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"I refuse to believe that!" I shouted, outright denying it.

Cole, seated behind me, burst into laughter, while Nic, across from us, only shook his head.

Nic—his hair neatly wrapped in a cloth to keep dirt and bits of horse feed-mostly crushed oats and bran mash-from getting into it—sat beside another presence.

Off to the side sat a boy alone, his face burning red with embarrassment. His hands covered his face as he turned toward another boy beside him, one with a faint scar beneath his chin. And honestly-if you thought my prank from a little over a week ago was impressive, you clearly hadn't seen what this one had pulled off.

We were all gathered beneath the moonlight, a cool evening breeze brushing past us, seated in a loose circle around a crackling bonfire. Rough logs served as seats, and the mood was loud, lively, and full of energy.

The embarrassed boy-Liam-suddenly lunged at Venice, the known prankster, knocking him down in an attempt to clamp a hand over his mouth. Laughter erupted as they struggled awkwardly on the ground.

"Get off me, you wimp!" Venice barked, shoving him away. "You can't even overpower one arm of mine. No wonder you got thrown off the moment you tried climbing onto Dave! Hahaha!"

I laughed as Venice casually tossed Liam aside. Liam stumbled, tried to steady himself, and ended up landing flat on his backside.

"Ow! Hey! Can you ever be nice?" Liam yelled, rubbing the sore spot.

"I am being nice! This is the nicest I get. Be grateful!" Venice shot back, rolling his eyes before turning to me with a smug grin.

"So? How was it? Embarrassing, right? You should've been there, Clare. Even Sir Andrew was so shocked he didn't lift a finger to help! Hahaha!"

It really was funny.

Who tries to ride a noble horse after attempting to bribe it with sweetened oats? Dave didn't even have time to sniff the offering before sending Liam flying.

I laughed so hard I didn't realize I let out a quiet gasp. Once I noticed, I pressed my lips together, trying-and failing-to hold it in.

"Haha... very funny," Liam muttered, brushing dirt from himself before returning to his seat on the log.

Venice pulled a mocking face. "But it is funny."

"Oh yeah?" Liam shot back, puffing his chest. "Then maybe I should share your embarrassing stories."

Venice laughed lightly. "You? My embarrassing moments? Please. Go on, try. I don't embarrass myself like you do."

"Hmph! You really think you're that perfect?"

"Oh, absolutely. Now spill it."

"Fine! You asked for it!" Liam turned toward us-especially me.

"Clare, don't be fooled by this lunatic. He pretends to be all cool, but he's actually-"

He paused, glancing at all of us leaning forward in curiosity.

"Hmph! See, he-" Venice tried to interrupt.

"-Venice has a crush!"

"What-?!"

"What?!"

"Wow-!"

All four of us-Me, Nic, Cole, and even Albert-reacted at once. Cole sounded more amazed than shocked.

Venice froze. His eyes widened, mouth slightly open.

"See! I told you!" Liam crowed, pointing at him. Venice slapped his hand away.

"No! No, that's a lie. Guys-" Venice turned to us, clearly hoping we'd defend him.

But it was hard to, considering his face had turned bright red.

"Guysss," he whined, sounding utterly betrayed.

"I mean," Nic said slowly, "it's kind of obvious. You're blushing."

Liam burst into wild laughter, loud enough to startle Cole, who nearly jumped. He was clearly enjoying Venice's misery far too much.

Then, as if sensing my thoughts, Albert finally spoke. He'd been quiet for a while, having insisted on joining us when he heard about the bonfire.

Over the past week, we'd managed to meet a few times-only during his off hours. That was the only time he was truly free. As for Liam and Venice, this was only my second time meeting them. The first was during work, and since they were close friends of Nic, we'd decided to gather like this and get to know one another better.

"I don't think having a crush is embarrassing," Albert said calmly. "Everyone likes someone at some point."

Well said. I gave him a thumbs-up, and he returned it with a small smile. Nic and Cole nodded in agreement.

"What? How is that not embarrassing?" Liam protested. "I mean-girls! A girl! He likes a girl!"

We all just stared at him until he sighed in defeat. Venice straightened, pride returning at Liam's failure.

"Hah! You thought that would work? And besides-who said the person I like is a girl?"

"What-?"

"What?! Venice, you-"

"Oh no-"

I sighed, already feeling a headache forming. What exactly was happening anymore?

Venice paused, finally realizing what he'd said.

"Oh-wait! No, no, no! That's not-"

"Hahaha! I knew it! Venice is an invert!" Liam shouted, laughing uncontrollably. For some reason, Cole joined in.

I frowned and shot Cole a look. He immediately shut his mouth. Weirdo.

Venice was already tackling Liam, trying desperately to stop him from chanting, "Venice is an invert!" over and over again.

I sighed, watching the chaos unfold. Those two never did anything but bicker. Somehow, they never tired of it.

And oddly enough, they were blood cousins. How ironic.

Still, the night passed pleasantly, and eventually we decided to call it a day.

We walked together toward the servants' quarters. Albert, however, turned in the opposite direction. His official shift was over, but as a soldier, he still had patrol duties. He could have rested, but apparently staying idle made him uneasy.

I sighed at the sight. Just as I'd thought-Westwond's loyal servants were all the same. I couldn't blame him.

If anything, the blame lay with the Westwond family for shaping them so thoroughly.

The guards lived far from the servants' quarters, in a separate building near the Duke's manor. I had never once gone near that part of the estate, so I had no idea what it looked like.

Regardless, Albert and I said our goodbyes. And for some reason, I felt as though he hadn't wanted to part just yet.

Perhaps it was only my imagination.

Or maybe my mind was simply begging for sleep.

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