Anne carefully opened the door. “Miss?” She softly asked, already assuming her ladies state.

“Something for the pain” sage mumbled as she turned around, trying to find a position in which her head didn't feel like exploding. 

Anne hurried and got her some medicine. Luckily they had a splendid home apothecary.

Sage gulped everything down with lots of water and juice. Somehow cherry juice always seemed to help her.

“Thank you anne…” sage mumbled as she fell back into her bed.

“Miss, shall I let the suitors know you are feeling unwell?” Anne asked, worried for her mistress.

Sage shook her head. She needed to see Fennel. Especially later alone in the woods. 

“I shall get up soon….Just…5 more minutes yes?” Anne nodded with a smile and let Sage be.

About 5 minutes later Sage eventually got up and got dressed with the help of Anne. Today she wore her favourite dress. A black corset 

top with a long v shaped bodice, a lace blouse and big puffy black sleeves. She loved the assemble very much.

Sage's head was still hurting deeply. The mix of excessive alcohol at the tea party and late night crying really didn't do her a favour.

She sat down on the sofa holding her head, praying only Fennel would show up today. It was Thursday after all, hopefully the other gentlemen were busy with tasks. 

“Here miss a cold cloth” Anne handed her a wet cloth to lay on her forehead. 

“Thank you Anne, you are the best. But I don't mean to keep you from your work” sage mumbled. 

“Nonsense, tending to you is my utmost priority Miss, worry not” Anne smiled brightly at her, she was about 8 years older than Sage and started working for her when Sage was about 10 years old. She cherished Anne a lot.

Anne made sure Sage didn't smudge any of her makeup when placing the cloth.

And before long the doors swung open, Fennel entered with yet another stunning bouquet. He was quite early. 

“Oh Sage, are you feeling poorly?!” He immediately exclaimed and rushed to her side. 

Sage nodded and handed the cloth back to Anne.

Anne blushed slightly as she saw Fennel. She heard of him but he was truly handsome. Anne wasn't used to interacting with men beside some of the usual workers. So meeting a Duke first hand was quite a lot. 

Fennel looked to Anne. “Ah you must be Anne, Sage's ladies maid. I'm pleased to meet you” he took the cloth Anne was now holding back and started petting Sage's forehead with it. He was very careful not to distress her more or smudge her makeup. 

“Please let me tend to you” Fennel said gently as he made Sage lay down in his lap.

Sage blushed deeply both her and Anne sharing a silent squeak. 

“Shall I bring some soup?” Anne suggested as he stood there, watching Sage laying in Fennel's lap.

Fennel nodded “that would be very kind of you, thank you” and with that Anne left.

“Whatever happened my love?” He asked as he gently stroke over her hair.

“Uhm…” Sage mumbled embarrassed. Although she wished to speak with him about Hyacinth's warning she rather preferred to keep the alcohol and crying to herself.

But before she could speak up the door swung open. 

“My bird you se- oh” her father awkwardly stood in the door watching the scene in front of him. He paused then grinned. 

“See my sweet, over indulging and crying don't fit. You have to decide on one of them” and with that he left again.

After all he hoped the more he left them alone the quicker Sage would learn to trust the duke. He was really rooting for them and hoping to celebrate their wedding soon. 

Sage blushed deep red with a small hiss.

Fennel couldn't help but chuckle softly. “Over indulging I see. A woman after my own heart. Seems the tea party was a full success.” He kept striking her hair then asked softly. “Whatever did you cry for my love?”

Sage turned away slightly, not able to face him just yet. “There's actually something I wish to ask you, if you allow it?” she turned to him again with big eyes.

Fennel could feel his heart melt under her gaze. “Anything my love”

“Will you truly wait for me?” She reached for his cheek, gently brushing over it.

Now Fennel blushed. “For however long it takes, yes.” He immediately replied without any hesitation. 

“Do you truly mean it?” Sage asked, feeling her eyes getting teary again. The thought of him with another woman broke her heart. 

“Even if it's an eternity, yes. Whatever do you worry about?” He gently asked and cupped her hand into his, pressing her hand deeper onto his cheek.

Sage studied his face. He was such a handsome man.

She traced with her thumb over his scar. 

“Altough how you got your scar is certainly cruel, it does look so handsome on you” she whispered her eyes set on his.

Fennel could feel her every move, the burning of her eyes and her warmth. He could feel how he closed the distance more and more. She pulled him right in.

But before their lips could meet Anne swung the door open. “The soup Miss” she proudly said with a big smile.

Fennel immediately pulled away and smiled at Anne. “Thank you so much Anne” 

Sage sat up slowly. “Thank you Anne…please do not worry about me further. I'm in good hands.” She smiled at Anne. Anne nodded “do let me know when you need anything else” and with that she left. 

“Shall I feed you?” Fennel asked, already having taken the spoon.

Sage shook her head. “No I can eat on my own, but thank you” she tried taking the spoon from him but he kept it secured in his hand. “Say Ahhhh” Fennel demanded, wanting to feed her.

Sage sighed but saw the determination in his eyes. She knew there was no use in arguing with him.

“A-ahhhh” she opened her mouth and let Fennel feed her. He looked very satisfied. 

Sage felt eating took an eternity but eventually they finished. Her cheeks were deep red, she felt rather embarrassed. Fennel on the other hand couldn't feel happier.

“So” he started after making her lay down in his lap again. “You wanted to tell me whatever it is you fear”

Sage turned away again. “....Hyacinth mentioned how many ladies wish to be a duchess… and there certainly are many stunning ladies.” She turned to him again. “What if you will get tired of waiting?” anxiety and sadness were written all over her face. She hated the thought of him with another. Yet she hated herself more for not being able to be with him just yet.

