"That’s insulting, Ethan," she said, turning back to him. "Like, actually insulting. You don’t just get to act like that and then show up here like—like—"

She stopped, frustrated, running a hand through her hair.

Ethan watched her, letting her get it all out.

"...like.. fuck! I don’t even know what to say," then she exhaled, as though trying to calm down.

A brief silence followed, then Ethan spoke gently. "I guess I freaked out, okay?...I freaked out."

Hayley looked at him with some level of confusion as he continued.

"And I know how bad that sounds... I know how it looks." He rubbed the back of his neck, exhaling slowly. "I’m sorry. I really am... for everything that happened."

There was another pause before Hayley spoke in a less angry tone. "I’m sorry, Ethan," she said. "But sorry isn’t going to just cut it this time."

He looked at her.

"I told you I was willing to be patient," she continued. "I told you I could wait. But that was because I thought you just needed time to understand your feelings... and accept them."

She let out breath.

"But at the hotel?" she added, shaking her head. "That wasn’t confusion or uncertainty. You knew exactly what you felt. It was there... right in front of you."

"And somehow, you still ran away from it."

Ethan didn’t interrupt.

"And that makes this feel different," she said. "Because now it’s not about whether you feel something or not. It’s about whether you’re even willing to stand in it."

She folded her arms slightly, more to hold herself.

"And right now... I don’t know what I want to do," she admitted. "Because it feels like this is just going to turn into one big joke. Like I’m just... being dragged along for something that’s never really going anywhere."

Her voice dipped just slightly. "And I don’t want that."

Silence lingered between them.

Ethan nodded slowly. "I understand," he said.

There was another pause before he spoke again.

"...What if we just take it slow?"

Hayley frowned slightly. "What do you mean, take it slow?"

Ethan stepped a bit closer, though still careful and giving her space.

"I mean... us," he said. "Me and you. What if we just slow everything down... and actually figure this out properly?"

Her gaze didn’t soften yet. "And the princess?" she asked.

Ethan exhaled. "...Yeah. That’s exactly why we need to take it slow. if we rush into this, it’s just going to get messy. And unfair."

He paused, choosing his words.

"I’m already in a position where I have to make certain commitments," he continued. "And if I just dive as fast as you want me to... it’s going to feel wrong. For you, for her and for me."

Hayley watched him closely. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"So I’m saying..." he added, "I can’t deny the feelings, but let’s not rush it... okay?"

There was a brief flicker in her expression; it felt like something between resistance and consideration.

Then she turned away slightly.

—-

Back at the hidden house, and in one of its dimly lit rooms..

Alistair had picked up the phone and dialed a number. A moment later, he handed the device to Merlin.

Merlin took it calmly as the line connected.

"Stark Industries," Eduardo’s voice came through, sounding professional. "How can we be of service?"

Merlin adjusted his posture slightly, shifting into character. At first, his voice was unfamiliar. It sounded like a foreign accent.

"Good day," he said. "Am I speaking with Mr. Eduardo of Stark Industries?"

"Yes," Eduardo replied. "How may I help you?"

"I was referred through Mr. Stark," Merlin continued. "I intend to schedule a meeting regarding your airship models."

There was a brief pause on the line.

"I’ve recently arrived from Dynadale City," Merlin added smoothly. "And I have strong interest in acquiring several of your airships for a startup transport company."

For a moment, Merlin’s voice remained steady. Then, almost imperceptibly, the tone shifted.

The cadence and accent changed; until, suddenly, it was Ethan’s voice.

"Actually," Merlin said in Ethan’s exact tone, "don’t worry, give me the phone. I’ll handle this."

Eduardo paused slightly on the other end.

Merlin continued seamlessly, now fully inhabiting Ethan’s voice.

"Eduardo," he said. "I’ve already spoken with this man. He came in from Dynadale to discuss a few of our airships."

He glanced at Alistair briefly as he spoke.

"I want you to meet him and set up a proper discussion. I’ll send you the address shortly, go there by evening."

"Understood, Master Ethan," Eduardo replied. "I will noted the address and proceed once my duties are complete."

"Good," Merlin said simply.

The call ended.

Eduardo stared at the phone for a second longer than necessary, but shrugged it off almost immediately.

It wasn’t the first time Ethan had done something like this, and since it was about airships rather than airplanes, it was practically Eduardo’s domain. So it wasn’t unusual.

He turned to Valerie. "We’ve got a meeting with a buyer later," he said casually, already writing the address down.

Valerie simply nodded.

—

Silence returned to the room the moment the call disconnected.

Merlin lowered the phone, with that mischievous smile forming on his lips. There was a reason this summon was called "The Trickster." And this was exactly one of those moments.

It had also been easy for him to mimic Ethan’s voice; Alistair had heard it before, after all.

And since summoner and summon shared memories, it made things even simpler for Merlin, who never forgot a thing.

Alistair gave an approving nod. "Good," he said simply.

Merlin gave a slight bow, as if concluding a performance.

Then a voice came from the side of the room.

"And you’re certain this will work?" Andrea asked.

"It will. This is the cleanest way to draw him out without suspicion," Alistair said, then added. "So I suggest, you go and prepare yourself."

Andrea nodded and turned to leave. And as she moved, her eyes took on a reddish-amber hue.