He watched her leave and did not try to stop her. He had thought that being in love with her, he would never be angry at her anymore but apparently he was wrong.

"she is not the one I should be mad at! She did not abandon me! In fact, she is the one person that I know I can trust with my life. She is like a candle in my night. The light, the sparkle of life that brought me to life."

He stormed out of the room and ran to the library. She was there, waiting for him as she had said she will. She looked up to see him and he came to sit next to her.

"I am sorry," he said.

"Do not…"

"Brianna, please, "he hushed her.

She nodded.

"I am sorry I took it out on you. I am not angry with you rather with my parents."

"I should not have asked you those questions."

He smiled tenderly. "No. I like that you want to know me. It is simply hard to talk about it."

"I understand."

"What were we talking about before I behaved like a beast?"

He smiled at his joke and she rolled her eyes.

"I do not remember,' she said, smiling.

"Neither do I."

"Oh yes, the servants."

"That is right. You were telling me that I was not a good master."

"I was not saying that!" she protested before realizing that he was teasing her. She punched his arm.

"I could not resist. I am sorry."

"I was not saying that you were a bad master. Simply that it might be better, for both parties, that you take a little interest in your domain's affair."

"You say it like I could get something from it."

"You could. Just think: if you are fair and treat every one with respect, then they would be in a good say, environment to work. Which would make their work better and thus giving you less to worry about?"

"Have you ever seen something like that?"

She looked like she had a lot to say on the subject.

"When my father was still alive."

This answer did not satisfy him entirely: she was little when her father had passed away. She could not have learn all she knew just by watching him. He realized he still knew little about her life: she listened to him all the time but she never talked about herself.

"How do you…?"

"I think we should…"

They had both started at the same time and smiled.

"Yes?" he said. He could wait a little longer.

"I think we should talk to the governess. Explain to her that you want to play a more important part in mastering the castle. Think of all the work she must have."

"I must admit I never have."

"Sometimes, when we are in pain, we forget that we are not alone in this world," she said, smiling gently.

"How do you do this?"

"Do what?"

"This. You never judge, no matter what I say or do. How do you do it?"

"I…I never really thought about it, "she confessed. "I guess when you spend your time being judged, you learn not to do it."

So this was the explanation. It was hard to tell because she was so sweet but she had known her fair share of suffering. Perhaps, more than him. And still, she was this tolerant, good tempered woman. She was the brave one, not him. He just endured things, hating and cursing the whole world. He had missed so much. Even if she did not love him back, she had given him so much already.

"Thanks," he said.

"You are welcome." Then she added, "What are you thanking me for?"

"For being you. For teaching me so much."

She blushed.

"Well then, I must thank you too."

"Me?"

"Yes, you," she said, using the tone of voice he had used. "You bring out the best in me. And I…I am very happy here."

He saw her blush accentuate and thought she looked adorable. So adorable that he could not resist the urge to kiss her. He stared at her and saw that she had been looking at him the whole time.

"I…" he started but was cut off by a knock on the door. The governess entered the room and looked sorry.

"I did not mean to bother you but you told me to come."

Brianna stared at him in awe. "When did you…?"

"When I came to the library, I told her to come see me in a little while."

"So you were already decided upon accepting my proposition?"

"Yes."

"Then why did you…?"

"I like t argue with you," he said, plastering an innocent smile on his face. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before saying: "You…"

He laughed and she joined him. They did not see the governess looking at them with a happy smile on her face.

When they were done laughing, he turned to the governess and said: "excuse us, it was not very polite."

"Please, master. It is nothing." But she looked surprised and touched that he had apologised.

"Brianna here thinks, and I agree with her, that I should take a more important part in the mastering of the household. What do you think?"

"I think it's an excellent idea, master."

"Perfect. Now tell me everything I need to know, would you?"

When she left, he turned his face toward Brianna and said: "How was I?"

She gave him one of her blinding smile: "You looked like you were born to do this."