Truly beautiful.

Sage's eyes sparkled as she looked around, a few pigeons were sitting at the side. She carefully approached them and kneeled down next to them “hello my sweets~” she hummed as she held out a hand with dried seeds. She always carried around some with her for birds she encounters. This time around it was still difficult for them to find sufficient food.

“Oh dear oh my” Anis huffed as she saw what her niece was doing. “What shall the people think, get up” Anis hissed lowly, partially embarrassed by her niece's actions. 

“I for my part find it truly enchanting and lovely” Fennel remarked as he too had arrived. Anis immediately turned around with a frown but then sighed. There was no stopping these two.

The pigeons grew fonder of Sage, one of them even hopped into her lap to have a better grip on the food. The witch smiled happily as the birds continued to eat.

Fennel kept a sage distance to not sush them accidentally away. Oh how he was amazed and mesmerised by her kindness. He smiled softly as he watched her continue the feed them until her pockets were empty.

Fennel himself was also watched. Earl Woodherl watched him closely as he watched his daughter. His goal was not only to figure out if Fennel was a true gentleman but also if he truly loved his daughter. He wished for nothing less but the best for her, a loving partner who worshipped her every move, just like he did back then with his wife. And so far he was very pleased with what he witnessed. 

“Can we go inside now?” Anis clicked annoyed with her tongue. 

Sage petted the pigeons goodbye and stood up again. “Certainly” she said with a neutral expression, not caring for her aunt's mood one bit. She was more concerned for the pigeons after all.

Fennel linked arms with her again. “That was very kind of you my dear” he remarked, truly moved by her kind heart.

Sage just smiled at him “thank you my dear, I always feel sorry for these poor lads” Fennel nodded “luckily there will be more food for them soon”

And with that they entered the art gallery. It was decorated with deep red carpets, elaborate plaster work, gold accents and many more stunning details. Truly majestic. 

Sage looked around again, she was always amazed by art and decorations. Just as in the museum Fennel and Sage were allowed to walk around alone as there were more than enough other people around. Fennel led her into a corner with mostly landscapes. Sage looked at the magnificent artworks. 

They were all moody, dark, somewhat tragic. A familiar feeling of despair drew her right in. She kept an appropriate distance to the gallery, yet walked in close enough to take in every detail of the artworks. She spotted some animals here and there, familiar plants, even familiar sights. “Was this your garden?” Sage asked astonished as her eyes met a familiar scenery. It was nothing compared to how it looked now, it was full of life and flowering plants, a swing on an old willow tree, all sights she wished she could see for herself. Fennel nodded “indeed it was, beautiful wasn't it?” He whispered as he too let his gaze wander over it. Somehow it all seemed like a distant memory, at other times he felt as if it was yesterday when he played in the gardens with his mother. 

“Indeed…” Sage looked closer, just as the other drawings it had a tragic feeling to it, despair, depression, but also a certain longing. “I like the moodiness and tragedy of it “ Sage eventually pointed out, her fingers just moments away from touching the fine art. She pulled away immediately as she came to her senses. “My apologies “ she mumbled abit embarrassed. Fennel just chuckled. “You are an interesting person you know.” Sage just looked at him with confusion, not entirely sure whether it was a compliment. “I like your moodiness and appreciation for the dark side of life. To be frank I despise the constant happiness and oh how perfect everything is. It isnt. Life is dark at times and that is alright. It's the beauty of it in a way isn't it?” Fennel looked at her with a longing expression. Sage nodded slowly with a genuine smile “I appreciate you saying this, I feel just the same. While it is important to cherish the beautiful moments, it is just as important to accept the dime ones. That reminds me, all of the paintings have this tragedy to them, are they from the same painter?”

Fennel nodded with a proud smile “they were all painted by my father, the garden was the last one he painted before passing. Magnificent aren't they? I always envied his art, regardless of how much I practiced I was never able to portrait emotions as well as he did. But then again, I'm good at other things and I have his amazing art to look at.” Sage could tell that he missed his father deeply. She took his hand for a moment and squeezed it gently to show her support. Fennel looked surprised for a moment but smiled gently at her. “It is alright my lady, no need to worry about me. I miss him but I'm contempt within my sorrow. Surely you share my sentiment, although I miss him dearly it does get better with time. Sometimes he is nothing more but a distant memory, sometimes I feel as though it was just yesterday he tried to teach me how to paint” he smiled softly at her. “Life gives and takes, now I have other beautiful moments and people to cherish” 

Sage smiled back softly, truly moved by his sweet words. But before long they were ripped out of their intimate moment by a voice.

“Ah Duke, what a surprise to see you here” a cheeky man exclaimed with a big grin. “And with a beautiful lady, oh my times do change huh?” 

Fennel turned to the voice his smile growing into a big grin. “Lord Sinclair, what a surprise to see you here old lad” they greeted with a warm but strong hug, “do introduce me to your stunning Lady” he claimed as he walked to Sage and kissed her hand. For a sheer moment a small hint of jealousy was shown on Fennel's face but he immediately wiped it away with a smile. “Lord Sinclair this is lady Sage Woodherl, Sage this is lord James Sinclair, an old classmate and friend of mine. He actually lives a few hours away so it's quite rare to see him around town” 

James raised his brows as his friend addressed the lady by his first name, he couldn't help but make a remark “don't worry lad, at latest to your wedding I shall be back” 

Fennel blushed slightly, giving him a small smack as reply. “Keep your mouth shut” he hissed lowly but couldn't help but laugh along. 

