She was angry at him again.

It wasn't a new concept for Rikkard these days. There was always something he did that she found to be horrible or insulting or offensive, and she would get mad, and hiss curses at him behind his back. But she would always end up warming up to him later, and he would know she wasn't angry anymore if she rolled her eyes at him and issued sarcastic replies to his orders.

This, however, was not the case this morning.

Today Rikkard had succeeded in making her so furious that she refused to speak to him the entire day. He had incited a mini rebellion in her, it seemed, for she didn't even wait for her work hours to be over before she showed herself out, leaving him alone for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.

He himself was now angry as well. It was typical of her to not listen to orders and to infuriate him as much as possible, but this was unacceptable. The argument hadn't even been his fault, as far as he was concerned, and she had no right to leave her post early. That was grounds for immediate dismissal from his service, and he certainly intended to let her know that as soon as he could reach her.

Rikkard was now stuck with mountains of work to do, with no secretary to help him, with three hours of work left until the clock struck eight. Then he still had to lock up Empire House and inspect his employees' work for the day before he allowed himself to leave. He would likely be working two hours overtime, all thanks to the stupid argument with Lilly.

Of course, he didn't exactly mind working overtime. It was the messed up schedule of his routine that upset him. He had every minute of every day planned out, and now one little wrinkle in what could have been an efficient day had thrown everything off.

Irritated, Rikkard slammed the drawer of his desk as he fished out another ink pen and began to write as fast as he could on some important documents without smearing his work. Go faster, he urged himself. He had a lot more paperwork to cover with little hours left, and time was of the essence.

As he worked, his thoughts drifted annoyingly back to the quarrel he'd had that morning.

It had started out as a joke on her part, though he couldn't remember exactly what she'd said. She had been standing around in his office, dutifully wasting time, and had commented about his lack of decor in the rooms of Empire House. He, of course, had ignored her and continued working, hoping she would take a hint and go back to her office.

But this was Lilly he was talking about, and such a wish could never be granted because she did not know how to take hints or follow orders. So she stayed and prattled on about his choice of style.

"I'm surprised you don't even have curtains," she'd said. "I expected a miser like you would want to block out the light from the windows and live in a cave." She'd inspected the windows--or rather, window, as he didn't spend too much money on things he could do without.

Rikkard merely shot her an icy glare and indicated the door, marking her exit. "I distinctly remember asking for three separate files not two minutes ago," he said. "Why haven't you brought me them, pray?"

Lilly had grinned. "Because you're so much fun to talk to, sir."

His frown deepened. "Mr Linton?"

"Lilly," she corrected. "Yes?"

"Bring me my files!"

"Yes, Sir! Immediately, sir!"

It was when she came back with the files that the real argument began. What she had done...

Rikkard decided to shut out his memories of the morning then and there. It was no use dwelling on the harsh words they'd spat at each other. It was over and done with, and now they had to live with what they'd said and done to each other.

He checked his pocket watch, noting he had around two hours until eight. Scanning his desk, he saw that he had managed to complete a large stack of business he had wanted to attend to, but there were still multiple sets and lists of things that required his attention.

He scowled at the papers. Since he had no secretary at the moment, it seemed like he himself would have to fetch his own files. He considered pulling Mr Stone from his position for the afternoon to take over Lilly's job, but ultimately decided against it. Stone wasn't suited for the task, and he already had enough work to do.

His finger twitched as he realized how many files he needed brought to his desk.

Damn her! Why did she leave?

A very small part of him understood why she left. The majority of him, however, refused to acknowledge the fact that any of their disagreement was his fault.

Growling in frustration, Rikkard stood and ripped open the door to her office, heading toward the files that lined the walls on dark shelves.

He plucked the ones he needed immediately, his movements harsh and jerky as he tried to comprehend how he had reverted into this setup. The last time he had fetched his own files was before she had come, when Simmons had disappeared and there was no one to help him.

He wondered how it would have been if Simmons hadn't been a traitorous snake, if she had never come to work for him. They might have never met. Simmons would be doing his job, and there would be no reason for anyone to get angry at anything.

Simmons would have never walked out like her. He would have listened to me, and would know when to shut up in an argument. But Lilly! She never listens! Why doesn't she listen to me?

He stalked back to his office with the files in his hand, his thoughts still disjointed as the memories started again.

