happilyeverbeginning | were you just being kind / or am i losing my mind (scrooge x magica)

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were you just being kind / or am i losing my mind (scrooge x magica)

Lord Scrooge had been gone for five years, and at last had returned to the fair country even richer than before. Many rumors were buzzing about what transpired overseas, and what prompted his return. No doubt it was because his nephew was at the right time to marry, and he definitely wanted his assets in good hands. A welcome part of sorts was thrown together, despite Scrooge detesting such affairs.

The ball was in full swing by the time Magica and her brother arrived, him jabbering away about nonsense she couldn't care about. Her mind was elsewhere - it felt like an eternity since she'd last seen Lord Scrooge, and she had hoped her burning feelings for him were gone. Yet here she was, dressed to the nines, her heart racing. Would she see him as the adult woman she was now - or still as a child? She could never hope to win his heart. The sooner she moved on, the better.

She told herself she could change her heart, and for a good moment, honestly believed it. There were many eligible bachelors here tonight, many good in coin as they were in manners. But her eyes scoured the room, and the moment she spotted Scrooge from a distance, her chest seized, and all those awful feelings rushed back more intense than ever.

All the confidence she had died instantly - she didn't feel like a woman anymore, but like the little girl she used to be when she first met him...

... Back when she was first learning to play the piano, and detested it. Her patience was growing thin, and she held back a grumble, glaring at the keys, as if it was their fault she played so badly.

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Donald let out a sigh of relief once Scrooge's back was to him. This had been a very awkward talk, and one Donald hoped to never revisit, but it had been worth it to restore Scrooge to his usual self. He could only hope things would be patched up so easily, but he sincerely doubted it.

"And maybe pick up some anatomy books along the way..." He muttered under his breath.

As luck would have it, Glomgold was at Magica's home today to further discuss the dowry - he intended to bleed the family dry. Fethry was uncomfortable with the whole idea, but Magica's mother was willing to pay any price, foolishly thinking she'd get ten times the income back once the marriage had begun. Magica herself got ill at these discussions and went to her room, needing air.

Suffice to say, nobody was expecting visitors. So when Scrooge and Donald's presence were announced, Magica's mother was quick to greet them, albeit nervously.

"Lord Scrooge de Bourgh! A pleasure, I'm always... I'm afraid we're in the middle of something very delicate, so we don't exactly have time to entertain guests..."

Off in the background, Glomgold was smirking. Was it possible he had some idea about the relationship between Magica and Scrooge - and that's why he was here?

"Don't trouble yourself, madame. I'm just here to congratulate the couple."
He smiled skilfully, nobody but Donald could have said that he was boiling with rage inside. Donald and of course.... Magica, who knew him better than anyone.

Scrooge looked around, "Where is the happy bride? As her former mentor, I would like to congratulate her in particular, of course."

His look struck the mother like a hammer blow.

"I had to hear about the happy event from my nephew, I assume my own invitation was lost...?"

"You have no business here Lord de Bourgh. My bride does not wish to see anyone!" Glomgold now interfered with a mocking look. But Scrooge was not misled.

"Tsts, my dearest Glomgold. This house does not yet belong to you. I came to talk to Lady Magica and so she's the only one who can "ask" me to leave again."

How could this scumbag have managed to get Magica to do it? What was he holding against her? He had to find out.

Donald inched a bit away from Scrooge. His Uncle's temper was infamous, and he didn't want to be in the line of fire.

Magica's mother hesitated before speaking. "She said she wasn't feeling well... You know how it is, every bride gets a little nervous before the big day. She's in her room, getting some rest, and probably doesn't want to be disturbed."

Donald let out a snort - as if something like that would stop Scrooge. "Probably isn't definitely... go ahead, Uncle, I'll keep the family company." In other words, he'd stay back and make sure no one interfered, as best as he could.

His smile was so well trained that even Magicas mother got soft knees at the sight.
"I will pay my respects to the lady. She should decide herself if she receives me".
He nodded Glomgold full of friendliness and disappeared completely relaxed in the direction of Magicas room.

But as soon as he was out of sight, his gaze became serious. He breathed deeply.

What followed was probably the most difficult thing he ever had to cope with in his life.

