"I... goodness, my apologies Safa, i cannot apologize enough on Colin's behalf..." Penelope's pale face shyed away from Safa's disgruntled one.
"Apologizing on behalf of that coward? How fitting..." Safa replied despite Wolfgang's glare and Clara's unease.
"I...wholeheartedly believe Colin Meant you no harm...he is just, really bad at lending a helping hand." Penelope said.
"Oh dear pen it is not about the meaning behind his or Fabian's actions as much as it is about Their blatant disregard to my person." Safa's rebuttal seemed to have struck a guilty nerve in everyone.
"So what are...we to do now?" Clara asked, "We are to do nothing, that walking Ruby man will come seek this emerald, after all he did win the opportunity to court me, and I intend to keep my word on that part regardless of my engagement to your dear brother my clever assistant." Safa's smirk was far from reassuring, meanwhile Penelope was focused on the weird nickname Safa has set for Fabian, 'Ruby man'
"With all due respect Safa..." Wolfgang spoke-up, "I don't think... it's the right choice to keep your promise..."
Penelope and Clara's eyes widened at his words, safa was intrigued, "Why is that Wolfie?"
"After much thought...I feel like this is heading the same way it did with the other Ruby like man..." Wolfgang replied earning a strange look from Penelope, while Clara quickly connected the dots, Wolfgang was trying to secretly say that Safa and Fabian are a repeat of Safa and Boyang.
"The other Ruby like man? There's another gentleman that goes by that nickname? I doubt you speak of James..." The confused esteemed writer questioned.
"Wolfgang...I am surprised you are mentioning that man." Safa wondered.
"I may hate his guts for being so harsh on you during you last encounter...but I do hold you accountable for his departure, and I can tell you are about to torture Fabian the way you did that unfortunate man." Wolfgang replied.
"You are yet again overstepping your limits..."
"Forgive me Safa, but i know you like the back of my hand."
"You do not have the right to judge My love life, you barely are succeeding in yours, and it was mostly luck and Clara's help."
"Well at least, I did it...I have a love life!"
"You know damn well why I am like this!" Safa rose angrily to her feet, Penelope and clara watched worriedly, the poor cat who was on Safa's lap, hurried to hide under her skirt as she stood.
"Yes and it's your damn bloody fault for god's sake woman! Even With all your insanity, men still fall for you, and each time they are a hopeless romantic who would die on a hill for you, yet you are so scared of tumbling down the hill to try and climb it!" Wolfgang replied, "To be held...loved and worshiped body and soul by someone else. There are far worse fates than that milady!"
Safa stood there stunned, "What...has gotten into you wolf..."
"If you're going to let Fabian court you so you can torture him...then don't, please don't stoop any lower..." Wolfgang replied looking down.
"Poor wolf..." Clara mumbled.
"I...know it's not my place to speak on the matter but...Safa, you are an incredible person, i would hate to see you put aside all of that just for pettiness..." Penelope with kind eyes and a kinder smile, added.
Sighing, "Ugh..how annoying....fine...I shall cut the boy some slack...I will allow him a fair chance to court me without much antics, but I will not apologize about our last encounter if that is your goal." Safa restlessly gave in.
Everyone else was now smiling, "Atta girl! That's all I want to hear!" Wolfgang said hugging her, Penelope was a little surprised to see Wolfgang casually hug Safa but she quickly shrugged it.
"Perhaps now we can discuss chaperone options then?" Clara suggested.
Sitting back down, safa eyed her with a little reluctance, Acacius climbing back to her lap."Chaperone...how unpleasant, the last I need is a mama figure to watch Fabian helplessly fumbles as he attempts to charm me."
"Perhaps a mama figure is not what you want but it is what you need." Wolfgang chimed in.
"Then I suggest Gertrude!" Penelope said, "Gertie would be amazing!" Clara nodded.
"No, Gertrude is very much on Safa's side, she would be unfair and obstructive to Fabian." Wolfgang replied.
"And how is that a bad thing?" Safa questioned, "We need someone who is wise, respectful, understanding and with a sense of justice, someone who is somewhat fair to both sides at the same time, who wouldn't be too intrusive...or intimidating...and most importantly young or at least around your age Safa." Wolfgang explained.
"Lady Danbury is out of the question, so who else can be your chaperone? Do we enlist a random person?" Clara asked.
"That wouldn't be a bad idea, a random person would be a fair and rather distant chaperone." Penelope said.
"I know who will be perfect!" Wolfgang spoke-up excitedly, "Who?" The girls asked in unison.
"Mary!"
"WHO?!?"
...Few hours later...
"Wolfgang!" Joey was surprised to see Wolfgang in his neighborhood, "How is life treating you Joey, I hope you are putting the reward milady gave you in good use." Wolfgang replied.
Smiling, "I can't thank you and your lady enough, the money has helped me prepare for My upcoming wedding...I got Mary a ring." Joey said.
Smiling back, "Atta boy! Congratulations."
Sighing, "Wolf I want to...apologize about refusing to work for your lady and the whole Clara thing...I also feel guilty about James." Joey admitted, "Well lucky you, everything is working great, Clara and James are now publicly a family, and he also apologized and feels sorry towards you." Wolfgang replied.
