"Wake up, malady. Its morning."

"But Mom, I'm tired! I don't wanna go to school…" I replied, rolling over in my bed. Wait. I quickly opened my eyes, and got up rapidly. However, I bumped my head against Claude's.

"Ow!" I said, falling back into bed. I was disoriented as Claude stepped back, grabbing his head. "Don't stand so close to me when I wake up!"

Claude gave me a Does-it-look-like-I-care face and set an ugly yellow dress he held next to me. "You're not my Master, malady. It's nearly 11:00am, and Master has already awakened. He said to let you sleep until this time. Please get dressed and come downstairs for brunch."

I nodded drowsily and slowly got up as the butler left. I had been up so late learning and practicing dancing for Alois's lesson later today. I usually slept until this time on the weekends though. Ugh, I was still really tired.

I put the ugly dress on (It must've been Hannah's, for it was really large in the breast area.) and attempted to fix my hair. After a few brushes, I said "Screw it." I hurriedly tied my black boots, grabbed my glasses and ran downstairs as fast as I could. It was easy to get lost here; this place was giant! I (finally) found the kitchen, running into it panting.

"Hello!" Alois said as I entered the large kitchen. He was fully dressed, with his jacket and shorts on. He had a blue vest and ribbon thing on today though, and his boots and stockings weren't on. "You aren't a very early riser, are you?"

I took a seat near him, and looked at the breakfast. It was eggs and some other green stuff. "Why? What time do you wake up?"

"6:30am everyday!"

How?! Every day! I hated getting up early. "Oh. So when do we have to practice?"

Alois played with his cup (full of wine, no doubt); making it teeter and catch it right before it fell every time. "I don't know. I was thinking later today. What do you think?"

I took a bite out of the egg and ate it in disgust. I always hated eggs. "Well how about-"

"Young Master?"

We both turned to see Hannah, who'd come into the room without us knowing. "The triplets wanted you to see your horse. They said they made her beautiful for you."

Alois rolled his blue eyes. "What did I say about that thing!? I don't even ride the stupid mare! And what did I say about interrupting me Hannah! I'll go see it if it makes the triplets happy, though. Wanna come Nichole?"

"Sure!"Alois had a horse?! This was awesome! "I didn't know you had a horse."

"Well yes." Alois said, checking his finger nails like a girl would. "But I never learned to ride. Everyone in England fox hunts, but I hate killing those poor animals. They're like me; innocent and unknown." He took a swing of his drink and screamed so loud that my ears hurt after he finished "CLAUDE! GET MY SHOES AND STOCKINGS!"

Claude appeared a moment later, with Alois's clothes. He put them on the young boy as Alois continued, "She's a 5 year old mare that I got for Christmas last year. People say that she's a really good one that shouldn't be wasted, but I don't even know how to mount her."

"I know how!" I said excitedly. "Can I try her out? What's her name? What does she look like?"

Once he had his shoes on, Alois spun in a circle and jumped over to me. "I don't know. I've only seen her once. My other servants, the triplets, love her. Come on, I'll take you to the stable I keep her in. You can do whatever you want with the thing."

I followed Alois outside to the sunny London happily. I loved riding horses! Alois had no idea how lucky he was to have the nice mare that he was describing! I didn't own a horse, but instead I rode an old bay mare on the weekends for fun. The old mare hardly ever moved as fast as I wanted her too, and Alois's horse sounded so good!

We quickly reached the stable, a large wooden horse paradise, and I saw three purple haired boys around the age 20 standing outside of the stall, each frowning as Alois approached. I couldn't tell them apart, but I knew their names.

"Nichole," Alois said addressing each one, "This is Canterbury, Thompson, and Timber." I could tell by his face that he didn't know which boy was which, but the servant brothers didn't seem to care, and instead whispered amongst themselves. "We want to see the horse. Can we?"

The red eyed brothers moved to reveal a beautiful white Quarter Horse mare with silver dapples across her body. She was lean, meant for chasing dogs that would lead her to a fox. She looked at me with interest and walked towards me. I stepped past Alois and went to the stall door to pet her.

"Hello, pretty! You're so beautiful" I said to her, patting her head and holding onto her halter. "Your master didn't give you a name? I will if you want." I thought for a second before the perfect name came to me. "How about…Juniper's Flower?" I turned to Alois to see if he liked the name.

Alois, who stood slightly away from the tall horse, said, "Sure, you can call her that if you want…" He then started playing with the side his cheek, something that he seemed to do when he was nervous.

Someone wasn't very comfy around horses. "Can I lunge her? I want to see what she can do!"

Alois nodded (I doubt he even knew what that meant) and I looked around the stall. I found a bright yellow lunge line that matched my dress and attached it to Juniper's halter.

"Watch out. " I said as I Ied the wonderful horse outside. Alois ran out of the way, like Juniper and I were coming out of the stall at 1,000 miles an hour. The triplets moved too, talking to each other and staring at Alois.

I walked to a clear part of Juniper's small pasture. She seemed to know what to do instantly. I let the long yellow line have lots of slack, and the young horse began to walk around me at a Pleasure pace. I clicked my tongue, and the silver horse began to trot in a perfect way. I nearly gasped as I studied her wonderful gait, and her perfect head curve. I made a kissing noise and she took off, cantering at full speed. I didn't even need a whip.

I knew Alois didn't seem to like horses, so I hatched a little plan. "Hey!" I said calling to the triplets as Juniper slowed into a medium trot. "Get me her tack! I'm gonna try her out!"

