The gift he was to offer her was not a problem: he knew exactly what she would like. As for the rest, he had no idea what to do. Maybe it is time to do what she would.

He called the governess and together they talked about what to do, what to cook, how to decorate the rooms. He had to admit it was gratifying to be in charge. He liked the feeling of having responsibilities: it made feel useful.

When everything was settled, the governess was getting ready to leave when she stopped and turned around to face him.

"Master?"

"Yes? What is it? Did we forget something?"

"Well…," she hesitated. "The young lady, do you love her?"

At fisrt, he was angry that she dared to ask him such a question but he then understood that she had taken care of everything for nearly ten years without asking for anything in return. He owed her the truth.

"Yes."

"I see. And do you have the intention of informing her?"

"I…," he sat on a chair. "I do not know how to. I do not even know if she loves me back. How could she?"

"Has she not proven to you that she is trustworthy?"

"She is the best person I know."

"You have to tell her if you want the curse to be broken."

"why do you care so much?"

"I…"

"never mind. I understand if you have enough of working here. You probably have a family or friends waiting for you. I am sorry you had to come here."

He could not blame her for wanting the curse to be broken.

She seemed surprised for a moment then smiled.

"I want you to be happy, master," she said. "You deserve it…now."

She left the room and he stared at the door for a long minute then shrugged the feeling of uneasiness away. She was right: he had to tell Brianna. And maybe, yes maybe, she loved him too.

An idea formed itself in his mind: she had never dined with him. He smiled: this was perfect.

He called the cook and some maids in the room and gave them his instructions. Then he went in search of a tailor. He wanted to do things right.

Unbeknownst of the agitations she was causing, Brianna was facing an other kind of problem: the present she wanted to offer him might be troublesome.

It was a poem her father had given her mother for Christmas but she had forgotten that the title of this poem was "love."

She was facing a dilemma: she did not want to be cruel by making him believe that she felt more than a strong friendship for him.

"I know. All I have to do is change the word "love" to the word "friendship"."

She ignored the strange feeling that made her heart pounce faster and began to make a copy of the poem she knew by heart.

Two hours later, she was finished. She had just putted down her pencil when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Astrid, the governess did so, followed by a servant carrying a large box.

"How are you Astrid? And you Armelle?"

"we are very well, thank you Mademoiselle," answered Astrid.

"Is there a problem?"

"Not at all. The master would like to know if you will join him for dinner?"

"With great pleasure," she answered without any need for reflexion.

"Perfect. Then the master wishes you to have this," she gestured toward the large box the maid was carrying.

Frowning and feeling her curiosity rise, Brianna walked toward the bed where the box had been placed and opened it. She gasped with amazement: she was looking at the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.

"oh," was all she could say. She caressed the soft fabric of the dress and recognized organdie. The dress was simply crafted but the colour was unusual: it was gold with almost red reflections. It matched her hair perfectly.

"it is beautiful. He should not have."

"Shall I tell the master that you will be coming soon?"

"Yes, please."

Astrid bowed and let Armelle help Brianna get dressed.