"What is this?" she had demanded, a file clenched in her hand. He'd looked up to find her piercing eyes meet his own, seeking an explanation. Her mouth was set in a thin line, her body in an authoritative stance.

He knew this look. She was going to yell at him.

"What is what?" He asked calmly, prepared to destroy any misconceptions she might have. She was quite good at confrontations, he'd give her that, but her information tended to be one-sided more often than not.

"This!" She smoothed out the paper in her palm. "File 39X144."

A red flag went off in Rikkard's mind. He frowned at her. "What about it?"

She gave him a look, one of her special ones that let him know she found him to be entirely infuriating. Giving him a solid glare, she proceeded to do something he'd expressed to be off-limits at all times, no exceptions.

She had done the unthinkable.

And he had hated her for it.

He hasn't stopped to think when the alarms started blaring in his conscience. Get it away, get it away, get the file away from her now.

She had seen something she was never supposed to see, and now she was angry. Out of all the things he kept in those files, she had seen this. And on top of that, she had read every single word of its contents.

And had proceeded to call him out on it.

But this was a subject Rikkard did not budge on. He didn't care what she thought, didn't want to hear what she said. To him, there was only one solution, and he was sticking with it.

So when the insults started flying back and forth between them, he rose to the challenge.

Lilly knew how to be insulting. He knew this firsthand, from all the curses and swearing she had directed at his face on their adventures together. She loved to argue and hated it when he refused to engage in her discussions.

Rikkard didn't argue the way she did. He preferred logical methods of destroying another person's argument, and enjoyed seeing them lose.

Today was different. 

Today, Lilly had touched on the one matter he allowed no one to discuss.

Today, logic went out the window. He had only one goal, and that was to defend himself by any means possible.

Even if it meant raising his voice.

Even if it meant yelling at her.

Even if it meant saying things he would regret later.

Even if it meant insulting her, threatening her, and tearing her argument to shreds.

There would be no compromise on this subject.

The walls he usually let down around her had rebuilt themselves in a second. His thundering expression and looming form became armor. His words turned into weapons.

Rikkard had torn her apart.

****************************

The clock struck ten. He was officially done with work for the day, and had completed every task he needed finished. His employees had all retired for the night,  and he found himself alone.

Standing at the window, Rikkard looked out into the night. The crescent moon was shining, and a few stars lit up the sky. The streets below him were empty, the wind rustling the few trees that lined the paved roads. He could see the lights that stretched over the city, and the buildings that rose up from the ground.

For a long time, he watched the scenery, thinking to himself.

A few minutes later, Rikkard stepped out into the cool air, and started walking.

He had no destination in mind. His feet wandered aimlessly, carrying him past rows of houses and shops on street corners. He passed by some carriages, the sound of the horses' hooves hitting the cobblestones gradually fading as they trotted further away. The breeze drew him forward, leading him on further into the dark, where the streetlamps grew dimmer and the light no longer brushed the ground.

There was the sound of children laughing somewhere in the distance, and two friends arguing over a lost item. The shadows grew longer and grabbed at him until he allowed himself to be swallowed up in ribbons of night. Overhead, clouds drew together to cover the twinkling stars and the yellow moon, until all that was left was a sheet of gray. On he walked, the city growing quieter, until at last it seemed to slumber in silence.

Rikkard had thought a walk would clear his mind. He had not been able to get the morning's argument out of his head. It had preyed on his conscience the entire time at Empire House, and yet it still wouldn't leave, even now. He couldn't stop replaying his words to her, or her face as he had said them. It seemed to haunt him, and he was almost begging the memories to leave.

You coward, she had said to him. His eyes closed as he saw her fury.

How could you? she had yelled.

His brain formed an answer. You don't understand.

I never thought you would stoop so low as to do this, of all things!

You'd be surprised, he unconsciously answered the echo of her voice.

I thought you were better than this. Why don't you face them yourself?!

They never listen to me. It's useless.

They're your family!

They were never my family. They could never be.

You didn't even try to explain!

People like them don't deserve explanations.

I don't believe you.

Of course you wouldn't.

And just what do you mean by that?

A raindrop landed on his forehead and slid slowly down his face. Rikkard blinked and opened his eyes, breathing in deeply. He had barely stopped himself from reliving the worst part of their argument. Her words still swirled around in the very forefront of his mind, preventing him from thinking about anything else. He shook himself angrily, trying to dispel the wisps of her accusing exclamations as more raindrops fell from the sky and slid over his skin.

