“So he came back, safe and sound? Sorry it took so long,” said Gwyn.
The day after Guy’s return, Oliver was at his cousin’s hidden workshop on the first layer, sitting across the table from them and reporting in. When he was done, Gwyn looked rueful.
“We could have quieted the energy much earlier,” Gwyn added. “But that’s not a real solution, and we thought it best for him to learn how to control it first. After discussing the matter with Instructor Zelma, this is how things turned out.”
“Yeah, so he said. Twice a month for a while, at least. Brother, Sister, I really appreciate it. I’ll have to say the same to Rivermoore.”
Oliver took pains to mention the contributor not present. And that name prompted a rare bit of mirth on Gwyn’s lips.
“Heh, he seemed pretty pleased with it. He feels indebted to you. And this favor does little to repay it. When you get a chance, assign him a doozy of a job.”
His grin had shifted to wicked—and Oliver winced. Aware of how her cousin felt, Shannon added milk to his tea, smiling softly.
“Cyrus’s piano…is so gentle. I do…love hearing it.”
Oliver had to agree with this assessment. He’d heard Rivermoore’s consolation concert in the Kingdom of the Dead and vividly remembered how astonished he’d been by that delicate, merciful melody. At the time, he’d been confused by the contrast between it and the man’s behavior—but the way that incident played out and how he’d acted on campus ever since had vanquished all doubts. Oliver knew Guy was safe in his hands.
The conversation died out, but Gwyn did not immediately bring up the next subject. Oliver was well aware of what that would be. Not one recent meeting had ended without it getting touched upon.
“…Given the politics on campus, I’m glad your crowd has settled down. Farquois’s behavior is far beyond what we predicted. They brought up the invitation theory in class? That’s not bold; it’s insane. Not that I don’t get the value in arguing that at Kimberly, but…”
Gwyn rubbed his temples, sighing. Oliver knew exactly how he felt but drew attention to the thing he could not look past.
“But what they said is true. As we well know.”
Gwyn and Shannon responded with grim silence. Oliver took a sip of tea, then searched for any signs of life behind him.
He found her soon. And if he did, she must want him to.
“I’d love to see your face, Teresa,” he murmured.
Without a second’s pause, she appeared on her knee before him.
“I am here, my lord.”
“Mm, thank you. Have some of these. They’ll melt in your mouth,” Oliver said, pointing to the cookies and pulling out a chair.
Teresa sat down right away but did not reach for the cookies, though he knew she liked them. Oliver searched her profile and soon understood.
“Something on your mind, I see. Close at hand—Ms. Appleton?”
“!”
He got it in one, and she looked shocked. Oliver smiled, and Shannon added a scoop of sugar to Teresa’s teacup. If she would not take a cookie, then perhaps this should be sweet.
“I can tell. Not many people would worry you outside this table. And her recent actions have not gone unnoticed. I only saw her briefly myself, but I saw enough to hazard a guess. She wants to pull Guy away from us? No—she wants to make him hers.”
From the pieces he had, he assembled a theory. Teresa’s silence was confirmation enough, and so he addressed the conflicted emotions within.
“If you don’t report that, you’re shirking your duty to me, but if you do, you’ll be betraying her. You’re caught between those two motives?”
“…How…?”
“Because I’m thinking of you, even when you’re not around,” he said. “On my lap.”
He turned on his chair, patting his knees. She slipped off her chair and into his arms. Making close eye contact, Oliver spoke gently.
“Long story short, I’m not planning on meddling there. It’s only natural people outside the Sword Roses will fall for him—and not just Guy. People have feelings for one another; that’s a part of the world, and I would never dream of forbidding it.”
“……”
“That would change if Ms. Appleton took drastic action. Too strong a charm, attempting to eliminate competition, etc. But I’m not worried about that now. I have faith Guy will tackle the issue head-on, and her previous behavior tells me enough about Ms. Appleton’s character. And…I know I can trust the friends she’s made.”
Realizing that included her, Teresa quietly thought this over. That tickled him, so he gave further counsel.
“Don’t overthink it. Just do what’s right for her. Offer advice if she comes to you, listen to her grumble. No need to report every detail. You being a good friend alone will help her. And that will prove invaluable in guiding her to a happy ending.”
Pushing her to be a good friend, to the appropriate closeness. He’d known Teresa needed that right now. Teresa thought about it a while, reached a conclusion, and unconsciously rubbed her cheek on his chest.
“…Then it’s okay if I stay Rita’s friend?” she whispered, a trace of a smile.
Sensing her relief and joy, Oliver returned that smile.
He’d never seen Teresa respond emotionally to an issue with her friends. Her fight with Dean or her clashing antlers with Felicia had both centered around him—but this time, she was driven purely by her feelings for Rita.
“…You’ve changed, Teresa. You’re so much more expressive now.”
“…Do you like me better this way?”
“It’s not easy to compare. But I love seeing your heart grow. If only I could, I’d like to watch over that forever.”
As he stroked her cheek, Oliver realized his slip.
Even making that wish was a sin. Because he was the one who was sending this girl toward certain death.
“…Sorry, I’m speaking out of turn.”
“I don’t mind.”
Teresa shook her head, fully smiling now, and put her arms around Oliver’s neck. Given how little time each had left, she knew “forever” was a cruel joke. But the wish itself filled her with such joy, she could almost cry.