For the next several months the number of visits to the Burton Manor in Kelson estates from Mrs. and Miss Westers only increased and almost always, Daniel was to accompany Amanda Wester.

Was it was coincidental or calculated? She never knew.

Although what she did know, was that they got along flyingly well. Amanda's sharp wit and blunt tongue were never looked down on by Daniel. In fact, he seemed rather pleased to hear her crude remarks, and in turn, his playful and ignorant demeanour was a welcoming breeze to her dreich lifestyle.

This time too, like always, they were forced on for a pleasant walk out to the town.

It was pleasant for the most part even.

They had met with Robert, whom Daniel had introduced to her on one of their previous visits as his close friend. The three of them were wreaking havoc in the library until Robert's employee, Mr Thomson, chased them away.

After which they went to the city bridge, an old ornate stone structure over the Ramgill river, and played some more. More like Robert and Daniel played around with one of the many gargoyle-Esque statues in the bridge, while Amanda sat on the railing, eating pastries.

Amanda mostly tried to keep to herself. The two were too wacky a pair to be seen with after all, but she usually terribly failed. The duo got into trouble effortlessly, turning to her with innocent faces, begging her to save their sorry arses.

Yet, strangely, she didn't mind standing up for them, even if it meant respectfully bolting from the location after grabbing them by their collars.

Today too, her only role was to make sure that none of the passersby approached to reprimand them yet again.

How? Might you ask?

By simply glaring daggers at them until they left, flustered.

They usually do.

She only reacted when Robert mentioned that the little creek by the Kelson estate was a stream that branched off from this very river.

"Stop that Daniel!" Amanda had said with exasperation, "None of the trash you threw in, has even the slightest possibility of showing up in the estates."

Daniel pouted before slumping back down with all his excitement drained. He looked up at Robert, who silently pocketed the notebook and little paper boats he made from the torn-up pages to obediently provide Daniel with the said trash.

Soon, however, they started making paper planes to race each other with, making Amanda move further away from the duo.

After they had tired themselves up a tad, Amanda truly began to enjoy the pleasant walk.

Only, the pleasant walk turned terribly unpleasant, as they returned.

It had started to rain cats and cheese.

Post-hase, they had bought an umbrella and decided to walk home nonetheless.

Truth be told, Daniel had insisted they walk back without one. Stating that one should never miss an opportunity to keep the child in you alive.

Amanda, irked, huffed, and refused outright. She agreed to walk home with him and keep him alive for the day only if they have an umbrella above their heads. It was an inevitable journey nonetheless.

Seeing, as they say, the rain never stops in Sesscott.

Their walk back was cold. Winds swept the droplets clung to their clothes, dousing them in a dull grey, like a reflection of the sky above.

"And with that, I move the general public against you by bringing up the job losses," Amanda countered, manoeuvring herself to take better cover under the umbrella.

They had started playing Game of Court once again. Daniel can't fathom a silent minute of peace when with Amanda after all. However, that didn't mean she would go lenient on him.

"Oh, Amanda! Wasn't that a mean move?" Daniel whined as he strolled alongside her.

Daniel's pale hands clenched the umbrella a little tighter as the wind picked up, sending a cold shiver down to his bones. The light coat did next to nothing to protect him.

Why he insisted on walking back without the umbrella, she may never understand.

"Why show pity on enemies?" She smirked proudly, increasing their pace.

She knew her mother would definitely send a car to fetch them. If only they reached them sooner, Daniel wouldn't die on her.

"Precisely because you don't know what cards they –your enemies- hold behind their back," Daniel said absent-mindedly, mulling over his next move.

At that Amanda halted her steps to look at Daniel. She frowned, "You have no cards left."

"No, I don't," He said, "but this move of yours will ultimately arm the opponent with the greatest strength and strongest weapon."

Amanda's attention was now fully focused on Daniel. "Desperation." He declared dramatically.

"Desperation?" Amanda said, brow raised in a mocking manner.

