8 - Being Wiser

It had been a few months now. Anemone was getting used to her new schedules and more in control of her outbursts. She had made up with her younger brother and took it upon herself to teach him what she thought a good future Duke qualities should have. It was hard on her as she struggled with learning to be mature and not selfish. It was also hard to learn how to excel on being a lady.

She took the fairy's advice and made sure not to run away from her problems. Anemone would always meet him after dinner. They would run around and play in the gardens. He had also taught her the different names of different flowers. As time went by quickly, she would always forget the time she had to go and would rush off.

The summer was soon about to end and she wondered how he would keep warm when it starts to get chilly. She stared at his visage streaked by the golden rays of the sun. His pale face had turned more golden as days go past. Hers had also darkened a bit as she never wore the hat Miss Sophie would force her to wear.

Sensing her stare, he looked up from his basket he had weaved with long grass. "Is something wrong?"

"I wondered how you will survive when it gets cold. Does your place you live in able to keep you warm?" He didn't answer as his gaze went back to his weaving. Worried, she placed a hand on his basket. "If not, you can come live at my house."

His hands stilled, his sapphire eyes never lifting.

"I won't be coming back after today."

Shocked, she dropped her hand. Maybe he migrates like the birds, she thought. "Where are you going? Will you come back?" He was her first friend. She didn't know who else she would play with if he left.

"I'll come back... but I don't know when."

Anemone pondered for a bit. "Just come back safe," she responded at last. "If I had known you were leaving, I would've given you a gift."

She felt a hand on her head. "There is one thing you can give me as a gift."

She tried to look up but he pressed her head down. Anemone didn't know when he had stood near her so she couldn't see his face. "Fairy?"

"Anemone, will you wait for me?"

She nodded, his hand still holding on her head. Her hands tried to pull his hand away but he seemed stronger, which made her feel frustrated. "F-fairy?"

"Anemone, tell me you will wait for me."

"I live here so why wouldn't I still be here?" she cried out as she struggled to move his hand. He seemed to be acting weird. "Fairy, let go!"

He pushed her down to the ground hard with one hand and the other grabbed her long ponytail. "This is for us, Anemone!" He drew her sword out. Alarmed, she struggled harder.

"Stop! What are you doing?!" She covered her eyes as she felt the sharp blade nearing her neck.

"You said you didn't have a gift to give so I'm taking something I want instead."

"Don't kill me!"

"Kill you? I'm only cutting your hair off."

Her eyes widened in shock. If she showed up with short hair, not only will her teacher be mad... her mother would throw a huge fit on seeing her shorned locks. "No please! I need my hair!" Anemone tried to cover her head with her hands.

"Then what can you give me as a gift?" he asked as the cold blade touched her neck.