“Good morning” he greeted the staff as he jumped out of his carriage. “Lord Greenson” the butler bowed and led him inside. 

“Good morning lady Sage, Lady Downbrey, Lord Woodherl” Fennel entered with a big smile and sat down next to Sage. “The invitations are finally drawn up. I hope you will accompany me.” He asked, to Sage's surprise nervousness was shown on his face. At first she thought of Fennel as a strong stubborn man. But with time she discovered his soft side. She couldn't wait to explore it more. She had a soft spot for soft men.

“But of course my Lord, it would be my greatest honour” Sage happily said as she opened the invitation. It was beautifully made with pretty illustrations and splendid writing. She let her fingers trace over the pretty boarder. “Oh my it looks so beautifully” Sage exclaimed with a smile. “Oh in 4 weeks? Papa!” She looked at her father. “Yes my bird?” Her father mumbled as he read his newspaper as always.

“It's on the 20th of March, may I go?” Sage asked kindly. Her father nodded. “But of course my sweet, actually “ he looked up “I shall accompany you this time, yes?” He had a big sweet tooth after all.

Sage chuckled knowing her father very well. “A pleasure sir” Fennel replied with a happy smile. He pulled out a chocolate bar out of his pocket. “For you my sweet”

Sage took it carefully and placed it on the table before them. “Thank you so much, you always gift me such nice things” 

“I hope it's to your liking” Fennel said and secretly took her hand into his.

He yearned for her touch.

Sage blushed slightly but smiled at him.

And after chatting for about an hour Fennel had to leave again. Anis left shortly after, her new dresses awaited her.

“Are you excited for tonight's ball?” Her father asked as he had finished his newspaper. 

“Partially I suppose?” Sage replied as she nibbled on the chocolate Fennel had gifted her. “I enjoy dancing, the people not so much” her father had to chuckle. “I know my little bird I know. Do you even wish to attend more balls?” He asked as he sat down next to his daughter. 

She looked at him rather puzzled “...I have to in order to find a husband yes?” 

“Mh” her father mumbled then grinned “or did you find one already?” He paused and said “you know, me and your mother only courted 5 weeks before our engagement. I will not judge if you decide on an early engagement as well” Sage looked at him surprised. He usually never spoke of her mother. In fact he acted as if she had never existed most of the time. Sage had always wondered why, but figured the memories were to painful to comprehend.

“I appreciate your offer but I'd rather not get married hastily” Sage claimed feeling rather nervous. Was he already set on marrying her off?

Her father noticed her shift and patted her head. “Wordy not my sweet I have no intention of marrying you off. I just wondered, you seem smitten by the duke”

Sage blushed slightly but smiled. “If he truly is who he seems then I am yes. But” sage sighed but decided to speak up. “ I am worried about aunt's remarks. What if all is just an act and he truly is a witch hunter?”

Her father looked puzzled then sighed. “You know…I've never fully understood the whole witch and witch hunter story. I'm too dense for all that” he chuckled but proceeded “witch hunter aside, there are many men-and surely women and anything in between- who seem nice but turn out to be horrible people. What I'm trying to say, you will never fully know a person. There will always be secrets and untold stories. Trust is a decision. A decision one can make based on many factors and feelings. But it is that, a decision not a fact.

If you are smitten by Fennel you should explore that and not wait around. I wasted so many years of my life waiting around for things to reveal themselves but my sweet, life doesn't wait. Not even your cards and rituals can tell you everything. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and decide to trust.”

Sage looked at him, enchanted by his words. Somehow with his little speech a whole new world seemed to open up before her.

“But what if he is a bad person?” Sage eventually asked.

“As I said, a widow isn't a bad thing to be” he simply said with an honest gaze. She never took her father to be a murderer but ultimately knew he would do anything for her.

Sage slowly nodded “I see…” she thought for a moment. “So your advice is to just enjoy my time with him and trust?”

Her father nodded. “If that is what you wish to do then yes. But only if you wish to.”

She sighed, feeling even more confused now then before.

“And Sage, don't listen so much to your aunt. She means well but after everything that happened…she is abit paranoid yes?” He sighed. “Or perhaps I'm too trusting” he chuckled. 

Sage smiled softly at her father. “Thank you Papa.”

Another grande ball awaited them. Sage had lost track of all the family names and places, even though it's only her 3rd ball or so. In fact she wasn't even sure about that anymore. To her surprise Fennel waited for her again at the entrance.

“Lady Sage” he bowed and kissed her hand. “A pleasure to see you again” 

Sage smiled at him “thank you my lord, shall we go inside?” And with that they went inside followed by her father. Anis had stayed home this time. 

Just as last time many stared at them, but Sage didn't mind it as much. She wasn't pleased by it but at least it didn't send her into another panic attack. Although she indeed felt panicked nonetheless.

“Shall we dance?” Fennel asked as they arrived at the last step of the beautiful staircase. Sage looked around and nodded. Everything was stunningly decorated, it seemed as if everyone tried to outdo the last hoster. 

The music started and Sage twirled around with Fennel. “Say will you ever host a ball as well?” She asked curiously. After all he owned a grand mansion and surely had more than enough money to fund such a splendid affair. 

