Renzille stood up from the table and almost immediately, her siblings turned to look at her with curious gazes.
"Leaving already?" Helio asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "I thought you were feeling famished like usual. Yet, you were the first to finish your meal."
"Unfortunately, I do have to go." Renzille nodded, picking up her coffee cup and taking a final sip. "I have plenty of things to do today. Best not to dally."
Leira hummed quite loudly, grabbing the attention of the other Thillion children.
"I could always give you a blank cheque." She offered with a small smile on her lips. "Just in case you need some extra funds for whatever you have planned?"
Leira's offer drew a pause from Renzille, who considered it for a moment because who in their right mind would refuse a blank cheque from a wealthy individual who owns a couple businesses that are in their prime?
No one, right? But Renzille did.
"Your concern is appreciated." Renzille replied with a smile. "But don't worry, I have plenty to work with."
Her response made the other siblings raise their eyebrows at her because the words that left her mouth are not really Renzille-like and seem quite out of character for her.
"I still have the allowance our dearest father gave me on my seventeenth birthday." Renzille reasoned, tilting her head as her smile broadened to the point it looked almost like she was smug. "And I know how to budget smartly."
Leira's expression changed as she noticed something unusual about Renzille's behavior.
The oldest daughter's eyebrow arched as she attempted to pinpoint what it was, but ultimately decided not to press the matter further.
"Very well." Leira stated, backing down for now, but she didn't hide the hint of curiosity lingering in her gaze. "If that's your preference, then I won't impose further. Go on, you must have important things to attend to."
Renzille offered a bow of her head to express her gratitude, a silent acknowledgement of Leira's gracious offer.
With a final nod, she turned in her heels and strode out of the room, the door closing gently behind her— the sound of her heels clacking are the only noise that echoed in the hall for a moment before fading away, leaving Leira to ponder the inexplicable feeling that something was amiss.
Quickly, Leira swiveled to face the other siblings, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"What do you make of our dear sister?" She inquired, her gaze flickering between the three of them. "She seems different today, no? Can you put a finger on it, or is it just me?"
Celine, never one to keep quiet for long, immediately agreed with Leira "You're right! Big sister Renzille was definitely acting strange! Do you think she's hiding something?"
Leira's reaction was immediate as she laughed softly, shaking her head in amusement.
"Hiding? Renzille? Oh, I highly doubt that. Our sweet sister is so guileless, she wouldn't realize if someone was hiding in her own closet." She responded with a tone that sounded almost affectionate.
Bluria, the youngest sibling, remained uncharacteristically quiet, her gaze averted from the conversation.
A frown tugged at the corners of her mouth, a strange difference to her usual expression which was often blank and emotionless.
Bluria suddenly rose from her seat, clutching her stuffed bear tightly to her chest which grabbed the attention of her older siblings and without another word, she announced her intention to leave.
"I'd like to excuse myself as well." She stated flatly, her gaze still averted.
Not waiting for a reply, she turned away from her siblings and left the room, her small figure disappearing into the hallway and the doors closed behind her.
Bluria dashed after Renzille, her voice rising in a desperate cry. "Big sister!"
Renzille was about to step into the carriage, paused and turned at the sound of her youngest sister's voice, a look of surprise flickered across her face at the unexpected sight of Bluria racing towards her.
The coachman stood holding the door open for Renzille, his surprise evident as Bluria ran towards them.
As the young girl approached, he turned and questioned the noble lady he's serving. "My lady, should we wait for Lady Bluria?"
Renzille was seriously taken aback by Bluria's sudden appearance, but she considered the coachman's question— glancing between the carriage and her younger sister, her expression uncertain.
I'm out looking for any clue how to get out of this dream.. So might as well, right? Renzille reasoned with herself, biting the inside of her cheek.
Renzille let out a soft sigh and nodded her head. "Yes."
She took a moment to continue, her eyes glued on the little girl who's still running towards her. "Let's wait for her. She must have something important to say."
She took a step back from the carriage, signaling to the coachman to close the door as they waited for Bluria to catch up and the coachman gladly closed the door of the carriage just as Bluria arrived, panting slightly from her mad dash.
The two siblings stood facing each other, Renzille's impatience barely concealed beneath her composed exterior while Bluria struggled to catch her breath.
I have places to be, but this child is here, stealing my precious time. I have no time to waste on her whims, but strangely.. I don't seem to mind waiting for her. Renzille kept both her impatience and confusion well hidden.
