When Jane rose in the morning she was excited to spar with Gunther. Things had been going incredibly well with him lately, and after last night, it felt more genuine than just his attempts at apologizing to her. She found it ironic that a dumb drunken kiss could end up strengthening their friendship instead of flat-out destroying it, which she felt would have been the outcome if it was anyone else but Gunther. As she washed her face and dressed for the day, she thought about how hard Gunther worked at things when he really put his mind to it. Getting him to put his mind to something was the hard part, but once his mind was set, it was difficult to stop him. She groaned, realizing many people would also describe her in a similar way. Her problem was that she got passionate about everything while Gunther was picky. If getting him to open up, be kind, and make more friends cost only a kiss, maybe she'd do it more often. "Woah, Jane! Let's not get carried away!" She felt shocked she would even think such a thing. Gunther was her fellow squire and friend. Plus, she had no idea how long his good behavior was going to last. She existed her tower and made it down to the training yard where she was disappointed to find it empty. "Oh, right, it's shipment day," she mumbled to herself. "Indeed it is," came the voice of Jester, who she found behind her on the swing adjacent to his own room. She skipped over, surprised but happy to see her friend awake, "what gets you up at this hour?" He sighed and she noticed the dark circles under his eyes. "Couldn't sleep, unfortunately," He responded with a dry chuckle. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Anything particular on your mind?" She hated to see any of her friends struggling if she thought she may be of help. Jester looked away, unable to meet her gaze, "any news on your engagement?" That question wasn't what she expected. "Oh..." she had become so caught up in everything the last few days, she hated to admit she had momentarily forgotten about the whole thing. It was still always in the back of her mind, but without any updates from her mother, she had convinced herself that maybe the whole thing had been called off. "No, I have not. Have you?" she asked tensely, worried what his answer may be. His eyes returned to hers, "n-not necessarily... I just... think you should have heard something by now." Jane nodded in agreement, "maybe you are right. I should finally confront my mother on the subject and stop avoiding it." She sighed, turning to leave, her chipper mood dampened. "Wait!" Jane turned back to Jester, who had called out to her, "Don't forget you can talk to me about anything that you're going through, as well." She smiled at his kind words, "Thank you Jester. Luckily, things have been a lot better after the ball. I guess we'll see if that continues after I'm done speaking with my mother." He fidgeted with his hands, "you have been in a good mood lately. W-which is great! Don't get me wrong! It's just..." She waited as he flailed his arms around, attempting to summon the rest of his sentence, "it just seems unusual for you to ignore something so important. Has anything in particular got you so distracted?" She thought for a moment, unsure what the answer was herself. "Well, I guess in-between everything, Gunther has been taking up more of my time lately." "H-he has?" Jester squeaked. Jane was puzzled by that response but continued, "yeah, we've been training together more often. Not to mention going on patrol together... and all that..." She felt her cheeks grow hot remembering what sparked all these interactions to begin with. Suddenly feeling awkward continuing the conversation, she turned to leave, "a-anyway, I suppose I should had off to figure out my engagement status. I'll talk to you later!" She rushed off before he could stop her again. "What was that about?" She was getting tired of how much a drunken kiss kept messing with her head. Gunther may be acting like a real human being for once but he was still Gunther. He was annoying, self-centered, and sometimes downright cruel. She had a hard enough time just being friends with him most days, better less anything... else. She pulled at her hair, punishing herself for such thoughts. "Jester is right, I need to stop getting distracted and get back to what's important!"
As she approached the castle, she faltered. Her mother wasn't talking to her, most likely, for a good reason. She may not tell Jane anything and she'd just end up wasting her time. She paced in the castle's garden and tried to think of ways to best bring up the subject to her mother. However, nothing came to mind that didn't end up in a fight. She was about to take the plunge and go for it anyway when a thought came to mind, "there is at least one other person who will know who I am engaged to!" Her father wouldn't have allowed any contract to be signed if he didn't approve. Although her mother was as stubborn as a bull, she wouldn't have worked behind her father's back. Having her mind made-up she left the castle grounds all together and made her way to the village. As she reminded herself earlier, it was shipment day, which meant her father would be at the harbor counting goods. The walk over was pleasant and uneventful but once she hit the village, it was a different story. The town was always as busy as the castle before a banquet. People walking this way and that, stall owners yelling for her to approach, and the smell of food and sweat surrounded her. It was a little overwhelming yet exciting. Jane didn't have many excuses to go to the village and when she did, it was usually on a horseback patrol. Those of which she didn't go on often because of her usual patrols with Dragon. Being here as a visitor was different and she had to stop herself from pausing at every stall to see what treasures they had from far-off lands. The smell of the ocean grew stronger as she made her way to the port where large ships came into view. Jane sometimes envied the sailors and merchants who traveled to lands she could only dream of. Dragon and her had talked about flying to new and exciting places but her duties at the castle had, thus far, kept her from doing so. When she reached the waterfront it was just as lively as the marketplace. Men were rushing around, hauling crates, barrels, and sacks of all sizes. Jane did her best to stay out of their way as she scanned the area for her father. She soon caught a glace of the trademark red hair of which she inherited near a boat further down the port. She weaved her way through the throng of people until her father's full form came into view. To her surprise, Gunther was standing next to him and they both looked to be discussing something written in her father's records. She approached them cautiously, unsure what circumstances would cause the two men to interact. Her father looked up first, probably sensing her in that way only fathers could, "Oh, Jane, what a pleasant surprised!" This caused Gunther to also look at her and quickly step to the side. Jane seized the opening presented to her, "Hello, father. I know you are busy at the moment but when you have the time, can I speak with you?" Milton's smile faltered slightly, seemingly