In the past, Harris and Chiara, still in animal forms, stood by the windowsill and stared at the horizons. Who knew their plans were slowly coming together and working?
“Brother, are you afraid that they will come find us?” Chiara asked and blinked.
Harris shook his head. “Not really. With our disguise, and the fact that we’re hiding here, it’ll be hard for those guys to spot us.”
“All thanks to our newly appointed ‘Master’.” Chiara’s eyes shot wide. “Oh yeah, that reminds me. You never told me what we should do after we succeed in our goals. Did you forget what you said before?”
“Um…” Harris scratched his chin and hummed. “I’m not sure. To be honest, I didn’t think we’d get this far.”
“Guess we should wait and see what happens, then?” Harris nodded at his sister’s suggestion.
.-.-.-.
The waters fast-forwarded, and an unprecedented amount of time passed. Harris sat by the bedside and looked up at the ceiling, sighing to himself. Chiara stepped into the room and squeaked to get his attention.
“Hey, Harris?”
“Chi, we’re supposed to call each other by our new nicknames, remember?”
“Oh yeah, I forgot.”
“It’s ok.” Harris turned to his sister. “Is something the matter? Are you having trouble sleeping? I was thinking of going to bed myself.”
“Well, if you’re busy…”
“No, I always have time for you.”
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Chiara smiled. She hopped over to her brother’s side and sat down comfortably beside him.
“So, do you think we’ll ever get our original forms back?”
“Of course, we’ll find a way.”
“But, Ben- I mean Master, how will he react if- when we eventually—”
“We told him we had another form.” Harris reminded her. “I’m certain he won’t mind at all.”
“But are we going to leave him?” Chiara asked. Harris’ smile faded as he turned to her. “Benjamin’s earnest, well-meaning, and he respects our decisions, too, compared to our superiors.”
Harris paused, then let out a small smile before responding. “I was thinking the same thing. In fact, I know what we could do instead: work together as equals.”
“Are you sure about that?” Chiara asked, slumping on the bedsheets. “I mean, I doubt he’s the type of guy that would like that idea.”
“We don’t know much about him, though. I’m sure he’ll understand if we pick the right time to tell him.” Harris tilted his head to the side. “Do you not agree?”
“No, I trust you.” Chiara got up and shook her brother’s paw. “Let’s go with that plan!”
“Yeah, glad you agree!”
.-.-.-.
Benjamin pulled himself out of the water and gasped. He panted as he gripped his shirt. So many things went on in his head as he let everything he just witnessed sink in. All this time, all the doubts he had evaporated from his mind. He buried his face with his hands and screamed internally over another foolish decision he made.
The slamming of doors made Benjamin look up and turn to face Harris and Chiara with fated breath and widened eyes.
“Guys...” Benjamin got up and ran over to give the two a tearful embrace. “I’m so sorry, I was wrong. I never heard you out!”
“No, we’re sorry we didn’t tell you sooner,” Harris told him, trying to hold back the tears.
“And we’re sorry for lying and trying to deceive you,” Chiara added, wiping her eyes.
“No,” Benjamin shook his head and gave them a reassuring smile. “That wasn’t the case. You guys didn’t intend to leave and deceive me a—”
Meredith cleared her throat, attracting the others' attention. After pulling her staff out of the pool, she stood there with her arms crossed.
“Aren’t you guys forgetting something? We still have a trial to take care of.”
“Oh, right...” The trio pulled from their hug and followed the Queen back to the council room.