It was a tumultuous week for Mr. Wilde, Steward of House Hopps. Not so much for the labors necessary to prepare the House for his absence, but for the insistence of Lord Hopps that he and his pupil for this journey spend a considerable amount of time together each day. There was a quality of the fantastical to the entire situation. He was not a superstitious mammal, but he had chosen to leave a dish of cream and fresh fruit next to a dish of scones, on his windowsill. He did not believe in the legends of the Fae any more than the gibberings of the priesthood, but he felt it couldn't hurt. If he had a fairy godmother, like in the kits' tales, he wanted to show his appreciation.

If he was honest, he had suspected Lady Hopps of arranging this absurdly fortuitous situation. That was, until he saw the look of shock on her face when her Lord Husband mentioned the orchard, and again when he suggested he and the young Judith spend time together to get acquainted. It couldn't be her paw at work in this, could it?

Unfortunately, he had little time to ponder. The Lord and Lady had gifted him with funds on the occasion of his promotion so that he could outfit himself properly in accordance with his new station. It was at once a delight and a burden. The tailors were craftsmammals of high repute and the garments would be of fine quality, but he had many nights' work ahead of him adjusting them to accommodate his less publicized demands.

He may have a new rank, but his primary purpose was to the House and Her as a defender of lives. servant uniform would suffice for the interim, but he needed his concealments and subtleties in his new wardrobe. He felt an increased sense of urgency, as well; both to prove he had earned his new position and to assure the protection of his charge. She was a lady he had come to value far more than he would admit aloud and he would see his own death before her harm.

Judith, in turn, had taken to her preparation with much greater ease. She was used to traveling as a representative of the House. The capacity was slightly different on this occasion, which presented challenges, but those were easily handled by enduring her father's blustering and then asking her mother for advice. All that she would need was prepared days before she was due to depart.

Lady Hopps was proud of both of them. Nicolas, she knew would take to his responsibilities with a gusto that would be a credit to the House and her teaching. Judith was the surprise. Bonnie had never expected her little Judy to take to her changed circumstances with such grace or readiness. It was as though the little doe had just been waiting patiently all this time to bloom into a gentlewoman of poise and gravitas. Watching her manage her father's attempts to assist was inspiring.

Even more so was the blossoming of the romance between the two. Each night after dinner the two were sent off by Lord Hopps' order to enjoy each other's company. It was an obvious novelty to have Nicolas sitting at table with them, rather than at the door to the kitchens, managing the meals, but it was a lovely sight. All Bonnie's work in training the cheeky kit had bourn fruit. His manners were impeccable, conversation skills superb and presence enlivening. She had seldom seen her husband enjoy a meal more than when Nicolas had weighed in on the state of the Indos Valley crisis. Watching her husband and the fox debating influences and positing solutions which Lord Hopps considered seriously was a joy! It caused Judith to forget the soup course entirely.

It also made a great many of her other children reconsider the fox's character. Once their initial reticence was overcome the debate had all but raged through the meal. If tempers flared, a silvered word from Nicolas was just as effective as her husband's bellowing, or her own sharp remonstrations. She swore Judith would have said more if she could have shaken herself out of staring at her soon-to-be tutor. It was a wonder her husband remained oblivious to what had grown between them.

The night before the two were due to depart, he had to satisfy her curiosity. She tracked her wandering Buck down in the lounge and had a quiet word.

"Stuart?"

"Hm?"

"I must ask. Why did you gift Nicolas with the orchard in addition to the fields we had discussed previously?"

A moment of sheepishness passed over his features. "I'm sorry, my dear. It was impulsive of me. Does it weigh on the finances too severely?"

"No! Good lord, no. The House and family will not suffer for it unduly. I am still curious why you did so, however."

"As I said, impulse." Bonnie's stare bore through him and he was sweating in moments. "Oh, very well. It was pride. I recalled what you said about his service and what he earned. Dashed if I'll let it be said I am ungenerous to those that serve this House well. The lands you set aside for him were a great endowment, but... for what he's done, I will not let it be said such service was rewarded on the lean."

Bonnie couldn't believe her ears. She had half convinced herself he knew of the relationship between Judith and Nicolas. Yet, it was just the image of the House and pleasing her that had taken hold of her husband, the lovable oaf.

"You are indeed generous and I adore you for it. I have set the papers to order. Mr. Wilde will be a wealthy fox in our employ from tomorrow onward."

Stuart's happiness at pleasing her was as clear as day. She did love the buck. For all his flaws, he was a good mammal and cared well for her and their kits. He cared so much, he needed an extra handkerchief when Judith finally departed the following morning. Watching the carriage pull away, she could only look on fondly and distract him.

"Stuart, compose yourself."

"I'm sorry, my dear."

"It is only three months, dear buck. Enough time for a litter."

"Bon?"

"Do not worry yourself, husband. It is not Judith you should concern yourself with, or myself. ::knowing her husband's love of kits, it was only too easy.:: I got word today. Abagail, Lucile and Amanda are all expecting. In a few months, you will have grandkits visiting. A whole new Hopps fluffle will form on Hopps' lands."

"Good lord..."

"Now, are you looking forward to the next few months?"

"Certainly!"

Meanwhile, in the carriage the mood was full of delighted anticipation on one part and pleased discomfort on the other. Judith was embarking on a new beginning and in the best company she could ask for. Whereas, Mr. Wilde was finally able to fully grasp the unforeseen turns in his fortune. His life had steadily improved over the last several months and not the least of it owing to the involvement of the young lady sitting opposite him; the young lady who was lovely in the morning light and in his charge.

Unbeckoned, his oath rose to his mind.

I serve the House of Hopps. None shall harm my charge.

Never had that statement of purpose been more meaningful to the fox. Lady Judith Hopps had become precious to him and as much as her life was in his paws, now so too was her future. It was a weight he had never seen, even in an afternoon's dreaming. It brought to the forefront of his mind other futures; ones impossible to attain even with his altered circumstances.

The fox's ruminations were interrupted when Judith's hindpaw found his own. In the confines of their carriage, there was little space to spare. It was by no means uncomfortable. Quite cozy, actually, and very easy for limbs to brush if a mammal was to let their mind wander.

"Apologies, Miss Hopps.", Nick said as he shifted his legs.

"Whatever for?", she replied as her paw found his again.

"Miss Hopps, we have a long journey together ahead of us. Are you sure this is how you wish it to begin?"

"Mr. Wilde, I have much to learn for the sake of doing my family proud and only a matter of weeks to accomplish this fear. However, I do plan to enjoy this trip. Every second of it."

Nicolas swallowed his words in the face of her thinly veiled statement of purpose and intense expression. They needed to have a conversation and soon, but perhaps it would be best to have that conversation in the privacy of their lodgings for the evening. That way the driver would be less likely to eavesdrop. In the mean time, Mr. Wilde decided, he could indulge himself in the fantasy that this wasn't just a flash in the pan. The feeling of such casual contact thrilled him and filled his head with a bittersweet longing. He knew it would have to end, but until it did he would enjoy it.