"It is a scary thing, Amanda." Daniel replied, "Cornering a wolf to the wall would inevitably push it into destruction. The enemy will be giving their all to fight back, and in the least, try to bring you down too along with them."

Daniel's lips curved up slightly as another wind rushed past them, sending another bone-chilling cold down his spine. His heart rushed to find warmth in any shape or form, but he felt at home in the midst of the blue haze.

"That said, I release all the trade statements. I also file for defamation, thus hindering you lawfully." Daniel said with an exuberant smile.

Taken aback, Amanda scowled, "That will cost you all the acquaintances you established. You won't be able to win back their trust easily."

"Desperation! I'd lose that readily. My priority is my standing amongst my people after all not my acquaintances."

Amanda scoffed, "You never cared ab-,"

Amanda paused, looking beyond Daniel's shoulders confusedly which then morphed into disbelief. With her mouth still wide open, she pointed at something far behind the curtain of droplets, "I-is that your sister?"

"What?" Daniel turned to squint at the giant tree she was pointing at.

There, beneath the canopy of leaves, with transparent beads jumping from one green leaf to another, his sister Lily stood.

"What on earth is she doing there?" Amanda asked leaning further not minding her entire shoulder getting drenched.

Lily wasn't alone either. Daniel saw that there was a certain blond man there too who his sister talked about quite a lot these days. The two of them stood close.

Too close. As if huddling together for warmth and comfort.

Seeing the two of them together gave Daniel comfort. He had worried a lot. He worried his sister would marry the person his father chose. He worried that his brother's wishes would never come true.

He worried, that if Lily, a kind and deserving soul couldn't find her love, then there would be no way he found his. Now, even if he didn't find any, it wouldn't matter.

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Nothing mattered.

Nothing would matter as long as he stood in front of his sisters and made sure they were happy. He had to do it. Do it before it was too late again.

Lily reached forward to lightly peck at the awkward man's lips. A gush of wind rushed past the couple, ruffling her long dress. It instantly flushed the man in a bright shade of pink, visible even from such a far distance.

"Ha!" Daniel exclaimed not being able to hold in his wide grin, which lasted only a second.

His eyes darted to Amanda's face before he let go of the umbrella. He fell on his side before howling, "Oww!!! My leg! My leg!"

"What?" Amanda, pulled rudely away from her stupor looked at Daniel laying flat on the ground clutching his ankle.

With the umbrella gone, both of them were getting drenched by the downpour. Daniel's long brown hair stuck to the nape of his neck and his twitching unveiled the coat, exposing the shirt that now acted as the man's second skin.

"My leg, I broke my leg!" He continued crying, watching Amanda frown.

She knelt to get a better look at his leg. Twisting the ankle a couple of times to the left and right she asked, "How did you fall?"

"I slipped, we need to get home!"

"Your leg is hurt. How can you walk all the way home? "

"..."

"...Daniel? Your arms bleeding."

Daniel looked down to see the smallest of a cut on his forearm. Probably the result of his dramatic fall moments ago.

"My arm! I need to get it disinfected! Let's go home!"

"You said you broke your leg, halfwit, and if it's remotely true, you can't walk!"

"I can manage!" he exclaimed as he stood up to get the umbrella and walked faster, pulling a confused Amanda along, "Disinfecting a wound is of far greater importance than mending a fractured leg. So many bacteria... so many infections..."

Amanda sighed hearing the mumblings and following behind. He could have very well asked her not to speak a word about Lily, rather than creating such a ruckus. Even hurting himself in the process.

She eyed the dark, curly chocolate brown hair and straight, lean back of the man in front of her curiously. His pale white shirt and dark pants stuck to his body, giving it a frail and bony frame. His skin looked pale. Too pale. Sickly pale.

This boy. Who exactly is he?

She had a hard time understanding him. He switched his character too often and far too quickly for her to form a properly painted picture of him.

Whatever he is, he was certainly a great asset.

~

The night had crept up early that day and had laid bare on their laps, snoozing peacefully under the blanket of looming clouds and persisting rain. With Amanda and her worried mother escorted safely to their mansion, the Everard family had a quiet dinner before retiring themselves.

