After breakfast, Sloane rushed to fetch Yulia from her room where she sat reading books on economics.
"Yulia! There you are. I thought you'd be busy with your studies."
"I've been asked to rest for a day or two. Father said that I'd continue after tomorrow."
-"Good call father!"
"Then let's spend a day together with each other. Only the two of us. What do you say?"
"Umm..."
"?"
Sloane did not expect a dull response from Yulia. She was the type who used to get excited about playing with Sloane whenever she had the chance to.
They went out of the building to the gardens. Yulia took the route to their mother's garden in the west area of the estate.
Jane and Sloane exchanged glances expecting the other to understand Yulia's thoughts.
"You know sister, I was with mama the entire time."Yulia smiled touching the rough bark of the old willow tree.
" You met mother?"Sloane was taken aback for a moment.
"Too bad it was just a dream. But I was really happy. Mother was in a beautiful place filled with different kinds of flowers. There was a dreamlike blue and white villa just like how mother used to describe it in her story."
"The lost princess?"
"Yes. In the end, the princess lives in the same big house. It is not a palace but she is very happy with her family and friends who surround her."
"Yulia. Can you answer my question?"
"Yes?"
"Was...was mother happy living there?"
"Huh?...pfft." She burst out in laughter upon hearing Sloane's question.
"Of course she was. She said that she will be happier when all of us will live together."
Sloane couldn't help but smile bitterly.
-"A cruel truth...mother might only need father by her side."
"I see. But first, you have to get better. Let's focus on one thing at a time."
Yulia and Jane agreed. Jane brought some snacks and tea.
"Here sister your favorite coffee and green tea cakes." Yulia offered a plateful of them.
"How about I eat honey cake today?"
"But don't you hate sweet things?" Yulia was surprised when Sloane picked up a honey cupcake.
" You can't handle the sweetness. Please don't force yourself."
"I'll be fine." She took a small bite and after a few minutes, she put it back on her plate.
"Sister you are making a weird face." Yulia giggled.
"I think I will just go with salted crackers." She trembled slowly chewing it down.
-"Too sweet. I don't have a knack for sweet things."
"You are like father. Everything except for gender." Yulia commented as she poured tea into her cup.
"I'd say the same thing about you."
"Me?"
"You are like mother. Except for the hair color. Every part of you reminds me of her." Sloane smiled sipping tea from her cup.
-"As I thought. Tea tastes better without sugar."
"What's wrong Yulia. Why aren't you eating?"
"Ahh...nothing I'll eat." She picked up the cake from which Sloane took a bite.
-"She's not her usual self."
The evening drew nearer, it was dinner time. They played chess and piano, read books, and embroidered laces, handkerchiefs, and gloves.
Sloane hated embroidery which was Yulia's hobby.
"Sister you are horrible in this." She smiled awkwardly looking at the poorly embroidered glove.
"Not my fault that I hate these things. But I am pretty good with other stuff like flower arrangements." She boasted without any guilt.
"Sister..."
"My lady, young miss. It's time for dinner."
A servant informed them and left the library.
"We will be right there," Sloane called out.
"Let's go Yulia." She took her hand and led her to the dining hall.
Despite being with Sloane the whole day there was still something that she wasn't able to accept. They entered the hall where their father was just about to sit down on his seat.
"Good evening father." they greeted him bowing deeply.
He nodded and smiled.
"So what did the two of you do the whole day?" He asked out of the blue as the main course was served.
"We did a lot of things. We took a walk in the garden, had tea, read books, picked flowers, and embroidered handkerchiefs as well. And you know father sister is very good at playing the piano."
"Piano?Really?" He looked at Sloane who was busy eating did not look at them.
"Hmm." He continued with his dinner silently.
There should be a minimum conversation over the table. This was one of the strict rules of the Nirvana household. After that none of them spoke until dinnertime was over. Only the head of the house could raise a conversation.
After dinner, Sloane walked Yulia to her room on the second floor.
"Sleep well, my baby sister." Sloane patted on Yulia's head.
"Umm...sister.Will, you not come visit during your training?"
"I don't know. Knights can not bring in personal feelings between their training. And we have to follow their schedule and rules."
She didn't say anymore. Sloane wondered if her being away was the reason for her unusual behavior the whole time.
She returned to her room quietly. It was eight at night. She was late. Cecile had prepared her nightdress worn after bath.
"Tomorrow I will change the course of events."