Sage immediately turned around, a mix of emotions written on her face. “Oh there you are” she chuckled nervously. Somehow this was even more awkward than she had anticipated. 

He sat down on the log Sage had sat previously on and patted the spot next to him. signaling her to sit down again. 

Sage sat down next to him, an awkward silence had settled in. “Thank you for the soap, I do appreciate it alot. It smells delicious and looks so beautiful. Much too beautiful to be used” Fennel started the conversation, hoping to break the silence. 

Sage smiled softly “please do use it, I can always make you more whenever needed”

She thought for a moment then started. “ I am sorry about Sunday, I should have picked my words more carefully.” she sighed. “Perhaps you wish to listen to my explanation?”

Fennel nodded “very much so yes”

“I didn't mean that you aren't suitable. If you turn out to be truly like you seem than without a doubt you are the most suitable. But it is exactly that, a doubt for now. If anything from all the man in town I should stay away from you the most giving your lineage. But yet I am curious about you and can't help but feel a deep connection. Deep enough to take the risk and figure out your true intentions with the risk of getting burnt. But only time will tell that and for that time I” she thought for a moment, even though she spent all night forging her speech she never got the words quite right. “ I suppose I have to look all ways?” She mumbled, somehow she didn't want to but she needed to. “I need to be prepared if my father wishes to marry me off. And you turn out to be not who I think you are”

Fennel nodded slowly. He wasn't sure whether it was a positive or negative speech. He liked knowing she was interested in him, but he didn't like knowing she decided to keep on looking for other men. “I see” he said for the moment, after a short silence he added. “I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this, I am happy to know you too feel our connection. I cannot put it into words but somehow I just…I feel bound to you in ways I cannot explain. But I won't lie, I'm not fond of the idea of you with other men. Then again I understand your reasoning very much and respect it” Sage saw the mix of emotions in his eyes. She felt bad for him but also was happy he understood her reasoning. 

“But that reminds me” he added with a more hopeful grin. “I wish to prove myself to you”

Sage raised her brows. “How so?”

“I wish to join one of your rituals” he just said bluntly. Sage looked at him confused then had to grin. “Are you serious?” She had to chuckle slightly. The thought of him joining seemed very pleasing. But also somehow dangerous. 

“Of course, I wouldn't be joking about something so sacred. I must say I don't know much about your rituals other than many different ones existing. So I have no idea what I'm asking of you exactly. But I hope to prove to you that I don't see witchcraft as a threat but rather as something warm and welcoming.” 

Sage looked at him closely, either he was a splendid actor or was indeed serious. She hummed slightly then jumped up, now standing in front of him. 

“Say, let's do a pact” she held out her hand. Fennel was rather confused but took her hand anyway. “Yes?” 

“My father already invited you to our summer residence. If until then in 3 months time nothing has changed or perhaps we grew even closer we shall do a love reading. Either we will be revealed to be a match or you will proven to be a bad person.”

Fennel shook her hand back as agreement. “So it shall be my love. What can I do until then to earn your trust more?”

Sage shrugged. “Just be yourself, that is all. Everything else will come naturally”

Fennel sighed but nodded, he knew she was right after all. Sage sat down again.

“So how will we proceed then?” He eventually asked, not being sure how to proceed exactly. 

Sage looked at him rather confused. “What exactly do you mean?”

“I mean, am I allowed to call on you? Bring you gifts, invite you, take you out, long for you?” He leaned a bit closer, making Sage blush. 

“I'd be honoured if you do, yes. I'd say we proceed just as we did before. If that is in your interest after everything I told you” Sage replied with a small smile. 

Fennel gently took her hand, his mood had lifted. “My sweet, if you truly consider me the most suitable for who I am, I know I will convince you in no time of my truthfulness. So there's nothing I shall worry about” he smiled happily at her.

Sage could feel her cheeks burning up again, but she nodded. “So shall it be then my love” and she too smiled back at him.

Suddenly she could feel Fennel's mood shifting. “Sage…there is something I need you to tell you” he started, fiddling with his hands. “Please listen to me fully before you judge yes?” He asked of her. 

