There was no one around when Hannah awoke in the morning. Stefan would be working of course, while she figured Jenny and Alyssa must have gone out to buy things for the day. It was odd to think of Alyssa doing such duties, when not too long ago, she had been a mistress with a bevy of servants, and never had to lift a finger.

Funnily enough, her friend seemed happier now. Of course, it would take time for her to be rid of her fears of being found by her family, but at least she was beginning to take charge of her life. Hannah knew what that felt like, and how important it was.

For a while, she stood by the window in the kitchen, gazing down the alleyway to the sunny, crowded streets of Dyon. She tilted her head, wondering to herself if one day, Macks would move back here. After all, Stefan and Alyssa lived here now, and he could probably make a rank just as good here, if not better. All he needed was the perfect Dyonias wife, and that would be it. He would surely leave, and she and Rio would lose him forever. Which was not a thought she liked, if she had to be honest.

She settled down to have some breakfast that they had left for her, sitting by herself and listening to the occasional murmur of voices or pattering through the walls. It reminded her of her old apartment in Dalen. In a way, she missed it, but at the same time, that house had held a sense of loneliness that sometimes got to her. She was glad that at least she never felt that way at Magda's.

Later, as she was helping to clean up around the kitchen, she heard the sound of the front door, and was glad to hear the voices of the two girls.

"Hello," Alyssa called. "I am sorry we had to run out and leave you alone for a bit," she apologized, coming over to Hannah while Jenny moved to keep the things they'd bought.

"It's alright," Hannah answered. "Hope you don't mind, I made myself at home."

"Not at all. I'm glad you did."

"Do you need some help?" she asked, as they started pulling out pots and knives to start cooking.

"No, we're fine, aren't we, Jenny? Besides, you're our guest. I would not have you touch a thing."

"Well, if you say so." She peeked over, becoming curious. "What are you making?"

"Well, according to Jenny, it's a particularly special chicken stew."

"Taught to me by my mother," Jenny offered proudly, from where she was starting up a fire.

"Will you be staying with us? For lunch?" Alyssa wanted to know.

She nodded a few times. "I would love to."

After all, where else was she going to go?

For the next hour or so, she hung around with the two girls, watching as they worked, chopping, marinating, mixing. Jenny's speed and sure hand were an amusing contrast to Alyssa's slowness, and it reminded Hannah of herself when she was young and learning from her mother. That felt like such a long time ago now. So much had changed between her and her Ma. She wasn't sure if she could ever feel at home again in the Chell house. Then again, one day, she might have no choice but to go back. She knew full well she couldn't work in the city forever, and by then, Chell would be the only place for her, her mother waiting with open arms.

"Are you alright, Hannah?" Alyssa asked her afterward over lunch, and she realized she had been staring at nothing, so lost in thought, she hadn't heard a word of the conversation.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Is everything alright? You seem distracted."

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes, of course. Um, what were you saying?"

"Oh, well." She took a pause, gazing out the side window. "I was just thinking that it's very good weather today. It might be a nice idea if we were to take a stroll in the streets, once we're done?"

"You mean … you and me?"

She nodded gently. "If you like."

"Oh. Well … are you sure?"

Alyssa blinked for a bit as she realized what Hannah meant. "Well, it's just a short walk. I mean, Stefan's right. I do need to get out more, and what better time than now, while I have you for company?"

Hannah smiled, touched to hear it. "Alright then. I think that would be very nice."

When they were done, Jenny stayed behind while the two friends left together, going downstairs and ambling out onto the road. At this hour, the afternoon heat was easing up, and the busy crowd Hannah had glimpsed earlier was half-gone, making for a pleasant walk.

"Goodness, I'm so full," Alyssa murmured, with a loud sigh.

"So am I."

"Jenny's such a good cook. What I would not give to be as good as her."

"You will be, with practice."

"I hope so." She tilted her head, giving Hannah a wistful smile. "Oh, Hannah, it's so nice having you here."

"It's nice to be here, with you."

"It is my one regret about leaving Dalen. I mean, I'm happy that I have Jenny, but I really do miss you and Suzanne."