Bluria finally regained her composure after catching her breath, inhaled deeply and made her request, her voice tinged with desperation.
"Please, big sister. Let me come with you!" She pleaded, her eyes wide and silently begging.
Renzille's composure slipped for a moment, her surprise evident in her widened eyes because she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
I know that this is a dream, but.. Renzille felt incredulous because in reality she knew Bluria would never beg or plead like this due to the little girl being always quiet, stoic, and apathetic.
The current situation was so out of character for her that it felt surreal, but this only pushed her further that no matter what happen, she must wake up.
Renzille took a deep breath to compose herself, dismissing her inner thoughts with a clearing of her throat.
In her mind, she reasoned that none of this was real, and thus she might as well play along to quickly get out of this situation.
"Very well." She replied, her voice calm once more. "You may join me, but I expect you to behave yourself. No causing trouble or looking for trouble, understand? Stay beside me the whole time."
Bluria's entire face brightened, her earlier desperation replaced with eagerness.
She vigorously nodded her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth "I understand, big sister! I promise I'll be good. No trouble, no distractions! I'll be an exemplary companion, I swear!"
Renzille locked eyes with Bluria for a good second, her gaze assessing, before turning away as the coachman opened the door.
"Get in." She commanded, her tone stern yet still maintaining a gentle tone for the little girl.
Renzille gestured for Bluria to enter her into the carriage, her patience somehow long enough to handle the child's whimsical desire despite her earlier internal dialogue about Bluria wasting her time.
Bluria practically sprinted towards the carriage door, eager to follow her sister's command.
She dove into the seat, landing on the soft cushioned seat with an unceremonious thump before she sat up quickly, smoothing out her clothes as if trying to regain some dignity after her hasty entrance.
Renzille couldn't help, but let her indifferent mask slip just a little, a brief smile tugging at her lips as she watched Bluria's antics.
It was nice to see Bluria according to her age even if she was just dreaming.
However, she quickly regained her composure and entered the carriage, her expression once more neutral as she took a seat in front of the youngest Thillion.
"Mind your manners, Bluria." Renzille chided gently. "Sit politely, not like a wild animal just pouncing its prey."
Bluria's cheeks tinged with embarrassment, her excitement tampered by Renzille's gentle reprimand, making her fidget slightly on her teddy bear, looking guilty as she apologized to Renzille.
"Forgive me, sister." She murmured, her voice quiet which sounded almost like a guilty whimper. "I let my excitement get the best of me. It won't happen again. I promise I'll behave properly from now on."
The carriage rocked gently as it started on its journey, but Renzille fixed her gaze on Bluria, softening her stern expression into a gentle sigh.
"Pay no heed to my words earlier." She spoke, her voice taking on a softer tone, feeling bad at how she scolded the little girl for being excited. "You need not feel the need to restrain yourself on my account. Be yourself, Bluria. There's no need to suppress your energy and enthusiasm."
In an instant, Bluria's face lit up with a joyous smile, her embarrassment quickly forgotten.
She looked eagerly at Renzille, the thought of being herself in her big sister's presence clearly appealing to her which made her flash Renzille a hopeful look.
"Really?" She repeated, her voice filled with excitement. "You mean it? I can be myself? No holding back or pretending to be a proper and polite noblelady, or anything of sort? Around you?"
Renzille's eyebrow raised in surprise, her thoughts swirling with disbelief.
This behavior was so unlike Bluria, so out of character that it felt surreal.. But then again, she's currently in a dream and so what harm would indulging this strange charade of dream version of Bluria come to?
Renzille nodded again, a small smile tugging at her lips as she affirmed, gently reassuring the little girl. "Of course."
Bluria gripped her teddy bear tightly, containing her happiness, but Renzille saw this and merely shook her head, accompanied with a smile that became wider.
"I want you to be your truest self when you're around me. There's no need for pretense or restraint." Renzille stated.
Bluria's smile softened, a quiet gratitude in her eyes as she thanked her sister, but then, her curiosity piqued, and she asked a question.
"If I may inquire." Bluria started politely as she tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed curiously on Renzille. "Could you tell me where we are headed? It is unusual for my big sister to go somewhere after breakfast."
Renzille chuckled with her gaze turned to the window, her eyes scanning the passing scenery as she hummed softly.
She decided to play along in this strange dream, to see where it would lead, but for a dream to be interesting— shouldn't she make decisions to make everything worthwhile?
So why not try to rewrite this day while looking for a clue on how to get out?
"We're off to retrieve a lost pup from the wilderness."