After working deep late into the night, cleaning after the Marchioness's ladies-only gathering, all of the workers were positively tired, their metal existence not immune to the depletion of energy. Like humans, they were susceptible to overworking themselves to death if they didn't replenish their charge on time; some plugged themselves to small generators while some basked in the sun. The head members of the family were advanced enough to generate energy by entering a stasis mode. Which was a luxury amidst the robots, learned Lily.

  The downpour outside shushered as the candles were finally snuffed out one by one, leaving every room darkened to a hazardous bumping degree. But as the shrouded night settled in, a flame was kindly shared between her candle limbed colleagues. The warm lights walked with a guiding glow, shining the path to the west wing.

  The servants carefully split up in the hallway and entered their respective quarters.

  Lily stared at her bed before falling onto it. A smile stretched her face. The quilt was beautifully wonderfully warming and lovely and the pillow was a blissful friend. She rubbed her face fervently from joy, kicking her legs, revering in the small bounce.

  Her mismatched robotic roommates stared with no expressions. She had been doing this almost every night (wait until the morning where she lovingly made the bed, thanking each item.)

  The poem book was resting on her bedside table, and Lily wished she was making progress except spring proved to be busy, and she was blissfully distracted by the world's beauty and brightness to slip in a page in between the chores.

  After less than a minute, everyone became still, the rain tapping and sliding down the windows.

  Deep at night, the clocks were ticking with peace, drowned by the strengthening storm before a strangled shout echoed down the halls. At once, the candles were lit in the state chamber and the Marchioness's maids hurried in at the Marquis's call.

  The physician was rushed over and the rainy night was spent with the Marchioness wheezing hollowly.

  Only after a few hours of sleep, the dawn rose and so did Lily.

  Shaken by the head maid.

  "Lily!" the woman snapped.

  "Huh, yes, yes, I am awake now…." Lily rubbed her eyes, not all too sharp after only a few hours of sleep, despite the best bed she ever laid on.

  "Marchioness Margaret has fallen ill. The Marquis ordered you to go to the nearest apothecary and quickly bring the medicine."

  Without having to open the curtains, Lily was able to tell the rain hadn't parted by the loud beats of the huge droplets beating against the roofs and the glass. The usually glowing sunlight was not present to rouse them up with a smile.

  Lily immediately slipped into her shoes and rose out of the comforting bed. "Is she okay? For how long has she been sick?"

  "All night. No matter what the physician did, the Marchioness couldn't get better so he demanded someone go retrieve the special medicine."

  Lily hurryingly put on her uniform behind the bland privacy screen. "Oh no! I hope I am not being late– Was no one else available?"

  "We're not exactly waterproof against such weather."

  Lily couldn't help her curiosity as she stepped out, following the head maid out of the room and the servants' wing. "But everyone fared well in the winter."

  "Walking on thin ice is significantly easier than being drenched in cold water, isn't it?"

  'Now, I am walking on thin ice.' "Right, my apologies. I will be back as soon as possible!"

  Lady Francesca rushed down the big stairs as Clara pleadingly calmed her down behind her. "Do I have to do everything around here? What's taking so long? Ugh, humans!"

  "Lady Francesca, my apologies—"

  The lady shut her down with a rise of her hand. "Too much talking. Hurry and do your job."

  Getting the name of the medicine with the money and the directions from the head maid, Lily rushed out into the steady downpour where a carriage with a coachman hidden in a glass box thankfully awaited her. The horses galloped sturdily through the streets, reaching the nearest apothecary before stopping with a sharp tug.

  Lily stuck her head out at the knock on the ceiling to see them stuck in the middle of the road, far from the shops.

  "There's a huge, deep puddle ahead. You have to go around it yourself," he shouted, apologetically.

  This felt all too familiar as she hugged her cloak tighter with raindrops beating down her quaint umbrella. The wind blew at her, flying the water onto her face and vision. Wiping it off, she dashed, splashing the deep puddles threatening to slosh into her boots.

  The apothecary extended her a hand with its sturdy purple awning, allowing her to leap over and push through the door with her shoulder. Shutting the trusty umbrella, Lily sighed in relief, shivering from the creeping chill.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  She hadn't felt this since those solitary days, and not missing the feeling, chose not to dwell on it.

  The usual apothecary filled with fragrant herbs scent was instead an apothecary covered in mechanic smells, from oils to melting batteries. Lily covered her nose with the neckline of her cape, eyeing jars filled with very strange, colorful liquids.

  The shop was otherwise expectedly built from light wood, polished but with a few permanent stains here and there from clumsy accidents. It had a sweet charm to it, lived in and dutifully serving.

