Elena was chirping away next to their mother, yapping on about something or other, Rocío wasn’t quite listening as she sipped at her tea and had her mind occupied with other, more important (as she deemed), things. She breathed. Lisandro had caused her to be filled with anger and upon seeing Marquis Félix her emotions had confused her greatly. His reddened ears perplexed her, had he simply been cold from the brisk spring air, or had it meant something more? She pressed her lips after setting down her teacup. 

She began to nibble on her bottom lip as her brows furrowed. It was strange to see Marquis Félix so docile as well. He barely said a word as they had left the previous drawing room, and he kept his responses quite short while the Duchess continued to ask him. She would have thought him prideful and indignant, but after seeing his blush, she was convinced he was merely reserved and had trouble conversing with others. 

Of course Marquis Félix was the only thing on her mind, she’d come to terms that having him closer would prove more beneficial as she could potentially control what information he discovered. And if they built lasting friendships he would definitely not kill them, at least that's what his docile face showed. If in her dream Leticia had not recognized the man, it meant he had never been close to her family, which meant that if he saw them in a different light, he could very well be on their side. And if Santiago was not worried about him, then it only proved he wasn’t heartless.

“–You know, Rocío also likes to ride.” Rocío tuned back into the conversation after hearing her sister mention her name. She looked up and lifted a brow with a slight tilt of her head. 

They were seated on tapestry couches in the main drawing room, Elena and the Duchess were sitting next to each other while Santiago sat on an upholstered green velvet armchair between the two couches, and embarrassingly so, Marquis Félix and Rocío were seated on the couch opposite to the Duchess and Elena. Between them was a white birch table decorated with teacups, snacks, and wine glasses. The light of the afternoon sun filtered through the french windows to Rocío’s right while the staff lingered at the edges of the room.

“Yes!” The Duchess joined. “She loves riding, and sometimes she joins Santiago on the hunt. Isn’t that right?” Her mother looked at her, a smile on her painted pink lips.

Rocío looked between her mother and sister, seeing their gazes she knew what they were thinking, and as much as she wished to go against their scheming, a singular and interesting thought popped into her mind.

What was stronger than friendship? Love. She had to suppress her mischievous smile. If she could get him to fall in love with her, maybe he wouldn’t kill them.

Rocío nodded as she looked at the Marquis, who had already turned to her with a curious look in his eyes. “Yes,” she said, “I do very much like riding. It’s one of my favourite hobbies. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of the wind when racing through the fields, is there?”

Marquis Félix blinked. “I must agree with you. I also quite enjoy it.”

“What other pastimes do you enjoy?” Rocío tilted her head slightly. The first problem arose rather quickly in her plan: she never really knew how to attract a man, she’d never been approached by men in her life, well, Lisandro was a recent development but she wasn’t quite sure it wasn’t because of her dowry. Thus, now that she thought of it, she didn’t know how to get Marquis Félix to fall in love with her.

Marquis Félix set down his teacup on the table. “Well, I don’t have many. Other than riding, I do like to paint, and my older brothers say I have quite a talent for it.”

“Painting?” She hadn't expected such a hobby, she would've incorrectly guessed shooting, sword mastery, even music, but painting? He didn't look the type.

He nodded. “Yes, I find it soothes the mind but also presents a good challenge.”

“You should see his work!” Santiago announced, “He paints the most splendid horizons. I had the privilege of watching him paint once, the delicacy he shows is very inspiring.”

Rocío drew her eyes back to the Marquis and again caught sight of his red ears. “Are horizons your favourite to paint?” She asked.

Marquis Félix cleared his throat. “I guess… It is what I paint most.” 

“Is there anything else you paint?” Elena asked, leaning forward towards the young man. “Still life? Or perhaps portraits?”

“Portraits are not my forte,” he admitted, “but vases and flowers I also enjoy painting.”

Elena’s smile widened. “I wouldn't have guessed that. I'd really love to see your work sometime.”

The edges of his lips slightly upturned. “You flatter me, but yes, whenever possible,” he said as he bowed gently.

“Renata was such a great artist, but she was much better at portraits as opposed to horizons,” Rocío said as she recalled an image of her older sister forcing her to sit still for hours, a smile forming on her lips.

Her family looked at her in what she initially reasoned was shock but she later realized it was heartbreak. There was an unbearable silence, one she had not expected.

“I would be honoured to see some of her work,” the Marquis said, his voice gentle and a hand on his chest.

Rocío looked over at him, she couldn't deny the sincerity in his features. It made her stiff posture soften.

The smile on her lips returned. “Yes, I have a small portrait she made of me in my room, I would be delighted to show you sometime.”

Again his ears reddened, but Rocío frowned unsure as to why. 

“Do you plan to stay in Estella long?” The Duchess jumped back into the conversation.

The Marquis shook his head. “No, I'm afraid I only came as per Santiago's request. I have business in the capital that I must take care of.”

“What kind of business?” Elena asked. “Ow!” She glared at Santiago and Rocío guessed her brother had kicked her under the table.

