she took another bite of the sandwich.

“You are much too stubborn for your own good, Rosie,” he sighed in annoyance, “you need to take care of yourself better.”

“Taking stronger medicine isn't taking better care of myself.”

“Neither is having insomnia,” Santiago deadpanned as he crossed his arms over his chest once more. “Look, Rosie, it's imperative that you rest, your health might suffer if you continue like this. I mean, look at your eyes, they're bloodshot and you have horrible dark circles.”

Rocío frowned. “I thought you were supposed to say I'm beautiful no matter what,” she teased.

“I'd rather be honest.”

Rocío coughed. “Very well, I'll do as you suggest, if only to put your poor heart at ease, although I deteste how drowsy the medicine makes me feel.”

Santiago’s lips stretched into a bright smile. “Isn’t that the whole point? It’s meant to make you sleep.”

Rocío rolled her eyes and sighed. “I’ll take a higher dose, happy?”

He nodded. “Thank you, dearest sister, hearing you say that already puts me at ease.”

Rocío shook her head and rolled her eyes. She straightened herself and picked up the elaborate white and blue porcelain teacup. The pomegranate tea was sweet and the teacup burned her fingertips in a gentle manner. “Tell me, Santi,” her tone levelled, “how are you feeling?”

Santiago raised a thick brown eyebrow. “What do you mean?” He tilted his head just as the small silver fork in his big hands pressed into the carrot cake in front of him.

“Well…” Rocío paused, trying to find the right words. “With Leticia’s wedding…” She mumbled.

Santiago's hand froze and his eyes stared at his plate. He cleared his throat and set his fork down before fixing his cravat. He lifted his eyes from the plate but avoided eye contact, his eyes bounced from flower to flower behind Rocío. “How should I be feeling?” He scoffed as if he had nothing to say over the matter, but he scratched his arm, something Rocío knew he would do only when he felt uncomfortable or when he felt strongly but had trouble expressing it. 

“I am not forcing you to tell me, but I also don't think you should be bottling up your feelings,” Rocío offered her brother a gentle smile.

“Leticia and I agreed there were no ill feelings, I am simply happy for her, there's nothing more to it.” Still, he avoided eye contact with his sister. 

Rocío frowned. “I am well aware of your continued friendship, however, what I'm asking is how are you?”

Santiago sighed and rubbed between his brows. “I don't wish to talk about that. Instead, let's discuss the preparations for Elena’s debut.”

Rocío nodded in agreement. “Very well,” she mumbled. “I will oblige, but you must know that whenever you wish to speak about it, I’m willing to listen, and I won’t judge you,” she stated before she changed the topic of the conversation. “Well, there's not much to say on Elena's debut. Mother and Elena seem to have everything in order. It seems to me that Mother is also taking this opportunity to match me up with some young man, and I don’t blame her…I am getting older and I’m certain that makes her anxious.”

“You still don't wish to wed?” Santiago asked as he leaned on the table, uncrossing his legs.

Rocío scoffed, “Of course not, I'm not ready for that, I don’t even know if I will ever be. You know too well that the idea of having so much as a prospect frightens me half to death.”

He nodded. “Yes, but you can't run away from it forever.”

She sighed. “I know,” she paused for a few seconds as she gripped the teacup tighter. “I think…I do wish to be married one day,” her eyes were fixed on the red pink tea as it sloshed in the intricate scalloped teacup. “…but I simply can't envision being a good wife and mother.”

Santiago reached over the iron table and landed a hand on his sister's, noting the teacup shaking in her hands. “You will be,” he assured with a gentle smile, “if you're so loving with me, I can only imagine how you will be with your children.”

Rocío smiled as she slowly set the teacup down. “Thank you…” she mumbled. “I- I’m just fearful of it all. Of making mistakes I can't possibly fix. The stakes are higher when in a marriage.” She sighed and took another sip of the tea. “In any case, I don't want Mother to be introducing me to every man she sees fit. I simply wish to meet with my friends and maybe take my mind off of everything for just a few minutes.”

Santiago laughed. “Mother will not back down, she'll likely introduce you to every marquis, heir, and practically anyone above a Baron in the kingdom.”

Rocío groaned as she messaged her temple. “I can already see it.” 

Santiago’s laugh was enough to calm Rocío. For all he joked and prodded, he always cared for her deeply.

“I'll make sure Mother doesn't get out of hand,” he managed to say between soft laughs. “I can't just let some undeserving man marry you, you know.” He offered her another smile. “I’ll make sure that when you do decide to wed, that man will be worthy of you.”

Rocío smiled gently. “What did I ever do to deserve such a caring brother?”

“I am well aware that I'm the best brother there ever was,” he grinned. “If Mother becomes too much and I'm not around you, don't be afraid to come looking for me, understood?”

She nodded, hat tipping forward. “Understood, captain.”

He shook his head at her remark and finally took a bite out of the carrot cake. “Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, if you can, please rest, you know how important this whole affair is for Elena.”

“I know,” Rocío whined. “But I can’t help it if I can’t rest. I will give you the same advice, though. Make sure not to bury your nose in paperwork tonight and rest so that you look your best tomorrow as well. You know Elena is looking forward to dancing with you.”

A laugh escaped his lips. “Do I also look as tired as you?”

She grinned. “More so,” she teased.

“I highly doubt that,” he laughed.

She mirrored his laugh as she shook her head.

Santiago offered her one last smile before pulling out his golden pocket watch from the breast pocket of his uniform. “I ought to get back to work. I had a splendid time, Rosie; we should arrange another teatime with Elena.” He stood from the cushioned seat, fixing his coat.

“Shouldn't you also be looking for a bride?” Rocío raised an eyebrow and tilted her head.

Santiago laughed, “I'm also not quite ready.” He kissed his sister on the cheek and bid one last farewell before leaving the pavilion, promising to see her at dinnertime.