CHAPTER # 52: News unexpected.

Their lessons at the training grounds ended in the afternoon. Sir Lucas was disappointed with the training progress although any common eye would have considered it perfect.

" You all lack motivation. Take some time to find your shortcomings. That's all for today."

The knights were dismissed.

Sloane looked for Jack eagerly. She couldn't wait any longer.

The young boy stepped out of the training building with his sword sheathed.

" Let's go."

They crossed the training grounds and to the back of the residence into the stables mounting on their horses they rode out of the estate in five minutes.

Nine watched them leave and smiled with the hope brought by his young comrade.

-" Good luck my lady."

Riding through the streets of the capital they reached the district where commoners lived.

The surprised boy stopped his horse dumbfounded.

Sloane got down and led her mare holding the reeds without saying anything.

In front of them stood a broken-down shack which was the place his mother passed away.

"I thought that you'd want to visit here."

She said and then looked at the puzzled boy.

His chest ached after he recalled the sad memory of his dead mother.

"Why are we here?"

"To make a final decision."

Jack couldn't make heads or tails of what she was planning.

" Shall we go in?"

The children entered the broken-down house.

Sloane looked around the room. There was a small fireplace, with a cauldron hanging on it. A small cupboard where the lower compartment had wood stored for the fireplace and the upper compartment contained crockery, some utensils and clothes, and a bedsheet.

Other than that was a single bed where his mother previously lay during her death.

-"A simple life."She thought.

But now he wore clothes that are only exclusive to a noble provided by the marquis.

He stood there in the agony of his late mother.

Slowly caressing the empty bed. He remembered his mother singing him a lullaby every night before sleep.

He would nuzzle up to her closely feeling her warmth with her hands around him as he slept soundly.

A tear ran down his cheek. Sloane wiped it for him and looked at him. He was now of the same height as her.

She smiled bitterly.

-"I will never leave you. Never."

"I understand why you brought me here my lady. I will give you my answer after I thoroughly think about it."

"Remember Jack. I will only support you. But I will never force you."

He nodded tearfully.

"I will prove myself worthy of being a knight."

"I will look forward to it."

They left the house after Jack was asked to take anything that was a valuable memorial of his parents.

To her surprise, he had only taken out a silver ring that belonged to his mother. His father gave it to her at their wedding. It was his family's symbol of love.

His mother always wore it stating that his father was always close to them through this ring. Even after his death.

"Let's go eat something," she said patting his shoulder.

They returned to the estate shortly after it was confirmed that the place was sold to charity. He was relieved after visiting his parents' grave and cleaned it and putting fresh wildflowers his mother loved on the grave.

To him, it was like half of the burden slowly left him.

"Today let's all dine together. Father will be pleased to have you."

She smiled but suddenly changed after thinking about Yulia.

A cloud of grief slowly encompassed her mind.

She started to take bigger strides to the main building.

Jack tried to catch up but stopped midway watching her go farther into the building.

She entered her room and shut the door with a bang behind her.

"I almost forgot..." She mumbled.

She headed to the bathroom to relax her body in hot water.

During the bath, she examined her body that had considerably fewer visible scars than in the previous timeline.

There was a scar on her left leg which she received five years ago during her first training session.

It was humiliating. Since it was the time she was defeated by one of the fresh recruits and worse luck for her was that Azriel was observing her.

From that day onwards she doubled her training and never missed a day until she perfected every move she learned from Lucas so far.

But she still knew she had a long way to go before she reached a level that was considered satisfactory by her father.

After her body relaxed she wore her nightgown and exited the bath.

While she combed her hair which reached her thighs Cecile burst into the room.

"My Lady! The young miss has gained consciousness."

She ran out without a word in her nightdress.

-"Is it true? Yulia! Are you awake?"Her thoughts flooded her mind.

She reached her sister's room. The door was open and the golden lights of the candles shone into the hallway.

"Yulia!" she called out trying to hold her breath.

The little girl was lying on the bed with half-dead eyes.

Azriel who was sitting near her looked at his eldest daughter who was breathing heavily.

"Father...Yulia?" She looked at him.

But all she saw was a grim look on his face which she figured was the not good news which they were expecting.

The family doctor hurriedly entered the room followed by Jane, Yulia's maid.

After fifteen minutes of thorough examination, he said that her condition would be better if she takes the required medication and a sufficient amount of fresh air and rest.

"It would be better if she spent some of her time outside to get a good amount of sunlight and fresh air. And please take care of her diet and do not take stress about anything."He cautioned as Azriel carefully listened.

"I will see she gets what is needed."

"Then my lord. Please allow me." saying that he quietly left the room escorted by the head butler.

"Father what now?" she asked gloomily.

"We will see about it," he replied slowly caressing Yulia's cheek.

"Go and have your dinner. It's already half-past seven."

Sloane obediently left the room and headed for the dining hall.