“Where would you like to start my lady?” Fennel turned to Sage as her family already started looking around. Sage took a moment to take it all in. “Hard decision. I would like to keep the greenhouse for last, anything else i shall leave up to you my lord”  

Fennel nodded as he linked arms with her, let's start with the common plants then, the art works and then the greenhouse.” Fennel led her over to a corner with pretty flowers. A splendid starting point. Sage excitedly read all the signs and descriptions. She was truly happy. Fennel had to smile softly as he watched her light up, a sight he wished to hold on to forever. As he was clearly familiar with all the plants and signs all he did was watch Sage and walk slowly besides her. And of course taking note of all the plants she was especially excited for. “You like cornflowers?” Fennel remarked at some point as he saw her face light up especially. Sage flushed slight but nodded. “I do like them alot yes, they are pretty aren't they?” Fennel smiled with an agreeing nod. “Very much so, yes” “which one is your favourite?of all the plants here?” Sage asked as she looked around. “Hm” Fennel looked around as well, he lead her to a corner with roses. “I love rose hips, does that count?” Sage nodded with a big smile. “But of course, they are very pretty. A pity we only get them for a short while. But that makes them even more precious in a way” Sage bent down to one of the roses and smelled it. It smelled sweet and fresh, just like she herself. Sage always smelled like fresh herbs and flowers. Something she very much liked about herself. Fennel watched her closely, oh how he wished he could paint her just like this, so he would never forget her beauty. Sage noticed his longing gaze as she turned to him “my lord?” She asked, feeling her own heart beating faster. “My apologise” Fennel turned away with flushed cheeks “shall we proceed to the plant artworks?” He held out his arm for her to link into. Sage nodded and linked arms with him. They walked up a beatiful staircase all decorated with hanging flowers. A stunning sight indeed. The second floor was dedicated to the artworks. All sorts in fact, paintings, sculptures, books. A sight to behold. 

Sage's attention was immediately caught by a variety of glass flowers. They looked just like the real ones. “Oh my” she exclaimed as she looked closer “they look just like the real ones! Such an astonishing craftsmanship…absolutely stunning work.” She turned to Fennel who smiled brightly. “Indeed, I've always been fascinated by them as well. Amazing aren't they? I've always been wanting to commission more but couldn't decide on which flowers to pick. Perhaps you could help me?” Sage blushed “why that's quite the honour my lord” she thought for a moment as she looked closely at all the stunning flowers. The rose hips especially caught her attention. “Cornflowers and perhaps some herbs? I know they might not be as astonishing but certainly beautiful regardless. Wouldn't it be fun to display sage and Fennel closely together?” She whispered endearing. Fennel bit down on his lip. She knew exactly just how to tease him. 

“That's an amazing idea my love, I shall commission them immediately then” he took her hand into his and brought it to his lips. A few humbled shrieks were heard from a groupe of ladies gushing over them in excitement. Now Sage blushed deeply, not being used to this kind of attention. Fennel chuckled but let go of her hand, instead he linked arms with her again and continued walking. “There are a few paintings I'd like to show you” he exclaimed as he led her into another room, filled with art studies of plants. “Oh my” Sage hushed as she turned around slowly, trying to take everything in somehow. “I could visit every day and still discover something new” she eventually said and stopped before a study of cornflowers. She smiled softly as she took the study in. All sorts of details were drawn down, it was truly magnificent. “Is it all from the same artist?” Sage asked but her gaze stayed locked with the cornflower painting. “Not all, it's from a group of artists who all attended the same art class actually” Fennel explained as he closely watched Sage. Oh how he would love to let his fingers trace over her soft skin and feel her cherry lips against his. He had to shake his head to withdraw from these vile thoughts. Instead he kept put and waited patiently for Sage to look at all the paintings. After about 20 minutes sage spoke up again, ripping him out of his thoughts. She pointed at the rose hip painting “they really are growing on me you know? Truly beautiful” Fennel walked closer and looked at the drawing also. “my mother said they symbolise romance self love and protection. She always brewed teas with them claiming ‘love is in the air’” he had to chuckle then turned to sage. Sage was rather confused, all these meanings actually rooted in witchcraft. But there was certainly no chance his mother too was a witch. Fennel caught onto her mixed emotions “did I say something weird? If so apologies-” “no not at all. My mother did similar things, I was just confused by how widely spread this knowledge apparently is” 

“Oh?” Fennel now looked just as confused “That's a funny coincidence I assume” he then turned to the exit “shall we proceed to the greenhouse?” Sage nodded and followed along with linked arms. “Oh, a moment “ she said as she saw her father in another art room. She hastily walked towards him to inform him about their excursion.  

“It's just as pretty as I remembered, I always liked this museum” the earl claimed with a laugh “this is the 10th time you've said that” Anis rolled her eyes. Sage felt even more confused now “you've been here before?” Sage asked. He hastily turned around “oh Sage I- I didn't know you'd be here I uhm” he looked around for help but Anis slowly walked away. He sighed “as I mentioned I was befriended with the late Duke of Greenson. I've been here a couple of times actually with him” sage knew he was partially lying, she always caught onto lies quickly. But there was no point in arguing with her father anyway. “I see” she simply replied “I've been meaning to inform you we are proceeding to the greenhouse” her father nodded “have fun my little bird” and with that he followed Anis.

Sage walked back to Fennel who had watched from a distance. “Everything alright?” He could tell she was upset. “Ah just…some family drama” Sage mumbled not sure if she should bring it up with Fennel. She wanted to gather more information first before asking him about it.

“Oh I'm sorry to hear that, let's distract you then” he offered as he led her into the big greenhouse. It was made out of  detailed metal frames filled with glass, a truly magnificent work of art. But even so more astonishing were the plants inside. Sage wasn't too familiar with exotic plants so everything was fairly new for her. “Oh my!” She looked up to a huge palm tree. “Such a beauty” Fennel had to smirk slightly, “not as beautiful as you” he had to chimp in. Sage just looked at him then to the palm tree “which plant do you think I'd be? I mean besides sage” Fennel immediately replied with a honest smile “rose hip. Beautiful and elegant. With sharp thorns but a loving and gentle core.” Sage blushed again not having expected this reply. “You remind me of a cornflower” sage just said without further explanation. She wasn't quite good with words. “What an honour “ Fennel replied with a big smile as he slowly walked besides her.

They stopped every now and then until Anis demanded them to finally proceed to the art gallery.

She had had enough of plants.