Daniel leaned on the headboard, reading the book he had borrowed from Robert a long while ago. The windows were shut tight, not leaving even the littlest of droplets seep through. The smell of the burning candle and drenched mud clung to his clothes.

He had lit the candle near the bedside instead of using the night lamp, soaking the entire room with warmth. The faded glow of the moonlight fought with the little candle by his side, creating beautiful chaos of silver and gold.

He scratched at the stain on one of the pages, when he heard a faint knock on his door. The handle twisted before creaking slightly, making way to reveal the person standing behind.

"Daniel? Are you awake?" Lily called out, voice so low that it could have easily been lost within the symphony of droplets against his window.

"Come in, Lily," he said, closing the book and placing it on the side table. Just as he sat upon the bed, he spotted another tuft of hair behind Lily.

Catherine sauntered in and all but threw herself on his legs, making Daniel flinch and snatch his legs back from under her.

"Such a lady," Catherine scoffed, making herself comfortable.

"I would be whoppingly happy if you acted like one yourself."

"What did you say?" Catherine glared at Daniel, who was still mocking her.

"I have something to confess." Lily declared interrupting their brawl that came to blows. She clutched her hands together tightly. Her wobbling figure stood testament to her nervousness.

Seeing her tense figure the duo quietened down.

"I fou- You see- Daniel, Catherine, you see, I-," Lily's voice shook, as she paced around the room, not knowing how to break the news to the most important people in her bleak life.

Catherine's doubtful eyes landed on Daniel's. Seeing Daniel's slight smirk, she sat up understanding the reason for her sister's poor state. Looking excitedly at Lily and waiting for her to finish.

"Daniel, Catherine, I-." Lily kept pacing around flustered. She finally stopped at the bedside and squeezed her eyes shut before blurting out, "I- I love someone."

Catherine let out a shriek. She jumped up and hugged her sister tightly, "I knew it! I knew it!"

Before Lily could let out a relieved smile she was bombarded with millions of questions by the clingy sister in a high pitched tingly voice -still laced with excitement, "Who is he? Where is he from? Can we see him? When can we see him? When are you going to introduce him to papa?"

The smile on Lily's face froze.

She didn't know how to answer these questions. Will they approve of Jerry? What if they don't? What then?

"Let her breath will you?" Daniel sighed peeling Catherine away from Lily, "Ignore the kid, Lily. I'm glad you found the one, whoever he is, however he is, he is very lucky to have your love."

Lily's shy smile broke out as she reached out to hug him.

"Will you take us to see him?"

"Of course."

Catherine cheered at that, "About time! I was bored to insanity at this house all day."

"Bored?" Lily questioned, finally calming down enough to sit down.

Catherine naturally leaned on Lily before whining, "Well, what do you even question that for? Lizzy is a pappa's angel and mumma's sweetheart, isn't she? She always sticks to them. What am I to do all day then?"

"You can accompany me then," Lily smiled knowing that poor Catherine would have been cruelly left to her own devices daily.

Daniel chuckled at that, earning smack from Catherine.

Was he so easy to beat up?

"And crunch numbers?" Catherine frowned, pouting slightly.

It was no secret that she resembled more of Daniel than Lily when it comes to math.

"Join Daniel. He said he will be going off somewhere tomorrow anyways."

Seeing Catherine's expectant eyes, he pretended to think about it before nodding.

Robert had invited him to the theatre tomorrow after all, and theatres go well with Catherine.

~

It was a good thing Daniel opened the door only to peek inside; had he strutted in, not minding the muffled squabble, he would have unmistakably taken the brunt of the book that was hurled towards his head.

"If I catch you sleeping one more time, boy, you will be sleeping on the streets!!" Mr Thompson bellowed, making Daniel contemplate his decision to visit the Library that day, "Mark my words!"

Soon enough, someone stumbled out of the building, bumping into him in the process.

"Daniel?!" Robert exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

Daniel, however, wasn't given the opportunity to answer.

