Cedric enjoyed his weekly solitary walk, this time in the rich forests of Paalwey. He allowed himself to get lost in the passage of time. The trees were shushering, sound gently simmering down and picking up every time a gust of wind tickled them by. The shake ruffled the sunlight to wiggle on each leaf, tricking the viewer to see a mesmerizing spectacle of rain streaks splattering within the outline of the tree.

  It was the last spring chill, after days of gloomy rain which Cedric spent crafting a letter to Lily to place upon the package of Q's poem books. He enjoyed the freshest air cool down his insides, absently noting the verdure taking a wilder growth with each minute.

  Because he was going a little too deep.

  "I've seen this fallen tree three times now…." He brushed his finger over it, the layered bark scratching his subtly textured fingertips. 'Does make you wonder what happened to it.'

  Deciding to be bolder this time, he took a sharp turn to the right, stepping through the complicated bushes. The first thing the other side greeted him with was a pointy spear then a familiar human peeking from behind one of the marquis's workers.

  She gasped. "Oh, it's you!"

  The week really just got better and the day more peaceful. "Lily!"

  Neil halted his battle stance, lowering the weapon with an apology.

  "Excuse me, I didn't mean to startle you." Cedric shook out the leaves from his pants. He was wearing a leather vest over a white cotton shirt. He vaguely heard her's and his tailor's voices saying he can blend into the trees if he wore all brown. "I definitely didn't expect to run into anyone here. Nonetheless, the party I recognize."

  "I apologize if we are intruding on your territory, Sir," expressed regret Neil.

  His body stood lax and friendly. "Don't worry. The forest could never really belong to anyone. But I have to voice my concern—What is bringing you to this isolated place?"

  "We are camping! Others are down there." Lily pointed behind them to the trees descending with each row. Marquis Remington gave his staff seasonal vacation days to do whatever they willed. Many agreed to travel somewhere together, at the end deciding on camping in the neighbouring praised nature which Edgar and Lily vouched for.

  "That makes me really happy to hear! I hope you will have the best time here."

  "Oh, we already are. It's very beautiful here at this time of year. You're very lucky to live here!"

  Lily walked behind Neil, Cedric following them. Both were wearing forest appropriate clothes of pants and blouses. He thought that it suited her well. "I find myself always in awe every time I take a stroll."

  'So he does like taking a walk,' noted Lily. "Must be great to watch the seasonal changes in such a grand size."

  "Always," sighed Cedric before whispering, "I don't mean to be nosy…but what is he doing?"

  Neil was walking with a hunched back, peering past the trees and splitting the leaves of the bushes apart.

  Lily giggled. "Searching for rabbits. I am helping him."

  Cedric's top of the faceplate rose. "Rabbits? Then this is the perfect time. Their activity has risen since it got warmer. I occasionally spot a few outside of the manor."

  She gasped. "Really? We don't really get to because of the groundskeepers taking precautions."

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Lily remembered their grumpiness and vicious chasing due to the eaten vegetables and flowers; and of course, Neil's infamous glowering at his coworkers.

  "But we haven't exactly found one yet. It's been an hour already…."

  "And we are not leaving until we find one," said Neil over his shoulder.

  "Yes, yes—" Lily's finger shot out like an arrow. "Look, a rabbit!"

  "I swear if it's that trick again—"

  The two robots followed the direction and spotted a big one sitting on the grass.

  "Good eye, Lily," praised Cedric, lowering his voice. It had a very soft static beneath.

  Lily beamed. "Thank you! I used to hunt them for food before."

  Cedric was intrigued, Neil was disturbed. They watched the rabbit twitch with a dandelion in its mouth before its head whipped around to stare them down. Its nose scrunched cutely before it ran off with mighty speed.

  "Aw, they are cute as ever."

  Neil hummed in serious agreement. Cedric chuckled at their innocent demeanor. "Let me help you. Three sights are better than two."

  After hunting down a few more and enjoying the sightseeing, observing how it articulated its limbs, Lily deemed it was enough for her. Cedric would never admit it aloud but disappointment was creeping in. "I guess you have to go back already."

  "Humans do need breaks, and we all promised one another we won't be alone here so Neil has to go with me." But she hesitantly asked, "Are you required to return soon?"

  Cedric had two options and he supposed he should be polite and give them their space. But Lily saw through his second-long pause and smiled. "If not, please join us. The camp site is really beautiful and serene."

  Cedric looked bashful. "If that won't make anybody uncomfortable…."

  Neil nodded. "You will be welcomed. Let us thank you for your help."

  They walked back, following marks on the trees Neil had left with his spear. Cedric supposed that was better than trusting to walk around enough until stumbling onto the exit.

  The birds chirping in the trees were varied as they displayed their impressive range of vocals; much to his amusement, one distinctly reminded Cedric of his servant squeakily wiping his faceplate with a cloth.

  Lily rushed ahead when the glade came into view, excitedly announcing the new company she and Neil managed to catch in the middle of the untamed forest. While a few looked very disturbed at that statement, Cedric stopped in awe.

  The trees swayed gently, still covered in their white flowers resembling dotted ink made of pearls, their late bloom creating a secret huddle of a sweet smelling retrieve. He spun around the peaceful atmosphere.

  "G-Good afternoon, Duke Cedric!" The robots he vaguely saw around the Marquis's mansion nodded deeply in respect, frazzled by the noble's sudden appearance. They thought that only Lily could cause them this kind of shock….

  "Good afternoon, everyone. I hope I am not imposing on your outing today. Please don't mind me and keep feeling comfortable."

  There was a quaint white canopy set up, low wooden tables on the blankets ready to host the meals they were making on the campfire. Lily personally felt content.

  The conversation was very subdued though. So she decided to share about her trip to Paalwey's city, and Cedric joined, adding lighthearted commentary. It became an exciting retelling and Lily withheld a smile as she watched his charm seep into the scene, somehow magically putting everyone at ease. He chased away the stiffness and acted grounded to their surprise, even offering to take over the roasting.

  Her co-workers thought it appropriate to share their own tales. Of her.

  "Just last week Lily zapped the master carpenter in his experiment."

  "That was by accident!" Lily's ears warmed. She still felt sorry.

  "Lily always is something." The head maid leaned her cheek onto her palm. "I remember the day she spilled a bucket of polish on the guard. He was shining like the sun for a month. It was agonizing for everyone."

  Cedric laughed, the skewers in his hand slipping.

  "At least, the Marquis used the reflecting light as a concentrated heat laser," said Neil.

  "You should hear how he almost set the steward's clothes on fire."

  Cedric's voice had a slight shake. "This has to be the best outing I've ever been on."

  Lily's mouth curled up. Everyone had a good day.