Aria did not seem to mind the stares as she helped Helen to take their food. And Helen, of course, was unaware of all the stares.
The two girls each took a tray of food in one hand, and Aria took Helen's free hand as she led her to a small table and sat down.
Helen said, "Hey, it isn't that different from eating in my room. It is a little too quiet."
Aria said as she looked around, "I wonder why that is?" Seeing Aria looking at them, everyone in the hall stopped staring and went back to their food. Chatter eventually began to fill the hall.
Helen asked as Aria described the contents of the breakfast to her, "Is every meal here like this?"
Aria replied guiltily, "I'm not sure. I have only had one meal here before." She could guess the reason for the unusual behaviour. It was probably her outburst yesterday.
But Helen did not seem suspicious as she began eating. This meal was quite peaceful as compared to Aria's last one here. No one really approached them as the two girls sat by themselves, eating and chatting.
Aria and Helen had been late in the first place, so it was inevitable that they finished late. The hall was mostly empty by the time the two were done. Aria noticed someone walking over to their table from the corner of her eye. But she made no attempt to leave as Aria was a lot calmer right now.
Jacob approached their table and said in a small voice, "Hey Aria."
Aria replied, her tone a little distant, "Hello."
Jacob: "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend here?"
Aria: "Jacob, this is Helen. Helen, Jacob."
Helen and Jacob muttered a small greeting to each other. Jacob then opened his mouth and said, "Aria, I wanted to apologise."
Aria: "For what?"
Helen sensed the tense atmosphere and said, "You guys chat. I'll be leaving first."
Aria stopped Helen before she could get up, "No Helen. You're not familiar with the castle. I'll help you."
She then turned towards Jacob and said, "Jacob. I'm not really angry with you. It's just that...I could never be a friend of the person who acts like what you are doing right now."
"In what way am I acting?" Jacob asked as Aria stood up and helped Helen up.
"Think about your behaviour. "Aria tossed these words over her shoulder as she headed with Helen to keep their trays and then out of the dining hall.
After they were out, Aria asked, "So....what do you feel like doing?"
Helen looked puzzled, "Why, I'll go back to my room."
Aria: "Why would you do that? It's such a beautiful day today. The sun's so nice and bright."
Helen: "I'm not really a fan of outdoor activities."
Aria: "Then you say. What should we do today?"
Helen shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't really have ideas. Why don't you decide."
Aria thought and said, "I want to check out the library here. If it's all right with you."
Helen: "I'm afraid I'll be a baggage to you."
Aria: "Pfft. No you won't. And if you don't explore, how will you get familiar with the castle?"
Helen: "Maybe you're right." And the two asked someone for directions, found out the library was the basement, and headed there.