Seeing that Mr Thompson had resumed his scolding after he found another misplaced book, Daniel subconsciously moved to hold onto his sister's hand, who, might I add, was frozen on spot.

"Robert... RUN!" He cried out as Robert took off with him. They ran as fast as they could while dragging Catherine behind, nearly missing another flying book that was thrown at them.

He had simply wished for a nice time, away from the boring numbers his sister had taken much interest in, and if possible, show his sister his merry days.

He weaved past the crowds dragging, indifferent to the faces he bumped into until they reached the town square. They had run fast enough that he was still heaving when he saw Robert slow down near a clothing store.

Exhausted, Robert's legs had given out from underneath him. He slid down the wall of a storefront before slumping down on the pavement, his rough black hair sticking up just like how it was when they first met.

Ridiculous.

Daniel laughed, bending over to hold his knees and ease his breathing, "How many times have I told you already? You are bound to get into trouble for dozing off."

"I can't help it, Dan," Robert whined. He leaned back, squinting when sunlight hit his face, "No one even walks into that place. Not even by mistake!"

"Unbelievable," Catherine declared, holding onto a nearby pole while Daniel helped Robert upon his feet.

"What an introduction," Daniel mumbled before introducing them to each other. They could only muster to nod their heads in acknowledgement in between their breathless struggle.

After collecting themselves enough, they made their way. The crowded city waned out as they reached the outskirts. Tall birch trees lined their path, allowing only silent peeks at the farmland beyond the thin strips of forestation. The September sun shined directly above their head, leaving shadows of leaves dancing under their feet like a wild bonfire. Welcoming them with a vigour that only nature knew to hold.

"I've never seen Mr Thomson that angry," Daniel said with his hands on his hips, scowling at Robert for ruining his reputation with Catherine.

"It's not my fault this time!" Robert defended, adjusting his loose sock before standing up to face him, "I had to wake up early to prepare lunch."

"You cooked."

"I tried."

"Why? Is Mr Nicholas not opening the diner today or did he finally have had enough of you like Mr Thomson?"

Robert scoffed at that, "For my brother's lunch. He even went on to insist that I make it by hand from scratch." Robert frowned, somewhat confused by his brother's request.

"You have a little brother?" Catherine smiled, breaking the long silence she held along the way.

"Yes, a tough one at that." Robert smiled back, "I hope it is fine if he accompanies us today?"

"Of course," she nodded enthusiastically.

"I must warn you, Miss Everard. He might stick to you like a little glue." Robert chuckled shaking his head. Dragging a stick he had picked up from the side, he continued, "He's got a thing for ladies, he does."

Catherine laughed at that. She liked little kids. It went hand in hand with her affinity to perform. Even though she's had many audiences during her secret rendezvous back in London, performing for kids -as scarcely at that- was extra rewarding. Their amazed, sparkling eyes were untainted by mock social confectioneries.

"What is he studying?" asked Daniel. He slowed down to try and walk on the thin trail Robert had left on the mud from dragging the stick.

"Beats me. This and that, I believe."

"They teach this and that in the town school?"

"Oh, not town school." Robert turned to correct Daniel, "After the fire in the Ramsgill Townschool broke out, the fees shot up to heaven. We folks couldn't even dream to afford it."

Noticing Daniel's little game, he drew more curved lines making it a test on Daniel's balancing capacity, "It's just a little barn and Mr Hawsberg only teaches what he learned back in the day, but it's better than nothing."

"A barn school!-" "Mr Hawsberg!-"

Daniel and Catherine both said at the same time stopping in their tracks and looking at each other. A devious and frighteningly similar smile bloomed on their faces as they both turned to Robert.

"...yeah," Robert was now accustomed and abundantly familiar with the hint of curiosity in Daniel's voice but seeing Catherine also shared this trait he smiled amusedly, "Wanna go and see-"

"Yes!" They exclaimed interrupting Robert, and so they changed paths to walk away from the town and into the suburban farms of Ramsgill.