“Why thank you” Sage said with a smile as she put the bar into her pocket. She wore a beautifully green dress with a black blouse peaking through. A matching hat with flowers decorated her hat. “A beautiful gown” Fennel remarked, as he led them into the gardens behind his mansion. A stunning view, a beautiful brick mansion with beloved detailed work and wisterias growing up on it. The garden was on the plainer side, with a small pond and a bench. A few sights were once plants grew were visisble. Surely room for more plants and decorations.

“I have a painting of how our gardens looked like when mother was still alive. She tended to them so stunningly. I'm afraid I never quite restored the beauty she brought.” Fennel remarked as they took the view in “I had to remove quite a few of her plants as they withered away. No gardener was able to tend to them” he sighed, genuine sad about seeing his mothers favourite place long gone. “My apologise for rambling” he then said with a put on smile. “Please don't be, I'm sorry for your loss. I too lost my mother. I'm good with herbs, but there are many of her favourites I wasn't able to tend to either. So I understand your sorrow to some extent at least” Fennel looked at her with a soft smile. “I'm sorry for your loss too, I'm sure your mother is proud of how you perfected your skills over time” Sage chuckled slightly but nodded “I hope so” Fennel offered her his arm as they kept on walking. Sage linked right in and followed his pace. “But your garden is pretty regardless. You can tell it was well loved at some point, I'm sure over time you will fill it with love again” sage encouraged him. Fennel looked at her for a moment, thinking to himself. ‘With you certainly.’ Yet he decided to keep it as a thought, scared she might take it as nothing but joking and feeling rather offended. A concern he rarely had. After all his mother's heritage was greatly important to him, so he didn't mean to joke about it. “Certainly” he replied instead with a genuine smile. As they left the garden through a small wooden door within the hedge, fields along with a big forest opened up before them. 

“I've rarely been to this part of the forest” Sage said as she let her free hand slide through the high grass. “A pleasant excursion then I hope” Sage nodded “very much so”

They kept on walking, Anis following slower behind. She was already tired of walking. 

“Are you often out here?” Sage asked as she left her gaze wander. Fennel nodded “almost every day. I love nature too, it's calming and pleasant to be outside. No rushing and hushing, just me and the animals and plants and trees. A breeze every now and then. It's calming in this hectic world.”

Sage nodded in agreement “a true safe space” 

“It's truly is” he then added “I don't mind sharing it with the right company” Sage grinned slightly “I hope I count into that. If so you should come visit me in my woods more often. I'm out there every day too.”

Fennel raised his brows and whispered “all alone? How naughty” both had to laugh “but I certainly will. It sounds like a pleasant way to spend some time. What do you usually do when you are out? Besides collecting herbs and other plants that is”

Sage thought for a moment as her gaze followed a bird. “Hmm… just taking everything in. Connection with nature, animals, the trees. Grounding me. Sorting my running thoughts. Occasionally writing them down or writing poetry.” “Oh poetry?” Fennel remarked “in that case I must insist to read some of your writing. I love reading, especially when im outside” Sage smiled brighter, she had rarely anyone to share her writing with. “A pitty I didn't bring anything along. I shall next time. Oh wouldn't it be lovely to pick a lovely place and write and read together?” She suggested. Almost forgetting about her true intention of keeping him close for observation, not just pleasure. 

Fennel nodded excitedly “oh lovely indeed.” He whispered. “Why don't we meet again, same place as first time? At Wednesday next week 15 o'clock?” He pulled back again not to raise suspicion from Anis, who was rather caught up on fighting with her shoes.

Sage nodded “sounds perfect”

They kept on walking abit, chatting about the forest and their favourite animals “I fear boars alot” Fennel chimed in. Sage nodded hastily “oh surely, especially with youngs…. True monsters. I mean I understand the mother's. Protecting her babies above anything else” 

Fennel agreed. “About that…how old were you when your mother died?” 

