Standing up she walked to the entrance where the young maiden stood without an expression.
"What's wrong?...why in such a hurry?"
Cecile hesitated to speak.
"The Lord wants you to know that a banquet will be held in honor of the victors."
"....I see. Thank you for informing me. You may go now."
"Yes, milady."
Closing the door Sloane pondered over the unthinkable possibilities.
"Lady Sloane, what keeps you so lost?"Fiona interrupted her.
" It's nothing much madame. I just received news regarding the royal banquet."
"Well, that's good news. I'm pretty sure that you are quite prepared for attending ceremonies."
-"Except for that dance and hold up a conversation with ladies."She thought gloomily.
"Even Yulia is better at keeping conversations." She mumbled while Fiona watched her clueless about her worries.
"Then shall we proceed with the lessons?"
"Yes of course madame." she went back to her place.
The rest of the afternoon went by in the lessons. Finally, it was time for her training.
"Milady. You are quite late for training." Sir Lucas pointed out as she strolled on the training grounds joining the knights.
"I apologize for not being able to keep up." She replied grimly.
He raised his brow getting a hint of her thoughts.
Sigh*
"It can't be helped when that woman comes to teach you." He scratched his head.
"Alright pair up with two and begin the sparring."
"Yes, Sir!"
The knights formed groups as they began sparring.
Sloane was able to defeat them halfway through until her match with Elyas started.
Both moved swiftly moving around carefully.
Sloane stopped in midway as he charged at her with full force.
Clash*Clang*
Their swords moved like light cutting the wind.
-"Here goes nothing!"
Thunk*
Sloane looked at her hand then at her opponent who stood there pointing his sword at her.
"The winner of this match is Knight Elyas Wolforde."
-"I...lost?"She looked at the ground with shock gulping down the throat as she heard knights cheering him.
But she didn't mind this loss that much. She quietly bowed as so he did.
"It was a good match, my lady." He smiled faintly whilst his clear blue eyes gleamed with pleasure, not for the victory over her but a hearty match.
"Likewise Sir Wolford." She faked a vague smile.
"...?"
"Milady~!"
Sloane heard the soft voice calling out to her.
"Cecile?" The orange hair maid hurried to her.
"There you are. Thank goodness."
She breathed heavily.
"Slow down Cecile." Sloane giggled as the maid tried to get a hold of her breath.
"Sit down you like you've gone through a series of harsh training."
Elyas offered her a glass of water.
Cecile looked at the glass then at him.
He was emotionless but was blushing a little to see the cute side of this woman who was usually considered elegant among the maids.
"T-thankyou Sir." She blushed taking the glass of water.
He nodded and left without a word.
"Now tell me why are you in this state?" Sloane looked at her in the eyes.
"Where is Jack?"
"He is in the training building my lady. We arrived at the residence together." Cecile looked at her.
"What happened? Then why won't he come out and train?"
Cecile looked down at the glass she held in her hands.
"Cecile. What happened?"
Sloane crouched down trying to make eye contact with her.
"He...lost his mother, milady."
Cecile instantly closed her eyes avoiding Sloane who stood up horrified.
"What?"
"It's true. I was with him. I saw it."
Tears trickled down her rosy cheeks falling on the wooden glass.
"He has nowhere to go."
Sloane looked at her lost with words as grief captured her mind.
-"It's the same. It's the same as the past. Nothing has changed. People keep dying the same way."
"Go back and rest Cecile."
Sloane turned around without another word.
"B-but Milady?-"
"I said go back, Cecile." She raised her voice without realizing it leaving the poor maid stunned by an unexpected response.
This was the first time in the second timeline that Sloane ever raised a voice on her.
Her mind kept repeating the words.
"Nothing has changed...nothing."