Fennel sat down with her at a nearby bench.

“You are not fond of children are you?” He asked as he too started eating the chocolate. It was truly delicious. 

Sage hat to chuckle slightly “that obvious? But yes it is true. It's not that I hate them I…I have no connection to them. With animals absolutely, children? Rather the opposite. People keep saying it's different with your own offspring but frankly I don't wish to have that experience anyway.” She then looked up from her chocolate, only now realising that it might be the end of their courting. After all his duty as duke was to produce an heir.

She looked in his eyes with uncertainty. 

Fennel on the other hand just smiled back. “I'm glad you say that, I too feel the same about them. Perhaps I'm abit more fond of them than you but I don't necessarily wish to have children myself.”

“What about your title and lineage?” Sage asked carefully, although she was very pleased with his reply. 

“I couldn't care less really, there is nothing to protect. For all I care, my lineage might very well end with me.” Fennel explained as he grabbed another chocolate. He whispered with a grin “we shall be careful then”

Sage could feel her cheeks burning up, unlike most ladies she was aware of the bodily pleasures and how babies were made. Her aunt had educated her thoroughly. 

She leaned in and whispered into his ear “worry not I have taken precautions”

And with that she leaned back again and shifted her full attention to the last piece of chocolate. But to her displease Fennel was quicker and ate it in one go. After gulping down he grinned “revenge for teasing me my love”

Sage crossed her arms. “I was being truthful you started the teasing. It is unfair I shall be punished for your doings” she pouted slightly, Fennel couldn't help but laugh. But before he could reply a female voice demanded his attention. 

“My my aren't you two just like lovebirds?” Sage turned to see an attractive woman standing infront of them, followed by an entourage of 3 other women. She seemed arrogant, Sage couldn't help but feel uneasy around her.

“Ah Lady Birming” Fennel greeted her with a put on smile. “What a coincidence for you to be out here as well” Sage watched him closely,  perhaps it was wishful thinking but she believed he too felt uneasy around her.

“just taking in some fresh air. Quite scandalous to be out here alone, is it not?” She turned to Sage “you should be more concerned with your reputation dear”

Before Sage could reply Fennel chimed in with a small laugh. “Oh please, of all the women surely you are the least to remark on a ladies reputation. Perhaps you should concern yourself more with finding a suitable husband? It's your…3rd season?” Fennel said all whilst smiling. 

Her entourage started bubbling, all rather upset with Fennel. “Rude” was the only thing Sage was able to make out.

“2nd” she hissed at him then looked at Sage again. “Have fun while it lasts” and with that they left.

Sage looked confused to Fennel who was clearly fuming. “I'm sorry Sage, I have a small …issue with the lady. I didn't mean for you to get involved. “ he took her hand and squeezed it gently. 

Sage looked even more confused now “whatever happened?”

Fennel looked away for a moment, “uhm…” he mumbled then sighed. “I perhaps somewhat courted her before? According to her at least. It was only 2 dances. For that matter she and you are the only  women I have ever danced with publicly. I quickly noticed her bad character. She never got over it really. And I assume me not showing further interest in her scared away other possible suitors as well.” He carefully added the last part, not meaning to scare her.

Sage finally understood “oh” she just mumbled feeling a mix of emotions. She wasn't necessarily scared for her own fate but felt pity for the women. Then again she also felt a slight sting of jealousy. Unnecessarily so.

“What…are you thinking?” Fennel asked carefully as he tried to make out her emotions. 

“Do you visit brothels?” Sage bluntly asked.

Fennel looked at her irritated for a moment. “Wha-?...what, I mean.. where is that coming from?”

Sage looked at him eagerly, awaiting his answer. “I wish to prepare my poor heart”

Fennel blinked not understanding at first. You could see his clockwork ticking, then a sudden “oh” escaped his lips. Followed by a loud laugh. Some nearby men gazed over to them for a moment before resuming their conversation. 

“Jealous my sweet?” He had to grin, feeling a certain flush of satisfaction after Sunday's happenings.

“Partially….yes? I think…?” Sage looked a bit confused for a moment. Then nodded slightly. “It doesn't make sense rationally speaking but yes, I feel slightly jealous” she looked at him with her big red eyes. Fennel could his heart feel aching. He could melt away by simply looking in her pretty eyes.

“No need to be my love, to answer your question yes. But not in the way you think. My uncle forcefully dragged me along but I never slept with any of the ladies. They are quite nice though and were so kind to educate me properly. But that is all there is to it. And to answer even further, there is no one besides you I've ever been properly interested in. You are the first and certainly last I will court. Does that satisfy you?” 

Sage could feel her heart beating rashly as he replied with yes. But she soon calmed down as she listened to his reasoning. 

But suddenly a wave of sadness overcame her. She looked him deep in his eyes. 

She loved his central heterochromia. It was truly enchanting, the mossy green mixed with the amber. Such depth and warmth.

She could feel her heart longing for him, an aching followed by a breaking. Her eyes slowly filled up with tears. Even though she wasn't good with emotions she was a very emotional person, or perhaps that's exactly why she wasn't good with them. She jumped up and quickly whipped over her eyes.

Her fathers words replayed in her mind, how trust was a choice. Oh how she wanted to make that choice. But just as well her mother's dead body appeared again and along with it the drowning feeling of guilt.

“Sage?!” Fennel jumped up as well and laid an arm around her. “Whatever is the matter?” She could smell his delicious odour, feeling how her heart started pounding even faster.

“My deepest apologies, I should have been less bluntly I-” Sage cut him off. “It is alright, I need to apologise I feel poorly” she looked around, slightly disoriented. She wanted her feelings to stop. She hated the despair that ripped her apart.

“Are You sure I didn't upset you?” Fennel asked again and made her face him.

Sage nodded with a sad smile “I am very pleased with your reply actually, worry not please.” She then added after looking to the ground again. “But I do wish to go home for now…I need to..I need to-....I…I need to recharge” she looked at him with slightly more confidence. 

Fennel just nodded slowly “but of course my darling, I shall escort you back to your father yes?” He gently led her back inside, looking for her father. He was currently busy chatting with a few other gentlemen. 

“Papa” Sage called out. He immediately turned around to his girl. “Ah yes my bird?” he immediately noticed her teary eyes “shall we head home?” Sage nodded “yes please” and with that the 3 headed outside.

Fennel squeeze her hand one last time before letting her in her carriage. “Shall I call upon you tomorrow?” Sage thought for a moment. “Perhaps in the afternoon?” Fennel nodded with a soft smile “of course, until tomorrow then” he kissed her hand goodbye and after bowing to her father left for his own carriage. 

“Sage, whatever happened my little bird?” Her father asked concerned as they rode back home. Sage just looked out of the window, biting her hand. She then turned to her father, gaze set on the floor. Her words were merely a whisper “do you think she hates me if I make that choice?”

His eyes went big as Sage finally teared up.

“My sweet” he said worriedly and sat down next to her pulling his daughter into a tight hug. “Sage” he gently took her hands into his. “Your mother was the most open minded and understanding person I have ever came across. Even if he was a witch hunter, she would have encouraged you to make your own choices and experiences. So no, she would never hate you for trusting him.” He wiped away her tears gently. 

“Sage, I know what happened to her weights heavily on us. But I don't want you to live in guilt yes? This is your only life and I want you to live it to its fullest.” He hugged her gently again.

Sage couldn't help but cry even more. For as much as she wanted to believe him the guilt her aunt had installed in her overshadowed his kindness. “Shall we visit her grave tomorrow?” Her father suggested, hoping it would ease her mind.

Sage nodded slowly. Although she wasn't too hopeful it was worth a shot.