“I was 8, what about you?” She replied. “I was 5, how did she die? If you don't mind me asking” Sage stopped waking for a moment and looked at him puzzled “..do you truly don't know?” It was a widely known horror story. She was rather surprised he asked. Fennel on the other hand looked truly puzzled, not knowing of it. “I don't, apologise, is it well known?” Sage had to chuckle “you should know, it was your people after all”

“My people?” Fennel asked now even more confused. “You know, witch hunters? She was tortured to death in some sort of messed up witch trial. It's a widely known horror story.”

Fennel looked at Sage with a mix of emotions. “I am truly sorry to hear that. I don't mind to sound insensitive, but isn't that a bit…old fashioned? Middle ages-ish? To my knowledge as a matter of fact not witch hunter, I always believed nowadays witches are converted or let be. Mostly”

Sage laughed “oh certainly you aren't one… but yes it was rather unusual. For what I know she upset a high ranked noble who then payed a witch hunter greatly to get rid of her. Most people considered her a witch after all”

“I see, still I'm very sorry for what happenef” he then added “I truly am none. My family is admittedly so but I never fancied it.”

Sage raised her brows, certainly not believing him. “In that case why did you call upon me? If not for an ulterior motive?” Fennel grinned, he looked back, to ensure Anis wasn't looking. He pulled her hand in and brought it to his lips. “Because my dear you bewitched me” Sage had to chuckle. “I indeed did” they continued walking with linked arms “what happened to your mother?”

Fennel sighed “similar in a way, she was brutally murdered by a burglar. My father then committed suicide, not able to forgive himself for not protecting her.” He thought for a moment but proceeded to claim “I always thought there's more to it you know? Some things don't add up…” his last words nothing more but a whisper. “Forgive me for rambling on, let's switch to a more uplifting topic, yes?” He suggested with a smile. “Certainly…if you wish so” Sage just said, feeling very well that he desperately wanted to talk about anything else. They kept on walking for some more in silence before Sage abruptly stopped, pulling on his arm “oh look” she whispered and pointed up a tree, a squirrel jumped around. “Oh what a beauty” Fennel whispered back as the two of them stood there watching the small creature. It was truly adorable. 

“See I told you I have sweet animals to offer” he said with a big grin. Sage grinned back “never doubted you” “only my honesty about my intentions with you” he shot back. The witch laughed but nodded, pulling on his collar “of course I do my lord” she claimed with an endearing grin. Fennel pulled in closer “I must admit” he whispered into her ear “some are rather scandalous “ he immediately pulled back as Anis caught up with them as they were back in sight. “But the others are honorable I promise" Sage just shook her head with a laugh but whispered as she walked past him “I'm looking forward to the scandalous ones.” She knew she said bad things, but she couldn't help craving the fireworks her bodies set off. 

They finally had reached their destination, a beautiful glade with a big flowering meadow.

“Oh it's stunning” Sage exclaimed as she ran into the meadow, twirling around in the tall grass surrounded by wildflowers, the same ones Fennel had picked for her. Fennel couldn't help but watch her with a soft smile. If he hadn't already, now was the time he fell for her. Seeing her genuine smile and shared excitement for nature, along with her sassy but loving character made his heart burn. “Dis you pick the flowers here?” Sage asked as she stopped twirling around. 

Fennel nodded. “Indeed so, would you like to pick another one together?” Sage nodded excitedly “oh yes, I'd love to!” Both walked further into the meadow, whilst Anis had sat down on a fallen log.

Both concentrated on picking flowers until they had a very pretty big bouquet. Now that work was done they sat down in the grass. Sage started knitting a flower crown. “Oh that looks lovely” Fennel remarked as he watched her craft. “I love making them, it's calming and you get to wear a beautiful crown”

Fennel nodded slightly as he kept on watching her “do you like crowns?” He added “I mean proper jewellery” Sage thought for a moment “hmm…I do. I suppose.” She looked up into the sky then back to her crown. Waiting for the right words to reach her. “I sometime wear my mothers for dress-up. Or used to when I was smaller. I do dread the moment I have to wear them” mostly married women wore them, so for her to actually wear one meant she was indeed married off as she feared. 

Fennel understood exactly what she meant “not excited to get married?”

