Inside the Mansion,

"Miss, it is time for tea." Mrs. Jacinth added after she knocked on the door.

Yvonne smiled as she knew that her maid must have been waiting outside until she finished playing a piece and only then did she disturb the little girl.

"I'll be outside soon." She answered and glanced at the sheets she had managed to complete today.

'Three…' She sighed, disheartened that she was not progressing at the pace she desired for.

Raising from her seat, she returned the sheets to the folder before placing them on the table.

Then, she hastened her steps while walking to the door as she would have to join her family and guests for tea.

The journey from her piano room to the lakeside where the tea would be held wasn't too long for her.

"Demon!" She called out when the first person she noticed upon moving out of the mansion was her precious etcher.

However, the glee turned to skepticism as she looked at him from head to hoof.

'Didn't Papa say that he would be tired and won't move so why is he so active already?' She wondered and narrowed her eyes at the disobedient horse.

She had asked him to stay put in his stable until he was feeling better yet here he was, roaming around like his usual self.

Demon shook his head when he saw his Master's angered face to indicate that there was nothing wrong with him.

"If you say so…" Yvonne sighed in defeat at the stubborn horse who refused to rest even when he was given a chance to do so.

With this short interaction coming to an end, the pair of etchers and etched along with the old maid continued their walk towards the lake.

When the three arrived, they found that they were the last to make an entrance as everyone was already present.

Yvonne curtsied at the elders, her parents who sat next to each other, and the two tutors who sat next to her father.

This time, Howard sat with the three boys and acted as the human shield between her and the Tanner boy.

Taylor was upset ever since he caught sight of the unjust table seating but under his brother's watchful eyes he said nothing to express his dissatisfactions.

The tea was served once the little girl took her seat and soon silence took over the entire table.

The three etchers could be seen standing at the side and it appeared as though they were watching over the safety of their masters.

Tea time was relatively simple in comparison to the lavish lunch and only a few simple pastries were served with tea.

Yvonne was not one to complain as the warm tea soothed her throat as it made its way to her stomach.

The soft evening breeze was washing away the heat that had been left behind by the sun who was now beginning to move closer to the horizon.

As tea time came to an end, so did the visit of the guests who had appeared at their mansion.

The St. Claire's family went to see their guests off at the main entrance of the mansion.

Taylor was reluctant to part with the little girl but when he was standing against the fierce looks on the Earl's, Howard's, and his elder brother's faces, he was left with no other option but to leave in silence.

Yvonne smiled at the boy who gave her a bitter and reluctant look which indicated that he wanted to spend more time with her.

'My weekend is for me to rest and enjoy, not to babysit spoiled children.' She sneered yet the gentle smile on her face never faded.

Noticing that he would not get any help from her, Taylor lowered his head and gave up hope.

'Some other day then!' He cheered himself up and walked towards the carriage but stopped when he heard the Captain speaking.

"I shall see you on Monday morning, same time as always." Captain Desmo announced and smiled at the child whose joyful expression was something she rarely showed to him.

Rutherford's wide palm patted his child's head as she was indeed allowed to continue the training as per the condition placed by her elder brother.

Everyone turned to Howard as he was the one who was against this the most, only to find that he was also smiling as he glanced at his sister.

His cheeks had turned red when he noticed that everyone's sights were fixed on him.

"As per our agreement, she has achieved success in all the trials and hence can continue with her training." He confirmed her victory before everyone present.

There were happy smiles, admitting nods among them but there was someone who did not quite agree with what was said.

"If we were to judge her properly then she would have lost the final trial." A soft but sarcastic retort was made from the boy who stood at the side in silence until now.

Yvonne turned her eyes to glare at the one causing the disturbance and froze.

The forest-green eyes met her amethyst eyes and this time no one looked away.

This had happened for the first time today causing the little girl to be bewildered beyond measure.

'Why does it not hurt anymore?' She questioned herself while gazing into those beautiful green eyes.

Until today, each time she looked into this boy's eyes she would always experience heart-wrenching pain but now she could find none.

However, this time it was the boy who broke eye contact first as he glanced at her elder brother.

Yvonne was more interested to know why this change had taken place and if this was a one-time thing or if she had gotten rid of the pesky pain forever.

Her first reaction was to turn towards her etcher as she believed that he was her lucky charm and a protective amulet.

But the distance between herself and her etcher was more than ten feet which made her strike him off the list instantly.

'If not him then who?' She wondered and once again turned towards Damien.

Damien continued to look at Howard in his stubborn attempt to ignore the girl who had hurt his pride by avoiding him like the plague.

'How does it feel now that you are being subjected to the same treatment?' He sneered and refused to spare her a single glance.

Yvonne was too lost in her speculating thoughts that she had failed to notice that she was staring at the boy without blinking her eyes.

This was a surprising change from this morning when she could not bear to look at him for even a single second.

"If you judge her based on the rules we are taught then don't you think that she would lose?" Damien questioned Howard all while ignoring her.

Yvonne snapped out of her thoughts when she heard his words as she looked at her brother to notice his reaction to what had been said.

Her narrowed eyes shifted from one boy to the other and her fists clenched while she waited for her brother to speak.

However, Damien did not give Howard a chance to speak as he had more to say in this regard.