After getting better, Libitina wanted to repay the Merveilles for taking care of her. Hence, she secretly asked Anne, the kitchen maid, to lend her the kitchen for the night, and in the morning, on the coffee table lay her surprise for the couple: a lemon cake.
"Alisa, Gregory…could I speak to you for a moment?"
Alisa and Gregory sat opposite her on the sofa, glancing at her suspiciously. "Lina, did something happen? Did someone here mistreat you?"
"No, nothing of that sort. Everyone here has been extremely nice to me."
"Then, what's the matter?"
"I would like to ask what you think…of hiring me here?"
Alisa and Gregory's surprise were apparent on their faces.
Libitina quickly elaborated. "I am a skilful person who can read and write. I know how to manage personal relations and I am useful for simple tasks as long as you give me the proper lessons and guidance. Please, allow me to work here, and I guarantee you won't regret it!"
Libitina bowed as low as she could in her sitting position and waited for the verdict.
The couple was silent before she heard Alisa speak. "Lina, what is this strange food on the table?"
Libitina quickly looked up and introduced the lemon cake. "It's made from the essence of the lemon fruit and is called a sponge cake. The ingredients are flour, lemon juice, eggs, sugar, cream, biscuits and butter. Please, try it." She diligently served each of the couple a slice of yellow cake.
Alisa cautiously used her fork to cut down on the dessert and place it in her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Lina, this is delicious!"
Gregory quickly followed up. "Wow!"
Libitina smiled nervously as she watched them enjoy the cake.
Finally, Alisa finished her slice and put her plate down on the table. Libitina knew the time had arrived.
"Lina."
"Yes."
"Since you want to work here, Gregory and I are more than open to that idea," Alisa exchanged a glance with Gregory, her lips twitching. "But we prefer to sign a contract with you."
She waved her hand at the young butler Tristan who brought over a tray. On the tray was a thin piece of document which Alisa took and place on the table.
"Yes, a contract would be good."
"Here you go. Read the terms."
The couple was amused as they watch Libitina's face change from one of determination to confusion and shock as she read the contract. After a few minutes, Libitina bit her lips hard.
"This…This!"
"Well, what do you think?"
Before Gregory even finished his line, Libitina's tears had started falling as she trembled with sobs.
"Oh dear, darling," Alisa cried in partial shock and the both of them swiftly moved to sit beside the young girl with teary brown eyes. Alisa brought Libitina into her arms and soothingly caress her back, while Gregory hugged the two women gently. "Shh, shh, it's okay."
"Why? Why are you willing to do this for me?" Libitina blubbered.
"Well," Alisa grinned at her husband who grinned back, "We were also observing you throughout this time, Lina. We saw how you desperately clawed out of your depression after the incident, forcing yourself to accept our touches and attempts to feed you. We saw your determination in walking again when you practiced until you collapsed, and the doctor had to scold you. We saw your wonder at the world, something so scarce in our household, when you look at things in curiosity and tried your best to help out around the household, even though you were still carrying your own wounds."
"We hear the stories our people told us too. That you have been very kind, although you don't smile much. They like you a lot you know, even though their mouths are a little sharp," Gregory added, his eyes wrinkling, "You don't have to be so afraid of interacting with them so much."
Behind him, Libitina saw Tristan smile kindly at her in acknowledgement.
"We know how hard it is to find hope when you have fallen before," Alisa looked at Libitina gently. "Looking at you made us remember what being alive and hopeful could be, especially after we lost someone dear to us. We thought, that perhaps the three of us, Gregory, you, and me, could help each other walk out of the darkness together…
"Libitina, won't you be our daughter?"