They should be carefree

The four spent the time before lunch settling into their respective rooms and strolling the gardens of the mansion.

Aria was given the room adjacent to Helen's on the ground floor while Jacob had a room just besides Joseph's on the second floor.

Helen and Jacob were sitting on the ground, enjoying the gentle breeze, while Aria and Joseph were training by sparring with each other.

Aria had proposed to spar without bending and Joseph had readily agreed. Though he was quite lean, Joseph was taller and definitely stronger than the frail Aria.

But what actually happened was quite contrary to what any one of them had expected. At first the two of them seemed to be evenly matched, but very soon it became clear that Aria had the upper hand.

Though Joseph was clearly superior in terms of strength, Aria had more stamina and was faster. And for Joseph's punches to hurt, they had to hit Aria, which seemed next to impossible.

Jacob was narrating the match to Helen when he suddenly exclaimed, "Oww!!!!!! That's gotta hurt!!!!"

"What? What!?!? What happened?!" Helen exclaimed, hanging onto Jacob's every word.

"Joseph finally got in a solid punch in. Straight at Aria's face. But Aria isn't so easy to beat. She hit him good with her elbow in his stomach." Jacob explained before staring fixedly back at the two fighting figures.

"Here they go again. Joseph's going for a kick, and Aria will clearly dodge it before going wiping Joseph straight off his feet." Jacob said excitedly.

Aria and Joseph were really enjoying their fight when suddenly a voice rung out, "That's enough!!!"

Both of them stopped in their tracks to see Helen standing there, looking very much like the royal person she was. "What's wrong Helen?" Jacob asked, also standing up.

Helen crossed her arms and said, "That's enough! I don't want you two to be invalids at the ball tomorrow."

Joseph and Aria shared a look before they both straightened up.

"Fine. Whatever you say Helen." Aria said.

"How can I disobey my big sister." Joseph spoke with a chuckle as he walked towards Helen.

"Aww!! It was such fun..." Jacob began but he immediately shut up after receiving a glare from Helen.

As Joseph reached Helen and took her hand, she said, lightening up the mood, "And anyway, I think I hear Laura ringing the bell for lunch. You don't wanna miss her cooking."

"We can fight all we want after the ball. Right Helen?" Aria's voice came from behind as the three began to walk towards the mansion.

Helen chuckled and said, "Sure. I don't mind. Just be careful not to beat each other unconscious."

Aria laughed as she ran upto them, "Don't worry. I'll be careful. And there's no way Joseph can beat me."

"Why you little..." Joseph exclaimed and tried to grab Aria, who dodged cleanly and made a teasing face at him before flying towards the mansion.

"You better pray I don't catch you!!!!" Joseph exclaimed as he flew after her.

Jacob grinned upon seeing the two. "They're so carefree." he said as he led Helen.

Helen replied with a smile, "They both are kids after all. Joseph's turning sisteen, and Aria is only fifteen. They should be carefree."