Today was debut day, a day a lady either looked forward to, or dreaded her whole life.

Sage stood amongst many other noble ladies, awaiting to be presented to her majesty in her drawing room. Feelings run high, cries of joy and sorrow echoed through the palace.

Sage stood still, hoping for noone to approach her. Her head still rang from last night's sorrow, her mind racing in all directions but not a single proper one.

“Just breath everything will be smoothly” Anis whispered into her niece's ear. Sage just nodded along whilst upkeeping her smile.

“Lady Downbrey” someone suddenly hummed, both Sage and Anis turning. “My isn't this young Lady Woodherl, oh you look marvellous” Anis, or better known as Lady Downbrey hummed back “oh Lady Lizerbeeth, how stunning to see you, and of course young lady Lizerbeeth” Anis slightly tilted her head to show respect, not a low bow as both families were Marquises. Alice, the young lady seemed even more upset than Sage. White as a sheet with empty eyes. Sage couldn't help but feel pity for her, altough sharing her feelings too well. “Oh I cannot wait to attend balls together, yes? How perfect to enter this season with you” Lady Lizerbeeth chirped with a chuckled. “Have you heard? A few ladies are already in ruin they-”

The huge door swung open, “lady Alice Lizerbeeth accompanied by her mother, Lady Lizerbeeth” amongst all the chatter both almost missed their entrance. Almost. For noone would mess up this important day.

Both walked in elegantly, as the huge door shut behind them again.

“We are next in line” Anis claimed, as she squeezed Sage's hand one last time. “You are marvellous my darling, worry not”

And with that they enter the bright room after the ladies before them left. 

It was bright, many people watched inside almost like a zoo. And so Sage's mind wandered off again to the wish of being an animal. Her heart raced, it beat so fast she was certain everyone in the room could hear it. She walked as graceful as she was taught next to her aunt. Until the very end til she stood before Queen Victoria. An elderly women in her early 70s, decorated with a stunning crown and dress.

Sage curtseyed lowly before standing up again and having a glimpse look into her eyes. 

The queen was silent for a moment before she stood up and kissed Sage's forehead. “Your mother was a stunning women. I pity what happened to her, but I am certainl you will be just as grande as her” 

And with that Sage was dismissed. She walked out followed by her aunt. With the quickest step appropriate, she hurried to their carriage. As soon as she sat inside she wiped over her forehead. She felt disgusted knowing how many others she certainly had kissed and all the illnesses she might contracted. Surely there had to be a more appropriate solution to show respect.

Anis tried to calm her niece, but was met with a low hiss. Sage proceeded to curl up on her seat, overstimulated by pretty much everything. She hated social gatherings. The gratitude of knowing she did well however never came. Her mind rarely rewarded her.

As the perfect aunt she knew, all her darling needed was some calmness and a good tea. She had the maids prepared a tea and cake in advance, knowing full well how she would most likely feel anyway. 

The ride home felt utterly long, but she couldn't get rid of any items or else the neighbours would talk. There were only 2 mansions in reach but without a doubt they were watching closely on this special day.

An eternity later, she hopped out of the carriage, followed by her aunt. Just as she anticipated, the neighbours tried watching from afar.

The moment the door fell shut behind her she started ripping off her items. At first the utterly displeasing feather headpiece, followed by her gloves, the jewellery, anything. Anis helped unbuttoning her dress, as they walked towards her room. The stairs were somewhat difficult to manoeuvre but they managed.

She dropped the gown, petticoats and crinoline to the floor.

Sage loved her corset, the comfortable tightness grounded her in a way, making it one of her beloved items. She embroidery her favourite herbs onto it as well, making it even more special. 

She dropped into her bed with a big frown, followed by a whimper. Just in this instance her maid brought in the tea and cake, her favourite. Peppermint and vanilla cake with chocolate chips in it. 

Anis sat next to her whilst eating. “Oh you gotta try this love, exquisite” she mumbled with a mouthful. No need for manners as it were just them two.

Sage slowly sat up, bribed by the cake. So she too started eating, delighted by the amazing flavour. 

Both ate in silence for a while before Anis stood up. “I have some arrangements to make before tonight's ball yes? Get some rest an recharge now” she kissed Sage's cheek goodbye and with that left.

Sage drank her tea, along with a herbal mixture. One of her other beloved items, a semi strong sedative to calm her nerves.

She fell back onto the bed. 

Surprisingly so far everything truly went swimmingly, but the real dread was to come later. 

The first ball.

She wanted to scream, but the emptiness had settled in. After all she had 20 years to prepare for her life to be over. Luckily she had ways of protection to not be with child. She took so many specific herbs in preparation, she wondered if she was even fertile. 

Her biggest fear, being nothing but a breeding machine to an abusive man, having stripped everything from her. Any spark she had left drowned in obedience. 

A fate that might as well awaited her.

She sighed.

Perhaps things could turn for the better. 

But all she could think of was her mother's corpse and the violation she had endured by men. A fate that too mayhaps awaited her.

She turned towards the window, the big forest with it's lakes and fields opened up before her.

She could run, run and never return. But her legs refused to.

The carriage door swung open as they arrived at their destination. The Holwayns mansion, one of the most famous dukes and therefore hoster of the first ball.

One of the footman helped Sage and Anis out of the carriage. 

“Ready love?” Anis asked altough she very much knew the answer.

The ballroom was beautifully decorated, flowers and candles everywhere. Sage looked around, enchanted by the beauty.

After some small talk with familiar people here and there, they settled in a corner.

“Now darling, smile more or suitors won't approach you” anis whispered. Sage just grinned slightly “I certainly hope so” but before long a suitor indeed approached. A certain someone she was familiar with, yet didn't know of just yet.

