Clorica watched as Vishnal walked through the door, looking distracted. "Hey. You have to take care of this," she drops the folded sheets in his hands. Clorica yawned, wiping her eyes a bit. "I can't do all the laundry, you know...I...get tired easily..." Clorica's voice started to waver as she almost fell asleep again.

"N-no problem. I'll do it!" Vishnal boomed, clenching his fists into the sheets. Clorica opened an eye to see a dark stain on the sheets. "H-hey!" She grabbed the ends, examining the spot. "This...it's soot, isn't it?" Clorica looked up, frowning at Vishnal. Vishnal being the clumsiest in all the castle, had gotten a dark stain on items at least three times this week. Vishnal nervously laughed. "No, I mean, sorry. I'll take care of it right away," Vishnal apologetically bowed.

He turned and placed the sheets on his bed. "Let me clean my hands first, I guess." Clorica braided and unbraided one of her plaits while watching Vishnal. "But why have you been spending so much time at Bado's, anyway? You're not one to craft...you'd only do it if it was important..." Clorica's voice trailed off as she sleepily glanced back at the corridor that led to Frey's room. He...he isn't making what I think he is?

Vishnal took a wipe from his desk, and cleaned his finger, with a focused expression. "Well...yes, if it was something important," Vishnal tossed the wipe in the trash. "I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to use it...but just in case...if the moment arrives. Maybe. I'll use it then."

Clorica didn't get a chance to corner him further, as Frey peeked through the door. "H-hey guys. How are you?" Frey smiled sheepishly. She walked inside, carrying a lunch case. "Sorry. I never know if it's okay to use this door or not..."

Vishnal chuckled softly. "Of course you are, Princess. No need to ask that. Do you need help?" Vishnal offered, without waiting for a response, he grabbed the basket for her. Frey smiled apologetically. "Thanks, Vin." Frey bit her lip, tapping her foot at the ground. Vishnal watched her nervous body language. Does she want to say something? Ah. Maybe it's because..."Oh. Um, Clorica," Vishnal turned to the butler behind him. "Could you give us a moment, please?"

Kick me out of my own spot, huh? Clorica mumbled internally. She bowed, exiting towards the corridor.

"Ah! Oh..." Frey's face sunk a bit as she watched Clorica leave. "She didn't have to go, I just..." That's not exactly what I wanted to happen...

Vishnal shook his head. "No, you obviously had something to say, right? It's fine. Please, do."

Frey pulled at her pigtail. "I just...well, I made lunch for us. Your favorites...curry rice and some golden vegetables..." Frey mumbled. "What! Curry rice? Really!? And golden vegetables?!" Vishnal beamed. Frey was surprised at his cheeful response, and then she nodded. I guess it's been a while since I've made it for him. He's pretty pleased. "Mmm-hmm. Let's...go eat some, okay?" Frey grabbed his hand, leading him out to the farm outside.

The two sat, finishing up their meals on the bench outside. I'm so nervous...I've...never done this before. To the best of my memories, anyway. Frey swung her feet. Vishnal was pleased with his meal, preoccupied with finishing his vegetables, the curry rice long gone. "Ah, Princess. It's really delicious! You could work at Porco's. No, even out of Selphia!" he grinned. "Oh, Vin, it's not that good!" Frey smiled softly, patting his arm. Oh, Vin...how am I going to do this?

Vishnal finished the last of his meal, and put the cutlery away. He leaned back on the bench, as he noticed the sky starting to drizzle. Vishnal frowned. "We...better go inside," Vishnal looked at Frey's exposed arms. "I don't want you getting sick." Frey shook her head in disagreement. "No, it's okay." Frey gripped the sides of the bench, her stomach turning in more and more knots as the minutes when by. But...I need to be honest, right? That's...what I should...do...If Leo-Leo could do this with me, then I should be able to do this with Vin.

Vishnal looked at Frey, who seemed to be distracted since she first arrived. Maybe she just has other thoughts on her mind, Vishnal surmised. It's not easy being royalty. "Hmm..Okay. Just a little while longer then. I really don't want you feeling ill, Princess," Vishnal advised, concerned. He removed his outer coat, placing it gently on her shoulders. "Ah...thank you..." Frey looked at Vishnal, who smiled sweetly. "It's no problem at all."

Frey rubbed her fingers on his coat, feeling on the buttons. She gazed at the golden crown on his outerwear, a visual representation of a butler's responsibility to serve royalty. Frey sighed heavily. He's too nice to me. He's too kind to me. How can I possibly hurt him like this? But I can't continue with the way I feel about Leon. It...it won't work...

