That afternoon, inside the castle.

The girls were having a picnic in the stream.

Esmeralda produced fruits and special dishes for the occasion because tomorrow night, Ivy will sacrifice her life for the greater cause.

She watched the girls having fun in the water.

"Granny, join us!" Ivy called.

Esmeralda smiled and obliged to the girl's request. She walked towards the bank and lowered herself into the water. She joined the girls and they sprayed water merrily at each other. She was all smile and so was Ivy. She studied the girl, Ivy could be a great actress and worthy of an award due to her brilliant performance today.

There's not an ounce of pain and sadness in Ivy's eyes. But Esmeralda know better, the girl was just good at hiding her pain inside. She probably wanted Kate to remember the happy times together. Besides, this will be the last time they will be together, once the sacrifice is over, Kate finally be able to escape the castle while Ivy was left behind bleeding to death.

She's feeling sad for Ivy, but there's no turning back now, the girl needs to sacrifice her life for her sister to survive.

It's all been set on the stone. Nothing could go wrong tomorrow! She will make sure of that!

After frolicking in the water, the girls went out of the stream and take a break, they switched their attention to the dishes and fruits in the basket.

They began eating, surrounded by beautiful flowers and colorful butterflies.

It was a beautiful day to share fun and laughter with the people close to one's heart.

Two hours later...after resting...the girls went back to the stream and continue their fun in the water.

Hours went by.

Time to go home as the sun was already setting on the horizon.

The girls picked up beautiful flowers in the garden to their hearts' content.

They come back to the picnic blanket.

Esmeralda looked at the happy faces of the girls. "Are you done, girls?"

"Yes!" the girls replied at the same time.

"Did you enjoy our picnic today?" asked Esmeralda.

"Yes, very much!" the girls answered.

Kate clapped her hands jovially. "Let's do this again before sister Ivy returns to the vampires' territory, Granny!" she said.

Esmeralda looked at Ivy. "Yes of course!" she replied with a lie. "Okay, let's go home now," she said.

The girls gathered their trash and put them away from the stream. When they come back, the picnic blanket was already folded neatly and the leftover foods were put inside the basket.

Their transportation was already waiting nearby.

"Alright girls, get into the silver box, and let's go home," she ordered.

Ivy picked up the basket while Kate carries the picnic blanket in her hand.

The girls went inside their transportation. A moment later, the silver box ascended into the air.

They arrived in the floating land half an hour later passing through mountains and rivers.

The girls carried their things inside the house while Esmeralda went straight to the tree. She lowered herself on the wooden bench.

The branches of the tree were swaying.

"Having fun with the girls, Esme?" the tree spoke.

Esmeralda nodded her head absentmindedly. "Yeah..."

"Oh, but why did you look sad?" he said.

She sighed. "I pity Ivy..." she responded.

"Oh, don't tell me you are planning to halt the big event tomorrow?" asked the tree.

"No. It's not that, but I just can't help myself but feel pity for the girl," she murmured.

"I know. Dying for someone you love is always a great and noble sacrifice but also a tragic condition. For that, Ivy won me over. She has all my respect and adoration," the tree said. "Because of that, I instructed my leaves to bury her in her favorite place, in your garden. Would you agree?" he asked.

Esmeralda nodded her head. "Of course, I won't object. Due to Ivy's noble act, she deserved to be buried in a beautiful place," she agreed to her friend's suggestion without hesitation. "By the way, have you already prepared everything for tomorrow?"

"Yes!" the tree answered. "After the girls fall asleep tonight, come inside my trunk so that I can show you the tools that I have prepared for tomorrow's event," he said.

"Okay! I'll go to my room and rest for a while. See you later," she said and rose to her feet going to the house.

"Rest well," the tree replied.

Inside the house.

Esmeralda looked at the girls sitting in the chair, the flowers were scattered haphazardly above the table.

"I'm going to rest inside my room, girls," she informed them.

"Rest well, Granny!" Kate replied.

The girls were having fun arranging the flowers into the vase. They replaced the old ones with the fresh flowers they have taken from the garden a while ago.

Finished arranging the flowers, they paused for a minute and admired their handiwork.

"So, lovely!" Kate gushes.

"Pretty like my sister!" Ivy said and hugged her sister tightly.

"Sister, I can't breathe!" Kate complained.

Ivy smiled and stared at her sister's face for a long time. 'I'm going to miss you in the afterlife, sis. Say hello to Ella and Aunt Margie for me,' she said in her mind.

