The cemetery was empty, no wonder it was barely 8 in the morning. 

She couldn't help but feel heavy, all the guilt she felt dragged her down lots. 

“Come on little bird” he father exclaimed, already waiting before her mother's grave.

Sage caught up and stood besides him. Her grave looked as fresh and pretty as the day she was buried. 

“I shall leave you two to it then” her father patted her head one last time before leaving for a nearby bench to sit down and wait.

Sage kneeled down. The stones felt cold and hard even through all her layers of fabric. A somehow nice and grounding feeling. 

“Oh mama…” she started, feeling tears emerge again. “I don't wish to upset or betray you…but this man has stolen my heart before I even knew.” She sighed and whipped over her teary eyes. “I wish for your blessing but oh how could you ever bestow it upon me after everything that happened?” She whispered, her fingers slowly tracing over the stones before her.

She paused.

“Please mama give me a sign.” She begged, nothing more but a whisper. 

She waited.

And waited.

But nothing was to come.

With a broken heart she stood up and walked over to her father again.

“We can go” Sage muttered, already walking ahead to the carriage. 

Her father jumped up hastily, “was your conversation not productive?”

But before she could reply her eyes noticed something unusual. Two cats sleeping curled up together on a sunny stone.

Her eyes almost couldn't believe what she saw. The orange cat hat a scar on it's cheek.

And suddenly her heart felt much lighter.

“Oh it was “ sage eventually replied.

“I'm very happy to her that.” Her father remarked as both of them entered the carriage. 

“Sage I must speak with you about an important matter” her father started with a serious gaze. “Two matters actually to be precise” he sighed. “Let's start with the more difficult one…your Aunt” he sighed again. “Sage, I know I haven't always been the perfect father and I enjoyed keeping Anis around as a sort of mother figure. She was able to raise you in ways I couldn't. And whilst I'm forever thankful for that I can't help but wonder if she is a good influence, now at least. Your happiness is my utmost goal. I don't dare to question Anis’ love for you but…she is filled with hatred- rightfully so. But I can't help but notice her hate slowly consuming you more and more as well. I'm proud of you for how you are handling everything we've been through. Which is why I don't want you to lose yourself now that things turn brighter.”

He looked at his daughter waiting for her insight. Sage smiled softly at him. “I understand what you mean Papa…i…I love Anis. But she is confusing me recently. I don't know if it's a voice of reason or hatred” sage admitted. “And I don't know how to figure it out”

Her father nodded “I understand my bird, you will meet with your friends soon right? Perhaps they will give you more insight on the matter?” He truly hoped her friends, especially the romantic Lucia would ease her mind.

Sage nodded “I hope it will…why does this have to be so difficult?”she sighed deeply

“Oh my sweet, I think you are making it difficult. Just look at that man, he's helplessly in love with you” her father smiled brighter, having watched Fennel closely. 

Sage blushed but smiled slightly “do you think so?” Part of her was scared. She hoped he was but she wasn't ready just now. She still had to sort through her feelings and figure everything out. Therefore she was concerned of unintentionally breaking his heart along the way. Then again she felt her heart pounding by simply thinking of him possibly loving her.

Her father had to laugh lightly. “Oh my little bird, I've never seen a man so smitten. So yes absolutely. Which brings me to my next question. Sage my sweet, if the duke shall ask for your hand in marriage, what shall I say?”

Now her cheeks were on fire, she couldn't help but clench her fists. A question she had not expected so soon. Then again she remembered Fennel's words and trusted he too would take some time until Sage was ready. “You can agree then” Sage finally said and held her head up again with a smile. Somehow talking with her father made her feel better. “Oh and papa?” She proceeded to ask. “Can we continue like this? Without Anis?”

Her father smiled kindly and patted her head. “If you wish so my bird we shall. I shall talk with her then yes?” Sage shook her head “no let me talk with her please. I don't wish for her to feel betrayed yes? I need to handle this myself.” Her father smiled even brighter at her, feeling so proud of his girl. “So it shall be then” and with that they arrived home.

