Elian stood in the stables, staring toward the mansion with anger raging inside him.

​"I hate you," he muttered, teeth gritting together.

​He sighed and looked away from the mansion, glancing around him. The supply of fresh hay was stacked at the end, the stalls cleaned and empty.

​The black horse that usually kept him company was gone, too, like someone had taken them all out for a ride.

​Slowly, he walked out of the stables, glancing toward the far-off gates where guards patrolled back and forth. He couldn’t remember the last time he breathed the air outside those high walls, and he wondered if the village was still the same or if there might have been a few developments around.

​He glanced back at the mansion and shook his head. "I can’t even leave if I have the chance."

​His mother was holding him back.

​He suddenly gasped, biting his lip.

​An idea just popped into his mind.

​He was going to make a request of Lucien whenever he was accepted back into the mansion. He was going to make a demand and mean it.

​After all, Lucien won’t kill him. Lucien said it himself: he needed Elian alive for whatever twisted reasons he’s got.

​So, Elian believed that he would still have his head attached to his neck afterward.

​"Sir?" a voice suddenly called beside him.

​Elian turned and found Lynda standing by the corner of the building.

​"Lynda," he called cautiously, smiling gently.

​He didn’t know if the girl was still afraid of him, so he couldn’t act too forwardly. She looked better now, healthier and cleaner; the Duke must have been true to his words when he promised to take care of Lynda and her mother.

​"How are you, Lynda?" he asked softly.

​Lynda smiled. "My mama now works in the kitchen, we live comfortably in the servants’ quarters, and I get to help the gardeners in the backyard." She paused, pointing to the mansion and slowly approaching Elian. "I am well, my mama, too. Thank you, sir," she said and hugged Elian’s waist, smiling.

​"Oh... it’s... you’re welcome," Elian sighed, enduring the little pain he felt as she hugged his bruises.

​"What are you doing out here? Are you punished again? The women say the Duke plans to kill you with fire—"

​"Whoa, whoa, Lynda..." he chuckled, taking her hand to lead her behind the stables for shelter. "You should not be listening to grown-up gossip." He said, smiling, even though his heart shattered a million times inside.

​Was it really true? Was Lucien simply using him to kill him in the end?

​"But I don’t want you to die... you helped me," she said, tightening her hold on his hand as they walked under the tall trees behind the stables.

​Elian laughed quietly. "Perhaps you can plead with the Duke not to kill me? Your cuteness will definitely do the magic." He teased.

​Lynda giggled. "You think I’m cute?" she asked him.

​"You are definitely cute, Lynda. The cutest little angel I’ve seen—ah!" He gasped, stiffening as she suddenly hugged him again—this time, tighter.

​He groaned, gently tapping her hand to release his waist.

​"Oh, I’m so sorry, did I hurt you?" she asked, tears welling in her eyes.

​Elian shook his head, still managing a smile. "No, it’s fine. Just warn me ahead of time whenever you need a hug." He whispered.

​Lynda nodded. "I will."

​"Have you ever walked that far?" Elian pointed farther ahead.

​Lynda shook her head. "Never. Always with mama." She replied.

​"Do you want to see what’s beyond the trees?" he questioned, feeling like an adventurous kid with her.

​At least he wasn’t under the Duke’s watch until tomorrow.

​Lynda nodded in excitement. "Yes. Let’s go."

​"Let’s go," Elian repeated, smiling in excitement.

​Perhaps it wasn’t so bad to spend his time in the stables. Having an innocent companion was a healing he didn’t realize he needed.

​They walked through the trees, and Elian pointed out the different trees and their medicinal uses.

​"That one?" Lynda pointed at a large shrub crowding just beside a short tree.

​"Ah, that one is a very common leaf..." He walked over and plucked one green, narrow leaf.

​Elian held up the narrow green leaf between his fingers. "Serrin leaf," he explained. "Villagers boil it whenever stomach sickness spreads. It helps stop diarrhea."

​Lynda gasped. "I will come pluck it whenever mama has a stomach sickness. She gets it a lot." She said, eyes filled with excitement and love for her mother.

​Elian’s eyes softened. "That’s so thoughtful of you. Your mother will be so happy." He murmured, missing his own mother.

​Lynda nodded. "Do you hear that?" She narrowed her eyes, staring behind the Serrin leaves.

​Elian furrowed his brows and listened. "Yes..." his face lit up. "I hear it. You’ve got quite good ears. Come on." He took her hand once more and guided her forward.

​"Whoa... it’s beautiful," she murmured.

​"And small," Elian laughed as he stared at the very thin river.

​This must be where they get the water to wash the horses and other things at the stables.

​Lynda nodded. "Perhaps you’re right. Mother says rivers are wider." She added.

