Retrace bxbxb

On Your Back

"We really should give him a break." Arthur said from behind him as they road on horseback across the countryside. 

They'd left right after having lunch, much to Lady Lelynn's disapproval. She had wanted to kick the lords out but keep him. Staring down at the shovel in his hands, Harper couldn't help but grin. She'd gifted it to him in case he was ever in need of it, but he doubted that he'd be doing any gardening anytime soon with his broken foot. 

Ahead of them, Rule finally slowed his panting horse. Arthur's came to a stop beside it, both beasts gasping for air as they began to walk. 

"We don't need to rush, my estate isn't going anywhere." Arthur noted as his arm loosened around Harper's middle, allowing him to move forward a bit and get a little more comfortable since they weren't galloping anymore. 

"Must you bring that shovel with you, Harper?" He asked as he leaned over his shoulder, his hair brushing softly against Harper's cheek. 

Turning his head, their noses bumped each other as Harper replied with a smile. "Of course. She said I might need it, and gifted it to me. It would be rude to just leave it along the side of the road." 

"I think she would actually love it if you left it on the side of the road." Rule says as he reaches for the shovel, only for Harper to move it out of his reach. 

He earned a scowl for taking it away, but he wasn't going to let them get rid of one of the few presents he'd ever gotten. 

"Alright, keep it. Just uh, leave it outside, okay? Shovels aren't made to be inside." Arthur said, earning a nod from Harper. He could settle with that. His shovel could live outside. 

They traveled in a calm silence for a while until Arthur's home finally came into view. It was large, like Rule's, but where the other lord's estate was a maze of trickery and humor, Arthur's was classy and simple. The hedges were all in line. Everything was trimmed and proper. The building was clean and there was a soft scent wafting through the area that couldn't have been anything but the beautiful beds of flowers Harper could see even from so far away. 

"Do you like it?" Arthur asked, offering him a small smile when Harper looked up with one of his own. 

"It's beautiful." He said.

Arthur reached up before Harper could turn back around and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. "Not as beautiful as..." He bit his tongue, making Harper tilt his head, confused. 

"As what?"  

Arthur ignored him, making Harper eventually turn back to face forward. As they approached, several people appeared from the house. Two of them took the horses after they dismounted. Thankfully, Arthur reached up for him, catching him as he slid down so that he didn't have to land on his bad foot. 

"Thank you." He said as Arthur set him down, then offered him an arm so that he could hop inside without having to balance much. 

Once in the house, Harper looked around as they moved. He noticed several maids from Rule's place, and stepped a little closer to Arthur. "Is something wrong?" He asked, earning a hesitant head shake from Harper. 

The lord didn't look like he believed him, but thankfully he dropped it. "Would you like to get cleaned up before an early dinner?" Arthur asked. 

Harper nodded quickly, holding onto the lord's arm as they began heading up the stairs to the left. Unlike lord Rule's home, the stairs for Arthur's were smaller and place off to the left of the entrance, leaving the foyer more open. 

It was also carpeted, making it easier to hop along. Rule followed hot on their heals, ignoring any servants that tried to take his coat or offer him any assistance with the small bags they had brought.