“I’ve been called to the Capital by His Highness, the King.”

“The Capital?” The Duchess’ eyes widened. “Summer is coming to Veridis soon, and I was hoping to send my children to Gladíolos for the summer, you know. Now that my youngest has debuted, I thought I could send them to stay at my sister’s residence in the Capital. Socialization in these beginning years is vital.”

All three of her children looked at her in bewilderment. Rocío was nearly certain they had never discussed this possibility before.

“Have you been to Gladíolos often?” He asked, everyone in the room really.

“When they were rather young,” the Duchess smiled. “They used to love staying at my mother’s estate there.”

“Are we really going to Gladíolos?” Elena squealed. “Oh this is so exciting! I want to go to parties, and tea meetings! I also read that library outings are quite popular with noble ladies in the capital these days! I hear the Grand Library is as big as this estate! Is that true, Sir Félix?”

“Ah,” he awkwardly looked around, “I’m not too familiar with the library as I’ve never had the chance to go, but I do hear it’s quite the sight.”

“Have you been to the palace?” She then asked, once again leaning forwards towards him. “I was told that the gardens are quite luxurious!”

“The palace is nice, yes…” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“And have you met the princess? I didn’t get to go to her debut ball because I was too young! But I hear she’s so beautiful!” Elena pouted. “Oh, I dearly wish to meet her!”

Marquis Félix laughed awkwardly and rigidly, “Well…”

“Elena, that’s quite enough,” Rocío glared at her. “Can’t you see you’re making the Marquis uncomfortable?”

He shook his head. “No, she isn’t.”

Rocío turned to him and raised a brow. “You know, Marquis, you needn’t entertain her unfiltered questions. It’s perfectly alright to tell her to stop.”

Elena groaned. “He said it was fine!” 

“Elena, dear, please,” the Duchess stared at her with that intimidating look in her wild honey eyes. “It’s not polite to ask so many questions.”

There was again that awkward silence that made the room stuffy and buried them in embarrassment.

Santiago was the first to break the silence by clearing his throat. “How long will you be staying in Gladíolos?” 

“I think my business is going to take about a year or so. There are times I will be sent elsewhere, but for the most part, to my understanding, I’ll be in Gladíolos most of the year,” Marquis Félix replied. “If you do end up joining me, it’d be nice if we meet often.”

“Yes, the riding trails in the capital are rather popular. Especially at this time with all the blooming flowers.”

Marquis Félix nodded. “The fields are quite lovely at this time.”

“Santiago mentioned you two will be riding around the estate forest after this…” Rocío spoke before really deciding where she was going with it. 

The Marquis nodded. “Would you like to join us?”

Her honey eyes widened and she froze in place. She didn’t exactly want to join them, but if she planned on making him fall in love with her, then maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

“Yes, why don’t you join them, Rocío?”  The Duchess smiled. “You’ve been homebound for long enough, go out and enjoy yourself.”

Rocío nearly wanted to roll her eyes at her mother, but she gathered all the patience in her body. Afterall, her mother had been the one to make her stay indoors. “Yes, it would be nice. Thank you,” she offered a smile.

He returned her gesture with a curt nod before turning towards Santiago. The two men began to engage in conversation about something or other and Rocío’s mind began to turn its cogwheels once more. If her mother was planning to send them off to the capital for the summer, it could very well work in her favour, however, her mind was starting to fill with worry at his words; he had business to take care of. Could it be related to the fall of House Estella? 

Her mind recalled that small line in her discussion with Elena the previous week. Félix was still stomping out the embers that burned against the Royal Family. Absent-mindedly, she began to bite her nail. The more she thought about the ordeal, the more she concluded that the only reason the King would send his guard dog to kill them would be for treason. Sure, her father didn’t always see eye-to-eye with the King’s unlucky whims, but she didn’t see him capable of plotting against him.

But…her dream only showed her a mere few moments of the fall of her family. What if it wasn’t just her family that was to be killed? What if other noble families were to fall? Estella was the most powerful duchy now that Emer had fallen, if they were defeated, what had become of Libelula, Floresvalles, and Zorro? What if the lifeless look in Félix’s eyes was due to having killed his own family? Had they fallen as well? Or had they all tasted the crystalline riches and their vision clouded green, joining against Estella?

“Rocío, dear.”

Rocío gasped at the sound of her mother’s voice, startled by the sudden even tone. “Y-yes,” she stumbled over her words rather unceremoniously.

There was a strictness in her gaze and Rocío realized she was telling her to not bite her nails. Immediately, Rocío’s hand dropped to her lap and she gently cleared her throat.

“Why don’t you go ahead and change into your riding clothes?” The Duchess asked with a smile.

“Yes, Mother,” Rocío replied as she stood, making Santiago and the Marquis rise to their feet. “Shall I meet you both at the stables?” She asked, tilting her head.

“No need. We can bring the horses around and meet you by the entrance,” Santiago assured. 

Rocío curtsied before giving a short farewell and heading to her chambers, closely followed by Leticia who had been one of the staff at the corners of the room.