Maids begin to mindless pour into Julia’s room, but then stop as they see Julia just standing in front of her mirror. A sight they aren’t used to from the looks of it.

“Oh- my lady, what are you doing up so early?” One of the maids asked.

Julia turned to face them, “I simply woke up earlier than expected, that’s all.”

“Well then, let's get you dressed for breakfast. Your father is waiting downstairs.”

The maids begin swarming around Julia, helping her into her dress. They did her hair, changed her out of her nightgown, and into her chemise, they put her corset on tight. One maid came out with a beautiful white dress shirt and a long green skirt overall, and a little bow to tie around her shirt. The silks felt soft compared to the old hospital gowns Beth was used to. This was the biggest upgrade she could have ever gotten.

Once the maid were done with getting her dressed for the day they escorted her to the dining room. Julia's father, Ian, and her brother, Tobias, already were seated. The room itself had the same marble walls like Julia’s room. But there were more windows with large curtains pulled back to let in the sun. The table was long, and it was made of a white wood with beautiful chairs to match, padded with rich velvet, of course. 

As Julia goes to take her seat, Ian, her father, spoke up “Good morning Julia, did you sleep well?”

“I did sleep well, thank you, father,” Julia lied. She feared if she said the full truth, they would think she was crazy.

“Well, I am glad to hear, so, are you excited for the ball?” Ian asked.

“Ball? What ball?” Julia looked confused, this was her first day there, and already there was a big event that she had no knowledge about.

Tobias spoke up, “What? How can you not remember the ball? They're going to be-“ Tobias looked so shocked that his sister didn’t remember, but then he cut himself off once he saw his father gently raise his hand.

“Tobias, calm down. The ball is in three days and I will be getting an award from the emperor for my service in the previous war, that is the short of it,” Ian stated.

“Oh how fun! I cannot believe I have forgotten such an important event for us,” Julia giggled. It was a decent cover-up for the fact that she really had no idea about it.

“Strange, you’ve been excited for this event since it has been announced. I remember that you were very excited for a certain someone to be in attendance,” Ian said.

“Oh, right, Laurence,” Julia sighed before taking the first bite of her breakfast.

“Is something wrong?” Ian inquired.

“Not really, just been thinking I guess,” Julia responded.

“That’s dangerous,” Tobias spoke up, making Julia giggle a little bit

“Haha, I don’t think its dangerous per say, just wondering if mom will be well enough to go to the party. I mean we all were invited right?” Julia trailed off a little bit.

Julia comment made both of the boys stop and look at her astonished at the comment she made.

“Ahem, what bought this on sweetheart?”Ian cleared his throat.

“Just wondering I guess, it would be nice to see mom in a healthy condition” Julia smiled.

“You could go and see her you know? I’ve seen her a few time and she’s asked for you, maybe today might be day?” Tobias interjected.

“That sounds like a good idea. I’ve got nothing else to do today,” Julia looked out the window, becoming lost in thought. 

She knew that her mother, Ingrid, had grown up inside the imperial palace, even though she wasn’t in the direct line. But for only being a duchess, she was treated like a princess. In her prime Ingrid was the smartest woman in the empire, smarter than the emperor himself. So if Julia wanted to know where anything was in that palace it was her mother that she needed to talk to. But one problem. Julia and Ingrid's relationship has been very strained, right from the start. It had only gotten worse with her sickness. Julia would just avoid her mother outright because she was convinced that her mother was just weak. Julia thought more about her predicament, and how could she manage to rebuild her relationship with her mother.

Julia, now lost in thought, mindlessly ate her food in quiet until her father spoke up, “Julia, are you actually going to see your mother?” He asks.

Julia snapped back to reality, “Oh- uh- yes, I believe so, but I must stop by the study for some books and stationery. I need to work on something.”

“Working on what? A new love poem for Laurence?” Tobias joked with his mouth full.

“Nope, I'm bored of him. Just trying to learn some new things, might as well since I am going to be empress or duchess someday,” Julia said so confidently. The boys just looked at each other, shocked for the second time in ten minutes. 

Julia said she was bored with the man she has been obsessing over for all her life brought them so much relief and concern for her mental health, but yet here she was, calmer than ever. Not a care in the world for the prince. Just them wondering what’s become of their Julia.

Julia doesn’t catch on to what they are thinking and gets up from the table with no hesitation. The only thing on her mind was finding her mother's room in this large mansion.