Otto woke not long after they arrived back at Sunshine Acres, still muttering curses and moaning from where he lay on the settee, acting as if he were still hurt.

Holly wasn't fooled. Otto must have assumed she didn't know enough about Robin's magic, attempting to make the sorceress feel remorse for his defeat. But the only response he got from Holly was being ignored- His cries falling on defended ears.

Meanwhile, Robin wandered the house, searching for Holly. His earlier apology hadn't been enough. He knew he needed to say more—she deserved better, and the gnawing guilt in his chest told him the only way to make things right was to have a real conversation.

It opened just as Robin was about to knock on her bedroom door. Holly nearly bumped into him, but she stepped back, startled before her expression hardened. She had changed into a dark red skirt embroidered with black flowers and a loose black blouse. Her makeup had been meticulously reapplied, only the slight red of her eyes giving away her crying.

"You and your brother can rest for a while before leaving. I'm going to town," she said curtly, moving past him to head downstairs. Cookie trotted after her, ignoring Robin just as Holly did.

"Wait, Holly—" Robin called, hurrying after her. He glanced into the parlor to check on Otto, who was still moaning dramatically.

Robin caught up with her outside, closing the door behind him. He reached for her hand as she descended the porch steps, stopping her in mid-step. She turned to face him, her expression wary.

"I'm really sorry, Holly," Robin began, his face earnest. "I shouldn't have treated you like that in the pasture. You saved my life, and I-I shouldn't have turned on you." He swallowed nervously, looking deeply into her eyes, hoping she could see the regret in his. "Can you forgive me?"

Holly's gaze softened, sadness flickering in her gaze as she looked down at their intertwined hands. After a moment, she sighed.

"I can," she said quietly, her voice heavy. "Of course I can. But I want you to know, Robin, I truly, truly didn't try to kill him.." She hesitated, meeting his eyes again. "I just- Well, I maybe went a bit overboard with the burning. I meant to only burn through the shirt, but he made me so mad that I-

"I know," Robin interrupted gently. "It's all fine now. I forgive you. And Otto—well, he's just being dramatic because his ego's hurt." He squeezed her hand, hoping to reassure her, the guilt still gnawing at him. On the ride back, he realized that yelling at her had been unfair—she was no more to blame than Otto, and the way he had lashed out at her weighed heavily on him.

"Robin," Holly said with a sigh, meeting his eyes. "I know that maybe I shouldn't say this right now, but I-I- um," She hesitated, swallowing nervously, " really care about you, Robin. And I just want you to know that if something happened to you—" She paused, shaking her head, "I didn't mean what I said about leaving with your brother. I was frustrated, and he was ruining the time we had together. He was bringing out a side I don't want to be. Then, when he threatened my life in the duel, making me into a bad guy, I just reached a breaking point. I thought you wouldn't... still like me the way you used to. I don't like who I've been lately, so I couldn't blame you if you felt the same way," She paused, her voice trembling slightly. "But if he leaves town, could you... stay? Could you give me another chance?"

Robin kissed her hand, relief flooding through him.

"Always, Holly."

She smiled, letting out a long sigh as she looked into his eyes. She reached up to cradle his face and gently placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Robin," she said, her voice lighter now. She squeezed his hand before continuing down the porch steps.

"I'll be back soon. We'll see your brother off together when I return."

Robin gave her a small wave as Holly touched her heel and swung her arm in a circle, disappearing with Cookie at her heels.

As Robin stepped back into the house, Otto groaned from the settee. "I thought she'd never leave."

Robin shot his brother a wary look. "It's her house."

"Yeah, well, did she buy it?" Otto snorted. "Not with what she's making selling jewelry, I bet. Although, I'm sure real estate around here isn't worth much." He grinned cheekily at Robin. "But hey, if you marry her, it'll all be yours."

"You're not helping with that," Robin muttered.

Otto let out a disbelieving laugh. "Marry her? Seriously? Come on, Robin." He stood up from the settee and smacked his brother playfully on the arm. "I get that she's in love with you—why wouldn't she be? You're a catch in London; here, you might as well be a myth."

Robin scowled as Otto continued. "But her? Snap out of it, Robin. She's not that pretty; her interior design makes grown men cringe; she almost killed your brother, and I mean, you don't even know what she was up to before you met her. She has a dark past, Robin. Trust me, it wouldn't be difficult for her to become who she once was again, and you don't want to get in the way of that."

"Otto," Robin warned, poking an angry finger into his brother's chest. "Listen. This is the only time I will be arguing with you about this. You don't think she's that pretty? Great! That means I don't have to compete with you for her affection. We both know you'd win in a heartbeat if it came down to looks."

Otto snorted, looking irritated at his bother, but didn't argue.

"And her interior design? Every corner of this house reflects who she is. I feel like I'm living in a museum of her soul, and honestly, there might not be much space left on these walls, but I hope one day, I'll add some of mine to it."

Otto's face shifted, disappointment darkening his expression. "Robin..."

"I'm not done," Robin interrupted. "You think she's some kind of powerful witch I should fear? Maybe you're right. But while you've been a sorcerer your whole life, I'm just a magician with healing powers. I'm lucky to have someone powerful enough to protect me since I can't do it myself. Especially after you tried to kill me."

"I was testing if she would—"

"No, Otto," Robin cut him off. His voice was steady, but Robin felt like, at any moment, his emotions might sabotage his speech. "I'm tired of you judging my feelings for her. You don't even know her and are not trying to. You've been here, nitpicking and diminishing who she is the entire time you have been here. It's fine, you don't have to love her. But I do. And the more you try to talk me out of it, the less I like you—not her."

Otto sighed deeply, his demeanor softening into something almost regretful. "Robin, don't do this to yourself."

"Why?" Robin asked, laughing bitterly. "Why do you care so much?"

Otto hesitated, his cocky attitude fading. "Because I really need you to not be in love with her."

"What?"

Otto rubbed his chin, his eyes calculating as they settled on a spiderweb in the corner of the parlor. He looked back at Robin, his gaze steady.

"I need you to come with me." Otto tapped his foot and raised his hand, summoning a portal. Before Robin could react, Otto pulled him through.

They stepped into a dense forest. Tall, dark trees blocked out most of the sunlight, and the sharp scent of pine filled the air. The soft hiss of insects buzzed around them.

"Where are we?" Robin asked.

Otto's tone was stern. "I need to see that necklace."

Robin hesitated, staring blankly at his brother in confusion. "Why?"

Otto exhaled slowly. "I need to show you why you shouldn't have fallen in love with her."

"I can't," Robin shook his head. "I promised—"

"Please, Robin?" Otto's voice lowered as he glanced around the woods, "I know you made a promise, but I'm your brother. Don't you trust me?"

Robin was torn. This was his brother, someone he'd known his whole life. Robin had only known Holly for a few months, yet he had made a promise to her, and he had already let her down once today. He couldn't betray her again.

"Otto, I—I can't. I'm sorry."

Otto's expression grew desperate. "Please."

Robin took out his pocket knife, hesitating as a compromise came to him. He carefully picked out the green stones carved into the whistle, hoping it would be enough.

Otto watched warily but didn't object. Once Robin finished, he handed the whistle to Otto.

Otto studied it momentarily, then looked up at Robin with a sad expression.

"I'm sorry, Robin."

Suddenly, everything around Robin went dark.