Sage laughed sorrowfully “I'd rather die, oh-” she murmured, a rather unladylike thing to say. Fennel just laughed. “It's not that I dread marriage in particular. It's the fear of being married off to some cruel man. Which unfortunately happens most of the time. I'm not delusional, I understand that a love match is rather unlikely. I don't need love, but I do wish for someone who will see me as equal, who supports me as a being, my wishes and needs. Not just a pretty accessory and breeding machine.” 

Fennel was silent for a moment. “I too dread marriage for similar reasons. But I won't dare to claime to understand your fears. Most man truly are disgusting and the way they treat their wives.” Both were silent for a moment. “Are you in a hurry to get married? Or rather hurried?” Sage asked eventually.

This time Fennel took his time to answer. “Partially yes and no. I have no family but my uncle left. He isn't necessarily pushing me but it would be easier to have a wife. That's what society expects from me and so he tries to sort of push me into this direction. Snide remarks here and there but no serious pushing yet. Since you had your debut I assume yout father wishes for you to get married soon?”

Sage nodded with a sigh. “Also yes and no. He doesn't push it necessarily but he does hope to find a suitable husband post haste. He fears what will come of me when he passes. Understandably so, but I do hope he will be mindful of my wishes” 

“So” Fennel asked with a grin “does he consider me suitable?” Sage had to chuckle and leaned in abit. “The most suitable” with a grin she added “so far at least” Fennel raised his brows but then chucked too. “Seems I have to make sure to keep first in place”

Sage just chuckled, not sure if he had serious intentions after all. “I'm sure my aunt wouldn't approve of that” Fennel sighed and looked her way then back to Sage “she seems very displeased with me. How did I offend her?” Sage had to laugh rather loudly, it took a moment for her to collect herself “oh my dear, you know why, your heritage and possible occupation.” She leaned in this time close enough to whisper into his ear “my darling witch hunter” her whispers sent shivers down his spine. Fennel had a grab on her shoulder, keeping her close, their faces almost touching. “Oh my sweet, I'd prefer if you call me just darling and forget about the second untrue part” Sage blushed slightly, their closeness had her heart beating rashly. Fennel then pulled away with a smile. Sage took a deep breath, whilst Fennel had to grin amused by her sweet reaction. 

“That reminds me, how did you get that scar on your cheek? If you don't mind me asking?” Sage looked at it again, with her fingers tracing gently over his scar and cheek. Now Fennel blushed under her gentle touch, feeling his heart melt. “Oh that” he started with a sigh “a rather unpleasant story but I don't mind sharing. It was my uncle with a rifle. The first time he took me hunting, I was a little boy, 10 to be precise. I refused to shoot a little darling rabbit. So my uncle struck me down in anger. ‘Be the hunter or the hunted’ he screamed. Apparently the scar shall remind me of that, or so” he laid his hand over hers, pressing it tighter against his skin.

Sage looked at him, sorrow in her eyes.”I'm truly sorry to hear that, he sounds like an awful person. Are you in contact lots?” Fennel shook his head “fortunately for me not, he lives on the other side of town and only comes around every now and then. I sometimes accompany him on his hunting trips, scaring away the animals” Fennel claimed with a proud smile. Sage smiled gently at him “how sweet of you” but before they could continue their bonding Anis yelled “children come now” both pulled away immediately, hoping Anis didn't see everything. 

“Miss Downbrey, I must apologise for dragging you out here. I understand nature is not your preferred habitat. Perhaps next time we could go into town. An art gallery, or shopping?” Fennel suggested with a charming smile. Anis wasn't moved by his attitude but nodded along rather happily “that sounds more appropriate yes.” Although she surely hoped there wasn't a next time. 

They walked back home slowly to accommodate Anis’ hurting feet.

“I hope she will like me in future” Fennel whispered to Sage, knowing fair well that she wasn't moved by his charm. If anything perhaps she liked him even less now.

Sage laughed with a shaking head “probably not, but we shall see.” With a charming smile she winked at him as they continued walking. 

Fennel blushed slightly but grinned back at her. “We shall” and with that they continued walking calmly. 

It only took them about 20 minutes until they reached the mansion again.