"Incompetent!" Laura scoffed, "just as i expected, a normal girl from Aeveel?" she chuckled. "I didn't know she would turn out like that. Harriet are you sure you're doing the right thing?" Laura asked.
Harriet laughed softly, " of course i am"
"Really sister?" Laura said questioning her sister's judgement.
"Yes Laura, remember she's an Armstrong".
"I have long forgotten Armstrong-- she paused, and Lilo on the other hand is even less important to me" do you think i even care? Laura smiled with mischief in her eyes
"She's going to remember soon, don't say things like that" Harriet cautioned.
"And whose fault is it?" asked Laura glancing at Jaden.
"Laura!" Harriet called slightly frowning and Laura sighed.
"What is going to happen if she doesn't remember? what are we going to do then? the day of Reversing is close and if she can't reverse all the binded spells, we will all be doomed forever. Don't forget what happened to mother" Laura brows furrowed with worry.
Speak for yourself Laura, there's no point to underestimate her.
Of course not, Laura scoffed, " i underestimated someone a long time ago now see what it cost me" Laura said in rage and left the dinning room.
Harriet didn't bother stoping her because she knew Laura wouldn't listen.
Jaden didn't say a word, he didn't touched his food either, he was used to her hatred towards him, he didn't know why. "Incompetent?" he muttered with a smile. "How long will it take for her to like me mother?"
"Your Aunty is just stressed after the long journey, i guess she'll understand sooner or later" Harriet responded without meeting his eyes. "I hope you understand?" she raised her eyes to look at her him and kissed him on the head, "just know that i love you!" she said in a whisper and left the dinning room.
"I hope she does", he responded with a smirk.
Lilo who had almost stumbled upon Laura on her way back to the dinning room, heard their conversation and she was totally lost, why was Laura talking about her father with so much hate, she thought to herself, could they be the good friends Derek talked about? or did she hear it all wrong? and what was the Reversing day and binded spell? how does that concern her? All these questions flooded through her mind, she was confused.
"Go finish your food Lilo" , she heard Harriet say as she left the dinning room looking worried.
Ye- yes, she stuttered. Taking her seat, Lilo didn't say a word.
"Why are you so quiet?" asked Jaden
"Nothing" she replied without looking at him.
You look worried, he added.
"I'm fine, i promise" she smiled at him, the kind of smile that doesn't reach the eyes .
Tell me now! he smirked.
To Lilo his words were rather commanding and straight. If she hadn't been treated like a long lost princess since she came here and assured of her safety, she would have been trembling like all the servants. Although she did tremble, but only from his warm whispers.
"Um the Lady Laura talks about my father with so much distaste". I don't know why I'm telling you this, you are--
"I know, my apologies on her behalf"
"No no, she's a Lady of this mansion, there's no need to apologize" Lilo responded, slightly smiling. "I don't know but do you think i should ask her why?"
I don't think it's a good idea, she has always hated your father for reasons unknown to me, and now she dislikes you too, so you're not exempted from the quest of hatred" he said drinking his wine. "You might get into a lot of trouble" he added.
"Okay, so I'll have to wait until she's calm, right?" Lilo asked
"She's never calm Lilo, he exhaled. I've never seen her calm before, i mean today was the calmest she has ever been".
"Then i should never speak to her" she sighed.
Come on finish your food, Jaden chuckled.
Yes, she nodded and ate.
[Lilo's room]
After dinner, Lilo sat on her bed browsing through the pictures she took on her camera earlier.
"What are you grinning at? " she heard Jaden ask.
"How long have you been here, you creep?" she chuckled. Since she has gotten used to him creeping up on her.
Jaden smiled and said, "does it matter?"
Yes you weirdo! "It's just a camera".
"I know it's a camera, i mean why are you so excited?" Jaden asked
"Oh, i took a picture of you and your mom", she answered with a smile.
"And that got you so excited?" he asked with a smirk on his face, "or have you fallen in love with me already?" he teased .
Ah! she narrowed her eyes at him, "you smiled," she said.
And?
"And you look so adorable with your smile, you should smile more often you know".
Jaden chuckled, "I am indeed adorable and handsome, i am aware of that Lilo". I mean i smile everyday, so what do you mean?
"It's just that this was sincere", she pointed at the image on the camera.
Can i have i look? he asked walking towards her.
Hold on! she narrowed her eyes at him and he chuckled.
Okay! he said raising his hands.
If you let me take you another one, she suggested.
"That's a very bad idea", he responded.
"No, it's a very good idea, seriously, you don't even have a picture of you except for the huge portrait in the hallway, which was drawn when you were probably thirteen?", she scoffed. "I mean you literally don't have any picture."
"Believe me you're not half as good as the one who drew the portrait", he said
"I never said i could draw", she frowned.
There's always a first person to hate, don't be sad, he smirked.
Lilo scoffed, she didn't want to argue with him or taunt him, he already got a blast from his Aunty Laura and she didn't want to add to it. For some strange reason, rather than being happy, Lilo felt sad on how Laura treated him, she didn't like it at all.
Giving him a small smile, okay! she said.
"Okay?"
"Yeah, it's not so bad to have a few haters".
"I totally agree", he nodded. But there's no need to fantasize with my picture when I'm right here", he teased her.
"No.. i am not going to fantasize with your picture", she rolled her eyes at him.
You like me or the picture? asked Jaden
"The picture," she answered without glancing at him.
"It's the same person, so why do you choose?" he asked amused.
"What choice does a humble photographer like me have?" she said dramatically.
"You have the choice to stop by my humble room" Jaden smirked.
Pardon me, she said with a small voice.
"I was only teasing, don't get scared", he chuckled.
'Of course not, you're just looking for a way to punish me in your own way' she thought to herself. 'Sure", she responded with a smile.
"The picture is perfect", she heard him say and she smiled.
[At Aeveel]
Just before dark, Daniel arrived at Aeveel, he went straight to the Armstrong's.
"I'm glad you came", Mabel hugged him.
How have you been momma? I've missed you, he said.
"I've never been better", she replied with a smile. "Come on, I've prepared dinner, it's your favorite".
Mabel told Daniel everything at dinner, and Daniel was left wondering.
Penciway? He had never heard of a place like that before, he pondered, he searched on the internet but there was no result of that place.
"Are you sure, you didn't mishear what she said?"
"I'm sure i got it right", Mabel replied.
"The location is not found, i don't understand", he commented.
Mabel knew that Penciway was a dimensional place, it has been there for centuries, it can only been seen by the people who were part of it's magic and if the magic that was drawn to secure it was removed. It can only be destroyed by the one who secured it all these years. 'Lilo' Mabel muttered.
Go to bed now momma, he said.
She nodded in response, "go to bed early, okay?" she kissed him and left. Daniel continued to search for any possible result.