For no other but lord Greenson has attended the ball as well. A Duke, therefore quite famous, and handsome. Very popular within the peerage. Most eyes were on him, hungy mamas ready to throw in their daughters.

A few dared to approach him as he entered the hall. “Lord Greenson, such a pleasure to meet you, may I introduce my daughter-” 

“The pleasure is yours” he just said with a smile, nodded to the helpless girls while continuing walking. The daring woman stood there embarrassed, with a certain rage.

But he couldn't care less, if she was so bold to approach a stranger he would act accordingly. His uncle's words ringed in his ears, ‘remember your duty to convert witches. Two we know of will attend, Lady Downbrey with her niece’ he knew lady Downbrey's looks, but to his pleasant surprise her niece was no other than the girl he met yesterday. His lips curled up in a slight grin as he approached her. 

“Oh my, what a pleasant surprise to meet you again my lady” he bowed to her “I must say I was hoping to see you again. Our last conversation was most intriguing.”

Sage was rather surprised to see him, after all she mistook him for anyone but a Duke. Yet she wasn't entirely sure how she felt about him approaching her.

“What a surprise indeed my lord” she replied with a put on smile. Of all the men he was the least boring one for certain. 

“I must insist to have your first dance, may I?” Sage nodded lightly. The least dreadful dance partner most likely and knowing her aunt she had to dance sooner or later anyway. She stood up as she held his hand. To her surprise her aunt looked rather concerned than overjoyed. She had only noticed the duke now as she was occupied with listening to a nearby argument. 

But the dance was about to start so there was no time to lose. She followed the Duke and started waltzing. Her favourite dance at least. 

“Your aunt looks rather displeased” he pointed out with a chuckle. “I wonder why, she was about to throw me at the next suitable man” her neutral expression made the Duke laugh. “Perhaps due to my families dark secrets?” He added with a low voice. 

Now Sage smirked “oh? Murderers Perhaps?” He grinned wider “of sorts” Sage too grinned wider “oh how intriguing my lord” she hushed into his ear, somehow there was something endearing about him.

“I'm surprised, as someone who's so against hunting you seem rather unconcerned with killing of the same species.” 

Sage chuckled “I like animals, humans not so much” her chuckled as well “Oh I agree with that very much. Humans are very tiring and difficult. It's fascinating but frustrating just as much how little progress we made over the centuries. Stupid little flesh creatures with thumbs.” Sage nodded “very much so, I assume you despise such events” she looked around, hinting at social gatherings “as well?”

He nodded “very much yes, but my uncle forced me to attend” he added with a grin “and yet I get to dance with a stunning lady. I can't claim to regret attending” 

Sage just looked back at him, brows slightly raised. She couldn't exactly tell if he was toying with her or genuinely flirting. “Dancing is quite entertaining I must say” she replied, keeping it more vague.

“In that case I shall call upon your next free dances then?” He twirled her around, eyes set on her. Sage smiled more genuinely. “Indeed so my lord”

“Oh, I am afraid I didn't catch your name earlier lady…?” His uncle only told him about her aunt. “Lady Sage Woodherl” Sage replied with her sweet voice “Lord Fennel Greenson, at your service” 

Sage's eyes grew wider for a moment “oh my how intriguing, I never met anyone else with a herbal name before. Seems fate truly brought us together.” This time she was the one with the seductive voice, to Fennel's liking.

“Indeed so my lady” he hushed back, both being rather inappropriately close. But luckily most other people were occupied gushing over the duke of Holwayns son, who just joined.

“I did thought of you as a hunter's servant” Sage then bluntly claimed, breaking their spark. Fennel couldn't help but laugh. “And I thought of you as a maid. Oh how amusing. Seems we both fell for another.” He grinned clearly knowing the twist of his words. 

Sage just grinned back. And with that their first dance was over. But Fennel had no intention of letting her go just now. He kept her pulled closely, with an almost appropriate space between. “Another one?” He asked altough he already decided her answer.

Sage just began twirling with him, clearly wanting to continue dancing. 

They danced a few more rounds until Fennel led her back to her aunt. Both being rather exhausted. 

“I thank you sincerely lady Woodherl, I shall call upon you tomorrow then?” He asked with a seductive smile. Sage just grinned back “As you wish my lord” and with that their ways parted for now. Fennel approached a few of his fellow noble men before leaving shortly. Anis on the other hand pulled Sage right after her, leaving immediately. Sage felt rather confused about her aunt's odd behaviour. Their carriage ride back was filled with an unsettling silence. Only until they reached the safe walls of home she spoke up.

“Sage that man is dangerous, you need to be very very careful around him” she knew his eyes were set on her, so societies, so there was no point in trying to keep him away. It would only cause scandal and ultimately do nothing more than that. He would always find a way back to her.

Sage blinked, waiting for a further explanation. Altough she already had a feeling there was more to him.

“he is a witchhunter- presumably so. At least his family is. Considering how he reached out to you immediately makes me wonder if this is all plan of a bigger scheme.”

Anis paused for a moment. “He was still your age when the brutal tragedy happened to your mother, so it's quite safe to assume he did not take part in it. But his family might. Keep that in mind dear” worry was written all over Anis’ face. Sage nodded “I shall be careful then, may I rest now?” Anis nodded “you shall, until tomorrow love” and with that she left.

Sage laid in bed, starring at her pretty ceiling. Her gaze wandered over the elaborate plaster, the dark green giving her comfort. Her mind was all over the place again.

Fennel was intriguing, somehow the thought of dancing with an enemy was quite arousing.

But at the same time the images of her dead mother's body kept replaying in her head. 

Was she betraying her by flirting with him? Then again, as her aunt claimed. There was no escaping him now so she should make the best of it. Have some fun and keep him close enough to strike his plans.

emptiness settled in. She couldn't feel anything at all. Not even the guilt.