After spending the entire afternoon receiving a tour around the palace, the Elemental Weavers led us to their chambers, where we'd presumably spend the night. Compared to the other compartments of the palace, the sister's chamber was far more homely and modestly decorated. The main floor of their chambers having mint painted walls with swirly designs, a centerpiece hanging from the ceiling (in which it's color reminded me of charcoal), a furnace and alchemy table in the corner, and stairs leading to the second floor.

"I'm afraid you both will have to share our guest bedchambers. Hopefully, that won't be a problem?" Aira sweetly asked. I quickly concealed my grimace, not wanting to appear ungrateful for their hospitality. I should be thankful that they were at least providing anywhere at all to sleep.

Meanwhile, Hestia was in the kitchen, putting on an apron. "And of course I'll cook dinner. You both must be very famished after such a long day." She added.

It wasn't until then that I realized, I haven't touched a morsel of food all day. I was so occupied with the palace that I completely lost sight of that fact.

Odessa left the area momentary, only to come back with two pairs of v necked nightgowns and slippers, placing them in our hands. "I knitted these because I figured you two wouldn't have anything to sleep in. I'd prefer it if you saw them as welcome gifts on my behalf so please don't thank me. Accept them, cherish them, and take care." She said, excusing herself with a curt nod.

I looked at the nightgown and slippers. Made of pure white satin and silk, there were no impaired stitches nor seams at all. It was breathtaking work that was worth praise.

"Aira, this nightgown, and slippers are far too beautiful for me to not at least send her my gratitude. Can you send her my acknowledgment for me?"

Sofia, on a rare occasion, nodded her head in agreement. "Can you send mine as well?"

Aira smiled and then chortled softly. "Of course, I can try but I can't guarantee she'd accept them. She's far too stoical."

I turned around to the kitchen to see how Hestia was doing, only to see that she already had the ingredients spread out on the counter. While she crushed garlic cloves in a bowl, she snarled at us with a miffed expression.

"What are you waiting for? Stop dilly-dallying, put them on already! This won't take centuries!" She fumed, her eyes converting from a tint of orange to red, seemingly having a hint of flames to them.

Sofia and I shuddered, quickly shrinking back. "O-ok, ok, we will." Sofia managed to say while we both scurried up the stairs to change.

After we changed into our nightgowns, Aira and Odessa decided to spend the spare time we had until dinner to do our hair for us. Aira for Sofia and Odessa for me.

While drying my wet hair, Odessa asked, "How did you relish in the tour today? Wasn't too drudging or anything?"

I quickly shook my head. If anything, it was fascinating to explore the home of Fealettia's royal family.

Odessa smiled. "I'm relieved that you didn't think so. I saw how weary you looked. I'd would have been being untruthful if I said I wasn't concerned." She told me.

After a couple minutes of beauty parlor chitchat, Odessa moved on to brushing my hair, taking out every knot and tangle that transpired. I was pleasantly taken aback by how tranquilizing her brushing was. For as long as I could remember, I always detested the experience of brushing or doing my hair, regardless of whether I did it myself or not. I always viewed it as agonizing and lastingly. Unintentionally, due to my dazing, I so happened to overhear tidbits of Aira and Sofia's discussion.

"Sofia, I apologize on behalf of Kapaneus's acrimony. I hope that you could excuse it. Very deep down, I know he truly didn't mean it."

Sofia signed quietly. "Are you sure about that?" I heard her ask in pique. Aira looked down reassuringly at Sofia and nodded.

"Just trust me, I've known that lad since he was young. I'd know." She said this chuckling. "But just like my sister told you, whether or not you choose to look past his cavalier attitude depends on you." She reminded Sofia.

I couldn't conceive of what I just heard. It sounded a lot like they were almost pleading with Sofia to give him a chance. Sofia and I may not have the most sisterly relationship, but even I wouldn't approve of such a thing. Their characters were too conflicting with the others. Sofia was far too sensitive. Kapaneus, on the other hand, he might be attractive, I'd give him that but I wouldn't say the same for his attitude. And even if they weren't conflicting because of there differences, then social status would still very much be a hindrance. Kapaneus was of the Elvenfolk, not to mention heir apparent of his father while Sofia was just a human commoner.