After he had himself reasonably under control, he knocked on her room door.
"Magica...?" He started a little hesitantly. The bad conscience that he had hidden behind a door in front of her gave him a sting. Just don't give up now.
"Please... I know it's at least a month too late and I don't expect you to ever forgive me..."

Yes, he was willing to accept anything. After all, it was all his fault that things had gone so bad.

"...But I would like to talk to you... I was an idiot..."

He leaned his forehead against the door.

An idiot on so many levels.

A moment of silence passed - it could have felt like an eternity. There was a distant sound of shuffling. Then - slowly, very slowly - the door opened.

Magica was much thinner now, no doubt due to what Donald had said about her lack of an appetite. There were bags under her eyes from restless nights, and the eyes themselves were red from many tears. But she clutched the front of her dress, glaring at him.

"Why are you here?" She asked, her voice angry but tired. "Did you want to warn Sir Glomgold he's not marrying a virgin?" She almost spat the name, full of spite and bitterness.

She wanted to hold Scrooge and be held by him, to return to his mansion and be loved - but she couldn't forgo the pain that easily. She was a proud woman, and couldn't be won over that easily. She too had her own fears, or being hurt again by the man she loved.

He got startled when he saw her. So thin, so exhausted but nevertheless beautiful. And everything was his fault. How he would have loved to just hold her, but he knew that was not an option. Not with a woman like Magica who was as proud and beautiful as an open flame.

His hands twitched as if he wanted to stretch them towards her but he held back.

He couldn't make a better sight than her. He, too, had hardly eaten or slept in the past month and it was only thanks to his professionalism that neither her mother nor Glomgold had noticed.

But he didn't have to hide from Magica. Her words gave him a sting, but she had earned every right to bitterness. Carefully he began to speak again.

"I honestly don't know how to explain everything to you. If you want to hear my words at all. I'm not going to stand in your way if you really want to marry Glomgold..." Over his lips as well, the name only came with disgust.

"Where should I start? From the beginning I had a bad conscience that I felt attracted to you. To you who was my pupil from childhood. But as ashamed as I was of it, as forbidden it seemed to me. I was too weak, I couldn't prevent myself from falling in love with you..."

Neither could he prevent that he would love her forever.

"But it all began with my latent bad conscience..."
He looked into her eyes all the while. It was really time that he was courageous again. He took a break to give her the chance to slam the door in his face if she didn't want to hear anymore.

Magica crossed her arms, and her fingers were tight on her dress. At the mention of marriage, she looked away - there was no love there, no desire. As Scrooge went on, she lightly trembled, as if it was taking all the strength she had not to cry.

"You said you loved me, over and over... the things I've been wanting to hear since I was a little girl... those days in the mansion were the happiest I'd ever been in my whole life. I finally felt like your equal!"

She bit down on her lower lip to make sure no pathetic whimpers would escape. "And just as I gave you everything... you looked at me with disgust, and threw me out like I was some common whore!" She choked the words out, turning her back towards him. She didn't want him to see her cry and break down. She had nothing now, not even her pride.

"Was I really so wrong... to want to share your bed?"

"What?"

Escaped him with complete amazement. No really, WHAT? What was she talking about?

She had it all completely wrong. He had tried to protect her from himself, but instead she thought he had only used her to satisfy his desire. How had his actions done the complete opposite? He swore here and now never to remain silent again when he was unsure of something. Not when it concerned Magica.

"My God Magica, that came across completely wrong... really..."
He couldn't get around telling her about his naivety if he wanted to make it clear to her. He wanted to sink into the ground with shame, but it had to come out.

"I know you always thought as a child that I was practically a source of endless knowledge and experience but in reality..."
He swallowed hard, that was the most unpleasant moment of his life, right now and here...

"Until I met you, other people only interested me when they made a profit for me. I only had business partners, no real friends and there was no one left of my family except Donald... Despite my many journeys and business, I have always led a dark life of loneliness, which only you could enlighten".

Very carefully he put one hand on her shoulder.

"I was all the less interested in physical contact with others until I saw you again at the ball. My dearest and closest confidante who had grown into a beautiful flower..."

His cheeks glowed with shame, good that she turned her back to him.
"To cut a long story short, I had no idea what would happen when... two people unite. You were far ahead of me..."

So, now it was out. If she laughed at him now, it served him right. But at least it would bring her a little joy, he hoped.