piecing together what she may want to discuss. Gunther continued to slowly back up, presumably thinking about returning to unloading. Milton skimmed over his book once more and quickly glanced between her and the retreating squire. "Uh, no, no need to wait, I can talk to you now," he stammered before closing his book and walking Jane to a less busy area. Jane was thankful but shocked, "Father, are you sure you want to leave this cargo unattended? You always keep a close eye on things unloaded for Magnus Breech." He fiddled with his book and kept stealing glances back the ship's way, as if he really didn't want to leave it, "well, Magnus Breech isn't here today. His son, Gunther, is heading this shipment and he seems trustworthy enough... would you say so?" The question felt heavy, as if there was ulterior meaning behind it. Jane wasn't sure what answer her father was looking for and she worried about the repercussions of giving the wrong one. Magnus rarely ever allowed Gunther to handle shipments alone, this much she understood. He was a sneaky and distrustful man who seemed to use Gunther more as labor than a son. She worried this was some form of test for Gunther and what she said could jeopardize his future in the business. "Yes, father. Gunther makes mistakes sometimes but he always does what's right in the end. He works hard for his father's business all while following the knight's code of conduct." She wasn't sure why she had hyped herself up to give that speech, for the words flowed naturally and there was no lie to be had. Although Gunther knew how to twist a truth at times, she still felt like she could trust him with her life. He had proven time and time again that he was willing to self sacrifice for the greater good, even if it took him all day to do it. Her father seemed instantly relieved by her words as he took an audible sigh, "I'm glad to hear that. Now, tell me, what is it that you wish to discuss?" Jane shook her head at the whiplash, "oh, um, I was wondering if mother has spoken to you about anything... relating to me?" She hated how awkward the words still felt in her mouth to the point she could not speak them. "Ah, yes... I assumed that was what you were going to ask..." He stroked his beard in thought before finishing his answer, "She has... but I would feel more comfortable taking this conversation back to the castle after I am finished." Jane groaned, knowing he just wanted her mother present so he wouldn't say anything he wasn't "allowed" to. "Father, I am a knight's squire now, not a little girl! Tell me, am I engaged or not?" raising her voice to her soft-spoken father wasn't something she normally did. However, he had already messed up by letting it slip that he knew something. Her father squirmed under her icy stare until he finally cracked, "Yes... you are engaged but I will speak no more on the matter until your mother is present!" He straighten his posture as he turned to head back to the ship. "What? No way! You can't-" She tried to stop him. He turned and responded in a, rarely used, stern tone, "That is my final remark on the matter. We will discuss this back at the castle." With that, he turned back around and was gone. Jane knew following him was futile and would most likely end up in her embarrassing herself in front of all these people. Loosing her temper and yelling loudly were two, unfortunate things she did often. With Gunther in the general vicinity, it would be risky making a scene. Because giving him ammo for insults was something she tried to avoid.
Speaking of the biscuit weevil, she saw him approach her father again and hand him something. Most likely a report of everything that was supposed to be present on the ship. She stood in the shade of a nearby building as she watched them interact. It was an odd sight to see them together. They were usually at the same place at the same time but they never spoke. Well, maybe they did and Jane was never there to witness it. Her father looked over the parchment and nodded at it's contents. Then, to her horror, he pointed a finger in her direction and Gunther locked eyes with her."What are you doing? Why are you directing him toward me?" Sure enough, after a few more words were spoken between them, Gunther strode over to where she was. She did her best not to look as on-edge as she felt. Unfortunately, Gunther must have seen right through her, "I know the village can be big and scary for a noble like yourself, but I thought better of you, Jane." She exhaled the breath she didn't know she was holding, "My apologies, dear Gunther. Your unsightly appearance is enough to make the bravest of knights think twice." Jane found the truth in her statement amusing. Seeing him now, immanently after hauling heavy packages in the hot sun, made her realize he must tidy himself up before arriving to the castle. He was not wearing his normal squire attire, and instead had on a simple long tunic and pair of chausses. It was accompanied nicely by a leather belt that clung tightly to his midsection. His hair was no longer perfectly styled as it clung to his face and neck from sweat. As he crossed his arms, she noticed his hands had scraps and cuts. Some old, some new. Arguably, he was a complete mess. Yet, somehow, she liked it. She felt he looked more handsome and approachable this way. He fidgeted slightly under her graze by rocking on his heels before breaking her spell, "So are we heading back to the castle or are you just going to stand there staring at my 'unsightly appearance' all day?" Her breath hitched in her throat and she felt her face become hot. She turned sharply and begun to walk aimlessly, "y-yes, of course! But don't you have to change first, or something..." she lost her words as her embarrassment grew. What was wrong with her right now? He followed along side her, "I have a change of clothes at the castle. No point in washing up to get sweaty again..." His words also trailed away from him as they walked in uncomfortable silence. Jane looked everywhere but at him. Her palms were sweaty and she felt hot. She couldn't place the feelings that she felt. Shame? Embarrassment? Attraction? She mentally slapped herself. Taking a deep breath, she focused on grounding herself. She slowed her pace as they passed by the stalls with all the trinkets and treasures. She needed something else to think about and this was the perfect excuse to stop and look at what they had to offer. "You are aware we have duties today, are you not?" Gunther finally found his voice and it was as snarky as ever. Jane found herself able to look at him again and realized he was several paces in front of her. "What? Can't walk and look at stalls at the same time?" Her nerves were instantly put at ease by the sparkle in his eyes. "Maybe if you spent more time on the ground instead of in the clouds, you'd realize half of this is rubbish anyway," he waved his hand dismissively and kept walking. She rolled her eyes before jogging to catch up to him. "Let me guess, all this is rubbish and only you know where all the good stuff is?" He rolled his eyes as well but seemed to contemplate her challenge. After a moments thought, he raised a finger, "There is one stall that I think you'd enjoy."