n

n

nUnaware of the words exchanged between her father and grandfather just a short distance away from her, Sylvia closed her chamber doors and strolled outside to the garden.

nHer mind was still and empty. She walked over to the small pond with lotus flowers.

nShe leaned forward and lifted her hand to touch one of the flowers. Almost instantly, a wave of energy coursed through her body, nourishing her.

nSylvia looked at the flower in puzzlement and could only smile bitterly. All this time she had thought that this meant something, but apparently, it did not.

nShe laid back on the freshly cut grass staring at the wide open sky, her mind still empty and frozen.

nEnveloped in the warm energy floating from the lotuses, Sylvia drifted off, falling asleep.

nThe morning gentle sunlight turned into the fiery scorching mid day sun and she still continued sleeping peacefully.

nShe only woke up when Evie nudged her in the late evening.

"Your highness, please forgive me.

" The girl trembled, making Sylvia smile.

nShe was probably weaker than the maid and yet the girl was trembling in front of her.

n

"What is it?

" Sylvia asked her calmly.

n

"Your highness, Mrs. Gruger is here.

"

nSylvia looked up and saw that the sky had already darkened.

"Thank you for waking me up.

" She muttered and sat up.

nShe was feeling much more energetic now under the soft glow of the moonlight.

n

"Ummm… Your highness. Also… There is a grand ball being held in two days in honor of your return.

" Evie blurted out.

nHuh? Sylvia narrowed her eyes looking at the nervous maid.

nEver since she had arrived here, except for the old man, no one had bothered to even visit her or introduce themselves to her.

nNot to mention, Sylvia had already been burned several times by people who were supposed to be her family.

nSo she couldn't help but question this sudden development.

nIn reality, she still hadn't even processed everything that had happened lately. Or rather she didn't want to.

nPutting her owns issues aside, she was not sure how she felt about her new family if she could even call them that.

nJust like how she was not sure what they felt about her, she was also not sure what she felt about them.

nShe hadn't yet thought about staying here long-term, but she knew that she didn't want to.

nShe didn't want to be a princess, and force herself in a family that had no place for her.

nAll she wanted now was a little peace and quiet.

nIf she could just live somewhere… alone and isolated… at least until she had the chance to…

nSylvia's thoughts trailed away and she sighed returning back to reality.

n

"Grand ball huh?

" She also didn't care too much about it.

nIf it was something that she had to attend, even if it was merely a formality and probably just for namesake, there was no harm in doing so.

nOthers might or might not accept her, but the old man who keeps insisting on being her grandfather had done plenty enough for her.

nThis was the least she could do in return for all the kindness that the old man was showering on her.

nSylvia walked over to the table where the middle-aged woman was sitting upright.

"Good evening, Mrs. Gruger.

" She greeted her, her voice duller than usual.

n

"Your highness.

" She stood up and bowed to Sylvia and then the two of them sat back down.

n

"Your highness, we will be working on physical conditioning starting from today.

" She directly came to the point.

nSylvia nodded. She could tell that her grandfather had probably already filled the woman in on her affinity test results.

nHe was always very thorough, even taking into account the smallest of the details. It made Sylvia smile a little.

n

"Your highness, please observe and memorize my movements.

"

n

"To start with, you will be doing these set of exercises for three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening.

"

nThe middle-aged woman then stood up and started demonstrating Sylvia a series of exercises.

nHer body flexibility contorted in various shapes and patterns. It was somewhat similar to the moves Theodore had shown.

nSylvia froze as the familiar name, wandered into her mind and along with it... memories of the other person whom she did not want to think about.

nShe shook her head and forced her brain to only think about what was in front of her.

nMrs. Gruger patiently repeated the set of movements three times and then she gave a chance for Sylvia to try doing the same.

nSylvia quickly changed into a set of more comfortable clothes, a pair of long loose pants and a loose plain shirt.

nShe then repeated whatever she had observed, following every small thing the tutor had demonstrated for her.

nMrs. Gruger hadn't expected Sylvia to grasp it so soon and was shocked to see her already being able to perform each and every stance to perfection.

nHer body was naturally flexible and not to mention her praise worthy comprehension abilities.

nBut unfortunately, she was not born with a blessed affinity. She sighed inwardly but smiled and clapped for the young girl to encourage her.

nGruger continued observing the young girl's movements for a while before finally bowing and leaving for the night.

nSylvia, on the other hand, continued the set of exercises well into the night.

nHer body was entirely soaked in sweat from top to bottom even with the freezing cold winds.

nShe thought that she would feel tired and drained but as soon as tiredness settled in and her body ached, a wave of energy swept through her, nourishing her completely.

nSylvia only decided to stop after several hours when her stomach made loud grumbling noises.

nEvie and Coral immediately brought dinner for her and she then continued exercising once again, as she had slept plenty during the day time.

nHer slender figure twisted and turned underneath the moonlight all alone.

n