"I am sorry." Fabian didn't even wait to be seated before he uttered his apology.
Sighing, "Apology accepted, this is quite frankly your last chance Fabian, I am granting it to you because I do believe there is something worth it about you." Safa replied as she sat down across from Fabian in her drawing room.
Gertrude and Clara chuckled at how happy Fabian was when Safa seemed to accept his apology easily, she was now busy eyeing Her kitten enjoying his scratch-corner.
"I must also apologize...I should have not been too cruel on you." Safa said.
Fabian's eyes widened, he hadn't anticipated her apology but it warmed his heart nonetheless, "Thank you... I appreciate it."
Just some little time after Mary's arrival, Fabian alongside Gertrude came to safa's house, Colin had wanted to tag along but he got entangled with his own affairs, so Fabian reassured him everything will be alright as Gertrude would be by his side.
"Acacius seems to like his new toy." Safa said smiling at the feline baby, "Judging by the gift you worked on it all night."
Blushing, "how did you figure it out?" Fabian asked.
"Fabian...You are blushing again." she simply said.
"oh..." he blushed even harder at her words.
"Safa stop teasing him!" Clara giggled, "I'm afraid even without her teasing, Young master is quite the blushing mess." Gertrude replied before she stood up, "Where is Wolfgang and the chaperone lady, you said she's here."
"Mary is discussing her terms with Wolfgang in my study, apparently he is sure she would be better of an option than you dear Gertie." Safa said chuckling. "Then do you mind I take a moment for myself." Gertrude asked politely, "Not at all." Safa replied smiling.
As Gertrude left, "May I asked...something." Fabian questioned.
"Go ahead."
"About James."
"what about my brother?" Clara questioned, "Are you... Serious about the engagement, Safa?" he asked.
Sighing again, "Yes and no... If this courtship thing failed I am to marry him...he and I are friends and have a business together not to mention it would be a good idea since it seems more people are expressing their opinions on my marriage situation." Safa replied.
"How... Are you able to...Think about marrying someone you do not love?" Fabian's innocent question tugged at Clara's heart, she glanced at Safa who kept her eyes on the kitten.
"Well..." Safa spoke up, "As you have already told me the other day...that I have unresolved issues from my past."
Embarrassed, "Safa I am Really sorry the way I...spoke the was utterly out of line..." Fabian said, "Yet you had a point." Safa replied calmly, surprising both him and Clara.
"I do have unresolved issues and yes I blame myself... I cut my hair, I learned to walk, I grew an attitude and did do much yet I still blame myself, I am still the girl who skipped her brother's wedding, I am still the girl who covered for his wife, I am still the only survivor of my bloodline and it is all my Damn burden to carry... It was wrong from me to make you carry it instead of me."
Fabian felt his heart break in tiny cracks as he listened to her, "we can carry it together..." he said.
"No...It is not your problem Fabian."
"Safa if we are to... Be something, anything. We should learn to lean on one another. You let me lean on you when my aunt died..."
"He is right Safa..." Clara spoke up.
But before Safa could say anything, Gertrude was back alongside Mary, Wolfgang and James.
"Brother! Where were you? " Clara rose to hug him, "Hello my darling sister, I overslept...So I take it all is well?" James asked, he noticed that Fabian wasn't eager to see him, he seemed to be eyeing him specifically.
"Well they apologized to each other and they seem both open again to courtship." Gertrude said happily.
"Mister Bridgeton isn't around." Wolfgang noted.
"Colin is busy..." Fabian replied as he stood to slightly bow to Mary.
"And you must be Mister Kainz. You are quite to the... Unique fella." Mary greeted him curiously.
Wolfgang cleared his throat as he spoke-up "Mary here will be the chaperone during this courtship period, she will be coming to the Vega manor every day's afternoon except for Sundays, and on days where Fabian and Safa are unable to meet, she has requested to be informed early on if possible."
Nodding," That works well for us." Gertrude said," Then I suppose it is a done deal." Safa replied.
"Now onto the rules." Wolfgang said stealing the attention once more.
"Rules?" Clara asked curiously.
"Yes." Mary answered, "here are the rules set by mister Wolfgang." Mary spoke up, "I Marry, will be the official chaperone over this courtship however in my absence Anyone else from this group is welcomed to take my place temporarily as long as they too respect the rule.
Anyhow and while this courtship takes place, it's best to avoid gathering in small rooms, closed doors, and being alone with each other is discouraged unless absolutely necessary, and if that happens I will be right outside the door watching. So it's best if this takes place somewhere open like the garden or even a public space like the park.
As for regular circumstances, I will always be no more than 15 steps away from you two." Mary said looking at Fabian and Safa as she continued," I shall always keep a watchful eye but be far enough to not hear most of your conversations.
However and as soon as I hear anything alarming or any yelling, or see even a hint of a serious argument about to happen, I will interfere.
As for you two, Avoid touching beyond necessary, walk side by side and most importantly no force must be used. I will end the day if I see you two misbehaving with each other and you will be held accountable." she explained.
Scoffing, " I think you confused Chaperoning with Watching over children." Safa joked.