  Much to Lily's chagrin, there was a small line of equally desperate customers shuffling on their feet as the apothecary behind the counter ran around the place. Taking her place as the last, her gut squirmed knowingly at the two meters tall height showing its broad back to her.

  As if sensing her stare, he turned and the first thing off his "mouth" was, "I am not sure if I should be glad or concerned to find you here. Well, hello!"

  "Nice to see you again, Duke—"

  "Just Cedric—"

  "Cedric. I have to admit it is very surprising to find you here."

  He chuckled lightheartedly. "I was visiting the seaside for business. As of now, I'm retrieving some oil."

  "Oh! Is everything okay?"

  "How can I say this…." He rubbed the back of his neck. "The storm hit the dock and I may have slipped onto a piling. Now, my neck sounds like an ancient door."

  She gasped. "That's awful!"

  "I'm not old at all to be like this." He turned his neck and it, indeed, creaked. Very loudly. Enough for the customers to glance over their shoulders, disturbed.

  She squirmed. "Is it okay for you to be out like this?" The quiet chatter ahead was timid against the thumping rain.

  "Don't worry, it isn't detrimental. I can still walk around." His voice sounded smiley as his movements were gentle. "I didn't want to miss the opportunity for a pleasant walk in the rainstorm."

  'Nobles must be waterproof.' "You have an interesting definition of pleasant." Something Lily found herself sharing. Perhaps under other circumstances she could have enjoyed the weather too.

  "Doesn't sound like you own the same intention. May I ask, what is your purpose for the visit?"

  "I need to pick up medicine for the Marchioness."

  "Is she alright?"

  "Not exactly so that's why I really have to rush back." Lily started shuffling on her feet. 'Also, Francesca will probably bite my hand off. That's silly, is that even possible? ….Yes, pretty sure it is. She does have teeth.'

  Cedric turned and raising his hand, captured the apothecary's and the customers' attention. "Excuse me, someone back home is at a critical state and this lady needs to retrieve the medicine as soon as possible. Please allow her to come forward."

  "I'm sorry but you have to wait a little–" started the apothecary.

  He put down a small sack of coins, the money inside jiggling. "Is this sufficient for everyone's patience?"

  Everyone nodded fervently. Lily waved her hands. "You really don't have to—"

  "Yes, you're right. I want to. Now, please go ahead."

  Everyone parted for her and she retrieved the medicine successfully.

  "Thank you," she sincerely said.

  "I wish Marchioness Margaret a swift recovery." Cedric surveyed the street outside the window with a foretelling feeling. "I assume your carriage couldn't make it past the deep puddles as well. Can you get to it safely?"

  "Of course! I will just quickly run."

  "It's raining too hard. You will get soaked."

  "It's really okay. I have an umbrella." Lily opened it.

  It flew off the hinges.

  They spared it a glance before he offered the one hanging off his coat's pocket. "Please use mine."

  He opened it and it flew off the hinges.

  The two stared at their umbrellas laying on the floor.

  Lily looked up at him. "Thank you for the offer."

  Cedric took off his coat. "I am also offering to drop you off." Like a black heron with its wings, he cast it over them before they bravely went out.

  Fresh air whipped their senses, the clear smell of the water rewarding thrice after the mechanical smells inside. Every window looked as if they were melting while the ground was attacked with tiny hails. Cedric shifted his arm underneath the coat to shield Lily.

  "So what's the plan?"

  "We bolt as if we are chased by a beast."

  They ran out of the safety of the awning and the hail splashed their shoes as they smacked onto the ground around. Her carriage stood ahead like a beacon, the coachmen waving. Fingers slipping on the handle, Lily clumsily opened the door and once she stepped out of Cedric's makeshift barrier into the sturdy carriage, did she finally notice the pleasant warmth he was emitting and the sweet woody smell of his coat.

  Cedric laughed, happy, standing strong against the hails and wet clothes. "See you again next time, Miss Lily. I hope you enjoyed my deluxe strolling experience."

  "Until next time, Mr. Cedric." A smile tugged Lily's lips. "I can see why you didn't want to miss out on this walk."

  He closed her door and knocked on the carriage which shot off with a turn. She couldn't help but look back to catch him simply walking back.

  Lily dashed up the stairs, wheezing out to Francesca rapidly tapping her foot, "I am here—"

  "You took your time!" The Lady snatched the medicine off her hands. "Mama!" The lady burst into the state chamber despite the physician pleading with her to just hand it to him.

  Lily blinked before the head maid patted her shoulder. 'You should go clean up. Thank you.'

  As she walked back to her own quarters, shivering, she glanced at herself reflected on the polished surface of the marble wall.

  'Oh, no.'

  Lily had not left the mansion presentable. She shriveled a little inside as she hadn't brushed her teeth in the haste either.

  'Oough-' she mentally sunk onto the floor.