Fennel grinned “for our engagement of course.” Sage had to grin back but shushed him. “Beware, or someone might hear” but she had to chuckle. “No but seriously” she asked again.

Fennel grinned “I am serious” but then added “I'm not certain yet. I could but frankly it is tedious and last time so much went wrong. So I'd rather not go through that again unless there is something to actually celebrate. But I shall celebrate my birthday with some friends and acquaintances. A small ball if you will” he explained. “I would be honoured if you attend as well” Sage blushed slightly but nodded “it would be my honour. When is your birthday anyway?” 

“Early May, the 8th to be precise. When is yours?” Fennel asked as he twirled her around again. “12th of November” Sage replied as she looked him in his pretty eyes again. “Is there anything specific I can gift you? I know it's still some time until then but I'd like to be prepared”

Fennel smiled happily knowing she thought of him “anything you make I will cherish, there is nothing specific I wish for though. I'm often told it's difficult to bestow me gifts as I always buy anything I want myself. “ he had to chuckle. “But I know you will think of something, that is however if you wish to gift me anything in the first place. I don't expect gifts and neither would I be disappointed if I don't get anything. So don't trouble yourself, yes?”

Sage nodded “I will think of something then” and with that they kept on dancing. 

“Say, when will I finally get to meet your darling dogs?” Sage then asked after a while, still wishing to see them. 

Fennel look at her, for a moment he appreciated her beauty before replying. “Whenever you wish to my darling. You are welcome any time” 

Sage pouted slightly “you have to invite me properly, I can't just visit a gentleman like that”

Fennel had to chuckle but nodded. “Indeed so, my apologies. How about next Saturday? I have Mary prepared her delicious cake again, if you fancy it”

Sage nodded excitedly “oh yes that would be splendid. I can't wait to meet your dogs and have some marvelous cake”

Fennel thought for a moment. “I haven't seen blackberry ever since, is he alright?” 

“But of course, he mostly sleeps in my room these days, oh I wish I could do the same” Sage loved dozing and sleeping, she didn't have much energy even with the support of her herbal drinks so she loved to recharge whenever possible. 

“I see, I never picked you for someone who loves sleep" Fennel raised his brows with a small grin. “Oh I do very much. I'm always low on energy so I love to recharge whenever possible.” Sage explained as they twirled around again.

“Is dancing too much then?” Fennel asked concerned, ready to pull her aside any time. Sage had to chuckle but shook her head “not at all, I love dancing and going for walks and being overall active. But I do need to recharge every now and then”

“I see” Fennel looked at her with concern but took her word for it for now. “But do let me know when you need to recharge yes?”

“But of course, worry not” sage smiled at him gently and with that the dance ended. “Shall we get refreshments?” Sage suggested.

Fennel followed her with linked arms into the other hall where lots of food and drinks were prepared. 

Both looked around, hoping to find something to their liking “oh this looks delicious" Sags tapped his arm as she saw a tray of chocolates” “Indeed, shall we get some?” Fennel leaned forward and took a few, suddenly a voice called out “oh Sage!” He turned around along with Sage. “Oh Lucia! I didn't know you'd attend. Are you feeling improved?” Sage smiled brightly at her friend. She nodded happily “very much so! I've been meaning to write you but it appears my letter ran late. I'm so happy to join this season with you!” She then looked at the gentleman next to Sage, she clapped her hands before her mouth and shrieked, she then pulled Sage away for a moment “you are courting with the duke of Greenson?! How much did I miss!! Tell me everything AHHH~ he's so handsome, you two look so attractive together!”

Fennel cleared his throat “you are aware I can hear you yes?” But Lucia completely ignored him. “I heard rumours about him taking a wife this season, who knew it is my dearest Sage!”

Sage patted her head. “Calm down my sweet. I shall tell you everything at the next tea party, yes?” Lucia pouted slightly but nodded. “Alright then” she turned back to the duke. “Apologies for stealing your beloved.” She smirked brightly. She had deep green eyes with blonde wavy hair. A dark green bow sat on her head. 

“Worry not Miss” he looked to Sage, awaiting an introduction. “Oh yes, Fennel, this is Lady Lucia Devon, one of my good friends I've told you about” Fennel bowed to Lucia with a smile “Fennel?!” Lucia whispered with a small scream as she tugged on her friend's arm.

“I…can still hear you” Fennel murmured a bit irritated yet also slightly amused. 

“We shall speak some other time” Sage whispered back, trying to ease her friend's excitement. “Anyway Lucia has been terribly sick along with Alice and Bella which is why neither of them has joined us yet. I'm so happy you are much improved” Sage smiled brightly at her friend “unfortunately Alice was catching last time we met. Oh I'm so excited to meet again next week” 

Lucia nodded in agreement. “We have so much to talk about, ah I'm excited! I hope the others will join as well. It's not the same with them missing. Oh and I'm so excited to see baby again!”

“Baby?” Fennel asked confused and looked at Sage. Sage was already nibbling on the chocolates Fennel had gotten them. “Oh that, Hyacinth married last season and gave birth a few weeks ago to their first son.” Sage didn't look much excited, rather appalled. Fennel had to chuckle slightly but didn't mention it for now. 

“Anyway I must leave for my next dance, we shall speak next time yes?” And with that Lucia left for the main hall.