***
Half an hour after we got back to the castle, it was time to open the presents, and I have to say, little Cedric was very professional and quick to unwrap the pile of boxes he'd been given. It seems that this little vampire is the happiest kid in the world. He has everything a three year old intelligent person's brain could wish for and think of. My present – a small, but incredibly high quality and fast toy helicopter – was also to Cedric's liking, so from the moment of their acquaintance, the couple never parted for a moment: the helicopter flew around the castle, and Cedric ran after it with a remote control. The baby was just shining with happiness. Well, I was extremely pleased with myself, because his mother's gift – a collection of colourful books with Polish fairy tales – was forgotten the moment he unwrapped the box and almost instantly threw it back to the mountain of already opened presents. I will never forget that keen sense of satisfaction when Mariszka's face was covered with undisguised disappointment at the sight of what fate had befallen her "lovingly chosen" gift. Our parents had given their grandson a black as tar Arabian horse, which, according to their assurances, was waiting for a small but proud owner in the country cottage of Mariszka and Markus. Of course, Mariszka immediately expressed her doubts that "giving a child an adult horse is dangerous, why not a pony?", which made everyone present, including her husband, roll their eyes. Misha and Fredrik presented their nephew with a synthesiser, expressing the hope that they would soon hear his own compositions. Expensive, pompous gifts. And only Cedric did something blatantly magical – he gave his nephew a ball and a promise to play football with him whenever the kid wanted to, and if Cedric senior was within reach (I think he didn't mean departures, but unwillingness to come out of his melancholy and lonely voluntary imprisonment in his gloomy world).
To summarise: the holiday was a success.
But soon, thankfully, it was time to part. When saying goodbye, I gave my sweet Misha a beautiful expensive dress, which I ordered in the best atelier in Toronto, according to my sketch. Misha was ecstatic, rushed to hug me and reminded me once again of my promise to come to every one of her birthdays.
"Oh, Misha, you're just taking advantage of my love!" – went through my head. But her happy eyes immediately killed any hope of excuses in me.
– And remember that you can always come to us, at any time of the year and day! – Misha chirped, not letting me out of her arms. – You're always welcome!
I suppressed a laugh. Oh, yes, Fredrik, indeed. Naive little sister.
– Maybe we'll fly to Toronto to see you! – Misha suddenly exclaimed.
I pulled away and smiled impotently: no, that's all I needed!
– I don't think it's a good idea… I won't have free time to entertain you, you know? I work twenty-four hours a day…" I whispered, not knowing how to lie more convincingly.
At the thought that Misha would inadvertently encounter one of my mortal "suitors" waiting for me at home and at work, I was horrified. Misha can't know. It would be… The end. The end of me. The end of her love for me. The end of me. No.
– It's no big deal! Even a couple of hours a day will be enough for me! After all, Fredrik will fly with me!