Slowly, he turned her around to himself. He hardly dared to touch her, he was so ashamed of everything that had happened.

"I heard you scream, saw that you had pain, that you even bled..." If possible his cheeks flamed even redder after Donald had outright elucidated him, he felt quite ridiculous.

"I thought I was a monster because I did this to you. My guilty conscience, which I had always suppressed, made me completely lose control. All I could think about was protecting you from me. I wanted you to be safe, I honestly believed I did something terrible to you and when you wanted to let it happen a fuse blew completely inside me. My worst fears that you were only giving yourself to me because I was your tutor and savior seemed confirmed..."

In his gaze lay an endless sadness. "So I was ready to let you go forever, never to see you again as long as you were free from me. For you are all that matters to me..."

He had to close his eyes for a moment not to cry.

"I love you Magica. And I did everything wrong because I was too afraid to talk about what I don't understand..."

Magica refused to look at him, sniffling as the story went on. But then her eyes widened. Was he making some awful joke? Or was he really admitting that... he didn't know...?

How was that even possible, at his age? Her body now shook hard with despair and anger, and soon she couldn't contain it anymore. Her feelings which had been kept inside were about to burst.

"You... you... you... you idiot!" She beat her fists against his chest, but they contained no real strength. It was almost like hitting a pillow. She needed a way to vent. "I thought you hated me! You let me think I was a harlot! Idiot! Fool! Moron!" She continued to hit him and insult him as tears rolled down her face, until she collapsed into him, sobbing against his chest.

In that moment she clung to him, not wanting to ever let him go again. "I wanted to be your wife... I wanted to be yours..."

Happily he let the wave of insults pass over him. "I am all that and more..." He confirmed to her when his arms automatically closed around her petite figure.

"The days with you were also for me the most beautiful of my life and to be so close to you was... simply indescribable. Believe me, I wanted to touch you, wanted to do everything with you... up to this point where I thought to harm you..."

He embraced her a little tighter, he never wanted to let her go again. "Do you think you can forgive an old idiot like me? I promise you, I will never remain silent again! Because Magica..."

He pushed her away slightly and gently wiped a few tears from her eyes. "I love you and it would be my greatest honour if you wanted to become my wife... If you love me too. You... you never said it but... I may hope that it is so? Or at least it was once..."

He took her hand on which Glomgolds Rings was and removed it from her finger.
"How did that happen? Or, let me put it another way: What is he holding against you? I know this greyhound, I know that he would stop at nothing to pile up more money to out-trump me one day."

If only things could be that simple, like those sappy love novels she once glimpsed through as a young woman. She wanted to say she loved him, that she wanted to wear his ring, that she wanted to be with him forever... but these things couldn't be. She tried to take the ring back, as much as she hated it.

Of course Scrooge knew the truth - while he was an idiot about the body, he knew plenty about people. He was clever like that, one of the reasons she adored him. "...I have to marry him." She said quietly, pained. "... He found out a secret about my mother... and myself. If it gets out... my entire family will be ruined. We'll be outcasts, no one will ever trust us or help us again... it'll even put Fethry's own marriage in danger."

Her fingers closed around the ring, painful as it was. She almost thought she'd rather die than to be Glomgold's wife, but she couldn't do that to her family.

"I'm... Glomgold, he... he found out... I'm not my father's daughter. That's why I have this hair that's so different than them..." The words stung in her mouth, and she held herself, still upset at the idea that she wasn't a real member of this family. "If this comes out, we'll be forever shamed."

Well, she wasn't ready to answer as long as this disaster was on her. It was so typical of Glomgold. It was practically his life to bring the weaknesses of others to light and blackmail them with it. So he had made his fortune in the first place. But since he was highly regarded by society, his victims could not file a suit against him and pay. Only this time he had not only money in mind but Magica. Probably it was clear to him how he felt for her.
He didn't let her take the ring back.

"Listen to me Magica, I will not let you marry him against your will. I may be a naive idiot for love, but this is my battlefield! The only way to stop Glomgold is to take away his own reputation and wealth so that no one will believe him anymore."

He kissed her hand "You and your family, on the other hand, still enjoy the reputation of being in close contact with me, Lord Scrooge de Bourgh. We will destroy Glomgold. Together, I promise you."

