Fredrick easily caught up with them and walked alongside Emilia. Her expressions and quick steps made it clear that she was excited to see the hippopotamus.
Once they arrived at the hippopotamus’ enclosure, they watched from a safe distance as two handlers dropped an enormous amount of food into the cage from a tall perch.
Emilia stared at the massive, barrel-shaped beast in disbelief. “Look at its short legs but enormous mouth,” she said, pointing at it. “It almost seems comical.”
“Despite their size, hippopotamuses are incredibly agile in the water, and can even outrun a person on land,” Anette shared.
“Truly?” Emilia repeated.
“Yes, which makes them incredibly dangerous,” Anette said. “In fact, a hippopotamus’ jaw can tear a person in half.”
“Dear heavens. How do you know so much about hippopotamuses?” Emilia questioned.
Roswell interjected, a smile playing on his lips, “That is an excellent question.”
“I researched everything I could get my hands on for the book I wanted to write,” Anette shared. “Would you care to hear about their mating rituals?”
“No, she most assuredly would not,” Fredrick stated.
Emilia laughed. “I must agree with Fredrick on this. I see no reason why I would need to know about their mating habits.”
“Pity,” Anette said.
They watched the hippopotamus for a short time before they continued on to the next enclosure.
Emilia grew silent for a long moment. “Do you think the animals are happy?” she questioned.
Fredrick considered the question before replying, “I doubt it. They are confined in cages, with no chance of escaping. It can’t be much of a life.”
“How awful,” Emilia muttered.
As they continued walking side by side, both lost in their own thoughts, Fredrick found himself missing the sound of Emilia’s voice.
“Are you enjoying the Season?” he asked.
“I suppose I am, but that is only because of your and Anette’s efforts,” Emilia replied. “If it weren’t for you two, I wouldn’t have left my townhouse yet.”
“You are not giving yourself enough credit,” Fredrick said.
Emilia looked at him with a thoughtful expression and asked, “May I ask you a question?”
“That is only fair since I asked you one.”
“What is war like?”
Fredrick was taken aback. How did he answer such a question? He decided to offer an honest response, recognizing that Emilia meant no harm. “It is hell on earth,” he admitted. He paused. “But I do not wish to talk about the war.”
“Why is that?” she pressed.
“There is no good that comes from speaking of the war,” Fredrick said, his voice growing tight. “People die, and we must move on until it is our turn to die.”
Roswell’s voice interrupted their conversation from behind them. “That is rather morbid, Brother. Is it not?”
Fredrick felt an unexpected wave of frustration. He hadn’t realized that Roswell and Anette had been eavesdropping on their conversation, which only made him more annoyed. He didn’t want to talk about the war, not with anyone, least of all Emilia. She was good and kind, and he was not. Quite frankly, he questioned why he even associated with her when she deserved someone better.
“No, it is all right,” Emilia defended. “I was just curious. I shouldn’t have asked.”
Now Fredrick felt like a jackanapes. Emilia didn’t deserve his ill treatment, and he cursed himself for it. The turmoil inside him only grew stronger, manifesting in clammy hands and shortness of breath. His chest pounded, and he couldn’t seem to regain control.