Hannah had to make sure not to balk at that woman's name. "I know."

"Dyon is a great place to be. Perhaps you and your brother should consider coming here."

She shook her head. "We'd be too far from our mother."

"Oh. Yes, of course. I'd forgotten."

Hannah gazed down the road as they walked, watching as a flock of pigeons rose up beside them, in a pretty gathering of gray and white. "Besides, I quite like Dalen."

"Do you?"

"I feel so familiar with it now. And I know it's silly, but sometimes I forget I'm not a Dalener."

Alyssa chuckled. "Dalen does have a charm all its own. I would think that's why Macks refuses to move away. I suppose it's still home to him."

"It must be a pain having to keep making these trips though. It's so far."

"Well, it's not that often, certainly not as often as his family would like." Alyssa hooked her arm with hers, pulling her in the direction of the Dyonias river. On the bridge, Hannah spent a long time studying the beautifully still water, watching for signs of fish.

Alyssa coaxed her onward, and every once in a while, they would stop at a storefront, looking in at a dizzying array of dresses, shoes and hats.

"I don't see how anyone could get their shopping done here," Hannah commented. "Every time you think you're done, there's yet another shop you haven't seen."

"I know. I've spent a few afternoons trying to shop – but I came home with nothing, just because I couldn't decide. It was a shame, really."

"I think looking in at windows will do well enough for us."

"I think so too."

As they went on, Hannah began to spot little details around her that seemed familiar – the turn of a street, the lay of a road – and she soon realized why. "We're near the Droys', aren't we?"

Alyssa glanced at her, doing a nod. "Indeed, we are."

"Then perhaps we should turn back," she said, halting her feet.

"Wait, turn back? Why?"

"I think we've come far enough. We should turn around."

"But we're only a few houses away. I think we should go and call on them."

Hannah raised a brow at her friend, and it suddenly occurred to her that Alyssa might have actually planned this, meant to take her back to the Droys'. Did she not really want her company after all? She couldn't help feeling hurt. "I'd rather not see them," she said in a low voice.

"Why?"

"I'm just not very comfortable with it, especially after what happened yesterday."

"But none of it was your fault."

"Macks seems to think so."

"He was just worried about you, you know that."

"He thinks I'm a fool. They all do."

"Why would anyone think that?"

Hannah gazed at her friend, refusing to answer. Alyssa reached over, grasping her arm. "Come on. I'm sure they would want to see you well and safe, especially Macks."

Not sure how she could argue or resist, Hannah let herself be pulled along. Things became quiet and a little bit awkward between the two of them as they continued down the road. Hannah kept thinking about Suzanne's words, feeling more and more on edge the closer they got to the Droys'. When they reached the gate, she looked up at the somber, uninviting building and tried not to groan. She let Alyssa go ahead first, and they were greeted by Elizabeth's stern face.

"I'm afraid Master Droy is out at the moment," she explained when asked, and Hannah felt her heart sink, even though she knew she shouldn't care. So what if he was out with some friends, or maybe even in the company of a woman? That was Macks Droy. That was what he did.

"Oh," Alyssa went. "How about Suzanne?"

"They left together."

Hannah drew in a whistle of breath before she could stop herself. Suzanne. He was with Suzanne. Of course.

"Oh," Alyssa went, clearly disappointed. "That is a shame. I suppose we'll go and speak to Macks' parents then."

"Mrs. Droy is in the sitting room," Elizabeth said, leading the way, and the two girls followed.

Hannah shot her friend an unhappy look as they crossed the hall, and Alyssa grasped her arm, holding firm.

They found Mrs. Droy alone in the sitting room, spread on the entire sofa and scribbling in a small book. Elizabeth announced their names, and Macks' mother perked up noticeably when she heard that it was Alyssa.

"Well, well, Alyssa," she went, putting her work away and getting to her feet. "What a nice surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you." She waved her over, and Alyssa stepped forward, receiving a kiss on the cheek.

"It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Droy. You look well."

"Thank you, my dear. You look lovely yourself. How is Stefan?"

"Very well. Everything is going well. I, um, decided to take the walk here with Hannah so she'd have some company."

