His friends were out there—the young men carefree and rambunctious like the horses they were on, not a single care for the world. Into the forest they were traveling through, a blur of silver in the predominant green and brown as they escorted the carriage he was trapped in. Hyde sighed a bit to himself, if only he could join them.

“Hey! Don’t even think of opening the window—flies could get in.”

Hyde pulled back the velvet drapes and glanced at his sister. Rhine’s lips were curled down in a nasty frown, it didn’t incite much fear with the young lady sprawled on her seat like a woman about to give birth. So much for acting lady-like, he bit back a snicker and crossed his arms. She had a whole furbished seat to herself while he and Gus were sharing a seat together. It wasn’t that he was complaining, he eyed the butler from the corner of his eye. It was just a bit nerve-wracking is all. The man seemed to be caught up in his thoughts, Hyde wasn’t too sure what to say to him.

“I doubt flies could get in with the speed were travelling. Flores horses are said to travel at the speed of the wind you know?”

“Touché.”

Hyde smiled at his sister who simply huffed at him and closed her eyes. He really wanted to jump out the carriage now. Talking about horses? Such a master conversationalist he was. He fidgeted in his seat, fighting the urges to throw open the window and bolt out of it. The carriage was all cramped and stiff, he needed to get some fresh air but that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. He decided to return his gaze at the butler, the man had been silent for the duration of their trip. Maybe he’d have a chance to talk with the man to keep himself sane.

“Hey, Gus?”

Hyde watched the young butler blink and turn to him with a modest nod. There was something like curiousness in his eyes, perhaps wondering what he would order or ask the man.

“Yes, Sir Hyde?”

“What’s your family like?”

The butler’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second. Hyde smiled a bit, he was rather fond of throwing out questions that surprised his companions. Somehow he managed to falter the butler’s composure, even if for a little bit. He leaned forward and grinned, as if a cat cornering the mouse to a wall. It was after all the best way to ensure the man to answer his question.

“Pardon me?”

Hyde gave the man a shrug and leaned back against the fine upholstery, as if it actually didn’t matter all—the question was just an afterthought. But boy did he do his research and observation when the butler first entered their services and premises. He gave the butler a smile, a winning one if he were to judge himself.

“Most of our servants and soldiers tend to visit home every once in awhile, especially during Winter Solstice. I haven’t noticed you leaving at all, do you send them a letter then? Not too fond of your folks? I’m a bit curious you see.”

The butler eyed him back, an expression that Hyde couldn’t exactly put on. Finally a soft sigh escaped the man’s lips, as if in resignation—the young noble grinned.

“My folks are good people, my pa works in the fields while my ma tends to other cattle… I um, have been avoiding them a bit though, they keep telling me to give them grandchildren.”

“Oh…”

Hyde could only nod at the butler’s confession, it was strange, even if his own parents weren’t forcing him to get married… there was a sense of camaraderie already. The struggles of any young man. The butler gave him a sheepish expression, a hand running through their hair.

“Excuse me.”

A clearing of the throat had Hyde looking at his sister who was now properly seated and leaning forward towards them. A firm expression on her face, her steely eyes were set on the butler and her hands were primly on her lap.

“Yes, Lady Rhine?”

The man had inclined his head humbly towards the young lady. Hyde couldn’t help but silently applaud the butler’s quick reaction before looking at his sister again. A moment of hesitation flickered into her eyes, a quiver in her lips before she decided to state her thoughts.

“Please forgive me for the intrusion, but you do not have any sweetheart of sorts then? As a person of your age, it seems impossible that you wouldn’t fancy anyone.”

Hyde stopped himself from gawking; his sister had the guts to ask that question with such a straight face? This was why he didn’t like women, they were so unabashed and upfront.

“Well, there was this someone I was fond of…but they didn’t like that I placed my duty first.”

“Duty?”

Hyde lifted a brow, the man’s choice of words were rather odd. Before he could prod any further, his sister stood up from her seat, her lips pressed together firmly and her hands were curled up into two fists. She looked fired up, if that was the proper term.

“If a woman can’t understand that–you’d probably be better off with someone else!”

“Oi Rhine, I know girls like talking about relationships, but we shouldn’t pry too much!”

A laughter cut off Hyde from scolding his sister further, the young noble looked at the butler who was holding back a guffaw and even seemed to be wiping their tears. If getting Gus surprised was one thing, this one was outrageous… the butler was supposed to be as cold as his father. Hyde blinked for a moment or two, before finally settling on a smile.

This was nice.

Even if he hadn’t had the slightest clue on what just happened, from the corner of his eyes, Rhine seemed as puzzled as he was. The young woman’s mouth slightly ajar. Hyde decided to speak up.

“Um—”

“Thank you to the two of you, Sir Hyde and Lady Rhine. I thank you for the concern and fuss for your humble servant’s plight… both of you are quite kindhearted.”

The butler’s dark eyes twinkled as he stood up and deeply bowed to the two of them. He then drew back the drapes, sunlight pouring in from the window, slightly blinding the young noble. It was as if the butler was engulfed by the light.

“It seems like a good time for lunch don’t you think? Chef Francis prepared us a hearty dish of beef stroganoff, I would be happy to serve the two of you.”

“Ah thank you sir Gus! We should slow down the carriage then, spilling food would be such a waste. I can brew up some tea if you’d like.”

Somehow the butler warmed up to them with just a heartfelt story and a genuine laugh that Hyde couldn’t help but begrudgingly admire the man. Was it an act? A ploy to gain their trust? Before the young man could grumble further— the view outside caught his attention, the window displaying a beautiful blue sky with birds and clouds.

“You know, why don’t we just stop then? I could go out and catch us some game too. Deer sounds good right now. I can probably shoot some fowls too!”

“You’d be wasting good arrows Hyde.”

“Pardon me for intruding, but stopping sounds good Lady Rhine, the men and horses could rest under the shades of the trees.”

“Oh, of course! That sounds good. Please allow me.”

Hyde glanced at his sister pull a tiny window, revealing the back of their driver turned towards them. He frowned, a small opening? Was it possible that their entire conversation be eavesdropped by the man? His sister cough caught his attention, Rhine directing her voice to the coachman.

“Um, sir Nevil? Could you please halt our journey? It’s time to— ah, t-thank you.”

Their carriage skidded to a stop.

“A-apologies Lady Falcon! Are you alright?! Please forgive me, I was taken aback…I mean the horses avoided some rocks. My sincerest apologies.”

“Nothing to worry about, as long as you make sure it does not occur any further.”

Hyde managed to hold onto a semblance of a balance at the abruptness of a stop, blinking and feeling a bit disoriented but thankfully glued to his seat. He took note that Rhine sunk her fingers into the headrest of the furniture—like a cat’s claws on the curtains. He grimaced, it seemed like their coachmen also forgot the existence of such an opening.

That was a good thing right?

“Everybody is fine Nevil, please tell the others. I’ll be heading outside now—”

The butler moved to open the carriage door, Hyde immediately ducked beneath the man’s arm and leapt out to his freedom. The young nobleman took in the refreshing breeze, the scent of the leaves and the warmth of the sun.

“Ah~ Fresh air!”

Hyde stretched out, relief spreading from his chest, he was no longer caged in.

“I’m free at la—”

“CART!!”

A wooden man-made vehicle that carried supplies and luggage was hightailing towards at him.