​Elian chuckled. "You know, when I was little, I snuck out of the house and went to swim... even when I didn’t know how to." He started.

​"I don’t know how to swim, too. Mama says water is dangerous," Lynda spoke calmly, her eyes taking in the small but beautiful river.

​Elian sighed. "You should listen to your mother. I almost drowned when I snuck out to try learning how to swim myself. Luckily, my father found me, saved me, and gave me the beating of my life."

​Lynda burst out laughing, her head falling back as she laughed harder.

​Elian simply watched her, smiling. He was glad to hear her laugh—glad to hear genuine laughter after spending so much time surrounded by darkness.

​"Oh," Lynda clamped her hand over her mouth, eyes wide as she saw Elian staring at her. "I did not mean to laugh at you." She apologized.

​Elian scoffed. "Please, laugh all you want. Sometimes I think back to it and laugh at myself, too." He chuckled.

​"But I would love to learn to swim someday," she wished dreamily.

​"Perhaps, someday... I will teach you," he said, hoping he stayed alive long enough to fulfill his promise.

​"Really?" Lynda jumped in excitement. "Thank you. Hug?" She spread her arms.

​Elian quietly embraced the girl, patting her head softly.

​"Lynda!"

​"Uh oh, mama is looking for me," she gasped, realizing she’d been away for long.

​Elian held her hand. "Come on, let me take you back; she sounds worried."

​They approached the stables and saw the very young woman in a maid’s uniform standing beside the building, her face turning from side to side, worried sick to find her daughter.

​"Lynda!" she called out again. "Oh, heavens, where has she wandered off—"

​"Good evening, Ma’am," Elian greeted from behind her.

​"Oh?" Lynda’s mother spun around immediately, eyes falling to her daughter before glancing at Elian.

​"Oh, my, Lynda, are you okay?" She gently pulled her into her arms, cupping her face to look at her.

​"I’m fine, mama. I was just taking a walk with my friend," Lynda said with a smile.

​"Hello, kind sir... Can I call you Elian?" Lynda’s mother asked.

​Elian nodded. "Sure, ma’am." He replied.

​"Thank you, Elian. For everything," she smiled.

​Elian knew she was talking about that incident and returned her smile. "It was my pleasure, ma’am."

​"Please, call me Helen," she told him.

​"It’s nice to meet you, Helen," Elian tilted his head in respect.

​"It’s dinner time; are you coming in? I can save you something from the kitchen..." she suggested slowly, her cheeks flushing.

​Elian blinked slowly, instantly realizing the situation. "Um, it’s okay, Helen. I don’t want to be a bother." He said, stepping forward to pat Lynda’s head.

​"See you again, Angel," he whispered.

​"See you soon, Elian," Lynda waved, happy to learn his name this time.

​"Goodbye, Elian," Helen said, leading her daughter away.

​Alone, Elian sighed and stared at the orange sky. The sun was setting already and he hadn’t eaten anything since after breakfast.

​Lucien was really cruel, sending him out here because someone said something that was definitely a lie.

​How was it his fault? Lucien should have punished the person who said it and not him. But, like he told Rowan in the morning, people get punished for things they didn’t do... that was the trend.

​Taking a deep breath, he walked toward the entrance of the stables, ready to spend his night with the black horse.

​He suddenly paused in front of the doors when he heard a trudging and a horse neighing behind him.

​He turned, eyes blinking as he focused on the rider of the brown horse.

​Rowan.

​Why was he looking so...

​"Okay, okay, okay, girlie, halt, halt!" Rowan halted the horse in front of Elian and hopped off it, running to the side of the stable to vomit.

​Elian immediately went to him, holding him up by the shoulder. "Lord Rowan, are you okay?" he asked, glancing around them for anyone to help take Rowan in.

​A guard from the Duke’s mansion came running over with a satchel of water when he saw Rowan vomiting.

​"Lord Rowan, here’s water," the guard offered.

​Rowan groaned and grabbed the satchel from the guard. "Go." He waved him away.

​"Go? How are you going to get in the mansion?" Elian scrunched up his nose as the smell hit him. "You’re drunk, Lord Rowan." He murmured.

​Rowan tilted his head and poured the water into his mouth, giggling and spitting it out. He did it a few times before he stood, holding his hand against his head.

​"What are you doing out here, Elian?" he asked calmly even as he swayed slightly on his feet.

​Elian cleared his throat. "His Grace ordered that I sleep out here tonight." He explained.

​Rowan chuckled. "Oh, Lucien... we have a problem..." he murmured and suddenly stumbled on his feet, falling forward.

​"Easy," Elian managed to catch him, putting his arm around his own neck.

​"Let me help you back to—"

​"No," Rowan cut him off, turning his head to stare into Elian’s eyes. "Take me inside the stables... I’ll sleep with you tonight." He smirked.