Chapter 8

William had been away from his Castile for at least two weeks; yet it seemed the only person that cared was Estelle.

Estelle had looked everywhere, where her master would hide and brood, but he was nowhere to be found, and there was only one more place to look.

The feeling of Christmas was apparent throughout the castle, so apparent that Reala had set aside his suspicion and hatred of Elijah, Which meant the world to Nights. William's mood had also brightened, to the point where he was actually thinking about staying; the thought of his other home hadn't crossed his mind.

"The tree is beautiful, isn't it," Nights said to Elijah, as they looked up at the huge Christmas tree in the entrance hall.

"I don't know," Reala said, "the star seems a little lopsided, who put the star up?"

"I did," Nights said, insulted.

"Oh," Reala laughed, "sorry."

The entrance hall doors flew open, reminding them of the snow storm raging outside.

"Help," Romulus came through the doors, carrying a half-conscious girl, "I found her out in the snow, I don't know how long she's been out there."

"Estelle!" William ran over and took the freezing girl, cradling her in his arms, "Estelle? Can you hear me?"

Estelle moaned, "Why haven't you come home yet?"

"Oh, Estelle," William hugged Estelle tightly, trying to warm her.

"William," Teara flew over, with a large blanket, "let me take her."

William helped Teara wrap Estelle in the blanket, and followed her to the medical wing.

Estelle moaned, and blinked in the bright light, "Master?"

William came to her bed side, "just William," he smiled.

"Really?"

"You could call me dad,"

"Really? But you said-"

"I know," William kissed her forehead, "I changed my mind,"

"Really?"

"Yes," William laughed.

Estelle tried to sit up.

"No, don't sit up," William coxed her to lie back down; "you have a bad fever."

"Really?"

William laughed again, "Is that your word of the day?"

"I guess,"

Teara came to stand next to William, "Hello, Estelle, I'm Teara, the head healer; I'm going to give you a check up, okay?"

"Will it hurt?"

Teara laughed, "No, not really," she took a pen light out of her pocket, "I'm going to shine this in your eyes okay, try to keep them open."

"Okay."

Teara flashed the light in Estelle's eyes, "your eyes seem fine. I'm going to sit you up now," she pulled the bed up so that Estelle was in a sitting position; "I'm going to draw your blood now, okay?"

Estelle nodded.

Teara took a needle and attached it to a skinny tube.

"I-I changed my mind," Estelle said franticly.

"It won't hurt," William said warmly, "I promise."

Teara felt around for Estelle's vain. Estelle screwed her eyes shut and squeezed William's hand.

"There," Teara said, "I'm done."

"Really?" Estelle looked down at her arm.

"Told you it wouldn't hurt," William smiled.

Teara left to go process Estelle's blood as Nights danced into the room, singing Jingle Bells, "hello," he smiled widely, "your name is Estelle, am I correct?"

Estelle nodded.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Nights."

Estelle squeaked.

"You know, I actually get that reaction a lot."

"P-please don't hurt me."

"I get that one a lot too."

"Don't worry, Estelle," William said comfortingly, "its okay, he's okay."

"But you said-"

"I was wrong…" William looked up at his father, "I think."

Nights drooped. He still didn't trust him, "I have to go," Nights rubbed his eyes, "I'm tired."