Abe and I came in through the back door, trying not to be seen. The last thing we needed in this house was more rumours and drama. Most of the house was already awake already. So as we entered the kitchen we were met by a dozen people stopping their cooking and bustling to watch their bosses walk in half naked and soaking. After the initial shock, they looked down, trying to respect our privacy. But as we scuttled quickly through the kitchen, I saw most of them looking up, snickering. They didn't even wait for us to completely leave the room before they ran to each other laughing and no doubt gossiping.

We squelched along the shadowy corridors, leaving water as we went. Even though he was shivering, Abe still had a large smile on his face, "Why had we not done this sooner? We must do this at least once a week!"

I laughed shaking my head, "Even in winter?"

"Yes, winter too. We shall just have to have warm milk by the fire afterwards." He declared as he began slipping on the polished wood. He grabbed onto me to stop his fall. I didn't expect it though and tumbled down alongside him. My ass landing on his stomach making him 'oof!' from my weight.

"Serves you right for bringing me down with you!" I said, pointedly refusing to get off as he reached to roll me off. I laughed and rolled away so instead we were both laying on the ground together, our feet on the wall of the narrow corridor.

He chuckled, "This should definitely be a reoccurring activity."

"What the falling or the laying in a puddle of pond water in my fake mother's house?"

He scrunched up his nose like he was pretending to think, "Both I should think."

Then the squeal that if I hadn't seen Duchess Hemerton just turn the corner, would have thought was a pig in terror. Her eyes as large as saucers and face red from embarrassment stuttered as she looked down on us. Abe was immediately on his feet looking very ashamed. I huffed, staring at the ceiling in annoyance. I can't have one perfect moment without something tragic happening! It's like God or someone wants to make sure I don't have one moment where everything goes according to plan. I begrudgingly got up. Duchess Hemerton took a look at my wet nightdress (which no doubt was clinging to my very naked body) and went even more red.

"I wanted you to consummate your marriage not trapeze through the estate indecent!" She scolded us, Abe looking at the water pooled at his feet, and I holding her gaze. Duchess Hemerton turned to two people who had been standing in the shadows behind her. I'd been so concentrated on her I didn't realize anybody else was here. I should've guessed though since when has it ever been easy enough to be caught by someone I could easily get around. Margaret smiled proudly at me, winking at me when I met her gaze. A bearded man who Duchess Hemerton now turned to, smiled mischievously at his feet, chuckling merrily. "I apologize profusely Sir Logger, I was not aware-"

"It is no bother, Duchess. I think it wonderful that the young couple enjoys each other's company in such a way," he laughed, still staring at his feet. Wow, this guy just keeps finding me at my worst, doesn't he.

"I apologize Duchess, Margaret, Sir Logger. We will be off now to get properly dressed," Abe said, his face almost as red as Duchess Hemerton. He pulled me into him, so he might obscure my figure from our visitor.

An hour later and I was sitting in the library, hoping that Sir Logger would happen to come here. After our two awkward encounters I wasn't sure whether or not it would be weird to ask him to help. But when I got in the library, he was already there.

"About time, my Lady," his eyes crinkling as he looked up from a small book.

"Oh I'm very sorry. I didn't know-"

"You have asked me here for a reason and I will fulfill what you need. Now as my good friend George explained you are looking for information of the travel through time."

He stared calculatingly at me, his cheery eyes not blinking or darting around. I averted my eyes to the floor. "Yes it's because-"

"No need to explain your curiosity, my Lady, today it is a rare occasion to find anyone wishing to ask the bigger questions."

"Yeah, I'm just curious that is all." I strode over to the table he was sitting at, pulling out a chair and gingerly sitting down. I felt like I was back at my grandpa's in his stuffy little living room, sitting uncomfortably in his stiff chairs while he regaled me of tales of the past. Just like then, I sat quietly, listening attentively to all things he said. I didn't want to annoy or disrespect him, so I sat in an uncomfortable silence.

"So my dear, this is where we must choose, continue our study into travelling into the past or future," he said examining a table of contents of a hand written book.

"Er, past please. I mean learning to go one way, we could figure out the opposite way," I said.

He looked up, his eyes crinkled, "Very wise words, my Lady."

He wandered through the book cases, tapping his lips as he went. He came back with a large stack of books, dividing them in two and giving me half.

"A little light reading." I opened the first of twelve books, sighing. So much for here being an escape from school. The light quickly grew dim and my eyes quickly became unfocused and tired. Everything in these books had begun repeating, witches spells, sands of time, ancient cultures with knowledge we had forgotten. None of it helpful. I snapped the 7th book closed and leaned back in the creaky chair, closing my eyes. My eyes felt hot under my eyelids.

"I do not mean to be rude, and I know I've asked you here, but I don't think I can stand reading another sentence!" I exclaimed.

He looked up from his book, surprised, like he had forgotten I was still here, "Oh yes, please go rest. You will not remember anything you have read if your memory is impaired by lack of sleep. First though, what have you learned?"

I sighed getting up from my seat, "Well there were witches, sands of time, old civilizations, but none of that is very helpful. I'm looking for science based answers."

"Don't underestimate the power of fables. Each one carries truths and science if you look hard enough. And don't forget something because you deem it useless, it may be the key when you least expect it, Elizabeth. Have a good night now and may your rest be filled with interesting dreams."

"Uh, thanks, same to you." I mumbled, my head already picturing getting into a warm bed. I left him alone, still reading in the library. The warm light of the library was extinguished as the door shut, leaving an empty and dark hallway. Not even the candles on the walls were a blaze any longer. I shivered from the lack of heat out here and began running(as well as I could in a long dress.) Abe's room was closer than mine. I pushed the door quietly, expecting Abe to be asleep already. But he was sitting at his desk, a single candle its wick low, was the only light source for the room. He was feverishly writing, dipping his quill in and out of the ink pot quickly to continue writing. He kept pushing his hair back, the way he did when stressed.

"What are you doing still awake?" I asked, drifting over to see what he was writing, but he flipped over the thick paper.

"I received a letter not long ago and it was prudent that I write back quickly," he sighed looking at me with an odd sorrowful expression.

"What about?" My stress level was rising like a hot balloon near my heart, too. This can't be good.

"I will have to leave for a while," he said, picking up my hand.

"What! Why?"

"The king himself has asked me to assist in the war effort. One of his generals had quit after the unification of most of our enemies do to the Prussians last siege. So he wants-"

"Who cares what the king wants! You are not going to war!"

"I promise it will not be long and I will not be in any danger-"

"The last general obviously did not think that!"

"The king does not take no for an answer. If I refuse you will soon see our finances dry up and our titles revoked. That is how royalty works."

"Well that is not fair! Where I am from that would not stand. The royals barely have any power it's more of a formality really and-"

"Well we are not where you are from. We must deal with where we are now and if it is unfitting to our wishes than that is too bad."

"But why does it have to be like that? We could just leave. We could move to Italy and get a little cottage by the sea. Or go to the colonies!"

He cupped by cheek with his hand, "Alice, I have to go."

"No you don't. You are just unwilling to fight against this." I huffed.

"Remember what I said to you on our wedding day?"

"You will help me..."

"If you trust me," he pulled me into a comforting embrace, but it could not ease the concerns on my mind.