He held her slightly by the hip, he wanted to kiss her, but he didn't dare. He lovingly stroked her cheek. He was so happy that not everything was lost. Glomgold's annihilation would be a challenge, but not one he was afraid of.

"Only one thing, Magica. When we've done all that, please tell me openly and honestly how you feel about me. Be it just once. I would like to hear it from you yourself". He put his forehead to hers.

"And as for me, I don't care who your father or mother is, even if you were of the lowest rank, as long as your personality is the same. I love you!

Magica inhaled sharply. Scrooge and Glomgold had been competitors for years, but it had never gone this far. Was he really going to bring down one of the most powerful men in all of England, for her? It wouldn't be easy... Glomgold was a vicious man, and he would do all in his power to drag down everyone with him. It was possible Scrooge wouldn't get out of his unscathed.

Yet... she doubted any words of warning would be heard. Scrooge was a stubborn, determined fool - and another thing she admired about him. He would see this through to the end, come hell or high water.

She closed her eyes as he felt his skin on hers, grateful for his touch. Her aching body finally felt calm. New tears were on her cheeks, but not the hysterical sobbing from before - cool, calm, collected tears of relief. "I'll tell you everything," she murmured, wishing she could stay like this forever. "I give you my word."

She wanted to kiss him, wanted to embrace him, but couldn't afford to be seen by her family, or worse, Glomgold. She leaned over and kissed his cheek softly, hoping it would give him the strength he'd need for this difficult war ahead. "Be careful... we both know Flintheart won't show any mercy. No matter what he does to me... don't stop trying. I will endure, I promise you."

He closed his eyes for a moment and enjoyed the feeling of her lips on his skin. They could not allow themselves more in the given situation even if he wanted to kiss her endlessly.

"There's no way I'm gonna leave you in the clutches of this monster! Only the imagination he could touch you..."

He shook himself, no never!

His gaze fell on the abominable ring again, he paused briefly, then a sneaky grin spread across his face. "A cheater through and through as I see, he didn't even think it necessary to give you a ring of real gold."

He kept the thought for himself, that Glomgold presumably thought the effort was not worthwhile, since he intended to get rid of the bride as soon as possible anyway. He didn't want to frighten Magica any more.

"This will be a first, small blow against his credibility! But of course he will find an excuse. Unfortunately I have to ask you to bear his presence on your property. I will immediately investigate how he got the information. So to be exact, I'll secretly break into his house as long as he's here.

But please, don't be alone at any time! Ask your brother to stay with you. Blame it on the fact that you are too excited alone! Unfortunately Donald has to come with me and stand guard. If one catches me, we have already lost..."

Calming he looked into her eyes. "But don't worry about me. To be a master of the martial arts is surprisingly practical when it comes to such undertakings. It really isn't the first time that I secretly enter somewhere. Also my ways were not always quite loud... but no comparison to Glomgold and I have never harmed anyone innocent!"

Magica blinked at the ring - she hadn't given it too much thought, as she despised it. But was it really not gold? She stared at it, and then looked away. "Unbelievable... he's so cheap he couldn't get me a real ring? He's lucky I don't shove it down his throat."

There was the real Magica, alive again, vindictive and strong. She faced Scrooge as he explained his plan, and of course she was worried about all the ways it could go wrong. But if Scrooge was willing to fight, so she was she. She wouldn't be a helpless prisoner anymore.

"I can play my part... as a high-society woman, I'm used to wearing many masks. Those idiots will believe anything I tell them... and Fethry... he can be foolish, but he is my brother, and he will want to help me." Deep down, she did love her brother, and he loved her too. While she wouldn't reveal the truth to her sibling, she knew she could rely on him. "He'll help us out however he can."

And at last... she smiled. A real, genuine, honest one, one she hadn't worn since she was in Scrooge's mansion.

"... I have faith in you, Scrooge. You know better than to disappoint me again." A small smirk, like her classic self.

Scrooge was sure that Magica would accomplish her part of the task without any problems. She was proud and strong, she was HIS Magica.
It filled his heart with so much joy to see her smile again. He would do anything for this reward.
He was about to leave the room when he heard her last words and turned to her again.

For a short moment he didn't care about the risk they took. He grasped her hand to kiss it and looked deep into her eyes doing so.

