– 'That would be a wise decision,' answered my father, rising from his chair and going to the window.

– But you will not forbid it, will you? – I went up to him and took his hands in mine, looking into his eyes.

His young, beautiful face softened.

– I wish I could, but I've already promised to let you go, and I can't go against my word» he said, but there was bitterness in his voice.

– Thank you, Daddy! You don't know how much this means to me! – I kissed him on the cheek.

– But I don't want you to communicate with that… Frederik: not a word, not half a word» said my father suddenly very seriously.

– I won't! I don't even know who he is or what he looks like! – I promised.

I was ready to promise anything as long as Dad didn't deny me my admission.

– It doesn't matter. Just know and always remember that I forbid you to talk to him. And even if he talks to you first, don't answer him. Ignore him. Pretend he doesn't exist. Understand?

This request, or rather order, surprised me, but if that was my father's wish, I agreed wholeheartedly.

– I promise. I told you, I won't talk to him. Never!

– I think I'm watching some kind of melodrama» Martin whispered to Maria. She elbowed him in the side, but everyone laughed.

– Well, now that it's settled, prepare for the entrance exams. When will they be? – asked my father, not letting my hands out of his.

I was embarrassed: what if I told him that, without their consent and permission, I had already passed the exams and got admitted? Wouldn't he get angry?

«Even if he gets angry, he still won't break his word. God grant everyone to fulfil their promises like that!» – I thought and after asking for a moment of waiting, I left the living room and returned to my family with a letter from the university printed on the printer.

– What is it? – Mum asked in bewilderment as I held out the piece of paper to her.

– The thing is, I've already got in» I said firmly. – I didn't wait for you to decide and took the exams online.

My father glanced at the letter with a disgruntled look.

– 'Well, I see you didn't waste any time. Congratulations. Still, I am happy about your first independent victory» he said, handing me the letter, which Maria immediately took. – But I ask you, next time, before you do something so rash, wait for our permission.

– All right, all right! Then I'll go pack my things! – I was so happy, I was ready to fly to London that very day.

– Wait a minute, sister, the things aren't going anywhere. We haven't solved the most important question. – Martin looked at his father. – So who's going to look after our little tomguy?

I waited with anticipation and a joyful longing in my chest for my father's reply and looked into his eyes.

He was looking at me with a smile, too.

– I think she should try living alone, unsupervised. Maybe then she'll realise the value of family and parental control in this world» he said with a smile.

– Dad, you make it sound like I don't love you! – I exclaimed, throwing myself around his neck.

– But you are so eager to leave us! – Maria said, coming up to me and hugging me. – Congratulations! But don't flirt too much!

– I think flirting is your thing! – I laughed.

– Here it goes! A youthful maximalism! And I thought you would keep her at home until marriage» said Mścislav cheerfully to his father, and gave me the letter from the university, which had already fallen into his hands.

– I wish I could, but you see for yourself: this chick wants to spread its wings and fly away» replied his father. – But I still have a question.