Anis already waited for them, in the meantime she had entertained 3 suitors who had waited for Sage.

“My apologies gentlemen, I visited my mothers grave. Surely you can forgive me?” She looked at them with her puppy eyes. She got gradually better at talking with suitors and using her womanly charm to her advantage. 

“But of course my lady, I hope you had a cherished moment with her” they all bowed to her. Sage sat down and chatted with them for a while. They seemed nice men but none of them caught her attention truly.

After an hour they left. Now was the moment Sage had to talk with her aunt. “Aunt, we need to talk.” “Yes my sweet” Anis chirped with her honey voice. Happy that she now had more and more suitors. 

Sags sighed but started. “I appreciate everything you have done for me greatly. And I very much share and understand your fears and hatred for witch hunters and men. But as of now I wish to court with lord Greenson. This is my life and my decision. I cannot have you confused me more and more. Your hatred is not welcome.” Sage added after another sigh while taking her hands. “Aunt, I love you very much and cherishes your judgment. But I fear it's clouded. Whether it is or isn't is something I have to figure out myself yes? Do you understand?” 

Anis clicked with her tongue clearly annoyed. She pulled away her hands and jumped up. “I understand. If I'm not welcome here I shall take my leave but mark my words, this man will bring damnation.” And with that she angrily left.

Sage sighed as she fell back into the sofa. She had hoped her aunt would be more understanding, then again she always had a bad temper. 

Was she too cruel? 

With another sigh she wondered. There was no undoing it now anyway.

“Are you feeling better my dear?” Fennel asked, having brought a big bouquet and chocolates to lift her spirits. Sage smiled gently at him and patted the spot next to her. To his surprise they were alone in the drawing room, neither Anis nor her father had joined them. Rather unusual and scandalous. 

“I do thank you. And I wish to apologise for yesterday. I did not mean to ruin the ball”

Fennel took her hands into his and squeezed them gently. “You didn't ruin anything my love, please don't ever think that. I am simply worried about you, that is all” to his pleasant surprise Sage looked much improved and calmer than usual.

“May I ask why we are alone?” Fennel eventually asked. He loved being alone with her but couldn't shake an uncanny feeling. 

“Uhm…” Sage mumbled but added with a sigh. “Anis and Papa are busy fighting so it is just us. The maids are eavesdropping soooo” she had to chuckle slightly. “Quite the drama”

Fennel raised his brows slightly. He was rather surprised by Sage's reveal. “Oh that is uhm… what happened if you don't mind sharing?”

“Oh that” Sage blushed slightly but spoke up. “Father and I agreed that Anis is clouding my judgement. I had a heartfelt conversation with her trying to make her understand but…she took it rather badly. Father tried to ease things but somehow he made things even worse. They have been yelling all afternoon for now.”

“Oh so that was that noise “ Fennel remarked, having heard some distant yelling as he had entered the mansion.

Sage had to chuckle “indeed so…do you mind being alone?” She added with a grin.

Fennel grinned back “never my darling, I was just taken by surprise your father would allow it”

Sage smiled a bit softer. “He's very liberal” she cherished her father a lot.

“I see, that's quite nice then” he smiled back at her as he gently stroke her hand. 

“Talking about being alone, can we meet again in the woods?” Sage asked of him with her sweet voice. She wanted to spend more quality time with him.

Fennel nodded excitedly “oh but of course, shall we meet again at Wednesday?”

Sage shook her head “I'm afraid that's when we'll have the tea party, what about Thursday?”

“Oh I see, Thursday it is then, 3 o'clock again?” Fennel asked as he drank a sip from his tea.

“Splendid, I'm looking forward to it alot. Oh and of course to Saturday too! I can't wait to meet your darling girls.” Sage felt very excited to meet his dogs, she loved animals after all. And the way he treated his dogs and the dogs him would tell a lot about his true character. 