"Well from what mister Wolfgang has told me, it appears you two tend to act childlike with each other." Mary replied making Fabian flushed with shame.
Scoffing again, "I see why Wolfie chose you miss Mary..." Safa said before she sighed and nodded, "Fair enough let these be the rules.".
...Few days later later...
"How strange... They haven't murdered each other yet. Perhaps since spring is here, they've warmed up to each other." James said joking as he secretly watched Fabian and safa walk in the garden, from the spare bedroom window upstairs, Wolfgang crept behind him, hugging the shirtless red head from behind as he sighed,"Finally awake Jimmy, Did you sleep well, I woke you before I left this morning yet you refused to Leave bed, you begged for more sleep." he said cutely.
"I suppose I'm getting older wolf, I seem to sleep in more..." James replied holding onto Wolfgang's arms.
"Horseshit, you were anything but old yesterday."
"Hmm, really, how is your back then..."
"Obviously sore..."
James laughed, "Poor puppy... Anyhow, is there a chance you can sneak me some food. I am eating my own stomach."
"Sure... Keep the door locked, wouldn't want my favorite secret to be found out so soon." Wolfgang said letting go of his lover.
"Naughty Wolf!" James said turning to kiss him.
"Well I did wake you early to give you an opportunity to leave, before anyone sees you yet, you lazy fox, went right back to sleep." Wolfgang scolded gently before he left the room.
"Hurry on and bring food, before I eat you." James said making sure he sent Wolfgang out blushing.
...Meanwhile...
"You should at least go to the lake and enjoy the little boats, I promise you that you will like it... Perhaps not tomorrow since it will be a Sunday and miss Mary would be away." Fabian's words were full of enthusiasm as he suggested a public date, despite his antisocial behavior so far, he was actually excited to enjoy crowded places as long as he gets to do that with Safa.
So far the two have been mainly courting in Safa's garden, "The lake is not...deep." Safa asked.
"Of course not!" Fabian replied.
Despite her initial hesitation, Safa was starting to enjoy Fabian's company, and he on the other hand was overjoyed, He would smile like an idiot whenever she seems to entertain his ideas and conversations.
"I suppose... Can we bring Clara with us?"
"Well..."
"you seem hesitant as soon as I mentioned Clara."
"Well I was hoping it will be us... Two and Miss Mary of course."
"Clara spent most her time indoors, she never tried a boat before...How about we go tomorrow with Clara and Gertie while Miss Mary has her day off, that way we could be chaperoned but still have a moment for each other...to be honest I find no reason to being chaperoned in public but Wolfgang insisted so I guess we can use Clara and Gertrude for that purpose." Safa said, "OH!... I see... Well I suppose it is fine if Gertie joined us as well then, she can keep Clara company." Fabian agreed.
Behind them, Mary walked with a lemonade in hand, watching over the couple.
Safa glanced behind her, "Poor thing must be bored."
Fabian laughed, "Well At least she is not invasive...if it was Gertie she would be like 'Young master!' every five minutes."
His words made safa laugh genuinely, "haha! if it was Wolfie he would have screamed 'SAFA!' a thousand time by now!"
As she continued to laugh, Fabian was mesmerized by her being herself, these past few days were much better than he imagined. He felt like a fool for being so childish when he first tried to win her over.
"You have such a beautiful laugh...your face blooms like a flower when you smile."
To his surprise, Safa stopped walking, she felt shy upon hearing him and looked away, "Do not hide your face dear Safa..." he said gently from behind her.
"Such a flirt."
"i am serious.. Your beauty is unmatched when you smile... Your face turns from cold to adorable instantly."
"I am parched...I shall fetch me a cup of lemonade." safa said making an excuse as she went to the garden table where fresh pitcher of lemonade was waiting for her.
"Wait, I shall have some with you." Fabian said following her behind like a puppy.
...Meanwhile...
"Wolfgang sir!" before Wolfgang could Sneak the platter of food out of the bustling kitchen, A young maid approached him.
"Anne, I have something to attend to."
"I understand sir but...something is wrong..."
raising an eyebrow, "What's wrong girl, speak?" Wolfgang ordered firmly.
"Miss Margaret, Lord Teaton's maid Has sent this letter to you... Her messenger told me she had no choice since it would appear that Lord Teaton hasn't returned home yet. She asked that you Show it to him should he stops by Here." Anne said placing a sealed letter in Wolfgang's hand.
Worried, "Thank you Anne... I'll make sure James gets the letter, he'll probably come to visit at night to discuss business with milady." Wolfgang replied.
"Alright, about the platter, Are you taking the food to miss Clara? I'll take it on your behalf" the maid suggested.
"no, no. I'll handle it" Wolfgang replied leaving the kitchen with the food and letter.
Now out of sight, Wolfgang ran to where Clara was reading in the study room, "Wolfie! Has Fabian left yet? And Have you seen James! I haven't seen him all day!" she asked.
"James's up in our spare bedroom, he couldn't leave before the servants came, So he's stuck there. Do me a favor Clara, take this food to your room, don't eat it, it's meant for James." he said hurriedly, before running out with the letter.