"What do you think gives you the right to ride my horse?" Alois said, looking madly at his servants that where going to the stable and getting Juniper's tack.

"You'll get to ride her too!" I said, smirking. "I'll sit in the front, you in the back. Juniper needs exercise, and I seem to be the only one around here who can do it."

I saw Alois's face turn a pale white, and he stuttered when he talked. "M-me? No-no, I-I'm good! I don't w-want to ride the bloody thing!"

I pulled Juniper closer to me, chuckling. "So you're telling me that the 'Great Earl Alois Trancy' is afraid of a horse that a small, delicate, American lady can master on her own? To think I came here wanting you to be my strong, independent, husband…"

That got him. "What are you saying? I can do it! I can do anything a girl can do and better! Just because I never learned to ride doesn't mean I can't!" Alois marched into the small pasture with the purple haired Frog demon servants next to him, each holding a piece of tack.

I took the saddle pad and put it on Juniper. "So where do I sit?" Alois asked, still weary around his horse.

"Behind me." I said, taking the saddle and girth from (I think) Timber. "I sit in the front and guide her; you sit in the back and just hang on. Okay?"

Alois nodded and started playing with his cheek again. I quickly tightened the girth and took the bridle from one of the demon servants. I slipped it on and put the reins over Juniper's head.

"Can you give me a leg up?" I asked one of the boys. The one with the hair that went to the left came near me and made himself into a step stool. I climbed on, and picked the reins up. "Thanks. Ready Al?"

Alois gulped and nodded. The same demon helped Alois up. The blonde boy got settled right behind me, and tried to put his foot in my stirrups. I shoved his feet out, and I put my boots in.

"Put your feet next to mine, and keep your heels down." I commanded, with a monotonous voice. "Hold onto me, and relax. I'll go slowly…for a while."

He did as instructed, placing his brown and purple boots next to mine, and he put his arms around my waist (a bit tighter than I liked). Alois took a deep breath and exhaled. He was shaking.

"Ready?" I said, and before I let him say anything more, I kicked Juniper and she started a fast walk. Alois's grip got tighter, and he kind of hugged my body. I had a harder time concentrating as he did, and Juni was trying desperately to not take off and canter.

"Alois," I said, keeping my eyes in front of me. "I'm going to let your horse run for a bit, okay? Just hold on, and keep breathing. Got it?"

The larger boy pretty much went into full out panic mode. "Please don't…Nichole please don't…" I could tell from his voice cracking he was at the edge of tears.

I put my reins into my one hand, and placed my free hand onto Alois's thigh, trying to comfort the frightened boy. "You'll be fine. If we fall, I'll catch you and make sure you don't get hurt. But we won't fall. Juni is the best horse I've ever seen, and she won't throw her master. Just for a few moments, alright?"

I felt Al (I'll think of a better nick name for him later) latch onto me like a leech. "…Okay. I-I trust you. I trust you, Nichole."

I took the reins back into my two hands and shortened them. "Go." I said, and without even needing to kick, Juniper flew immediately into her canter.

I focused on Alois and trying not to excite Juni too much. Curses and other bad language came out of Alois's mouth, but he stayed on, and didn't go flying. If Al wasn't on, I would've been laughing and smiling, but because I was so focused on him, I put Claude's poker face on and kept everything in check.

After what seemed like an eternity, I pulled the reins so Juni slowed to a stop. Al kept on me, still mumbling some nasty things.

"It's over." I said, "She'll go slowly now. Can you let go?"

Alois reluctantly let go of me, and put his hands next to him on the saddle. "That was kinda…fun...in a way…Could we go in the forest on her? I want to show you something."

"You wanna go trail riding?" I asked. Before I thought he'd never want to get near a horse again.

"Yes. There is a special place in these woods that I want to show you." He pointed a shaking hand towards the east. "There."

I had a feeling I knew what it was he wanted me to see. The fairy garden, were he had met Claude awhile ago. "Sure. I'll go slow this time, okay?"

With a silent send off by the triplets, I lead Juni and Alois to the woods. Al kept his grip of iron on me, and continued to shake. He pointed the way for me, and I commanded the horse there.

After we got far enough that I couldn't see the mansion behind us, we entered a small clearing. It was then I realized something. "Hey Al," I spoke up, "I kinda need to...ya know."

"But we're almost there! Please Nichole!" Alois pleaded, "I don't want to turn around!"

"We aren't going to turn around!" I resounded, stopped Juni in her place. "I'll just go on a tree.

"But you're a lady! Ladies shouldn't do that..."

I rolled my eyes. This is why I hated this time period. Girls were expected to be pretty things that couldn't do anything but have kids. I, being a complete tomboy that would rather play Bioshock than go to a party, would never survive here. Another reason I needed to get Alois out of here as soon as possible.

I jumped off the horse, as did Alois. I gave him Juni's reins and said, "Well, I don't care. Stay here with the horse. You can let her graze, but don't let go of the rope thingy, okay?" Without waiting for his reply, I ran into the woods.

I walked for a bit (until I was sure Al couldn't see me, no matter how much he tried) and picked a bush. After I was done, I began slowly walking back.

I thought of what Hannah had said, I thought of butterflies and of Alois in general on my way back. I needed to hurry up, but I liked the chill of the London woods.

Hannah's dress wasn't heavy, like most dresses from this era, and was instead light and fun. Like a sundress. It was missing sleeves, and from the looks of it, looked like someone had ripped them off. The wind blew and I shivered.

I soon reached the clearing where Al and Juni were waiting except something was missing…

"Al…where is Juni?