My conversation with my father earlier this morning went this way;

"Trevor?"

"Yes, Father?"

"Let's make things clear."

I popped my head out of the window of my carriage, staring down at him, "What exactly do you mean, Father?"

His dark eyes were stirred with a grim spoon, "You don't eat horse poop."

"You don't say," I tried my best not to laugh. The urge was too strong that I had to let it out with a cheeky grin.

"You also don't drink cow piss. In fact, you don't eat anything abnormal. Are we clear?"

"Crystal clear," I nodded grimly, "Can I go now?"

"Yes, off you go and make sure you treat Lady Jane like a true gentleman."

"Say no more father!"

Where was I going to, you may ask? Well, if you weren't living in 1851, consider yourself an unlucky chap. I and Lady Jane, were on our way to Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition. Prince Albert had been building the Crystal Palace for months and now, it was finally complete, and so were my plans for today. Lady Jane didn't know what she signed up for.

"Lord Trevor?" She called for my attention.

"Lady Jane," I smiled, "Is there a problem?"

"No," she blushed slightly, "I'm just excited to attend the great Exhibition with you."

Indeed. Indeed you were. Wait till you saw what I had in store for you. It consisted of a lot of screams and tears. Taking my Top hat off my head, I watched her with a smile from across the carriage. For the occasion, she donned a fine pink gown with enormous skirts and white gloves that covered her forearms. I didn't think she would look this way by the end of the day.

It took us a few hours but we arrived Hyde Park earlier than I had anticipated. Hopefully, my partner in crime was already in their position. Exiting the carriage, I held my hand out to the Lady. She lapped her tender hands on mine, her blue eyes glimmering in delight. Our footman shut the door and the carriage took off.

Sprawling before us was Hyde Park in all its glory. Trees of different shapes and sizes formed canopies, their shadows spilling over pathways, ladies in fine gowns and gentlemen in sleek tail clothes and top hats. Unfortunately for me, I had to dress the same way too. I wouldn't want to cause a stir in a place like this. As much as I loved to test my father's patience, I wouldn't want to bring shame to the Hastings name.

Lady Jane screamed like an excited child, pointing at the large building in the distance, her golden blonde hair catching the sunshafts, "It's the Crystal Palace!"

"I can see it quite clearly, Lady Jane."

And indeed I could. The building was 400 feet wide and 1800 feet long. I knew this because my father was part of the sponsors of the project. It was a shame he wasn't here to see the beauty his money funded. He tended to cramp himself up with business, and claimed he didn't have time for mundane activities.

Crystal Palace was made of only iron and glass, the scorching shafts of sunlight bouncing off its glass walls. It was high enough to be the height of fifty elephants. A sea of people made their way to the entrance and soon, I and the Lady were on our way to the front doors.

"Isn't this romantic," She tightened her grasp on my arm, "Me and you... Going to see the wonders of the world."

I cracked out a nervous smile, "Indeed, very... romantic."

Delight and enthusiasm lingered in the air, the sparkle in the eyes of people swarming the area enough to light up the entire streets of London. Who wouldn't be this happy? This was one of the smartest thing Prince Albert had done. And indeed, it was a great way to promote international trade. Countries from all over the world would bring their products and display them in the Crystal Palace. I heard Trinidad and Tobago would be here and they were the ones I couldn't wait to meet; not only because of their sweet scenting perfumes, but also because of my plan.

We showed the men at the entrance our tickets and made our way into the building. A thrill-spider crawled down my spine as I anticipated the activity-filled afternoon. I had never felt this way before. The Fae was too thank. My life became an adventure ever since we met. And I had a feeling it wasn't going to end anytime soon.

Lady Jane's dramatic face-fanning reminded me of the magnificence laying before me. Way ahead in the long barrel vault were fully grown elm trees and a twinkling crystal glass fountain with the water perfumed with odor cologne. Over our heads, a Gray and Davidson organ played, notes prevailing the air. Though the song was good, the outcome was bad since it made the entrance cramped with people who stopped to listen. Maybe later they would send the organ to the end of the main nave.

An ocean of people crowded the hall, chattering at every corner. Navigating through the tight populace, I reared the Lady to the right nave, a sweet scent confirming the fact that the Trinidad and Tobago court was around the corner. It was show time.

An ear tearing laughter erupted from gallery at the second floor. Whoever that lady was, they needed to work on her vocal cords because, BLOODY HELL! I had thought the glasses would be shattering to little pieces right now.

We continued down the nave and after a few minutes, stopped before the Trinidad and Tobago court. An array of perfumes laced with sweet scenting powders danced in the air. Lady Jane wriggled out of my grip and dashed to the stand like a rat chasing the scent of cheese. My plan was going to be easy after all.

A good catch she would be.

A good catch.

