Aria returned to the party and spent the rest of the night with her mother and sisters. They had dinner and after seeing off the guests, it was finally time for bed.
As Aria went into her room, a maid came in to help her get ready for bed. Aria smiled, "Thanks, Sophie. But I'll be able to do it myself."
Sophie smiled, "Miss, I'm definitely not as good as Penny, but surely you need help getting off such a heavy dress."
Aria: "Oh not at all. At the academy, I'm usually by myself. I do not mind."
Sophie: "Miss Aria....."
Aria cut in, "I only let Penny help me because she likes it. It makes her happy. And I can see that helping me is an additional work for you. So, I'll manage."
Sophie looked shocked, "No Miss Aria, it's no trouble at all."
Aria: "Oh I know it's no trouble. But I'll manage, retire to bed if you have completed your other duties."
Sophie bowed out of the room. After this, Aria took off her dress, neatly folded it and put it in her wardrobe. Then she carefully took off the flower crown from her head and placed it on her dressing table. Lastly, she opened her hair and tied them in a ponytail. Then Aria took a relaxing bath and went to bed. It had been a long day, so Aria was already dozing off by the time her parents came to say goodnight.
Joseph kissed her forehead and said goodnight. Natalia asked Aria, "Aria, why did you send the maid back?"
Aria: "Oh mom...yawwwwnnnn..... I could manage on my own."
Natalia: "But...." Joseph put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Now now darling, let her sleep. See, she's already half asleep." Natalia looked at Aria whose eyelids were drooping down. She kissed her forehead and cheeks, "Sleep peacefully, my angel." she said and Joseph and Natalia left Aria to sleep, who immediately fell asleep.
The next day, the first thing that Aria did upon waking up was to run towards the servants' chambers and into Penny's room, in her night dress. She burst open the door and saw Penny combing her hair. She turned around surprised, and was shocked upon seeing Aria. She said, "Mi-miss Aria?!?! What are you doing here?"
Aria looked relived, "Oh Penny, you're all right. I was worried." Penny laughed and said, "Miss Aria, you should not have come to see me. I was just going to come to your room after I finished getting dressed."
Aria looked at her half done hair. She sat on Penny's bed and said, "You carry on. After you are done, we will go together to my room."
Penny tried to convince Aria to go to her room but in vain. Finally, she quickly tied her hair and said, "Let's go, Miss Aria."
Aria lifted her hands, indicating that she wanted to be picked up. Penny was a little shocked, but lifted Aria up and carried her nonetheless.
As they went up to Aria's room and opened the door, Aria saw her mother and Beth standing in the room looking very worried.
Aria asked, "What's wrong, mom? Beth?"
Hearing her voice, both the ladies seemed to very relieved as they turned and her mother gestured Aria to come towards her.