Anne awoke before the sun, something she did frequently now.

She got out of bed, knowing that she was wide awake and there was little hope for sleep now. It was far too early to make breakfast and Diana wouldn't likely arrive until closer to midday, so she quietly opened the door and tiptoed through the main room. Once she'd made it outside, she set off to the large garden Diana had in back of her house. It looked over a small lake, and dozens of different types of flowers populated the otherwise flat area in front of it. She had brought one of her favorite books, The Language Of Flowers, and went to work comparing the different species with their sketches in the book. She found hibiscuses, jasmine, daisies, sunflowers, lilies, and all sorts of others which she could read up on to learn far more than anyone should rightly know of any given species. She didn't pick any of course, since Diana had meticulously planted them and she didn't want to disturb them, but once she'd learned about nearly every flower in her garden, and the sun had come up, she returned to the house and set to work making breakfast. She did so quietly so as to not disturb Gilbert, but he awoke soon anyway.

"Good morning Anne, you're up early."

Anne chuckled. "If you'd have told me that a few hours ago it would've been much more meaningful." Gilbert frowned a bit at this, knowing she had been up late as well, but quickly returned his expression to pleasant. "I suppose it would have."

He leaned against the doorframe, frowning a bit at seeing dark circles underneath her eyes. "Is there something I can help cook?"

Anne smiled, pausing for a moment. "Thank you, but it's okay. I'm almost done."

He nodded, still concerned but choosing to remain silent. The two remained that way for a bit, Anne moving about the kitchen, brushing countertops, and washing dishes to the point that they sparkled. She finished up breakfast quickly and set the two plates down adjacent from one another, something Gilbert took as a sign that Anne was feeling more comfortable around him. It was small, but a start was a start and he couldn't deny that he was happy just to be on speaking terms again.

The breakfast was unlike anything Gilbert had made in weeks, considering he was often off to work before Ms. Lacroix or Bash could offer him anything in the morning. His breakfasts usually consisted of an apple, or a single piece of toast, although more and more lately he'd leave an apple on the corner of Anne's desk in the morning on his way to his office. He looked down now in awe at the plate of toast, eggs, fresh cut strawberries and apples, and a small bit of greens with a citrus dressing. Anne seemed entirely underwhelmed by her dish and ate gracefully, but Gilbert practically inhaled his and was finished in less than ten minutes. He chuckled nervously, hoping Anne hadn't noticed the uncouth way he finished his meal (although as it were, she had, and found it quite amusing) and thanked her politely for the breakfast. He brought his plate to the sink and washed it, only slightly less meticulously than Anne herself.

"Diana should arrive at around midday, so I mean to go to the town and explore to find something worthwhile to give her, as a thank you for her hospitality." Anne rarely spoke with such formality, which brought Gilbert's concern back to the forefront of his mind, but he assumed she was not entirely comfortable with him yet, and that that may be an explanation for her unusual diction.

He nodded. "Alright. I might see if there's anything that needs tending around the farm. Diana mentioned that her husband took great care of his fields, although he's been away on a business trip for almost a month now and I wouldn't be surprised if there was something a hired stablehand had missed through his rounds. It shouldn't take long, I'll likely be done by the time you arrive." He noticed the small squint in her eyes when he said this, but he dismissed it as overthinking and retrieved his coat. "Thank you - for the breakfast, I mean. I do hope your leg is not hurting terribly?"

Anne paused. She'd forgotten entirely about her injury. "No, not at all. And it's my pleasure."


Anne had no intention of going to the town. She'd already selected a gift for Diana, and brought it discreetly with her in a small bag she carried in the train. It was a brooch, one adorned with brass designs of tree branches and a gorgeous ruby center. It was fit for a princess, and Diana deserved more than what was fit for a queen.

Instead of going to the town, she made her way through the woods nearby. Diana lived in a somewhat secluded area of the city - her home was surrounded on three sides by forest, and on the fourth side there was a path that took approximately twenty minutes to travel on horseback to reach the main area of the city, or as many residents called it "the town". Anne had no interest in the busy streets that lay ahead of her, however, and instead began to explore the wood around her. The tall trees formed a canopy above her head, protecting her from the sun's piercing rays. There was a babbling brook running alongside the path a ways into the forest, across which lay a treacherous path of stepping stones. Treading carefully, Anne stepped over each with grace, and then continued through the forest on that side.

Once she'd thoroughly explored - taking about three hours in total - she could remember with basic understanding the entire layout of the forest, as it wasn't particularly large. If you took the first path, which surrounded a part of the woods filled with curling branches that looked almost like hands, you'd end up in a vast field littered with colorful wildflowers. If you took the first left turn, you'd arrive at a shimmering lake. If you went down a ways and took the second left turn, you'd end up at the brook which connects to the pond, and if you took any other turn, it would eventually twist over to a field filled with wild raspberries and blackberries.

She finally began walking back, expecting to see Diana back at the house. Gilbert hadn't yet gone inside, which allowed Anne the chance to run into the guest room quickly and retrieve the gift to show Gilbert if he asked where she'd been. She quickly checked to ensure there were no leaves in her hair, and once she'd confirmed there were not, she went out to the parlor and sat down with The Language of Flowers to continue reading.

She heard a knock on the door, a dainty one that was certainly not Gilbert's. With an unbridled joy she raced to the door, regard for grace and ladilike behavior thrown out the window in a heartbeat. She swung open the door, and upon seeing her beloved bosom friend, wrapped her in a hug instantly, one wholeheartedly reciprocated by Diana.

A/N: Hey everyone! Finally finished this chapter, so here it is! Enjoy, and please stay safe!