***

Mice were easy to catch with good cheese. But Lady Jane was easier to catch with sweet-smelling perfumes. My presumption was right; Women loved sweet scents more than they loved using military bandages as menstrual controllers. And indeed women did use military badges for their unspeakable. The nineteenth-century had some rather nasty practices

Enough about military bandages and more about the matter at hand. Like a happy rat that had found cheese, completely oblivious to its trap, she ran to the stands. Displayed were a variety of liquid perfumes, sweet-smelling ointments and perfumed powers. A throng of people banded the length of the stands, admiring the aromatic beauties spread before them. Dark men in richly designed satin attires and turbans spoke with their curious watchers. They must've been the exhibitors for their beautiful country.

"Lord Trevor," Lady Jane pointed at a yellow powder that carried the concentrated scent of a sunflower, "I love this one. What do you think of it?"

"It's rather remarkable, Lady Jane," I stood next to her, waiting for the signal.

A metallic sting pricked inside my nostrils. Oh, dear...

It was the signal...

The bloody signal!

I took three steps backwards and Lady Jane turned to me, curiosity dancing like stars in her blue eyes.

"Lord Trevor."

"Lady Jane," I smiled.

"Why are you, oofmp."

That was why. A rainbow of powdered perfumes poured on her, staining her dress in hues of different sparkly colours. For a few seconds, she stood, dumbfounded, coloured in shades I didn't even know existed. Everyone had stopped what they were doing and stared at her; some in shock, others in disgust. And you can guess who did the latter; the upper class in fine dresses. Oh, I wished I had added them to my plan. Maybe they would be crying instead.

"Arh!" Lady Jane screamed at the top of her bloody lungs and I couldn't hold back the smile that spawned on my face.

The Fae was a bloody genius! When she told me she had the power to do this, I didn't believe it. I knew it was stupid to think so because, obviously, she was a bloody Fae. But my bloody mind was too astonished to believe such a bloody possibility. Hell's Bells! That was a lot of bloodiness!

But how could you blame me? The view before me was chef's kiss. Magnificent. Beautiful. and better, Chaos.

"By God's nails Lady Jane!" I reached up to her, her entire countenance, a chaotic jumble, "Who would do such a thing to you!"

She wiped off powder from her face, her eyes brimming with tears, "I don't know! I was- I was- I was just here and the powders flew on me!"

Poor you.

"Don't worry, I would find who did this horrid act and make them pay!" With hugs I mean. The Fae did a jolly good job! But I think she might have overdone it. We planned for little, but she went for the big game.

"Madam," A deep voice called out.

We steered our gaze to meet a brown-skinned man in a turban, concern lingering in his grey eyes. It was a pity my plan would be of great disturbance to an exhibitor. But that was the world, cruel and full of bloody surprises.

"I can take you to the private room for the exhibitors. We can take care of this," The tall man suggested.

Lady Jane did a dramatic sigh, "Oh please do," she waved at me as the man led her away, "I would be back my love. Just wait for me!"

I would rather wait in line to eat horse poop. Scanning the nave for a certain person, my eyes spotted someone in a grey hooded cloak, disappearing among the crowd. That little...! I smirked, chasing after her. After a bunch of 'I'm sorry!', 'Excuse me!', 'Coming through!', I made it past the tight lot, finding myself at the British nave.

The court of India straddled both sides of the nave, just right before Canada. One side exhibited a large stuffed grey elephant, the other displayed ammunition of all types. She perched before the stands displaying guns, conversing with a man in white attire and a turban above his head.

"We agreed to use a little," I bent lower, whispering.

She took away her concentration from the man she was speaking to and looked up at me with her ocean blue eyes. They churned with mischief and she smirked evilly.

"I know we did," she pouted her red lips, "But she was too pretty, I needed to ruin her dress a lot more. You didn't tell me she was that pretty."

"Are you jealous," I teased, raising a brow.

Her reddish cheeks deepened, "Yes."

I grinned.

She punched my shoulder lightly, "Why did you do that?"

"Do what," I feigned innocence.

She dropped her gaze to the floor, "Ask me whether I was jealous. You knew Fae can't lie and you asked already knowing I would say yes."

My heart leapt at the tenderness of her voice, "My apologies, Lady Elain."

She flushed deeper. Dear God! "Don't call me, Lady Elain! Elain is just fine."

That was improper. I was meant to give her a title. Calling her by her name would mean going against the gentleman code. But I had been going against it for quite a while now. It wouldn't hurt to break another rule. After all, it was a lot stressful having to Lady anytime I addressed her. And Elain sounded a lot better.

"Apologies, Elain."

She grinned cheekily, "Doesn't it sound a lot better?"

"Indeed it does."