"That's a relief...so what are you doing in Southwark...?"
"I'm actually looking for your lady, my lady has an opportunity for her."
"You mean work?"
"My lady is being courted for the first time, she wants a person with noble, humble and especially kind qualities to oversee her interactions with the gentleman courting her, also milady hates older women...Anyhow...you spoke highly of Mary! so I hope you'd help me ask her, we are planning to financially compensate her of course...and Milady even promised to let you two have your wedding in her mansion free of charge, as a gift."
Joseph's Jaw was on the ground, "Oh good god, Wait Here...i will...*gulps*...find Mary!" He said dashing out of his work to run down the street despite his boss's confused yell.
...Meanwhile...
"I see young Mister Bridgerton has already left...so what did you buy?" Gertrude asked, she wouldn't have noticed that Fabian has slithered back into his workshop hadn't she pass by it out of curiosity.
"Gertie...hello there and No...I had yet to buy anything, in fact I got an idea on what to make Safa, it shall not require much effort and spending but I hope the thought behind it will emphasize my apology more than money can..." Fabian replied, his gloved hands worked diligently together as he carved at a piece of wood.
"Tehehe...look at you, you're head over heels young master..."
"Funny miss Gertie, *sighing* It is just...well...Safa, she is unusual, and I love the unusual."
"Well often opposites attract, but nothing beats being with someone who is like you in a way, someone that understands you, at least someone who is as unusual as you are."
"Exactly..."
"So what are you making young master?"
"I am trying to make a gift for Safa's cat."
Surprised, "Oh how clever, nothing like spoiling a pet to charm its human." She replied giggling.
"I figured the kitten is a new addition in Safa's life, seems like she cared for plants more than any other living being. She might not be aware how a cat can be quite the task. I used to play with lots of street cats when I was a child, not much to do when you are a hungry kid with no money or Friends...cats liked to jump around me, they would gently bite at my arms and scratch at my hair and clothes." He said fondly.
Her eyes softened, "Kittens especially are very energetic, I believe Acacius is a newborn kitten?" Gertrude said.
"From what I understood, he is a young one."
"Hopefully Safa will see your good intentions Young master."
"Hopefully... Gertie..."
Sighing contendly, "I will leave you to your work then, but I do expect you by the table when dinner is served." She said, "Yes ma'am!" He replied enthusiastically.
*Also, Meanwhile*
"Pen!"
"Colin...I went to see Safa today."
The color drained from Colin's face, he had yet to sit on the chair across from Penelope when she told him about her trip today. "Ah... Pen I can explain...I know Safa might've told you something..."
"No need to explains yes she did... I am not angry but very much disappointed especially in you." She replied.
"Pen... My love..." He said sighing, "Fabian and i are working on fixing the situation, I promise you."
"I should hope so!...but it seems Safa might forgive you and Fabian sooner than you might think..."
"Oh? She said something? I assume."
"Well you two must apologize as soon as possible but yes...there was something she said that I would consider hope for the future." Penelope replied with a small smile.
...Some time later...
"Wolf!...were you out...?" James was surprised to see Wolfgang seemingly returning to the mansion around the same time he was.
"James!...Oh yes! Well it's a Tuesday so I can go out without worries over the girls, although it's a good thing I'm back right at sunset, the servants must be eager to leave already." Wolfgang said smiling, "As for what business I had on the outside, Milady had me deal with something, So come inside I'll tell you everything! We can have the kitchen for ourselves." He said dragging James into the mansion and to the kitchen.
"Stay here, I'll go talk to Safa first, meanwhile help yourself to some food, I know you must be hungry."
"How did you know I'm hungry Wolf?"
Giggling like a little boy, the burly man just winked and walked away, confusing James even further.
"Huh... alright... let's see if I can find some fruits... What an odd Tuesday..." James mumbled looking through the kitchen by himself since the servants were now packing and leaving for the day.
...Am hour later...
"And that's what happened while you were away." Wolfgang explained.
James munching on an apple, nodded unsure of what he should feel about all of this, "At least Clara got to have a moment of peace admiring Safa's lab..." He mumbling full mouth.
"It's a secret and Safa will probably eat me alive if I tell you, so don't go around opening your mouth, but I think Safa and Clara spoke about Safa's first love, or at least I think Safa must've told Clara ina moment of girl talk..." Wolfgang said out of nowhere making James chokeon a chunk of the fruit.
Worried, Wolfgang rushed to pour him water, "Drink! Hurry!...are you alright??"
"FIRST LOVE ARE BLOODY KIDDING ME THAT ICE QUEEN FELL IN LOVE BEFORE?!" James shouted so loud, Denver the dog who as going into the kitchen to find his papa, ran out scared.
"Ice queen? Safa is so loving and warm what are you talking about?" Wolfgang replied.
"You mean the same woman who eat you alive."
"Well Safa can be scary and mean...but she's a woman...with a heart..."
"Wolf, start talking now. Who's this first love and does he has anything to do with the miserable life of your beloved ice queen?" James said in a demanding serious tone, leaving no room for negotiation.