Although some things had happened, during the dinner that followed, neither Shade, Flora, nor Miss Bell showed anything unusual because of Flora's "apology gift."
Shade, Sylvia, Flora, Margaret, and Miss Bell, who had been asked to sit down, raised their Wine Glasses together to celebrate this brief gathering in Wilundell.
The girls were all quite happy. Even Margaret, who had felt down that afternoon because of her younger sister's departure, had adjusted her mood. During dinner, she had actually been engaged in an intense inner struggle. By the time the pudding served as dessert arrived after the meal, Her Royal Highness the Princess had steeled herself and decided to give away that precious "gift" tonight.
She had always promised Shade she would do so. It was only because today was her Younger Sister's funeral that she had hesitated over whether she should choose this day. But now that she knew Shade wanted to leave overnight, she urged herself in her heart not to miss this opportunity:
"Otherwise, if I keep waiting, I won't be the first Witch Apprentice to do this."
So after dinner, Margaret had wanted to invite Shade not to leave immediately. She had already arranged a sufficiently romantic setting to propel the rest of the story forward. But before Her Royal Highness the Princess could speak, Sylvia said to her:
"Margaret, I asked Shade to stay and help me review a paper. I left that paper in your study at Cold Spring Palace. Could you fetch it for me? We'll wait for you at The Club."
Since it was Teacher's request, Margaret naturally would not refuse. Besides, since Shade was being kept behind, she did not need to say it herself. Thus, the Blonde Princess left together with Flora, who was already quite satisfied with the day,