Author's note: This chapter is based on the song "How Lovely" by Reiniary. She has alot of excellent covers and original songs. Her voice is wonderful and I highly recommend her. This chapter also makes quite a few references to the lyrics of "How Lovely". While you don't need to listen to it to enjoy the chapter, you can if you want to be more informed on those references. You (at least more than likely) will not be disappointed by her voice.

P.S. One of the books mentioned symbolically relates to Maudeline through the experiences of its author, so if you want some context there, I suggest the channel So You Haven't Read, where I learned about it. The owners of the channel also have channels on games, mythology, and history you should check out as well. Sorry for rambling, I just really love these channels.

Two weeks have passed since Hildegarde carried Maudeline to the doctor. The doctor had put Maudeline's left arm and lower left leg in casts and told her to stay off her feet while the bones healed. When she pressed for when she could get the casts off, the doctor responded three months minimum. Maudeline had been stuck in bed ever since and in that time and in that time did mainly one thing: frantically flipping through her romance novels. Ever since Hildegarde first had her in her arms, Maudeline had been looking through her romance novels to try and explain what she felt around Hildegarde and why it went into overdrive that day. And so far, she was not liking the explanation she was getting.

"Oh god, this can't be happening." she muttered to herself as she flipped through the pages of "Pride and Prejudice", finding herself relating to the romantic plot to an extent. "I couldn't be. At least not with Hildegarde, right?"

"Lady Everglot, I've made you lunch. May I come in?"

"Oh! Uh..." Maudeline trailed off as she hastily put away "Pride amd Prejudice" and opened "The Importance of Being Ernest" in its place before responding, "yes, Hildegarde. You may enter."

"I made you roasted pheasant with nutmeg. Your favorite if I'm not mistaken."

"Thanks Hildegarde, but you don't have to keep making these meals for me. You're probably already overworked as is looking after me, the last thing I want to do is take away from your pay."

"Don't worry, Lady Everglot. And on that topic, the Van Dort's weekly check arrived."

Maudeline sighed as she opened the envelope. But to her horror, the check was written to half of what she expected. Alongside the check was a letter that "explained" the situation.

Dear Maudeline,

I regret to inform you, especially given your current state, that we must make some changes in spending. Due to a drop in profits for the fish business, we found out is in everyone's best interest to cut our weekly cheek to the Everglots until the situation changes. My sincerest apologies.

Sincerely, Nell Van Dort

Maudeline couldn't help but let a worried sigh escape her mouth. Half of the usual Van Dort contribution for an unset amount of time? How would she manage? And what would the other nobles think of her? She barely managed to finish her thoughts when she noticed Hildegarde was reading the letter as well, when they became a flustered mess due to how close the two physically were.

"May I be excused, Lady Everglot?"

Hildegarde's voice was calm and composed as usual, but the way she was clenching her fists suggested a very different emotion.

"Y-yes. Of... of course you may, Hildegarde."

What she heard outside the doors as soon as Hildegarde left had Maudeline speechless abd breathlest.

"That spoiled, self entitled, idiotic, uninformed, spoiled brat in a woman's body! What's best for everyone? She's just making sure her profits don't drop by a few shillings! If I ever see that destined-to-hell excuse for a proper lady, I'll tear her limb from limb, no, JOINT FROM JOINT!"

Those words, spoken with a fury Maudeline had never heard from her, made the very feeling she was trying to find out about strike her faster than lightning. The closest thing she saw to such anger from her was in those beautiful, sky-like, blue eyes that she smiled with everyday. And then came the sceduled tickle in her chest. Why did Hildegarde make her heart flutter like that?

Please let this be a sign of a heart attack. Passing of that instead of embarrassment is truly preferable.

It was only a few mere minutes later that it finaly hit her. She had finaly found out what this feeling truly was, no other possibilities. Or rather, she had come to terms with the fact there were no other possibilities.

It was love.