"I promise you I will never disappoint you again, not in any way. When we are reunited I will give you everything you have always longed for, everything you desire..." For a moment his eyes became dark and a mischievous smile played on his lips as he looked further deep into her eyes. "You know, I learn very quickly..."

He winked cheekily at her before letting go of her hand and facing the task that lay ahead of him.

No, the next time he lay with Magica she would only scream with pleasure. Scrooge de Bourgh learned from his mistakes and then perfected his skills! No matter what it was about!

There was a short turmoil when Scrooge explained the fake ring to those present. Of course Glomgold skillfully turned out of the noose, but of course the ring wasn't real. The real one had just been forged by the country's best goldsmith and will be presented at the wedding. Had he failed to inform his bride? TsTs. Of course it wasn't that easy to bust him...

Scrooge caught Magica's mother's eye as she bit her lips. He hoped she would quickly realize that she couldn't just leave Magica to the first person. No matter at what price.

On the way back he explained to his nephew what had happened, that everything between him and Magica would come clean again and about the task that lay ahead of him.

The rest of the trip Donald couldn't close his mouth again.

They would start the operation at midnight, witching hour. Scrooge smiled because this name reminded him of Magica, she might not be a real witch, but she was definitely magical.

While Scrooge investigated matters on his own, Magica had her own role to play. In front of Glomgold and her parents, she was the quiet shy bride, keeping to herself and not making a fuss. Eventually she managed to confide in Fethry - he didn't know the whole truth, but he knew enough where he could help. He couldn't stay at Magica's side 24/7, as he had his own wife to attend to, but he was able to stall when need be.

Magica decided to do some work on her own. With her parents distracted, she dug into their offices to see if they had any proof of the affair. It took some time, but Magica eventually found letters her mother and the "mystery man" had sent one another. But upon closer inspection... something didn't seem right.

The dates didn't match at all with Magica's birth... and the handwriting was very similar. She wasn't an expert on such matters, but she had a suspicion these letters were fake. If so, why? Why go through all the trouble to make them? She'd have to keep an eye on these and see what other clues she could dig up.

Until then... nothing left to do, but hope for Scrooge's safety.

In the end, he hadn't taken Donald with him after all. It was just too risky. His nephew had just got married and getting caught would mean that he would be dishonored forever. Moreover, Donald had no experience in sneaking and hiding or, if necessary, in fighting.

For a moment Scrooge thought that Magica had to sleep practically alone with Glomgold under one roof. Fortunately, the latter couldn't afford to get too close to her before the wedding with her mother and brother present. Separate rooms were the norm.

Scrooge turned red when he thought of what forbidden terrain he and Magica had already entered. No matter how it turned out...

He missed her closeness so much. The tender hugs and kisses more than anything. He just had to make it.

For his mission he only wore a black shirt instead of his fancy jacket. He needed freedom of movement.

With a hairpin he had received from Magica, he easily entered the house and finally the study. The building was completely quiet, the servants were in bed for a long time without their master.

Of course there was a safe in the study, but Scrooge didn't have that much talent for burglars. Besides, Glomgold wasn't stupid. He knew exactly that the best place to hide important things was where no one would suspect them, and that was very conspicuous and in the open.

And yes, in an stack of ordinary letters he found a few very compromising documents. Replies from victims to his threatening letters. A proof of his blackmail.

Scrooge was sure that if he could get a search warrant, the vault would contain the evidence Glomgold held against his victims.
When he carefully looked through the letters, he noticed one of Magica's mothers among them. It was only a short letter but he became hot with anger as he read it:
"You can have my daughter, I'll pay any price as long as I get the man I love."

Magicas unknown father was therefore more important to this woman than her valuable daughter. A father who didn't dare to stand with his family. It was time to get Magica away from this woman...

With his find he sneaked out of the house again. Early the next morning he was already standing in front of the police station. Now it paid off to be Lord Scrooge de Bourgh, who one did not dare to question.
The detectives found everything he needed to expose Glomgold. Only one thing was not found. Proof that Magica wasn't her father's daughter... Scrooge was very excited about the success but also confused.

Was there more to it?

On the day of the engagement party, many wealthy families were invited for the big celebration. Glomgold was bragging about his success as everyone congratulated him. Magica was quietly sitting at one table, drinking a small glass of wine. She had managed to put a few pieces together in her mind, but wasn't ready to go forward yet. Not until Scrooge had enacted his part of the plan... she hoped it would be soon.

