The next day after I found out that Isabelle really is my Aunt, she decided for a proper meeting with her people which I agreed to. But I also told her that I had to go back home, it's been two days already but she said it's just been a day. I wasn't knocked out for that long. That's where the problem in my counting of the time started because I thought I was knocked out for a day. Funny, I can be. So I decided to stay here for just one more day.

She introduced me properly to her close friends & her son. Everyone responded nicely except for him. Ughh, hate him so much. Why is he even my cousin? How can he & Mia be brother-sister? They're so different. Whenever Sebastian & I are confronted, there's this hatred & awkwardness in the environment. Even Isabelle & Mia could feel it. But they just laughs it off.

I haven't seen Jason at all after he left me at Isabelle's room yesterday. I wanted to but he wasn't anywhere in sight. I was walking on the second floor with Bully by Penelope Douglas in my hands when I saw the stairs that lead to the third floor about which Jason had warned me not to even think of going there since it has Sebastian's belongings & no one goes there except for the people who're close to him but Him & I, we both know that I never listen.

I don't know what the time was right now but the palace was silent, no one was to be seen. Maybe Isabelle was in her room but Mia was nowhere, maybe she was in the study room. I made my way upstairs & I was shocked. I was literally awe struck by the captivating beauty of this place. How can a self-loving douchebag make this place look this beautiful? I guess I found the artist of the paintings that hung in every part of the palace.

This place was completely filled by paintings, different paintings with deep but happy meanings. There were only 3 rooms up here. I tried to open one but the door was locked, I went for the other & it opened. Happily, I entered & wanted to cry because of the sight that was in front of me. The beauty of this place can only be understood by an artist like me. My hobbies include Reading, Painting, Dancing & Writing. Talented? Yeah, I am.

I was in tears when I saw a proper painting studio. Mom & Dad never let me have a painting studio of my own. Instead, whenever I used to ask them for a stuido they would lecture me about how I should focus on my studies rather than focusing on something useless. For them, art was useless.

This room was my kind of paradise. On the right of the room was a shelf on which lay every kind of paint. Oil, pastels, acrylic, spray paint. There were brushes of every kind in a box near the paints. There was this big canvas & I wanted to paint on it. But since I knew who's room it was, I tried to stay away from touching things. There were origamis & pottery on the left.

When I couldn't resist the urge to paint, I picked a few brushes & oil paint. Placing my hair in a messy bun, I inched closer to the canvas, my hand started moving over the canvas. It's almost like my mind was directing my hand without me, odd perhaps, but that's the way it is.

My hand moved instinctively to the right spot, building a new picture, often one I have never seen before. In these fantastical worlds I see reflections of my own mind, the way I think, but there is something else there too. I don't know what, perhaps I just imagine it, but when I paint I feel closest to our creator and it gives me a peace I cannot find another way.

I knew I was a mess after the picture I just painted, one of the reason why my parents never allowed me to have a studio of my own. I painted the same painting in the main hall of the palace that caught my eye yesterday.

Placing the paint & brushes back, I was about to leave but to my utmost surpise, there was a sculpture of Isabelle's face. It was beautiful. Whoever made it, must be a professional or maybe Sebastian made it but what if he didn't. Mia could be the one.

Moving forward to touch it, I extended my hand when a voice from behind scared the shit out of me & with my extended hand towards the sculpture, I knocked the sculpture to the floor accidentally. I tried to catch it, but instead, watched It shatter all over the floor. With my back to the person whoever stood there at the door, I stared down at the mess & inhaled deeply. A wave of embarrassment spread over my body.

"What are you doing here?" Shit. It was him. Taking a deep breath, I turned around & met his gaze. There stood a fuming Sebastian with his hands folded over his chest.

He inched closer in a very dangerous manner just like a predator ready to attack on it's prey, I gulped & took a few steps back. I know it was my fault.

"I-I-I" I was so scared of him right now that I opened my mouth to say something but ended up looking like a fish out of water. Clearing my throat & calming my thudding heart against my ribs "I was just looking around"

"Do you call that looking around?" He said through gritted teeth with his index finger pointed towards the mess behind me. He was close enough to slap me in the face if he wants to.

"You came out of nowhere & scared the shit out of me" I retaliated "And that was the reflex action. I didn't mean to do it" I said pointing my index finger towards the mess that I created. I was probably flushed out of embarrassment. I know I screwed but I'll apologize & will make a new one if he wants me to.

"What are you gonna do to make up for it?" He asked, placing his fingers on his chin thoughtfully.

"Look, I'm sorry. I know I messed up. Okay? No need to be rude" I said "Well you can't help that" I whispered to myself but loud enough so that he can hear it & yes I smirked. When he was about to say something, I cut him off "I promise I'll make you a new one" I smiled cheerfully.

"No need for that. I can make it on my own" Again, a rude prick that he is.

"Why do you hate me so much?" I blurted out, wanting to know what was his problem with me. "Did I do something to offend you?" Crossing my hands over my chest, waiting for his elucidation.

