Gustav Baron von Steinhof sat in his firep and looked at the rge painting that his deceased wife let made of her daughter. Babette, her pride and joy, had returo the Academy a week ago. He wished Erika had been able to see her daughter's time at the academy. He missed her. Babette missed her. He couldn't get rid of the thought that his little girl needed a mother, even though she was almost grown up now.

  A servant knocked on the door. "Yuest is here", he announced. "Shall I escort her here?"

  "Yes, please. And bring us some tea and pastries."

  "As you wish!" The servant disappeared again. Shortly thereafter, a woman in her mid-thirties with dark skin, brown eyes, and long light brown hair stood in front of him. Leonora von Leisen. The you daughter of a small noble family based in the tryside. He had met her a few years ago at a small party anized by acquaintances of his, and sihen they have been good friends.

  "Gustav!" She smiled happily.

  "Leonora!" He got up to give her a hand kiss. "Sit down, please." He poio a small armchair on which she took a seat. "When was the st time we saw each other? Two months ago?", he asked.

  "Certainly!" She smiled. "Your invitation surprised me. Didn't you want to travel?"

  "I postpohe trip. To the summer. The weather will be better. How are you?"

  "Excellent." She smiled. "But I think my parents want to get rid of me. They stantly introduce me to unmarried men. I 't stand those ongoing tea parties anymore!"

  "So bad?"

  "So bad!" She sighed. "And one is uglier thaher! 't they at least find someone good-looking? Or are they all already taken?" She rolled her eyes ughing. "Not that I was ever lucky in my own search."

  Gustav grinned. He liked Leonora. She retty, intelligent, and pleasant pany.

  "How is Babette?", she asked. The servant came back with a tray on which tea and biscuits stood and pced it on the small table in the firep. After that, he disappeared again.

  "Good. She is back at the academy. I miss her already!" He ughed and poured Leonora a cup of tea. "It's very quiet without her."

  "I imagihat. She is a lovely girl. With big dreams!"

  "I hope they all e true." Gustav took a biscuit. A thought occurred to him. "Leonora? This may e very suddenly, but..."

  "Yes?" She blinked in fusion.

  "What do you think of me?"

  Now she looked even more fused. "What do I think of you? You're a good friend, a great father, handsome!" She ughed softly. "Where does the question e from?"

  "Well, I just thought... What do you think about us getting married? Babette likes you and I like you too. Very much so. I would be very happy to call you my wife!"

  "But I'm not a witch!", she protested startled. "And my family is of lesser standing! How I..."

  "That's not important. It doesn't matter to me!" He reached for her hand. "What do you think about it?"

  Leonora nodded, still puzzled. "Gdly! I mean, yes! Of course. Why not?" Now she sobbed softly. "You know, I dreamed of you askihis question. I hought it would happen! And surely Babette won't mind?"

  "I'm sure she'll be pleased!" Gustav grabbed a sed biscuit and looked at his fiancée. She was beautiful. He was lucky.