Bela and Daniela were standing at the end of the hall, eagerly waiting to see if Joseph and Cassandra would finally admit their feelings for each other. Those two had clearly grown attached to each other and it would bring them such joy to see them bond even further.

So when they saw the two walking towards them holding hands, they both squealed with excitement and rushed over to congratulate the new couple.

"Oh my god! I'm so happy for you!" Daniela said as she gave her Cassandra a tackling hug.

"Woah, easy there sis. I'm not quite there with balancing myself yet." The brunette said laughing.

Bela was giving Joseph a less intense, but just as emotional hug.

"You guys are just perfect for each other. I'm so happy you two got together!" She said.

"I'm just over the moon right now." Joseph said. "I will admit though, I was beyond nervous confessing my feelings to Cassie. That was the one thing I wasn't trained for."

The girls all laughed as the brunette put her arm around his waist.

"Well I think you passed with flying colors, but I expected nothing less from you." She said

"Cassie, I'm not this prodigy student who is destined to bring balance to the force or anything." Joseph said while blushing.

"Oh just shut up and take the compliment." Cassandra said and kissed his cheek, which caused Daniela to squeal again. Bela then sighed.

"As much as I would love to talk about this more, Aunt Donna is waiting downstairs for us."

"You're right. Let's not keep her waiting." Joseph said.

"Race you Bela!" Daniela shouted as she turned into a swarm of flies and flew away.

"Hey, you can't get a head start!" Bela shouted as she too turned into a swarm and chased after her sister.

Joseph just stood there with an odd look. He had seen it happen a couple times now, but that didn't make it any less weird. He then turned towards his new girlfriend.

"Do you guys race like that often?"

Cassandra snickered.

"Oh yeah. All the time. Just wait till it gets warmer. Then you will really see us move."

The new couple made their way to the main hall, but they decided not to to be holding hands there so as not to create a scene in front of Alcina and Donna. They would tell the former about their relationship later, or at least that was the plan, but as Alcina turned towards them, she smiled widely and ran over to hug them both.

"Daniela told me you guys got together! Oh, I can't begin to say how overjoyed I am to hear that!" She said with emotion.

Cassandra gave an annoyed look at the redhead.

"Seriously? You couldn't wait five minutes before spilling the beans?"

"I couldn't help it, Cassie! I'm just so happy right now, and mother is too!" Daniela replied.

Well, she couldn't really argue with that. Daniela really did mean well.

As Alcina broke the hug, Joseph made his way over to Donna.

"Hi Donna! It's good to see you again." He said

The veiled woman nodded.

"It's good to see you too, Joseph. I am also happy to see you and Cassandra have gotten together. It warms my heart to see her so happy." She seemed much more quiet and reserved than when they last met.

"You and me both." Joseph replied with a smile.

"RAWWWRR!" A high pitched voice suddenly shouted, startling Joseph.

He turned around, but didn't see anyone. Then he looked down, and he thought for a moment he was seeing things.

Standing in front of him was a doll about 3 feet tall, and it was wearing what looked like a wedding dress, but that wasn't what Joseph was paying attention to. It was standing. And talking. By itself.

"Uhhh…" Was all he could say.

The doll then cackled before speaking again.

"Sorry. I just wanted to see the look on your face, and oh boy it was priceless! I'm Angie!"

Joseph turned back towards Donna.

"Wait. Your doll can move and talk on its own?!"

The veiled woman began twiddling her thumbs in what looked like embarrassment, but then Alcina chucked and placed a hand on Joseph's shoulder.

"Donna implanted part of her Cadou into Angie, which gave her her own consciousness and personality. She can be quite vocal, but I assure you she's harmless."

"Well, mostly harmless." The doll snickered.

The countess sighed.

"Don't take that too seriously. She just likes to mess around with people."

Joseph chuckled and shook his head.

"Man, Duke was right. This place is full of the unexpected."

"Oh, you've met Dukey! Isn't he the best?" Angie said

"He is a very nice guy, Angie." Joseph replied with a smile.

"I know right?! I don't think he has a single bad bone in his body."

Donna then walked over and picked Angie up.

"Ok Angie, we can talk later. We're late for Cassandra's physical therapy session as is."

The doll huffed and folded her arms.

"You're no fun, Don Don."

Don Don. That's adorable. Joseph thought as he chuckled.

"She's right though, Angie." He said. "Cassandra needs to do this so her leg can get better."

"Absolutely. The quicker I can get rid of this cane, the better." The brunette said.

"Aww. But you look so funny hobbling around with that thing." Angie teased.

"You…!"

Everyone laughed as Joseph walked behind his girlfriend and rubbed her shoulders.

"It's alright Cassie. It's all fun and games. Nothing to get yourself worked up over."

Cassandra sighed and smiled. Joseph somehow always managed to calm her down.

….

The physical therapy session was slow, but steady. Donna had Cassandra go through the movements several times to make sure her leg moved as close as it could before it had been injured, and it looked like things were indeed improving.

This made the brunette happy. She wanted to be able to run and climb and all the other things she used to do before she was attacked, but she felt hesitant to go hunting again. She felt…afraid? No that can't be. She wasn't afraid of anything. So why did she feel anxious thinking about it?

"You are progressing better than I hoped." Donna said. "At this rate, you'll be back to normal in about a week."

"Thank god." The brunette said with a smile.

She then looked lovingly towards Joseph.

"And that wouldn't be possible without him."

Her boyfriend blushed.

"Cassie, your family is watching…"

"My, you're easily flustered." Daniela giggled.

"Don't take advantage of that Daniela. Joseph doesn't need that." Her mother said.

Joseph shrugged.

"Nah, it's ok. I tease the girls a lot too, so it's only appropriate."