Fennel gently brushed a strain out of her face. “My love, there is no one who could ever compare to you. Not in this or any other life. I love you in ways I cannot possible understand or word. But I know for certainty there will never be anyone besides you. You are and will always be my everything. So worry not my love” he smiled at her softly as his fingers traced over her bottom lip. He blushed slightly only now realising how he had ultimately confessed his love for her.

Sage blushed as well but smiled at him. “I shall believe you then my dear…” she took his hand and pressed it against her cheek. She closed her eyes for a moment. Taking in his touch and enjoying their bonding. She added with a whisper. “I'm looking forward to later “

Fennel smiled brighter “me too”

Although they were alone now too, being properly alone without anyone bursting in any minute was different. Here in this drawing room they had to uphold the roles of lady and lord, whilst in the woods they were able to be just them.

“I feel much better already.” she whispered as she opened her eyes again, looking straight into his.

Fennel smiled softly at her, holding her gaze. “I'm glad my love, but do promise me next time shall you have any worries. Do come to me. Yes?”

Sage smiled shyly at him “I shall try…” she mumbled, feeling pretty embarrassed still. 

Fennel made her look at him by firmly but gently holding her chin. “Sage” he said.

She sighed but nodded “I will my love”

She rested her head in his lap for some more time until she eventually sat up again with a stretch. “That was very comfortable, thank you very much” 

Fennel grinned slightly “I'll gladly be your pillow any time again.” Sage had to chuckle but stood up to get them some tea.

She came back a few minutes later with a can and two cups.

“Here you go” she handed Fennel a cup of tea while taking the other one herself. 

“I love how independent you are, most rely on their stuff for everything. I appreciate you knowing your way around.” He smiled brightly at her as he drank his tea.

Sage blushed slightly but smiled “mother taught me early on to not rely on everyone, especially basic tasks like this. She taught me most tasks around the house so I can complete them myself. I also prefer to do my hair and make-up alone. I don't mind getting dressed, it is easier at times, especially with more complex ballgowns.” Sage explained. Fennel listened eagerly. “Were you two close? You and your mother?”

Sage nodded as she placed down her tea again. “I'd like to think so. Our relationship was pretty similar to mine and Anis, more friendship based than mother and daughter. Which I appreciated a lot actually. She taught me so many important things, I'm forever grateful for that. Actually let me get something” Sage got up to collect her mothers portrait from her room. Fennel waited patiently for her.

“Here” she handed him the portrait. Besides the hair she truly looked just like her mother. “You could be twins” Fennel remarked as he carefully took the portrait. He smiled softly at it. He wondered how he'd get along with her mother, was she still alive. 

“Was growing up without her difficult?” He eventually asked as he handed her back the portrait. 

Sage shook her head. “I had Papa and Anis who very much filled her role. If anything I'd like to think Anis taught me more than she would have. After all there were some limitations to our relationship after all I suppose. But needless to say, I struggled a lot and still do with the tragedy I had to watch.”

Fennel looked concerned as he proceeded to ask carefully. “Where you…there when the witch trial happened?” He still remember how he mentioned she passed when she was 8 in some messed up witch trial hosted by a secret society, or rather witch hunters.

Sage paused for a moment, she chuckled softly. It was a sad melancholic one. “Indeed” she paused again but proceeded to speak up. “She hid me in a cupboard. I heard everything. Her screams are still embedded in my mind. Luckily I only saw a few things here and there.” She paused again but decided to spare him the details. “It was horrific. I still sometimes wonder what would have happened had I not run to her that night. Father was away on a trip and I had a terrible nightmare. I ran to her for comfort when they broke in. She immediately made me hide in that cupboard. I'm still convinced she knew they were coming for her… but she probably didn't anticipate them to be so bold. Perhaps she thought they'd kill her when she was out in the woods, not break into her home and kill all the servants as well. I'm certain they would have killed me too, had I not been hidden so well. Mother claimed I was at a friend's house as she knew they were coming…but truth be told I was just lucky.” Sage only noticed now that she had started to shiver, something she often did when her mind took over. Fennel gently stroked over her back to comfort her. She saw anxiety mixed with sadness but also understanding in his eyes. “Oh my poor Sage” he whispered and kissed her hand. “I'm so sorry you had to endure this horror.” He seemed truly genuine. Sage smiled sadly. She still feared him, was he too such a monster?

She couldn't believe it, someone as handsome and soft as him. But then again, perhaps he was simply a splendid actor. 

“What about your mother?” She softly asked, remember how he mentioned there was more to it than just a burglary. Perhaps now he was ready to open up.

Fennel looked away for a moment then faced her. “Sage I shall be complete honest with you…I'm convinced my uncle had to do with it. I can't tell you much more now as investigations are still running and I don't want you caught in the crossfire yes? But I do want  you to always stay away from that man. Regardless the circumstances, he is absolutely dangerous.” He paused for a moment. “Had he not already set his eyes on you, I had waited to court you until his death. But since he is already interested in you there's no point in waiting. But I am sorry for all that…for what it's worth” Fennel looked genuinely frightened and concerned. Sage nodded softly and squeezed his hand kindly. “Worry not about me my love, I will be alright. But you must be staggering underneath all that pressure and anxiety” she stroked over his cheek as she looked into his green eyes. 

He blushed slightly but smiled softly. “Thank you for worrying about me, but knowing that Bastard will soon be dead is all I need.”

But again their intimate moment was cut short as the door swung open again. This time it was the butler. “Suitors have arrived Miss” and with that Sage had to entertain a few gentlemen yet again. Fennel was not surprised about her popularity, but displeased nonetheless.