"Master? Why are you… silent? Don't you want to accept my gift?"
"Ah!" Linda gasped, her face flushing even redder. She quickly tried to compose herself and coughed. "I'm sorry, Merlin. I'm just surprised that you prepared a gift like this for me. To be honest… I'm really happy."
A sincere smile blossomed on her face as she gazed at Merlin with gentle eyes.
Merlin breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He had worried Linda would misunderstand his intentions, but clearly, she hadn't.
"Would you like me to put it on for you?" he offered.
Still smiling, Linda nodded slightly and tilted her head forward. Though Merlin was taller than most children his age, he was still a head shorter than her.
Merlin carefully lifted the necklace and fastened it around her neck.
When he finished, he stepped back and nodded with satisfaction.
"It suits you very well, Master," he said, admiration clear in his voice.