"Yes," she said, with a look in Hannah's direction. "We heard that you were staying with Alyssa. I'm glad to see you're safe and sound."

"Yes," Hannah mumbled, feeling unwanted there. "I'm sorry I caused so much worry."

"Well, everything turned out alright," Alyssa reminded them.

"We do hope you'll be more careful next time, Hannah," Mrs. Droy told her, with a little nag in her voice that reminded her of her mother.

"Yes, of course," she muttered.

"Anyway, sit, sit," she said, seemingly speaking only to Alyssa. "Would you like some tea? Biscuits?"

"Oh, well, that's very kind of you," she went, slowly sinking into an armchair.

While she was focused on Mrs. Droy's attentions, Hannah took the opportunity to creep out of the room, making her way towards the stairs. As quietly as she could, she made her way up, seeking out the privacy of her room. 'Her' room.

She made a restrained dash for the door, shoving her way inside and shutting it tight behind her. Once she was safely away, her back leaned up against the wood, she took a moment to look around, feeling as if it was the first time she was in here all over again. In just one day, everything about this house had become distant and unfamiliar to her.

The room had been well-tidied, floors swept and all surfaces cleared of her things. What if they'd thrown everything away? She rummaged through the drawers and closet, relieved to find all of her clothes and bags all still there. She sighed at herself, flopping down onto the bed and feeling it bounce and bob underneath her.

She stared up at the canopy, thinking – a little guiltily – of Alyssa chatting downstairs with Mrs. Droy. Oh, but what was there to be guilty about? The two of them would hit it off very well, of course. Alyssa would never understand how Hannah felt. She could never understand what it was like to be 'lower' than these people, in spite of all their courtesies and words that pretended like it was not so. She knew very well that she was not the sort of person that the Droys would normally associate with.

But … Macks wasn't like that. Macks had never looked down on her, she knew this to be true. And behind all the flirting, Macks had always treated her as a true friend.

But what about Suzanne? Hannah frowned as she remembered that she and Macks were alone together somewhere in the city.

It was happening, wasn't it? They were becoming close, and Suzanne, no doubt, would do everything she could to win him as her second husband. It was clear she was lonely, and very fond of him. His family would approve of the match, and so would Alyssa. Suzanne and Macks marrying – it would be like the perfect last piece of a puzzle, everything fitting together nicely.

Hannah pursed her lips together, feeling nauseated. She wasn't sure she could be around Macks if he took Suzanne for a wife. The things that Suzanne had said to her – she had gone too far, and Hannah could not see her as a friend.

A little while later, there was a knock at the door, and Alyssa tentatively poked her head in. "There you are. Hannah, why did you disappear like that?"

She pushed herself up on the bed, a sigh falling out of her. "I'm sorry, I just needed a moment alone."

"Are you alright?" Alyssa asked, coming over and looking down at her.

"Of course. I'm fine."

Alyssa was quiet and thoughtful for a minute. "Do try to give the Droys a chance. It would mean a lot to Macks, I'm sure."

Hannah said nothing to that, though she was a little embarrassed that Alyssa had noticed her feelings towards the Droy family.

"Family is family, after all," Alyssa added.

"Well, they're not my family."

Alyssa opened her mouth to that, but shook her head instead, not saying whatever she had on her mind. She turned, nodding towards the door. "I should be going now. Mrs. Droy's having the carriage sent for me. It should be ready by now."

"Oh. Well then, let me see you off."

They headed down the stairs together, Hannah accompanying her friend out onto the step. "Do take some time to think about what I said?" Alyssa suggested, gripping her friend by both wrists.

"Alright, alright."

"I hope I can see you again before you leave for Dalen."

"We'll have to see."

Alyssa did a small nod, then leaned forward, wrapping her in a sudden hug. "All the same, it was good to see you, Hannah," she gushed in her ear, before pulling back. "Give my regards to Macks, will you?"

Hannah nodded, folding her arms and standing in place as she watched her friend move down the walk towards the waiting carriage. Once Alyssa was inside, and the huge shape rolling off down the road, she felt a strong wave of loneliness, worse than when she had last been at the Droys'. It felt like she had to fend for herself here, like no one (other than Macks?) cared about her in this house.

