“The last time I saw this story, I believe it was two mice,” Freya said.

Freya and Da ambled on the beaten path towards the center of Yellowrock, their chaperones in tow.

“I daresay I’ve seen a fox and an otter before. It just depends on the theatre troupe performing the play,” Da said.

They continued discussing the play for a while, and then the conversation turned to her chicken business.

As the central staircases loomed before them, he said, “It is refreshing to think that we could talk about anything besides art and court politics.”

“Oh, is that what all the other lady mice want to talk about?”

He stiffened at this.

“I, uh… yes, that has been my experience. It’s a part of why I have been a bachelor for so long.” He cleared his throat, plainly uncomfortable.

They stood a few steps apart, their chaperones lingering conspicuously nearby.

“It’s been a very interesting day, Mr. Seung,” Freya said.

His paw shot out as she moved to leave.

“Not to pressure you, Miss Uki, but should you choose to, I’m certain that I would be able to take good care of you for the rest of your days. Consider this as you wait for my letter,” he said, as if this had been a speech written just for the occasion. “But I thank you for your time, and I hope we do see each other again.”

As if on cue, Old Gran and Lady Raina stepped forward to bid Da Seung farewell, shepherding Freya to the stairs.. As they descended, Freya watched the sun outline his features. She ended the promenade uncertain. She had promised to write but she couldn’t yet say if she wanted to see him again or not.

Reaching the ground floor, she turned to her chaperones.

“Do you think that he was a good match?” she asked Lady Raina.

“He certainly looks good on paper. I have heard nothing but generally good things him as of yet, and only your opinion could sway me to change my mind,” Lady Raina said. “Was his candor acceptable to you?”

Freya paused as they passed by a stand selling sweet carrots. Above the stand a lit sconce flickered, making the orange carrots appear to dance as the mouse held one stick aloft.

“One pearl for three sticks! You look like you’re hungry, little miss!”

She was hungry. Freya grabbed at her change purse, but Old Gran was faster.

“I’ll take three, young mouse, and give them to the little miss if you would,” she said as she put the single small pearl into the vendor's hand.

Freya gave both of them a sweet carrot stick, each the size of a forearm, as she bit into hers.

“I’m thinking about it now, Lady Raina, and he seemed nice, but at the end there it felt like… well, I think he means to move fast,” Freya said.

“And nobody rushes Freya.” Old Gran nodded. “When Woda courted me, I told him that he could be my partner in crime, but he couldn’t be my boss, and it took him some time to come around.”

The three passed under a well lit arch, now seeing the sunlight from the entranceway they were approaching.

“Well, Freya, if this one is not up to your standards, we still have a long season ahead of us,” Lady Raina said.

Returning home, a package was laid there for her. Opening the package, Freya found a pair of the best walking boots she had ever seen. On the inside of each leg were two tiny holsters complete with daggers.

On the package, only the letters “D.S.” were written, and there was no further note.