Odessa started to chuckle which immediately broke my chain of brooding. "Odessa! You startled me."

Odessa chuckled again. I turned around to face her, completely off guard. "What's so amusing?" I abashedly asked.

"You were so deep in thought." She grinned calculatedly. "What were you thinking about?" She softly asked.

I knew that if I told Odessa my thoughts on Sofia and Prince Kapaneus, then I'd also be confessing to listening in on Aira and Sofia's conversation and I didn't want to indulge her.

"Nothing significant." I hastily answered, hoping she wouldn't press anymore. But thankfully she didn't. She merely gave an understanding nod.

"It's quite alright, I didn't intend to pry into your thoughts. Thoughts are meant to be your own, whilst certain thoughts are best made to convey. But others just aren't destined to convey to nobody but that one person."

"But that one person?" I asked.

Skillfully brushing through my hair, she answered, "I meant what you might possibly think about something that has to do with someone you care about. Whether it has to do with affairs of the heart or perhaps due to their way of conduct."

I comprehended her words, very uncertain about them. I might have thought about how I wouldn't approve of Sofia and Prince Kapaneus together, but that didn't have any meaning to it. It was just an opinion. It wasn't like I cared about what choices Sofia made.

Odessa made one last brush through my raven hair, placing a purple-blue rose in my hair. "There you go...300 brushes just for you." She said.

Before I was able to thank her, Hestia's voice boomed, "DINNER IS PREPARED! COME DOWN NOW!" I heard the clash of kitchen knives.

"Yeah... about that, when she calls for you, it's best you come as soon as possible," Aira warned.

"Yeah, I figured that one out considering her temper." Sofia knowingly said, fixing the pink flower in her hair.

Odessa signaled towards the stairs, saying in a deadpan tone, "Now we come down, shall we?"
And so for both the sake of keeping our heads attached and for the sake of having dinner, we did just that.

"Let me know if the furnace blazes too hot, I don't want anybody getting burned," Hestia said, placing five plates of lamb chops in front of us.

Before getting into our meals, Sofia and I gave our separate thank you's. All I could remember from that meal was going to town with the lamb chops, which resulted in me being the very first one to finish.

"Liselotte, your already finished?" Hestia inquired when she observed the empty plate. I casually nodded.

"Well then, you must have been very famished." Hestia amusedly said. "Just leave it in the kitchen." She added before going back to her meal.

"May I go out the patio for a minute or two?" I asked. All three of the sisters once again exchanged looks of this time, skepticism and worry. Aira however, despite her look of skepticism and worry, also had hints of obligation.

What did I say that wasn't merited.

"I wouldn't recommend it," Odessa said with a stern look.

"And why so?" I challenged.

"It's complicated." Hestia cut in.

Now I absolutely couldn't wait to find out what the hell was going on. All three of them were being secretive, Hestia included. Which had to mean it was something serious enough. After all, even the most outspoken and brash sister's lips were sealed. First, Aira said "It'd complicated" during our walk in the forest, Odessa during our tour, and now Hestia during dinner.

"I mean... of course, you can, just..." Aira diffidently stammered.

Finally, I lost the last of my patience. I slammed my hands on the table, staring the three of them down, "What's with the reluctance? I only requested one simple thing and all of a sudden, you three get all tense. It's clear to me there's something all of you aren't telling me." I knew I was right looking at how Odessa had her hands in her face, how Hestia looked irked, and how Aira looked forlorn.

Hestia grabbed her butter knife and stabbed it in the wooden table with surprisingly great strength, the flames stewing in her eyes. Sofia gasped, Aira scooted as far away as possible from Hestia and Odessa calmly went back to her meal. I remained unflinching.

"You know what? If you really mean business then go ahead. But if you dare complain to me later on that we didn't warn you..." Hestia tightened her grip on the knife. But I didn't listen to the rest of her threat. I picked up a shawl from the hook and placed it around my shoulders.

"Oh and Liselotte?" Odessa addressed me.

I turned to face her, "What?"

Odessa breathed deeply and looked me straight in the eye. "Two minutes is the most you're allowed out there." She firmly said.

"Why only two minutes?"

She placed her cup down, intensely gazing at me, "Would you rather none at all perhaps?"

"Whatever you say Odessa." I curtly responded, stalking out to the patio.