There was another cheer, and the clinking of glasses.

Glomgold pulled Magica to her feet, one hand on her hip, raising his glass. "...And of course, you're all invited to the wedding! I'll be expecting to see every last one of you there. I can't think of anything better than to spend the rest of my life with this beautiful woman."

Magica wore a fake smile. She sincerely doubted he meant a word of it, and she held down an urge to slap him senseless. She swallowed her bile, waiting for her knight in shining armor to arrive.

She heard the thunder of footsteps near the door, and smirked. Speak of the devil. "Actually..." She said as she pried Glomgold's hand off of her. "I can imagine something better... and I think he just arrived."

With an energetic gesture, Scrooge pushed open the large hinged doors to the hall. Behind him, a handful of the most capable policemen the place had to show.

"Get your hands off her!"

Was the first thing he said when he discovered Glomgold. Just the fact that this creep stood so close to her was bad enough, but to touch her?!?
Then he turned to everyone else in the room.

"I have urgent evidence to present that Flintheart Glomgold made his fortune solely through his blackmailing activities. His last victim is Lady Magica Bingpap, whom he now tries to force to marry against her will. We cannot tolerate such disgraceful behavior in our noble society."

He nodded to the policeman and they seized the completely horrified billionaire to drag him to the police station.

"You can keep the ring Flinty." Scrooge fluted to him when he was dragged past him.

Glomgold's head glowed with rage. "You'll pay for this de Bourgh, you and that whore!" Flintheart's gaze fell on Magica.
"Do you think I don't know how she threw herself at you? I hope you don't pay her too much for sleeping with you, I bet she already let everyone in this village into her bed!"

Glomgold has always been prone to escalation.

Scrooge wouldn't care if he blasphemed about himself but to humiliate Magica? A woman who saved herself for the man she loved?

"Oh, as for Lady Magica..."
Esteemingly calm, Scrooge walked towards her, kneeled down before her and took her hand.

"I almost wish Mr. Glomgold's words about you throwing yourselves at me were true. I've been taking a shine to you for many years, you've always been my closest confidante."

He kissed her hand tenderly and looked into her eyes with love.
"My heart belongs completely to you. I love you, Lady Magica! Would you honour me and become my wife?"

From his jacket he took out a small box and opened it.
Inside was a beautiful golden ring in the shape of a feather, at the end of which a flawless ruby was worked in.
Of course made of real gold!

The party-goers gasped and whispered. Glomgold's illegal doings had been rumors for years, but no one was powerful or brave enough to try and take him down! Magica smirked as she saw Glomgold being dragged away - his petty insults meant nothing to her now. She was free.

With dignity and grace, she calmly ignored the vile thrown at her, and smiled at Scrooge. Again, the crowd around them was thrown into shock - Scrooge, proposing?! To a woman less than half his age?! It was insane! Magica's mother stormed off in a rage. Fethry, on the other hand, went wild with applause - his sister got the man she always wanted! Sure, he wasn't quite sure what just happened... but to him, it was a happily ever after.

"My my, what an exciting turn of events." Magica said casually, as if she had nothing to do with Glomgold's fall. "It would have been a shame to waste this party... you really are cheap, Scrooge, to take over someone else's engagement party so you wouldn't have to spend one for yourself."

The real Magica was alive and well again - catty, petty, and not afraid to share what she really thought. She would never have to hide her real feelings and thoughts again. Scrooge had freed her in more ways than one.

But she was happy... genuinely, completely happy. Her lifelong dream had been achieved, and she'd heard the words she'd dreamed about for years. "Lord Scrooge de Bourgh... you're a stubborn old fool, and a know-it-all who couldn't bother to learn the most important things until it was too late. Obviously, someone needs to be by your side to keep your head on straight and make sure you don't run yourself into ruin."

With that, she squeezed his hand. "Fortunately for you... a woman with such patience and intelligence stands before you. Of course, it takes more than that to make a marriage work... you need a woman who will love someone as crazy and ridiculous as you. At least you seem to be lucky there..."

She faced him fully, unafraid. "Because I love you, Scrooge. And I accept your proposal without hesitation."

