Not accepting food from strangers was something Emilia had said more than once while "educating" the Little Unicorns. Therefore, although Miss Belinder's smile was lovely, the little beast instead took a small step back, looking thoroughly frightened.
"Oh, Miss, you scared her."
The maids behind her could not help reminding their mistress. The Countess did not blame them for speaking up; instead, she became even more determined to offer her apple.
She got along fairly well with the Little Unicorn. Although she ultimately failed to make the pure white little beast accept the food, at least it did not mind her touch. And when, half an hour later, Miss Matilda came to inform the Countess that Shade had returned, the witch, who was using a small comb to groom the fur of the Little Unicorn lying on the soft cushion with its eyes narrowed, suddenly realized how quickly the time had passed:
"I should go greet them. Since a Pure-Blood Elf is staying here, I cannot let this descendant of the Ancient Race look down on me."
As she spoke, she stood up. Miss Matilda glanced once more at the little beast with watery blue eyes. It slowly rose as well, gazing at them in confusion, and the witch considered for a moment:
"Let her come downstairs to greet them with us, Matilda. First, send away the maids who should not see it. Oh, is it not nearly lunchtime? Have the young ladies prepare the dining table."
Thus, when the witch, the Head Maid, and the Unicorn descended the stairs along the red carpet to the 1st Floor of the manor, they happened to see Shade, dressed in a black trench coat and carrying two large suitcases, entering the entrance hall of the manor house. Behind him followed a timid-looking