Fennel nodded in excitement “so am I, I'm certain they will love you my dear. But they can be sassy so don't be taken by surprise.” He had to chuckle softly, he loved them so much. “I miss blackberry” he then added.

Sage stood up with a smile. “Let me get him for you” and with that she left for a moment.

A few minutes after she came back with a sleepy but purring blackberry in her arms.

“Meow” he bumped his head against Fennel as he noticed the gentleman.

“Awww” Sage could melt in joy. Seeing her two boys get along made her very happy.

Blackberry demanded more attention, he kept on meowing until Fennel patted him properly.

“Hello my sweet son” Fennel hummed and took blackberry in his arms. “Aren't you a darling boy” he cradled him in his arms just like a baby.

Sage could feel her heart melt away.

“He's so soft” Fennel claimed as he kept on patting the cat. “Such a soft boy” 

Blackberry just meowed, pleased by the attention he received. 

Fennel continued to baby Blackberry for a few more minutes, until blackberry had enough and jumped away. He opted for Sage's father's chair and laid down to continue sleeping. 

“Awww sleep well lad” he looked after Blackberry, then looked back to Sage. Only now he noticed her loving gaze. He could feel his heart beating faster. Oh how he loved her.

“Sage…” he started, feeling his heart burst. Oh how he wanted to lean in and kiss her.

“Yes?” She looked puzzled at him.

But before Fennel could speak up the door swung open and Sage's father entered. Under his breath he muttered “what a bitch”

Only afterwards he noticed Fennel staring right at him “oh” he said then chuckled nervously. “your Grace what an honour to have you here again.” He bowed slightly then stared at his occupied chair. With a sigh he sat down on the sofa instead, across from Fennel and Sage. He looked very exhausted. 

“Are you alright Papa?” Sage asked, worried for her father.

He simply nodded “yes yes my little bird, worry not. Your aunt was just very…strong minded” he took a cup of tea and sipped on it. He was clearly upset.

Fennel just sat there awkwardly, not sure how to behave. Something told him this whole drama had at least slightly to do with him.

“Can I offer you a piece of chocolate?” Fennel eventually said to break the awkward silence. He hated awkward silence. 

Lord Woodherl looked up with a smile, “why thank you” He immediately took it and started eating it. He seemed a bit happier.

Fennel sighed in relief as he started to relax a bit more. It was rather awkward nonetheless. 

“So uhm…” Sage started, she too hated the awkward silence “are you excited for your bakery ? Is there still lots to do?” She desperately tried coming up with a sufficient topic.

“Oh that” Fennel replied thankfully. “We are currently picking out the last few decorations and fonts for the signs. It's rather satisfying to see everything come together. But also stressful. What if you pick the wrong font, the wrong colour? Perhaps had the sign shift more to the right? But It's truly exciting. I hope everything will be to your liking, Sage” he smiled brightly at her. Her approval meant a lot to him.

She smiled back and squeezed his hand. “Whatever you will do I shall love, worry not. I'm so excited for the menue!”

Her father chimed in “will there be cookies?” A glimmer of hope was seen in his eyes. 

Fennel chuckled with a nod “but of course! Several flavours in fact. I'm certain you will find one to your liking”

Her father hummed happily as he leaned back into the sofa. He was very pleased with the duke's reply.

They chatted for some more time until Fennel had to leave again.

“So what about Anis?” Sage eventually asked as Fennel had left. “She claims Fennel has manipulated us all and that we are too dense to see it.” He sighed.

“Sage I was being honest that there are ways to get rid of him shall he truly turn out to be not a nice person yes?” He looked at her with a serious expression. 

“That having said I don't see what there is to worry. Either he is truly perfect and you shall have a splendid married life or we shall get rid of him. You can't do much better than a duke.” He remarked as he stood up and got himself a drink.

Sage nodded slowly. 

Perhaps she truly should take a leap of faith.