Sage just looked rather confused, for a moment she felt her heart pound fast, infact ripping into many pieces. Fennel was to get married? Why was she courting her then, was it truly all an act to convert or kill her?

“Marry?” Sage managed to stutter with a mix of emotions on her face. The joke completely went over her pretty head. She was rather bad with social interactions after all.

Fennel immediately noticed her swing of mood and interfered my gently linking her arm with his again. “Don't mind him he is just joking around dear “ he didn't want to explain the joke as he already felt quite embarrassed. Although it wasn't so much for embarrassment but rather the anxiety of her not wanting to marry him that he kept the joke locked. But his friend had other intentions, with a big grin he started talking. “Of course ma'am, for Fennel to appear with such a stunning lady like yours in public must mean the wedding bells are already ringing”

Now sage blushed as she finally understood his meaning. With a plain voice she bluntly replied. “for that Fennel had to propose first” she didn't quite get that James was just joking around. James on the other hand exactly understood that she didn't understand he was just messing around. He couldn't help but laugh loudly. “He hasn't yet?” He decided to tease his dear friend some more, especially now that sage unknowingly played along. “That's strange, I wonder why?” He turned to a deep red Fennel who looked at both Sage and James. Fennel wanted to joke around as well but feared Sage would get upset or embarrassed. Instead he opted for the gentleman's way. “Aren't we in the process of that with courting? Also I still have to earn your trust otherwise proposing would be rather unfair wouldn't it?” He replied honestly.

Now sage blushed again but nodded along. “Indeed so” she mumbled.

James now looked a bit surprised, he always knew his friend was a hopeless romantic but for him to actually take a bride was quite interesting nonetheless. “Rest assured ma'am you can fully trust this lad here. He's truly one of the best and most gentle men you can marry, if not the best.” He smiles brightly hoping to be of good assistance to his friend. 

Fenn just cleared his throat, “anyway for how long will you be staying?” 

“For the whole next week actually, I've got some family business to attend to, but I was hoping to have a drink or two with you?” He turned to sage with a grin “your bride is most welcome as well” sage blushed even deeper, however she somehow liked that nickname to her displease.

Fennel shot him a warning gaze to not overdo his joking but nodded along. “I was hoping for that too but I'm certain Sage has more pleasing things to attend.”

Sage looked at Fennel then at James. She wasn't quite sure what to reply as although she was curious she at least got the hint that Fennel preferred to leave her out of it. Not to mention that it would be rather orthodox to join two gentlemen drinking. 

“A pity, next time then” James said with a big smile “I shall come by your mansion later today then, now have a splendid evening you two” and with a bow he left the two. 

Fennel turned to Sage with an apologising gaze. “I am truly sorry for all…that” he mumbled as he stated his head. 

Sage just shook her head. “Don't be my dear, he seems like a nice person, it was rather entertaining. Are you two very close?” Fennel thought for a moment “I suppose yes. We don't see each other much as mentioned but we do write regularly and keep one another updated. He's truly a good friend. That makes me wonder, do you have any close friends?” Somehow he had a hard time imagining Sage with lots of friends. But to his surprise she nodded. “I do actually, we are a group of 5 and meet monthly for a tea party. We've know each other since childhood through our mothers. They are very kind and loving ladies.” Sage explained with a kind smile, she did value her friends alot. “We have our next meeting soon, I'm sure they will all ask about you”

Fennel raised his brows in surprise, but he also felt happy knowing she wasn't alone. “What will you tell them?” Fennel asked with a grin. Sage just grinned back and tugged on his collar “mh, let's see~ that a charming but dangerous duke is courting me?” Fennel sighed “will you ever trust me?” He then honestly asked with a rather serious expression. 

Sage just looked at him, she loved his eyes. The deep moss green with amber center. She could get lost in them any time. “We will see” she truthfully replied “I am charmed by you, but I won't get fooled by you” she added after taking a step back. “whether you are a fool or not will be revealed by time” 

Fennel sighed but nodded “As much as I wished you'd be less cautious of me, I do appreciate your honesty and” he added “I have no doubt I will proof myself loyal and trustworthy to you” Sage added with a grin “and then you'll propose?” Fennel grinned as well, he leaned forward and whispered in her early “perhaps sooner if you bewitch me even more~” sage smiled satisfied “seems I have to work harder then” but before long their conversation was cut short again, this time by her father. “Oh there you two are” he looked at the landscape paintings. “My these are rather gloomy, no wonder you are here” he chuckled knowing full well the taste of his daughter. “Anyway my little bird, Anis wishes to go home. Come now” 

Sage sighed but bowed to the duke. “Another time then Duke” he bowed as well. “Will you be attending tomorrow's ball?” Sage looked to her father who nodded “we all will actually, will we meet you there duke?” Fennel nodded with a happy smile “naturally, until them” he kissed Sage's hans goodbye and bowed to her father.