As she crossed the main hall, Aria stopped and sighed, "Will you stop following me around? It's creepy." She said in the darkened castle.
Joseph came out from behind a large pillar and said, "How did you know I was here?"
Aria said as she began walking, "I did not know you were. I knew somebody was."
Joseph caught up with her as he said, "Can you find in your heart to forgive me?"
Aria: "For what?" Though she said that, there was no hint of a question in her voice.
Joseph sighed, "For acting like a coward back there."
Aria: "You did nothing that would harm me. I am not the one you should be apologising to."
Joseph: "I'll talk to Helen too."
Aria: "Well you better." Saying this she increased her pace.
Joseph suddenly caught her wrist. Aria turned around and such an angry aura oozed out of her that Joseph suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He let go of Aria's hand and said, "Please Aria. I need you to understand."
Aria crossed her arms, "What?"
Joseph: "I-I cannot.... I-I...."
Aria sighed, "Joseph, just say whatever you have to."
Joseph seemed to be struggling for words. Aria started walking again. Joseph caught up with her and stammered, "You don't understand Aria. You'll never understand."
Aria chuckled bitterly, "I've heard that before."
Joseph: "I suppose you have. Anyway..... I-I."
Aria sighed and stopped, they both were by now at the foot of the stairs of the North tower. She said, "Joseph, remember how I said that we all have burdens?"
Joseph mumbled, "That we carry in our own way."
Aria: "Exactly. Just because you cannot see someone's burden, I suggest you do not assume that the person has none."
Joseph was a little taken aback. He had obviously said something that Aria did not like. She continued, "But we're here talking about you. And I think I now understand what your burden is."
Joseph looked at Aria with expectant eyes, did she really?
Aria said, "But you know, I'm not sure you want to hear this, but I think you're making your burden heavier than it is by yourself."
As Aria turned to walk up the stairs, Joseph said, "What the hell do you mean by that?"
Aria descended the two stairs she had climbed and stood face to face with Joseph. Though he was taller, Joseph felt like a small kid in front of this girl of fifteen.
Aria: "I think you're father doesn't want you to know. But you should. He was disappointed in you when you refused to take responsibility for Helen. You hear Joseph? Disappointed."
Joseph was thunderstruck by Aria's words. He stood gaping and Aria gazed at him for a minute before she said, "Now if you don't mind, I think I will be going to bed. It's already past bed-hours and I don't need any more punishment."
Saying this she shot upwards in between the spiralling staircase. Joseph looked at Aria's white shirt which was visible in the darkness until it disappeared form view, which meant she had landed on top of the stairs.
He muttered softly, "What is it that you are carrying Aria? How is it that you can understand everyone's burdens so easily?"