The footsteps reached them before the sight of their father and uncle did. The heavy look on her father's face disappeared when he entered the room.
"Children," he nodded in greeting and pulled his chair back before sitting in it.
The moment her father sat down the chef appeared and they served the first course.
"How has your day been so far, uncle?" Natya asked. "Did you go out of paperwork?"
"Unfortunately, yes." Ivan sighed. " I spent most of my day today in the office, signing documents and listening to presentations."
"Ooh, for making money?"
"Yes, dear." He nodded, waiting for Natya to say something more.
She smiled. "Be diligent in signing them then. I appreciate more money."
Ivan laughed and threw his head back. "I will remember that when I sign them."
"That's your motivation." She raised her fist. "To more money!"
Olga cleared her throat and glared at Natya for a few seconds before reaching over to fill the glass of her father.
"Katrina," Ivan addressed and she looked up, "what have you done so far?"
She gulped. "English and math have been the subjects I have studied so far. After that it was a session of etiquette."
"Good." He praised her. "Are you comfortable with your teacher?"
She answered with a nod, "I am, papa."
"Natya, are you comfortable?"
"I am." She answered before her face twisted a bit. " I'm not comfortable, are we going to change her?"
"If truly you're not comfortable, then yes."
"Huh." Natya made a thinking face. "Well, I do not think I am comfortable with the old bat."
"Natya!" Olga chided from where she was standing. Her father lowered his head and laughed and she barely held back the snicker.
"What?" Natya questioned, very innocently. "Uncle asked and I answered."
"I did, Natya and so did you." Ivan took one deep breath before he let out a helpless huff and just ended up shaking his head. "I will have a word with her."
Natya nodded eagerly. "Yes, but I did not tell you anything about it."
"If you say so."
Satisfied, her cousin sat back and both of them shared a look when no one was looking. Her father had conveniently ignored the small disagreement they had in the morning.
He had moved on and had also engaged in conversation, something he did not do a lot. Perhaps she could do the same.
"Would you be coming for dinner, Papa?" She asked, hoping a furiously beating heart, but he would answer her.
Ivan smiled. "Yes, child. I may have an announcement to make if everything concerned falls into place."
"Hm, now that makes me wait for dinner." Natya commented from the side and agreed. What announcement was that that could require a few things to fall in place?