The children did not enjoy their meal. Whether it was Eleven, Kiki, or Amel, all three wolfed down their food, leaped off their stools, and ran away in a flash.
Stella set down her bowl and chopsticks as well. Preoccupied with her thoughts, she had no appetite. Hesta had just taken her aside for a talk that morning, telling her that she would be involved in Arevalo's banquet that evening and demanding that she make some preparations.
"Prepare what?" Stella had asked.
"I don't know. Prepare whatever you see fit." Hesta had left after giving that answer.
At the time, Stella had watched Hesta's retreating back, feeling irritated, baffled, and a little amused. But the moment she drew a breath, tears had welled up.
If Chiba were still alive, Stella would have loved to slam the table in front of her right now and say: Look! This is what you taught her! She's just like you! She doesn't listen to reason at all!
Now Stella stepped over the threshold, her eyes following the children as they ran away. She saw that once Eleven and the others crossed the open space outside the main house, the two little girls called No One and Everyone came running out with cheerful grins. The five girls gathered together and happily ran off to play somewhere else.
The children ran past Pakart's windowsill, calling the old woman's name at the top of their lungs. Pakart opened the window and leaned out. Eleven loudly asked where her Nahu had gone, and just as Pakart was about to answer, Kiki cried out too, "And my Hukabu!"
Pakart pressed a finger to her lips and quietly pointed toward the main house—Hesta was over there. If she heard them again, Nahu and Hukabu might be taken away once more.