The day your father came back from his hunting trip, he found you in bed, fast asleep even though it was already noon. At first, he thought everything had been fine, but he then noticed the crutch that was sitting in the corner of your room. Anxiety spread through him, leading your father to cross your room and wake you up.

"(Your name)! Wake up! Are you okay," he asked in exasperation. You sat straight up, wincing when you felt your leg in pain. It had only been three days since you came back. Not only did you have a broken leg, but you hadn't been able to bathe as well. You need someone's help for that, but Olivia had insisted you needed bed rest (she had visited you every day with Jackson in tow). You then turned to your father and said, "Yes father I'm perfectly fine right now. I broke my leg three days ago."

"You broke your leg?! (Name), how in the world did that happen?" Your father asked in exasperation.

"I was hunting. I needed more money because Olivia came down with a fever..." You said quietly while tilting your head down. "I'm sorry, I really needed to help. She's like a sister to me." Your father was silent for some time before he cleared his throat and replied, "(Name), I want you to never go hunting without my permission ever again. Do you understand?"

"Yes father. But I was wondering, could you get Elizabeth for me? I need help bathing." Your father chuckled at your reply and you were glad that he wasn't fretting about your condition anymore. When he left the house, you jumped on one foot to your crutch, and then proceeded to go downstairs to eat your breakfast. By the time you were done, your father had just returned with Elizabeth. You mentally braced yourself for her reaction because she hadn't seen you since before you left.

"(NAME)! DEAR GOD, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" She shouted at you while scurrying to your side.

"Liz, the screaming is not going to make it better," you muttered. "Anyway, I broke my leg while falling off our cabriolet. I was able to go to our family friend, the fur merchant, to get it fixed. That doesn't matter, though. I just really need a bath." She sighed at your response but complied and hefted you to the tub in the bathroom. You were grateful that your father already filled the tub with hot water. Elizabeth helped you get out of your clothes, take off your splint, and get you into the tub.

"I'm sorry you had to do this," you told her. "It's servants' work that the daughter of the mayor shouldn't be doing."

"Nonsense, (Name). I'm glad I can help you and that you're including me. Besides, who else could stand to look at your naked body?" She teased. You gasped in frustration and splashed water at her. She then laughed out loud and proceeded to splash water back at you. The two of you fought for a while until you realized you had made a small mess.

"Ah, it's so nice to talk to you again, Liz!" You said happily while both of your giggles were starting to die down.

"Me too, (Name)," she said while smiling brightly at you. "I really am sorry about your leg though."

"Don't worry about it; it'll heal in a couple of weeks. I have to tell you something, though. I didn't really fall off the cabriolet. I went hunting instead, and a wolf bit my leg hard enough to cause it to break," you told her. She looked appalled at the fact that you were hunting, but as you continued to tell her the whole story, from when you first hunted, to your secret-sharing with Jackson, her face became gentler, and as if she understood everything now.

"(Name), I can't believe you would tell that Overland boy! He's the one who's been making your life in Burgess miserable for you!" She exclaimed.

"I know, I know, but I couldn't have him making worse assumptions about me. Besides, he owes me for indirectly saving his sister. I don't think he'll be spilling my secrets anytime soon," you replied calmly. Elizabeth seemed to understand by the nod of her head. Her eyes seemed to be pondering the situation as you continued to wash yourself. You then spoke up and said, "So, enough about me, how are you?"

"(Name), things are starting to get more difficult at home. As I grow older, my parents worry about me not being able finding an acceptable husband. They reprimand me every day for turning down every suitor when they realize that I don't want to marry some man who is at least fifteen years older than me!" She started. As she progressed, her tone grew more exasperated. "I cannot stand the fact that they have to marry me off to some aristocrat when all I want is to BE HAPPY! They will never understand how it feels like to be forced into a lifelong oath with some rich, overweight stranger!" By the time she finished, her voice had started to grow thicker, like she was about to start crying. She ended up holding back her tears, and you thought of how brave she was to be going through all of this. You didn't say anything at first, you just sat in the tub, pondering what she said in lukewarm water. Finally, you turned to her and stated, "Elizabeth Marie Adamson, I swear to you that I will not let you be forced into some marriage that will make you miserable. I swear to you that I will do my best to make sure you live a happy, fulfilling life." You bother held each other's gaze until she finally looked down and said, "Thank you (Name). I do not deserve a friend like you."

"Don't fret about it. That's why I'm here: to be your friend and to help you when you're not in high spirits," you told her brightly. "But can I please get out of this tub? The water is starting to turn cold!" She laughed at your antics and helped you get dressed.

~~~~~~~~~~

When Elizabeth had just finished dressing you in a cream colored dress, your father went up to your room and told you two through the door that Jackson and Olivia had come to visit. You sighed and Elizabeth chuckled at your reaction.

"Why is he even here (Name)?" She asked you.

"He never lets Olivia out of his sight nowadays. So whenever she comes to visit, he just happens to be with her", you explained. She accepted your answer readily and mentally braced herself for Jackson Overland's torture. You, as well, mentally prepared yourself to deal with his obnoxiousness.

The two of you slowly made your way down the stairs and Elizabeth had your crutch ready for you. Then, as soon as you saw the Overland siblings, Olivia shot towards you and wrapped her arms around your torso.

"(NAME)! Can we please, please, please go into town today?" She asked eagerly after she gave also have Elizabeth a bear hug. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet in anticipation for both of your answers. Pretending to be busy you turned to Elizabeth and said, "I don't know, Liz. Do you think we could spare some time?"

"I'm not sure, (Name). I might have to go back to meet another suitor," she said with a faint air of occupation. At this, Olivia groaned, turned to her brother, and said, "Jaaaack! Can you please make them go?" Catching on to the small joke, Jackson replied, "Well, they seem pretty busy to me Olivia. Maybe we shouldn't bother them." At this she groaned once again and started tugging on the skirts of your dress. When she started to get impatient, Elizabeth lifted her up from her armpits and said to her, "Just kidding Olivia! Of course we can go into town with you!" Olivia then laughed. You turned to look at Jackson, but you saw that he was looking at Elizabeth and Olivia intently, with a small smile on his face. You were shocked because the look on his face was one that showed infatuation and a small degree of intimacy. When that registered in your mind, a strange feeling overcame you. You felt a little hurt but you couldn't understand why.