A certain feeling of concern made its way to her body but she nodded “I promise”

Fennel took a moment then started. “It's true my uncle is a witch hunter- you are aware of that yes?” Sage nodded, feeling more and more despair “truth be told he asked me to investigate you, but!” He immediately added and squeezed her hand “this is not why I'm courting you. I am courting you because I want to. Had it been for my uncle I would have danced with you and left it at that. As I mentioned earlier I have no desire to be a witch hunter or be involved more than necessarily. I play along to a certain degree to not upset him too much, but that is it. I am and never will be a witch hunter. It's just as with hunting, I play along and warn the animals “ he chuckled nervously “I wanted to tell you so you know the full story. And so you know his intentions. He is a cruel man and I don't know to what extent he will go. But I promise you my love whatever he will do I will stop him yes? You needn't fear”

Fennel looked at her nervously, hoping she would believe him.

Sage took a moment before she replied. “I already suspected something alike. Thank you for telling me” she smiled at him. “And worry not I know how to protect myself yes?” She squeezed his hand back. “Your uncle will soon pass won't he?” Sage then added.

Fennel nodded with a released sigh. “Exactly, which is why I'm playing along for now. He won't be here for much longer, a few months at best. My plan is to claim you are practicing a few witch like practices but aren't a witch at all. And by converting you- courting for that matter- I shall turn you into a completely normal woman. And that I've molded you into the perfect wife- shall you agree to marry me in the future when he is still around. I don't wish to pause my life because of him. But I also wish to keep you as safe as possible. If that means pretending then so I will do.”

Sage had to chuckle. “So you will act just as I fear you turn out to be? The irony” she laughed slightly. “Now we shall see who you are fooling” Fennel squeezed her hand again with a smile. “I'd never fool you my love, now come on my dear” Fennel said as he pulled her up, almost embracing her “huh?” Sage said but followed his lead. “I didn't get to dance as much with you as I had hoped to” he grinned and started waltzing with her slowly. “Not as grande as a ballroom with music but it shall do” Fennel exclaimed as he slowly twirled her around. He liked this much better than talking about his uncle. Sage had to smile gently while she happily danced with him. He truly was the sweetest.

“I really appreciate these moments” sage whispered as she let her head rest on his shoulder, closing the distance between them. 

Fennel smiled softly, as he leaned his head against hers. “So do I” they kept on dancing for some time in silence until they heard Anis voice from the distance yelling for Sage to come back inside. 

Sage sighed as she looked at Fennel with sad eyes. “Another time”

“ Of course, I shall see you tomorrow” he kissed her hand and watched her leave.Sage walked next to Anis who had called her back in for tea. “We need to talk later” Sage claimed as she followed inside.

Fennel arrived back home and was immediately greeted by Mary. “How did it go my lord?” She asked both concerned and excited. 

Fennel handed her his coat and top hat. “I suppose rather well?” He followed Mary into the drawing room where Lisbeth was preparing tea and biscuits. 

Fennel sat down and gestured the ladies to do the same. “She claimed if I truly am who she thinks me to be then I am the most suitable husband for her. But she has to figure out if I am being truthful. Now my less favourite part” he sighed “she wishes to look out for other man in case I turn out to be a monster, after all her father wishes for her to marry soon.” 

“Well that was to be expected “ Lisbeth said as she patted his head “worry not, she will soon understand you are indeed perfect and have no eyes for anyone else “ Mary nodded hastily “very much so, please worry not. You just have to convince her. And knowing you you will do so in no time.”

Fennel nodded slowly “I will…somehow. She agreed to do a love reading with me when I join them at their summer residence. So I'm hopeful for that.” 

“Oh that's splendid!” Mary exclaimed, truly being happy for her master “so uhm…how did she take the news regarding your uncle..?”

Fennel scratched his head “surprisingly well? She already assumed part of it apparently.”

Fennel placed down his cup of tea. “I think this might truly work out” he smiled happily.