"Is...there something on your mind, Frey?" Vishnal prodded. Frey glanced at him, blushing at him using her given name instead of the usual "Princess"."Oh...yes..." Frey turned, looking at the trees in the distance. "Do you feel like honesty...is important, Vishnal?" Frey softly spoke. Honesty...

Vishnal considered the thought. "Of course it is. There should be honesty in all your actions. Especially as a butler, there shouldn't be an inch of fictitious servitude in you. I've always tried to be as genuine and honest as I can." Vishnal looks at Frey, who's still intently watching the trees. He's right...he's never been dishonest with me...has he? And yet, I on the other hand...

She has something on her mind, I can tell...I wish Frey would open up to me more. After all this time...she's still been so short with me, no matter what I do. Vishnal looked at her mint pigtails. Is it because of me? Vishnal smiles sadly. It...probably is. I'm the one at fault here, aren't I? Vishnal touches the end of her hair.

"I've always loved you, Princess. I've always been honest with that. And I'll always love you. That, at least, I can say with absolute confidence." Vishnal smiled. That's for sure.

Frey turned to him, and Vishnal looks directly at her. "You...love me a lot, don't you?" Frey mutters, her throat starting to burn. I feel so ashamed. Of course I know what he's going to say. Why did I ask this? Why am I doing this...? Her hands start to tremble as she holds onto the coat.

Vishnal nods, slightly frowning. "Of course I do! Have I done something?" Vishnal worries. "I-I've apologized about that day about the blacksmith, right? I am sorry for that..." He gives a remorseful expression.

"No, that's not it, Vin," Frey smiles, her eyes watering. He's even apologizing to me? This hurts so much...I can't take it...I never thought I'd hurt so much to say this...

"If...if you're honest with me, I should be just as honest back, right?" Frey's voice wavers, barely even speaking. "Princess..." Vishnal mumbles, worried, holding her shoulders. "Please. I'm no expert in relationships...I don't know much, but," Vishnal looks up at her. "Please talk to me. I want to know more about how you feel."

Tears fall down Frey's face, and her heart tumbles. I can't...I can't do this. She starts sobbing. "Vishnal...I'm...I'm so sorry..." Frey manages to speak in bursts. I didn't expect it to be so hard... Why? The way I feel when I'm Leon, I feel like I'm at a high. So this shouldn't be a problem, right? My heart hurts so much.

Vishnal grabs her hands, removing her gloves, grabbing her hands tightly. "Please, Princess. Honestly...honestly how you feel...I want to know that about you..." Just speak to me Frey. Just once, with your heart, your true heart, speak to me...

Frey covers her mouth with a hand, turning her eyes away. I don't want to say it. You can't make me say it...please don't...it hurts. I feel so terrible to do this to you, Vin. Vishnal frowns, then his expression changes to a hollow smile. "I think...I know what you're going to say, Princess..." Vishnal dejectedly mutters. I'd be lying to myself if I say I didn't consider it...

"Frey." Vishnal looks up, turning her head towards his with a finger gently. I can't say I didn't see it coming...can I? "Frey...do you honestly..." Vishnal grabs her other hands, his shaking slightly. I've got to keep it together for her. "Feel different than before? About being...in love, feel different from me...?" Frey's hands tremble. She gulps, and nods. Vishnal please...please stop. Don't ask me anymore...More tears fall. I can't hurt him anymore...

Vishnal's heart sinks. Okay. That's the first hurdle, Vin. You're doing good. You know what you should say next, don't you? What you've been trying to deny... "Do...you feel like we...shouldn't see each other anymore?" Vishnal whispers.

Frey starts to sob again, taking a huge gulp of air. "Vishnal..." Vishnal...please...

Vishnal's eyes brim with tears. Okay. We probably knew that one, right? Vishnal laughs in a melancholy tone. "It's okay Princess. I had figured as much...And I know who...or, what's making you do this...I understand that..." Vishnal pulls her hands closer. She's fallen for Leon, hasn't she?

Vishnal... Frey looks up at his despondent expression. I'm so sorry. I'm so pathetic. Even with my own words, I couldn't say it...I'm a coward, Vishnal. A dishonest coward.

Vishnal delicately kisses her hands. "It's okay, Princess. It's okay...Even if...you make this choice...I'll...always love you," he whispers. Vishnal smiles sadly to himself. I'll always care for you...no matter what...