She turned around, quietly sneaking back inside. Somehow, she had to make it through this. She just had to avoid everyone as much as possible, and try her best to get Macks to cut this trip short.

She headed back up to her room, lounging in bed and slipping into occasional dozes while the sun slowly set. Sometime after dark, one of the servants knocked at the door to announce dinner, but she refused to go, being in no mood to sit with Suzanne or Macks' parents. Besides, one missed meal wouldn't hurt much, and she could always get something to eat from the kitchen later.

She half-expected the servant to return, insisting that Mr. and Mrs. Droy have her join them for dinner. But that didn't happen, which was both a relief and a disappointment.

She got up from the bed, going over to sit by the window. Her room looked out over the Droys' back garden, a sprawling picture of tall hedges and stone sculptures everywhere. It was an excellent view, but at nighttime, the garden was poorly lit, especially further out. It was like looking into a black veil, brushed by a hint of stars.

Something caught her eye, and she tipped her head down, making out a shape walking onto the grass, barely visible except for the light coming from the house. But even then, she recognized who it was.

Macks. He was home.

She caught her breath, pressing against the window to watch him. He was walking at a slow gait, one hand in his pocket, his head turned down. He looked like how he'd been after Alyssa and Stefan left Dalen – sullen and cheerless, and she felt a sudden, overwhelming need to be with him, to be by his side.

But as she started to consider it, she caught movement behind him, and was stunned to see Suzanne following him at a distance, hurrying in her long, tight dress to catch up. Hannah stared at her, the soft pang inside of her giving way to loathing. Here was Suzanne trying shamelessly to make Macks her husband, and she had the nerve to call Hannah the lovesick one? She turned her gaze away, disgusted.

She got to her feet, pacing across the spacious room. She should have known. Suzanne was now the one who would comfort him, listen to him, be whatever he wanted. Not her.

She crossed her arms, realizing that at last, her worst fear had come true. She actually had feelings for Macks. She wasn't sure how or when it had happened, she simply knew that it had. She would never have any pride left in her if anyone were to realize it, especially him.

But no matter. Once this trip was over, it would be easier. And once Macks was married, well, he wouldn't have time to be friends with her. And then all memory of him would just fade away, and she could settle back into being alone again.

She glanced at her bed, thinking that sleep was the safest thing for her right now. But instead, she found her gaze drawing to the window. She had a stubborn urge to have another look, even though she knew she'd probably end up regretting it.

Damn you, Hannah.

Slowly, she crossed the room, peeping out into the shadowy garden. All she could see was Macks, going even deeper into the gardens – alone. Suzanne was nowhere to be seen.

What? How could that be? Where she had gone?

Puzzled, she turned away, wondering what this meant. After a long moment, she got moving, making her way out into the hall. She was just wandering down the stairs when she happened to run into Suzanne herself.

"Hannah," Suzanne greeted her in surprise.

"Hello," she answered weakly.

"We missed you at dinner."

She cleared her throat. "I wasn't hungry."

"Where are you going?"

"Um … the kitchen. I'm a little hungry now."

Suzanne stared at her, standing very still with her hand on the rail, eyes unblinking. It started to make Hannah uncomfortable, and she pushed past her impatiently, mumbling, "Excuse me."

"By the way," Suzanne called over her shoulder. "I should let you know that Macks is in a bit of a poor mood this evening, so I'd leave him alone if I were you."

She knows. Hannah glanced back at the older woman, but said nothing, turning away and disappearing into the kitchen. All the servants looked up at her with the same surprise Suzanne had had on her face earlier, as if she'd been missing for weeks instead of just one day.

She plowed her way through, ignoring their curious looks on her way to the back door. She hated how Suzanne had guessed rightly that she'd meant to go after Macks. Now, Suzanne would be even more convinced that she was lovestruck.

But she didn't care about that right now. All she cared about was Macks.

She pushed her way out into the gardens, letting the heavy door groan shut behind her. A sea of shadows lay waiting before her, muddled with tall, dubious shapes. She couldn't see Macks anywhere, but she remembered the direction he'd taken.