"I don't hate you" I smiled internally to that "It's just that you're so annoying that I'm irritated by your presence" He said with a tinge of amusement in his voice. My smile & cool façade faded.

"But you know what?" I was the one fuming this time "I definitely hate you" With that, I stormed out of the room. But I wasn't that far from the room when I heard him chuckle which made me smile. Maybe he really don't hate me. Maybe I am annoying. But I haven't talked to him much. How can he judge me when he don't know me? I shouldn't judge him either. I'm his cousin, now that he knows he should give me some respect instead of being rude & a douchebag to me whenever I see him or talk to him.

I headed back to my room. Thinking about why Jason had told me not to go to the third floor. If it was about Sebastian then he isn't a threat. Or maybe Sebastian hates it when someone intrudes his privacy. But who cares? I'll go there again & will check out what hids behind that third door. I can rebellious, too.

As I was going downstairs, the familiar scent of coffee hit my nostrils. I knew instantly where it was coming from. Instead of going to my room, I made my way back upstairs & towards the kitchen. There she was making a coffee for herself in the coffee machine.

"Mia" I chirped & ran towards her. I was happy to see her. "How have you been?" I asked her looking at the maids making sandwiches.

"I've been well. Want some coffee?" She asked, taking her cup from under the machine. She motioned me to make one for myself.

"Sure! i was craving it" I replied & started making my coffee.

"Rosa, make some sandwiches for Eloise too" Mia told her maid Rosa to make some sandwiches for me too & I thanked her internally. I've been starving since I was getting nothing but herbs & vegetables.

I made a hazelnut latte for myself since the ingredients were availabe just like it used to be back at my home. Picking up my mug, I went towards the table & sat across the table in front of Mia.

"So, Eloise. What do you like about this palace?" She asked me enthusiastically while Rosa placed both the plates in front of us & a large tray of sandwiches in the centre.

"I, uhm- like almost everything about it" I said not sure how to give an answer to that since I wasn't allowed to leave the palace when suddenly that studio room popped up inside my head "Especially, the studio room on the third floor" I said, taking a bite from my sandwich when she choked on her sandwich.

As a reflex, I poured some water in the glass from the jug that Rosa placed on the table for us & got up from my seat to get closer to her. I patted her on back & gave her the glass to drink from it.

Calming herself down, she held my hand & looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes.

"No one enters that room" She said to which I smiled.

"Well then I'm a rebel" I took my hand out of her grasp & went to sit on my seat.

"Did he see you there?" I was confused due to her sudden question.

"Who do you mean by 'He'?" I asked her with my eyebrows furrowed.

"By 'He' I meant Sebastian" She said while wiping her mouth with a tissue.

"Yes" I said not sure what was she trying to say. Wiping my mouth with a tissue, I picked my plate & made my way towards the sink.

"Leave them there, Anna will wash them up" I looked at her confused because I can at least wash my plate.

"Oh uh even if you wash them, Anna will still do the dishes" She laughed a little.

"Why would she do that?"

"Because she likes her plates to be clean & new. Anna is obsessed with cleanliness & when it comes to her crockery, she likes to wash them herself. Even if someone else do it for her, she'll wash them again" She laughed again. After a few seconds of silence, Mia spoke again.

"So, what I was trying to say was that didn't he say anything to you at all when he saw you in that studio room?" She asked me as if it was a crime to enter that studio room.

"Oh My God Mia! Why would he say anything? It's just a room" I gave her a tight lipped smile.

Suddenly remembering what happened I smiled to myself.

"Why are you smiling?" Her sudden question put me out of my thoughts.

"Because Sebastian isn't as bad as I thought he would be"

"What?" She said with wide eyes "What did you just say?" I wanted to laugh at her cuteness.

"I said that Sebastian is not a bad guy" I pursed my lips to suppress my smile. She looked at me expectantly & I knew why. I sighed & continued.

"Well actually when I went to that room I drew on his canvas & I also broke the sculpture of Isabelle he made" Mia's eyes widened on that but before she could say anything I cut her off.

"BUT I told him that I'll make him a sculpture of Isabelle. Before you ask whether I know how to make it or not, let me tell you that Yes I can. My parents never allowed me to indulge myself in these extra activities but I had a friend who used to help me get these things & paint whenever I wanted to make sculptures. Her name was Clarke. She was my nanny's daughter but she died three years ago due to brain tumor" I told Mia everything & telling her about Clarke teared me up.

Mia placed her hand on my shoulder to calm me & I looked up at her smilingly.

"I think I should go now since I haven't practiced what mother taught me yesterday" Was she talking about magic? If yes then I'd love to learn too.

"Are you talking about magic? I want to learn too. I mean I don't know how to cast a spell, I don't even know the language. I, also have something to discuss with Isabelle"

"Then let's go"

Mia held my hand to take me where her mother was. I wanted to tell her about the strange events that started happening after the death of my parents like me saying strange words & all of a sudden happening the unexpected. I also wanted to tell her that I wanted to go back home.

Taking a deep breath, I knew it was going to be a long day.

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