She turned to face the man she was talking with earlier, the cloak hiding the trousers she wore underneath. I was the one that suggested she wore a cloak because she was stubborn enough to want to walk in trousers in a place like this. Can you imagine the scandal something like that would cause?

You can't? Well, I could picture it. I could say for sure that the entire place would be filled with unconscious ladies. And they would surely faint dramatically with fans over their faces. That was a guaranteed fact.

"This is Karim," She gesticulated at the man, "Karim, this is my friend, Trevor."

Trevor... God, I wish she could call my name one more time. It made the butterflies in my stomach flutter. I know that was a cliche way of conveying how I felt but that was all I had for now.

"Sahib," The man greeted.

"It's lovely to meet you, Karim."

Elain gently tugged my arm, "I was telling Mr Karim that I wanted one of those," she pointed at the rifles hanging dangerously on the wall behind Karim. Was she out of her Fae mind? Women weren't meant to wield guns or swords! She frowned, her blue eyes carrying a mist of rage, "But he refused to sell it to me. Why?"

Well, firstly, you were a woman. And two, if you were found in possession of a gun you bought from Karim, he could be sentenced to jail.

"I told the Sahiba that I cannot," The man lifted his brow, "I believe you no the reason, yes?"

"Trust me, I do."

"Why?" Elain still remained oblivious.

I held her soft ivory forearm and took her a few steps from the man, "You see, the thing is..."

"What?" Her blue eyes widened with curiosity, "Why can't I have that thing?"

"It's called a rifle and it's dangerous."

"But he sold it to a man some minutes ago."

"He's a man, you're a woman. In great Britain, women aren't allowed to possess guns."

Her lips parted in disbelief, the shock immersing into her mind like a sinking ship. She gaped at me like what I said was the stupidest thing she had ever heard.

"Who governs Britain?"

"Queen Victoria."

"A woman, I presume?"

"Yes." Where was she going with this?

"And she doesn't let women wear trousers and possess riples?"

"Rifles... And yes, she doesn't."

She cracked her fists, "I and that Lady need to have a serious conversation."

She would be shot down by a Royal guard before she even breathed the same air with the Queen. But maybe with her Fae magic, she could triumph over the guards. Many had tried to kill the Queen but failed. Though didn't know if spilling perfumed powder on a gold digger, was concrete proof that she was strong enough to face such an army.

"What can I do to avoid such a disaster from happening?" I asked.

"Buy me a rifle."

I nearly swallowed my tongue. Was she off her rocker? My father would slice my neck off if he ever heard of this.

"A rifle?" I still couldn't believe my ears.

"Yes, a rifle."

"I can't."

She hehe-d, if that was even a thing. A sinister smile stretched her rosy lips, mischief painting her blue eyes a beautiful shade of green. Whatever she had planned, I didn't want to find out.

"Buy me a rifle, or I'll take off my cloak," she said with a smile.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh," she swept her grey cloak to a side, uncovering thick legs in a tight leather trouser. A lady had walked past us, her brown eyes widening when she saw the legs. I didn't know whether it was because of how good they looked or the fact that she thought she saw a lady in trousers. It had to be blood thought, she must've told herself. Elain grinned when she saw the lady's reaction, "But I will."

She moved her pale white hands to reveal some more and my tanned hand held them, our skins meshing like burnt brick on alabaster. My hard fingers melted into her skin, heat welling up inside of me. I had never felt warmth like this before. Last one I felt this way was when I hugged my mother. But this time, it was different. It came with a torrent of emotions swirling in my oceanic mind.

"I will buy you the rifle," I released her hands, "But please, stop."

"That's easy," she smiled up at me, acting in resemblance to a cute toddler smiling up at its mother.

I bought the rifle in my name and handed it over to her, "Here, just like promised."

"Thank you."

"I took out all the bullets so you won't hurt yourself."

"What are bullets?" She asked with the curiosity of an eager pupil.

"They are-"

"Lord Trevor!" A familiar voice called and I turned to meet my engaged, "There you are!"

She had been cleaned up and changed into finer clothes, "Where have you been?"

I turned to Elain, "I was just-" She was nowhere to be found. But she was just right here!

Magic, perhaps?.

That was the only logical explanation.

"You were what, Lord Trevor?" Lady Jane's sky blue eyes broadened with a stretch of curiosity.

I swirled back to her, "I was just looking for you."

"Oh, my dearest," ugh. She held out a sheet of newspaper to show me, eyes glimmering with utter joy, "I bring you the greatest news!"

I snatched the newspaper from her hand and read it. It was the bloody Times! It wasn't long before I found out what she was excited about.

Lord Trevor Hastings to marry Lady Jane Atkinson- Duke Rikkard Hastings announces.

"Isn't it the best of news!"

My grip on the newspaper tightened, crumpling the sheets.

That devious son of a bachelor!