That morning, breakfast was exceptionally delicious for Sloane. Normally she would eat in her room. The only days she ate with her family was when the marquess had to discuss something important.
Sloane peeked at him from the corner of her eye. Her father focused on eating his breakfast. Hair neatly combed back and ruby red eyes, emitting great aura enough to make anyone tremble in fear.
"Perhaps this was the reason why mother fell for him." she thought dazed.
"Sister, aren't you eating?" Yulia's sweet voice interrupted Sloane's thoughts.
"Ah! Yes, I'm eating." Sloane said startled.
"Will you play with Yulia after breakfast sister?" Yulia's golden eyes sparkled.
Sloane couldn't resist the cuteness of her little sister. In the past, after their mother died both Sloane and the marquess never really paid attention to the young child.
"Yes, I will. But after I'm done with my lessons."Sloane smiled gently.
" Really? Sister will play with Yulia?"
"Yes, I will."
"I am so happy! Then Yulia will play tea party with sister." Yulia smiled brightly.
"Young miss! Please mind your manners."
Yulia's maid whispered.
"Ahem!" the marquess cleared his throat.
"Yulia If you have finished your meal, then go and prepare for your lessons."
Yulia pouted but obediently left the hall followed by her maid.
"Sloane I have something to discuss with you."
He signaled the servants to leave.
"What is it, father? Although Sloane knew what came next.
" The grand ceremony of knights' selection is in a week."
"Yes, I'm well aware of it. I've already started with the preparations." Sloane replied not looking up.
"The place where my fate will change." Sloane thought.
"Then I'll leave it to you." He said pleased.
"Then I shall take my leave." Sloane got up and bowed in response.
She walked in the hallway looking out in the garden. The roses and lilies were about to bloom.
She recalled the memory of her mother sitting with her in the garden. Her long silky blonde hair fluttered in the cool breeze and tender, warm golden eyes shone brightly reflecting the rays of the sun.
She remembered when Yulia was born. Her mother would take those two in the garden and sing lullabies to them.
As she stood in a daze her eyes fell upon black hair fluttering in the wind.
"Yulia!?"
Sloane ran towards her. Her sister was sitting there sobbing.
"Yulia! What happened?" Sloane panicked seeing her younger sister cry.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be taking lessons right now?
" I-I d-ditched them." she sniffed as Sloane comforted her.
"Why would you do that? You never ditched lessons before."
"Y-Yulia got hic-e-exc-ited. Because s-sister will p-play with Yulia after a-a long time."
Sloane barely held her tears and hugged Yulia.
So tightly that her sister almost suffocated.
cough*cough*
"Ah! I'm sorry! Are you okay?"
"Yes! I'm super happy" Yulia beamed.
"Cute!" Sloane's inner thoughts screamed.
"Alright. Let's go inside." Sloane said holding Yulia's hand.
Yulia nodded but moaned in pain.
Sloane saw blood on her leggings.
She bent to see her sister's leg. It was wounded deep enough for the blood to seep out.
Sloane couldn't bear to look at the sight. The air around her darkened as she recalled her sister's death in the past.
She lifted her sister in her arms and headed into the main building.