He forced himself to keep moving.

Now he marched, determined to ignore the sound of her in his brain, intent on banishing the event from his head. Thunder rumbled overhead, signaling an oncoming storm. Good, he thought to himself. The rain would take his mind off his secretary.

The raindrops fell faster and he increased his pace. He still had no idea where he was going, but anything was better than staying in his office, at the scene of the dispute. He stared straight ahead, peering into the darkness, hoping he could find some sort of shelter to wait out the storm.

Lightning flashed in the distance. He looked up, watching it fade, gone as quickly as it had come. He stopped walking to stare at the empty sky, devoid of color, somehow reflecting his own interior.

Something tore within him.

Lilly had come and gone as well. She had walked out on him, had given up on trying to reason with him...

She had no right to read that file, he reminded himself. What she did was unforgivable. And yet, for some reason, he felt guilty.

How dare you, he had said.

The rain splattered his cheeks.

You, stupid, meddling girl.

It poured down his chin.

I can't trust you to do anything right anymore.

He was being pelted with rain at full force.

I don't need you.

I don't want you.

The wind howled.

I hate you.

The storm released itself.

Rikkard stood in the middle of the raging downpour, the rain soaking him through. It ran off his clothes in rivulets, landing on the wet streets.

He was drowning. He hated himself, hated the way he had spoken to her, at the words that had come tumbling out of his  mouth. The guilt was eating him alive, choking him, engulfing him. She had not deserved it, any of those insults. He was responsible for her leaving. He had driven her to go. Everything was his fault.

He was a coward.

She was right.

But it was too late to make up for it now. She hated him. There was no changing her mind when she made it up, and he was stuck in this overwhelming sense of regret, of wishing he could take it all back.

Maybe she would hate him forever.

He grit his teeth, and started trudging through the storm once more, silent in his misery.

**************************

He stood at the entrance to Hyde Park.

The rain had slowed to a light drizzle during the ten minutes it had taken to get here, and he was debating on whether or not to go in. By now, it would be deserted, and he would have it all to himself. He shrugged, and went in.

There was nothing very spectacular about Hyde Park. He could only recall exploring it once, and had only marked its significance as being close to Lilly's house. But now he took his time, wandering around the flowerbeds and weaving around the tree-trunks. He didn't know what he was looking for. He merely roamed where he wanted, quiet and mellow.

Flower petals littered the ground where the wind had ripped them off during the worst part of the storm. Leaves crunched under his feet as he stepped over fallen branches from the trees.

The air was silent here. Nothing stirred. He was a sole traveler at this hour of the night, and his surroundings seemed to pick up on his somber mood. His steps were light, though his heart was heavy as he picked his way through the park.

Strangely, he didn't think any more about the morning. It seemed like he had no more energy to dwell on the matter, now that he had accepted his guilt. His mind was blissfully empty, for which he was glad. He didn't want to agonize over his actions anymore.

The rain gradually ceased. He paused at a park bench, wringing out his top hat, and straightened his bow tie. The clouds parted, allowing a sliver of moonlight to shine through the treetops, and he followed the light with his eyes.

Then he heard it.

A slight whimper, coming from somewhere ahead. It was too dark for him to see that far, but it sounded like a woman.

He frowned slightly, wondering who could be out in the park besides himself. Slowly, he crept forwards, listening as the figure let out a shaky breath and made another sad sound.

He hesitated as he came nearer. Normally he didn't approach strangers, but this person seemed especially sad, like himself was at the moment. The least he could do was ask if she needed something.

He drew closer and closer, until the moonlight illuminated her figure entirely and he saw who, exactly, this woman was.

Something in his throat constricted as he saw her wipe away a stray tear and wrap her arms around herself.

Lilly.

His feet froze in place as he looked at her. She was still oblivious to his presence, staring morosely at the ground. Her body shook with unshed tears, her iron will the only thing keeping her from cracking apart.

His Lilly, crying on a park bench, all because of him.

His hands clenched at his sides. He would fix this. He would make this right. He had to.

"Miss Linton?" A tiny step forward in her direction brought him into the light, where she could see his face. She whirled around to face him, eyes wide, cheeks beginning to turn red with embarrassment as she realized he'd seen her crying.