He had already heard of the saying that one could almost burst with happiness. Now he had the proof.
He stood up again and seized Magica into his arms.

"And you, my dear, need such a stubborn, reckless old fool who is not afraid to take on your fire. Someone wise enough to quench your irrepressible thirst for knowledge. Someone who will not be consumed by your passion but will ignite it even more. Someone strong enough to hold you protectively in his arms when you are weak."

With these words he lifted her up and kissed her tenderly.

How he had missed this taste, this feeling of her lips on his own.
"Looks as if luck has also been given to you, for such a man stands before you. Forever!

Apart from Fethry's loud applause there was nothing to be heard in the hall for a while. But then people looked at each other with insecure eyes. Little by little they joined in the applause. Lord de Bourgh and Lady Magica were both known for their obstinacy. Basically no one was surprised that these two extraordinary people had found each other. For the locality at any rate, such a merger could only be beneficial.

A good-humoured Lord de Bourgh in particular.

"Now your mother will finally be satisfied too, I think. And be it only because I am richer than Glomgold." Scrooge laughed gloatingly and looked around for the woman. After all, it was only fitting that he should pay his respects to his bride's parents. But nobody from her family was around except her brother. He shrugged his shoulders, perhaps the whole scandal had been too much for her nerves.

He put Magica back on the ground, but without letting her go for a moment.
"Where Glomgold was already so generous to pay for "our" engagement party... let's celebrate!"

He kissed her hand again. "May I ask for this dance, my lady?"
Of course you would see Scrooge de Bourgh dancing more often now, where he had finally found someone worthy to lie in his arms.

Until late into the night there was partying and Scrooge enjoyed every second this time.

"I love you..." He whispered in her ear one last time before falling asleep that night. Magica firmly closed in his arms. He also didn't dare to touch her in her parents' home, but today he didn't want to. There was enough time for that in the future.

And before that he urgently had to catch up on some reading...

A few days later Magica was with Lizzy, with whom she had made friends in the end now that they were no longer in each other's way, on the way to do last errands for the wedding.

Scrooge sat alone in his study and went about his business as usual. For today Madam Bingpap had announced herself to clarify the last formalities of the wedding. He had wondered a little that the lady wanted to take the road to his estate instead of receiving him at home, but who was he to upset his bride's mother?

"Come in!" He answered curtly as it knocked on his door.

Magica laughed as she was lifted - a rare sound from her! Some had thought she was incapable of laughter! But then Scrooge had the ability to bring out things in her no one else could. She didn't notice her mother gone, and frankly, didn't care. All she could see was Scrooge, and she needed nothing else. She kissed his cheek when he was close enough, laughing a little more in happiness as they held each other.

Being able to melt such an icy woman - the party goers were stunned. Scrooge really could do anything, including making a cold woman charming! Maybe this marriage was the best thing for everyone.

They danced long into the night, with Magica ever reluctant to let Scrooge go. Many kisses were exchanged, and it was a celebration people would talk about for years to come.

... On that fateful day, Madam Bingap slowly opened the door to Scrooge's office. She was struggling to compose herself, the last of her sanity hanging by a thread. "Lord Scrooge... of course, you honor us with this proposal... but... but..."

Suddenly, without warning, she slammed her hand on his desk, looking like a madwoman. "You can't marry her! You can't, I won't allow it! I refuse to surrender you to my daughter, of all people! It's... it's not fair!"

A Lord de Bourgh did not flinch in shock, but Magica's mother almost made him do it. Without understanding, he stared at the woman who was completely out of composure.

"I'm afraid I don't understand Madame. I assure you, it is no burden for me."
He looked at her sternly and also in a disparaging way. "Never before have you been able to realize the true potential of your daughter. You should be proud of her instead of trying to speak ill of her to her future husband. With this perverse tutor and even Glomgold you wanted to marry her, but you don't like me?"

It was insulting.

She stared at him with wide eyes, her body shaking. "Don't like you... don't like you! Damn you!"

With that, she suddenly threw herself at him, trying to hold him, to press her body to his own. "I want you, Lord de Borugh! I've always wanted you! But when you made it clear you wouldn't settle for anyone, I gave up... but all of a sudden, my damned daughter is good enough for you?! But I'm not?!"

In a maddened rush, she grabbed Scrooge by his jacket and tried to force a kiss onto his lips.

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