The sisters spent the rest of their time gazing at the beautiful flowers.

A few minutes later.

"Food delivery!" shouted the tree.

Kate and Ivy looked at each other.

"Wow! The bird never fails to bring your food over and over again. Whoa, I'm impressed. I'm beginning to like Maxwell for you for that reason," Kate joked.

Ivy smiled. Then she remembered Maxwell all of a sudden, he will be devastated and angry if he will discover that she died while saving her sister. Considering that his mind was already fixed in resurrecting his father though her blood and that of her sisters.

Maxwell's plan is not guaranteed... but Esmeralda's experiment is the real deal...she saw it with her two eyes how the blazing barrier made a gap after her blood was splattered over it.

There's no turning back now, they might never have another opportunity like this. If she will go back to the vampires' den, she might not be able to come back again.

It's now or never!

Kate stood up. "I'll go outside and pick the food delivery," she said and exited the door.

The moment her sister was gone, Ivy released a deep sigh. She felt the strong urge to cry, but she can't do it because her sister will enter the house again! She doesn't want Kate to start asking her questions and worry about her condition. It's better this way, she succeeded in hiding the painful truth beneath the happy exterior. She has to endure the sadness and sorrow, 'coz tomorrow she can no longer feel any pain because she will finally meet her end.

Just a little bit of torture... and she will be free from the pain and misery!

Kate entered the house and put the bundle of food on the table. They set it aside, it's too early to eat dinner yet. They have eaten a lot from their picnic earlier, their stomach still full.

The sisters continue their conversation, reminiscing about their simple life in the village.

~

Meanwhile, outside the castle.

The wagon was traveling with just the right speed, they only took an occasional stop when Ella told the driver that she needs to take a pee.

Hours went by.

The surrounding area already darkened, the day is about to fade away and give in to the darkness of the night.

They continue traveling and stopover in a tavern situated a few meters away from the main highway, which also offers a board and lodging accommodations for the weary travelers on the road who want to use a clean room to rest for the night.

The driver parked his horse in the barn designated for the clients' animals. Finished settling his horse, he exited the barn.

The old man and Ella were waiting for him outside.

The driver addressed the girl. "Young lady, do you want to get a room accommodation?" he asked.

Ella was hesitating for a moment and scratches her head. "I dunno...I only have a few coins left. I might not be able to afford it," she said.

"How much you can afford?" he questioned her glancing at her hesitant face.

"I only have five gold coins to spare," she said shyly.

"I think... that's enough. Let me get there first, I will ask my friend for a discount, she works in this establishment. I already bring lots of customers here throughout the years. They always give discounts to my passengers," he said.

"I...I don't want to impose on you..." Ella said uncomfortably

The driver smiled. "It's okay, I always help my passengers in any way I can," he said. "Just wait here and I'll be back to get your room number," he said.

"Wait...here's my money..." Ella took five gold coins from her pouch and handed it to the driver.

The driver accepted the coins and entered the entrance of the brick house which has twenty rooms inside, fully equipped with clean baths.

A few minutes later.

The driver exited the door and handed a wooden room tag with #18 carved on it along with the key to Ella. "Here's your room number with the key. It comes with room service. The delivery boy will bring your dinner to your room at 7:00," he said.

Ella accepted the room key. Nice, she had a clean and safe room to sleep for the night! Then she looked at the old man beside her.

"H-how about me? Where I'm going to sleep?" the old man inquired.

"Ah, sorry, I almost have forgotten Grandpa!" the driver smacked his head. "Grandpa, you can sleep in the barn beside my horse, it's free accommodation there," he offered jokingly while grinning.

The old man glared at the driver and hit him with the wooden cane he was holding in his hand. "Bastard! What do you think of me, a horse!?" he grumbled.

The driver guffawed in amusement. "Grandpa, don't be so grumpy! You don't have enough money, you can't afford the room rate here. You should just sleep inside the wagon if you don't like the barn accommodation," he made another suggestion, teasing grandpa.

The old man hit the driver again in the legs. "Arrogant young man! You have no heart! Hmph! Young people of today's generation are so heartless!" he whined.

Ella was looking at the old man taking pity of him. "Grandpa, you can take my room, I will just sleep inside the wagon," she offered quickly.

"Ah, no need, child. I will just sleep inside the wagon, after all, it's free and comfy there," he declined her generous offer.

"But I insist!" she said.