Hours went by.

During lunch, Julia brought home-cooked foods to Kate's house, then left a moment later going back to her house.

Aspen was trying to force Kate to eat lunch.

"I'm not hungry," Kate said.

"Oh common, eat something even a few spoonfuls. We are going to the cemetery later and I'm sure we will walk a few kilometers on the way. You might not be able to walk further if you don't put something in your empty stomach first and the worst thing could happen... I have to carry you on the way to the cemetery," he scolded her.

The mentioned of the cemetery brought Kate back to her current situation, finally, she holds the spoon and began eating the food in front of her.

One hour later.

Julia appeared on the doorsteps holding an umbrella in her right hand and candles and flowers in her left hand. "Are you ready guys?" she asked brightly.

"Yes, we are," Kate and Aspen replied in unison.

The girls lead the way, while Aspen was following them from behind.

The weather isn't too hot at that particular time. It was a pleasant day to stroll the countryside.

While walking, Kate remembered so well how her Aunt raised the three of them when their parents passed away. Aunt Margie becomes their second mother. She missed her so much! Too bad, she was not around when she died. It broke her heart terribly that Ella was alone when their aunt passed away. It must be very hard for her youngest sibling to carry the heavy burden alone.

She breathed deeply trying to clear the heaviness that she was experiencing in her heart.

Then she remembered that her younger sister was already inside the castle and Ivy was also in there. She was hoping that they meet inside. Ella must be frightened after she discovered the real face of the castle.

Damn! She was feeling frustrated that there's no way to know what's going on inside the castle right now. She wants to know the condition of her sisters inside!

Now that her two sisters were already inside the castle? What she's going to do outside? Alone on her own in the house? Is it a better decision to enter the castle again? There is a big chance that she can be reunited with her sisters inside the castle.

But she already successfully escaped that damn place! Honestly, she doesn't want to enter that castle anymore! But her two sisters are there!

Dammit! This is getting complicated and confusing. She has an internal struggle going on inside her brain right now. Part of her wants to return to the castle and be reunited with her sisters again. But the other part of her never wants to go back to the castle.

Suddenly, she remembered that Ramza, her boyfriend is still out there. She can find him! but that also takes a long time. Finding him in the next village is not hard, but what if he transferred to another place? What if she can no longer find him? Or he meets some pretty lady and already got a new girlfriend or worst he was married already?

Thinking about Ramza made her excited and sad at the same time. Then her thoughts went back to the ongoing debate running in her mind.

The confusion in her mind continued until they reached the cemetery.

Julia leads them to the grave of Aunt Margie.

Kate arranged the flowers in front of the tombstone with Margie's name on it and lighted the candles. She made a sign of the cross and recited a prayer silently for her aunt's soul to rest in peace in heaven. 'Aunt Margie, I'm sorry that sister Ivy and I was not able to see you before you passed away. We're not here during your funeral wake because we are trapped inside the castle. I missed you so much, Aunt!'

While staring at the gravestone, her tears fall in torrents. She covered her face with the handkerchief that she was holding in her hand. She cried for a few minutes, her heart was filled with sadness, as grief racked her whole body.

Julia rubbed Kate's back as her way of comforting her.

A few minutes later, Kate's whimpering finally subsided.

They stayed in the cemetery for the next two hours.

Kate finally decided to go home. She wanted to stay longer in the cemetery until 5:00 in the afternoon. But she has to think of her companions' condition, they probably want to go home right now. She glanced at Julie. "Let's go home now," she said.

Aspen was sitting under the shade of the tree, watching the two women walking away from the grave. Kate looked in his direction and mouthed...let's go! He rose to his feet and followed the girls out of the cemetery.

The walk back home is filled with silence. No one wanted to talk or start a conversation. Kate kept to herself and Julia respected her silence.

Minutes went by.

They finally reached the entrance of the Browcliffe Village and proceed to Kate's house.

"We're back!" Julia said, cheerfully.

"Thank you so much for accompanying us to the cemetery, Julia. I appreciate it very much!" Kate said, feeling grateful for Julia's presence.

"No problem. I will come back here to bring you food for dinner," Julia offered. She wants to come back tonight, to ask Kate who is this Aspen guy? She still has lots of questions to ask her.

"Ah, no need! We will just cook some food in the kitchen. We bought rice and vegetables on our way here," Kate lied. "By the way, we also bought fruits...wait for me. I'll give you some for your family," she said.

Kate went to the kitchen and picked up the bundle containing the fruits and gave them all to Julia. "Please tell your parents, thank you so much for the food! And here's for you," she dropped one golden fruit in Julia's palm.

Julia stared at the fruit and examined it, when she pressed it, it's hard. "Is this a golden fruit? What I mean...is this a real gold?" she asked, wide-eyed.

"Yes, it's real gold. That's my token of appreciation for you - for staying by my sister's side during the lowest point of her life. Thank you also for watching over our house even though you are busy. Thank you for everything..." Kate said sincerely.

"B-but where did you get this?" Julia asked curiously, staring at the golden fruit.

"I found it up in the mountains far away from here," Kate responded.

"Ah, okay. Thank you for this and the fruits!" Julia beamed. "Bye Kate and bye Aspen," she said.

"Bye, Julia!" Kate and Aspen replied in unison.

They watched as Julia strutted away from the house.

Aspen closed the door. Then he looked at Kate. "What is your plan, young lady, now that you're already here in your house?" he asked.

Kate released a deep sigh and plopped down on the wooden chair. Her eyes roamed around the house, sadness was flashing in her eyes. This house used to be alive but now it looks like an empty shell. How can she continue living alone in this house where all the happy memories of her Aunt Margie and her sisters are haunting her in every corner?

She closed her eyes for a moment, she took a deep breath.

Should she go back to the castle? Stay here in the house alone? Go and find Ramza in another village? Or go back to Esmeralda? She has four options...which option is best for her at this point?

She was shaking her head, she looked at Aspen in the eyes. "I decided to go back to the castle," she said with finality in her voice.

Aspen's eyes widened in shock. "What? Are you crazy? We just escape that forsaken castle and now you want to go back there? Don't be stupid!" he told her.

"B-but...my two sisters are already inside that castle. I want to be reunited with them. Here... I don't have anyone. I'm all alone in this house, I can't bear the loneliness and emptiness!" she reasoned out.

"Young lady, only Ella was inside that castle right now because your sister Ivy already passed away!" Aspen told her. Then he covered his mouth in shock. Dammit! He accidentally revealed the truth to her.

Kate's eyes bulged. "Whaaaat? What are you talking about!?" she demanded.

Aspen released a deep sigh. "I guess it's about time to tell you the truth..."

Kate's brows knitted together. "What truth - ?"

"The reason why we were able to escape the castle successfully, it's all because of your sister Ivy sacrificing her life and her blood to open the blazing barrier. Your sister's blood can create a crack on the barrier and it will open for a few minutes then closed again. A huge amount of blood was needed to create a crack that is good enough for a person to pass through. Esmeralda discovered your sister's unique blood capabilities and told Ivy about it. Your sister finally decided to sacrifice herself to save you. That's what truly happens on the day we made our escape from the castle," Aspen gave a long explanation.

Kate caresses her chest, she felt a painful throbbing in her heart, she had a hard time digesting everything. Aunt Margie already passed away, and now Ivy was also gone!? No way! It's all too much for her to bear! Why destiny is so cruel to her and her family? Why!

She wants to curse the Gods in heaven right now for playing a sick joke on her family. This is so unfair!

"This is not true! Tell me it's just a sick joke!" she demanded while looking at Aspen with tears shimmering in her eyes.