"Oh, you might change your mind once you've been around me! I'm the master of insults!" Angie said.

"Is that right?" Joseph said as he raised his eyebrow. "I take that as a challenge."

Alcina sighed.

"Joseph, is Cassandra's competitive nature rubbing off on you?"

Joseph chuckled and turned towards the Countess.

"Maybe, but it's okay to be competitive. Just as long as you don't get carried away."

Alcina let out another sigh.

"Well, if anyone can keep her in check…"

"Mother, he's my boyfriend, not my bodyguard!" Cassandra shouted.

"Why can't I be both?" Joseph asked. "I mean, haven't I already proven myself capable of protecting you?"

"You most certainly have, and you have unwavering kindness as well, which is why you have my blessing." Alcina said.

"Thank you Alcina. That means a lot to me." Joseph said.

Suddenly, he remembered something he wanted to do. He had heard a few times now that Donna was very shy and reclusive compared to Alcina, and The Duke had hinted that it could be due to a deformity that she had. He couldn't help but feel sorry for the lord. Nobody should have to be afraid to go out just because of how they look, and he was hoping that he could help her out with it.

He cautiously approached the veiled woman. He knew he had to be careful with what he said here.

"Donna, since we're done with Cassandra's physical therapy session, I want to ask you something. I understand that you wear this veil whenever you leave your home. Why is that? Is it something that you're nervous about?"

Donna suddenly got stiff. Joseph put his hand up.

"I'm sorry if this is personal. I just want to know so I can better understand your situation."

Donna was silent for a moment before she turned away.

"I…I would rather not talk about it." She almost whispered.

Bela then walked over to her Aunt and put her hand on her shoulder.

"It's ok, Aunt Donna. You can tell Joseph. He's been helping us get through our own insecurities. I have no doubt he can help you with yours too."

The veiled woman furiously shook her head.

"N-no, please! He w-wouldn't want to see my face!" She begged.

Joseph raised an eyebrow at this.

"Why? Is my head going to explode if I do?"

"P-please. I don't want to show you. I look ugly, and you would be afraid of me." Donna begged more quietly.

Joseph walked over and placed his hand on Donna's over shoulder.

"Donna, I know this is scary. Believe me I know, but you can't continue to hide your face in fear of what others may think, because it doesn't matter what they think. You are a person just like me and everyone else here, and you deserve to be treated like one. I don't know what is under that veil, but what I do know is that it won't change my view of you. I judge people for who they are on the inside, not the outside."

This seemed to have surprised the veiled woman. Was Joseph telling the truth? Would he really not judge her for her appearance? Slowly she looked up at him.

"You…you promise you won't hate me?"

Joseph smiled and shook his head.

"I promise you I won't. It's ok, Donna. Alcina trusts me, so you can trust me too."

Donna was hesitant at first, but Joseph had a point. He had helped Alcina and her daughters, so why would he not want to help her too?

Slowly she reached up and removed her veil to reveal her face. As it turned out, she had a beautiful face (though Joseph wouldn't say that in front of Cassandra). She had shiny black hair, similar to his own, with captivating hazel eyes, or one eye anyway. The most obvious feature was the tumor that covered her right eye. It was about the size of a tennis ball and was gray in color. Strangely, it looked like it had waving tentacles on it as well.

Donna thought for sure Joseph would be disgusted by her appearance, but he didn't even flinch. Instead, he reached out and lightly touched the mass.

"How long have you had this?" He asked.

"Since the Cadou implantation." She replied. "I look hideous, don't I?"

Daniela ran up to her.

"No, Aunt Donna! You're not hideous! You're just different, and it's ok to be different!"

Joseph gave a huge smile to the redhead.

"Exactly Daniela! You may be different, but you're still a human being just like us. So don't be afraid to be yourself. We're all weirdos here!"

Angie cackled.

"See Don Don? I told you it was fine, but did you listen? Nope! You never do!"

Donna tilted her head in confusion.

"How are you different?" She asked

"I have ADHD. It's a long story." Joseph replied.

"A story that we don't have to get into right now." Alcina interjected.

Joseph nodded to the Countess in appreciation. He'd rather not tell that story twice in one day.

Donna looked floored by his response. Not only did he not run in fear at the sight of her, but he acted like it was no big deal.

"Joseph…I don't know what to say. Thank you. You're the first person who isn't a lord to accept me." Donna choked.

Joseph smiled.

"Yeah, of course! Just because you're different doesn't mean you should be treated differently. You don't deserve that."

"Do you really think so?"

"Absolutely. It disgusts me how the common mass treats people like you poorly just because you are different. It's just wrong, and you deserve better. All you need is to be more confident in yourself. I know that's not easy, but it's absolutely worth it in the end. It makes you happy, and it makes you not really care about what others say to you, because it doesn't matter what they say. They don't know you, so screw them. And if you need any help, we are all here for you."

Donna was smiling now. She was in awe at Joseph's words.

"Group hug!" Daniela shouted.

"W-wait!" Donna tried to protest, but she already found herself embarrassed by Joseph and the Dimitrescu family. That broke the dam for her and she broke down in tears.

She had heard that Joseph was helping Alcina and the girls feel better about themselves, but she never thought he would do that with her too. Yet here he was, saying she had nothing to be afraid of and that she had people who supported her.

"Welcome to the weirdo club Aunt Donna." Cassandra said.

Joseph raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend.

"Is that what we're calling it?"

"Why not? We're all in the same boat here, and you can be our club president!" She said.

"Only if you agree to be president with me." Joseph said with a smile.

The brunette gave him a seductive smile.

"I know someone who's getting extra attention tonight."

"CASSANDRA!" Her mother gasped.

That got a good laugh out of everyone. Even Donna couldn't hold it in.