"What do you want?" The venom in her voice was to disguise how close she was to breaking. She put on a brave face to hide her vulnerability, an instinctive decision to protect herself from his words.

"I..." He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry." He held her watery gaze. She glared at him, her face molding itself into anger.

"Apology not accepted," she snapped, and turned away from him.

He stepped closer. "I mean it," he said. "I wasn't thinking; I didn't know what I was saying."

She said nothing.

"I don't think you're meddlesome." She stiffened. He took another step towards her.

"I do trust you." A shudder went through her. He advanced until he stood right behind her.

"I don't hate you," he whispered. "I could never hate you."

She didn't turn around, but he could tell she was listening to him.

"After you left, I couldn't stop thinking about the argument." He watched her play with the folds of her gown. "I couldn't stop thinking about what you'd said. I tried to ignore it. I thought I was right."

Slowly, he edged around her until he was in front of her. She refused to look at him still, choosing to stare at her shoes.

"I was wrong." She froze as he went towards her again, as he gently bent down and placed a finger under her chin, urging her to meet his eyes.

"Look at me," he stated softly, waiting until she at last raised her brown eyes to meet his sea colored ones. "Lillian," he told her, "I. Was. Wrong."

Her eyes widened ever so slightly as he added, "And I'm sorry that I hurt you."

She sniffled and blinked very rapidly, but she could not help the tear that escaped. His face softened as he saw it, and he wiped it away before he had registered what he was doing.

"Don't cry," he pleaded softly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"I know," she rasped at last, her voice small and hoarse. "I know. I'm sorry too. I don't think you're a coward. Not really." She peeked at him from under her lashes. "I shouldn't have read the file. Your family life is none of my business; I shouldn't have brought it up. I'm sorry I yelled at you."

He sat down next to her, cautiously reaching for her hand. When she made no move to pull away, he intertwined their fingers and gently rubbed his thumb over her skin.

It was a soothing gesture. She looked at their hands for a moment or two, then relaxed. A breeze washed over them, and she shivered in her wet gown.

"You're shaking," he murmured, reaching to shrug off his waistcoat and pull it over her thin frame.

"What are you doing?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.

He held out his waistcoat, raising an eyebrow. "I thought it was obvious," he said.

She frowned. "But it's soaked through."

"Oh." He awkwardly put it down, remembering he had worn it all through the rainstorm. She wouldn't want to wear a wet garment over her already wet clothing.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Then he forgot about cursing himself as a thin smile spread over her face at his folly. It was a little wobbly, and didn't fool him into thinking she was okay, but it was a start.

Today, she was broken. She was broken, and he would put her shattered pieces back together again until she returned to him as the fiery ifrit he knew and loved.

Rikkard had learned his lesson.

He allowed himself to give her a reassuring quarter of a smile, tightening his grip on her hand.

He would never break her again.
________________________

A/N: Helloooooo everybody!

I am sooooooooo sorry for the lack of updates! School has kept me so busy and it was just impossible to find time to write. Now that school is out, I'll be able to update more frequently! :)

To make up for lack of an update, I made this chapter longer :) Hopefully you guys liked it! The flow seems a little off to me and the ending is a little choppy, but I figured I should publish it anyway because its been so long since my last update. Let me know if there's anything that should be fixed! :)

If you were confused about what Lilly did: Rikkard told her to fetch a private file and she read all of it without his permission. This file contained a serious project concerning Rikkard's family. Lilly found it immoral, and yelled at him about it, but since Rikkard hates his family, he justifies his reasons for carrying through with the project. What is the project? I was going to include it but it's hard to explain and I'm not sure if I could, so it's a mystery for now ;)

This is random, but I got this huge sunburn on Friday on my neck and shoulders and it's killing me. Every time I touch my skin it hurts :(

Side note: If you guys like my writing style, or are into romance, sword fights, murder mysteries, and fantasy, please check out my original story "Dead Suitors Tell No Tales" on my profile :D It's my first fully-fledged novel and I'd really appreciate feedback on it. So check it out if you think it might interest you! :)

Thank you SO MUCH for 7K reads!! This means so much to me! You guys are amazing <3

Please remember to VOTE or COMMENT if you liked this chapter! Have a great day! :)