Having gotten tired after playing with the horses, I took Christine to the dining room for a meal.
" Are you enjoying your stay here? " I asked wishing to know her thoughts
" Yes, very much so " she said in rather low voice, a small smile forming on her face
" Everyone is so nice and the horses where all beautiful " she continued " So thank you truly "
Seeing her right now compared to before my next course of action just seemed more clear
" Is that so, I am glad that you had fun, however it seems we have caused you some trouble seeing such a sad look on your face " I said lacing my tone with guilt
Which led to the kind-hearted Christine to get flustered
" Eh? No, not at all"
" Then why the long face? " I inquired pointing at her
" Well... Um it is ....I was feeling sad that I am going to have leave soon " She said looking embarrassed with the heat rising to her cheeks
" I'm sorry, even though you took care of me, here I am wanting more "
This time though it was my time to act confused
" Hm, who said you have to go back now? "
" What? "
" If you wish you could spend the week here "
Hearing my words, Christine's eyes widened
" B..but what about the classes and attendance "
She voiced out her worries however to her I simply waved a hand
"Do not worry, I already had things to do back here, I am sure lord merlin will understand "
" Is that so? " Christine tilted her head slightly
" Yes, so don't worry about it and just have fun, ok? "
Giving a confident smile Christine finally relented and agreed to stay
' Now all I got to do is convince merlin, that shouldn't be too hard '
.......
" Absolutely not "
The owner of the stern voice and the man Glaring at me through the communication crystal was none other than merlin who I have contacted to explain the situation
" Not only did you forfeit your spar, but you also proceeded to leave the island with none other than the child from the Vorago family
Did you not think about what others will think if suddenly the both of you disappeared from the face of the island, and instead of contacting me to apologize here you are asking to extend her stay for a week!!!! "
Having it all stated so plainly before me I could see why he would think badly of the situation however in my defence Christines wellbeing was more of a priority at the time. So instead of backing down completely I decided to do an exchange of sorts.
" Yes, that is exactly I am doing "
"YOU..."
" As the students of the academy are to come to the arcane estate for their upcoming field trip, would it not be best to get the prior opinion of one of them "
" HOW DARE....huh? "
" The upcoming field trip that will happen next month I am saying that I will have it hosted in the arcane with all of the cost and protection covered by the household "
Merlin stayed silent for a while before his brows started to knit together seemingly offended
" Are you trying to bribe me boy, if so then let me tell you this I am not one to get moved by such things "
' Well, I would also feel bad if a brat less than half my age said such things, but I had a hidden ace up my sleeve '
" Lord Merlin "
" What else are you going to say " He spoke with a tone of irritation
" I will also take care of all the paperwork "
The second those words left my mouth it felt like the whole world stopped as merlin stared at me speechless
" Are you actually for real " he asked his tone switching to one of disbelief
' Never once would anyone imagine the great Merlin to speak in such a way, but then again here we are '
Closing my eyes I nodded my head as the reality of what I just did was starting to dawn on me
" This could be your last chance you know, I will not let you off later on do you understand "
" Yes " I said with a tone of resignation
" It is my way of repaying you for your kindness "
Perhaps realizing I was serious he looked around him before continuing the conversation
" AHEM
I see then it could be said that the matter for the upcoming trip has been settled thanks to the kind work of Sir Nicholos and Student Christine over the course of the next week " Merlin stated as if confirming for one last time
And to those words, as I kept fighting all those voices that were screaming inside my head, I nodded
" Yes, you are right "
" Well, I guess you have much to do then, and I also need to write your reason of absence so I will take my leave " Merlin said disconnecting from the call
With that I simply stayed seated in silence. In the now quiet office, I was left alone with albert who eyes started to change once again.
The thought of cancelling everything came but was cast aside as a subtle knocking on my office door was heard. Answering the door the person walking in was none other than Christine who had changed to the more comfortable clothes that were brought by the servants.
Seeing her appear suddenly I raised an eyebrow
" Is there anything wrong? Do you need any help? "
I inquired fearing that she might go on another panic attack, however instead of saying anything she just walked over and stood beside me which allowed me to see that she was holding something in her hands
Reaching out her hand a small packet of cookies was seen from it
" This is..."
" The servants of the households where really nice and they sent me some freshly baked cookies, so I thought of sharing it with you "
" Is that so " I took the cookies from her hand and tried one
" It is delicious, thank you for bringing me some "
" No need, the servants where the one who brought it " she muttered a shy smile spreading on her face
" Oh, by the way I had already talked to lord Merlin and gotten his permission so you can stay " I told her acting as if I had just remembered
" REALLY!!"
" Yes really " I said trying to tell her about the upcoming week however her next action made me mind blank as she suddenly rushed over and hugged me
" Thank you... Really thank you "
Looking down I could see her entire body shaking and her grip on me tight but this time not from fear and anxiety but from happiness and relief with it a sudden feeling of warmth swelled in my chest
' Is this how he felt when I first hugged him '
A subtle understanding came to me as an old memory surfaced
Remembering it I slowly reached out and started patting her back, as a thought crossed my mind
' Well, if this is all it takes, then a bunch paperwork is a rather small price to pay '