The sun hits intensely on Santerina the summer of 1718 over the family Monte's Mansion. Although the curtains and windows are fully opened, only a warm breeze enters the living room. In an attempt to refresh herself, Melanie stirs air with a hand holding fan — Kids, stop it! — The woman yells after hearing the enthusiastic footsteps of the children running on the second floor — Do you see them in sight?
— Not yet, mother — Pearl answers and continues to aimlessly drift on her thoughts, gazing at the fountain surrounded by the cobbled entrance in the center of the front garden.
On the second floor, the oldest daughter finishes her hairstyle and goes out to the corridor with direction to the stairs, but stops in front of one of the doors that leads to a room with closed windows. She gets closer to the bed and caresses the wet old man's forehead — My precious treasure, is it you Agatha? — The man asks with a gravelly voice.
— Yes, it's me, father — She answers calmly — We'll have guests today. It'd be nice if you could join us for lunch.
— Of course — He answers.
— Let me open these curtains for you to have some sunlight — She says with a smile on her face — It's going to be a pretty hot summer, it seems.
At that moment, the creaking sound of the door catches their attention — Is father awake? — The little child asks with her hands upon the handle.
— Come greet him — Answers Agatha with a sweet tone. The girl runs to the side of the bed, but stops once she sees such a weary face. The man smiles to encourage her and kisses the little fingers that touch his cheeks.
— Are you feeling better, papa?
— Yes, I'll meet you for dinner tonight.
— I thought you would go down for lunch — Agatha comments. The man opens his mouth to answer, but a heavy cough comes out instead — Let us go, Mirian. Father needs to rest.
Once the door is closed, she sees the origin of the dull thump. The twin is jumping in the hallway in front of her — We've got to wait in the living room with mother before the cousin arrives — She says waving her hand for the child to come downstairs.
— She's here! — Pearl shouts walking swiftly to open the door.
Agatha and the girls go after her. They form themselves in a line descending the stairs in the order they were born. The oldest at the top of the stairs, after, the middle child and the twins, one by one in each step.
The Mother stands beside Agatha and is the first one to greet the guests — My beautiful niece! It is so nice to see you again — Melanie says taking both the woman's hands.
— Thank you for receiving us — She answers with a soft tone and a big smile.
Melanie gives her a short hug, and leaves her, to greet her niece's husband — Martin! — Shouts with her arms open and starts a short talk with him and the man standing next to him.
— I see the little goblins behaving properly — The cousin comments, kneeling in front of the twins, who greet her with a big hug and laughs.
— It's lovely to see you, Jasmine — Pearl says, stepping down to kiss both her cheeks.
Agatha follows with a big hug — You're glowing like a summer flower.
— Thank you, cousin — Jasmine says with a gentle smile and hugs them both one more time.
— Good afternoon — Martin says approaching them — Thank you for receiving us.
— It's good to see you again, too — Pearl says and hugs him. She turns back at her sister but she doesn't say anything to him.
— Hello, Agatha — Martin says. He gets closer to her and kisses her hand.
— Thank you for taking care of our beautiful flower. You're more than welcome in this house — Agatha says with that sweet tone of hers. Her smile fades subtly as her eyes get wetter.
Pearl looks at her sister and says — Let's go inside. The food is served — She comes to her sister and presses her hand gently.
— Yes, but first… — Martin says walking towards a man standing near the carriage — I would like to introduce you to my brother.
— Lewis Byrne, at your disposal — He says and does a quick reverence.
— A new face! Come, let us speak awhile! — Melanie says to dissipate the unexpected tension and all of them go inside.
Agatha goes first making sure the girls sit properly — Use the bib. You too, Ariana! — She orders.
— Hope your trip wasn't difficult — Melanie comments walking between the men — You've come in perfect time for the Summer Festival. We'll be celebrating a ball on the first night. Many people from the city will come.
Martin gives a quick smile and says — Pardon me — to then get beside Agatha while she helps her little sister with the bib. Leaving his brother to reciprocate the small talk of the mother.
Simultaneously, Pearl shares a talk with Jasmine about the foreign country — I find myself visiting the museum of the center every month. There are new paintings every time, it's exciting to know what new feelings I'll discover in me after each visit.
— Have you shown your paintings to the public? — Pearl asks — The city would be lucky to have some of your creations to admire.
— I wouldn't dare — Jasmine says, letting out a nervous laugh.
— Cousin of mine… — Martin says to catch her attention.
— I'll have to ask the maid to put another plate — Agatha says ignoring him.
— If my being here is a burden, say but the word, and I shall take my leave — He says after getting to her in the hallway before the kitchen.
— As if my words hold any weight on whether or not you stay here — She says with a knot on her throat tied with controlled anger.
— Must I kneel? - He says tightening his grasp upon her — It is as though your heart has sealed itself against my remorse.
— Did I not welcome you with kind words?
— Your eyes tell me what your words do not…
— Why are you still looking for my eyes? — She asks and then lowers her gaze to forget the color of his.
Martin lets her go and goes back to the dining room.
A few minutes later, everyone is enjoying the food in silence. Melanie and Agatha sit together at the front of the table. Pearl sits at the right of her sister and watches for the twins at her left while Jasmine, her husband and brother sitting in front of her, beside Melanie, sit next to one another in that order.
— May I ask, Mr. Lewis, if you also take part in your family's business? — Melanie asks.
— Of course — He answers swiftly. Clears his throat and continues — I take part in the settlement of new contacts to sell oil to different industries.
— Is that so? — Asks Pearl — I thought it was only cooking oil from sunflower seeds.
— Although, we do have fields of sunflowers for the oil. We also own a mine of graphite. We create the oil from the stone and sell it to companies that use heavy machinery — He says.
— That's fascinating — Pearl comments — I guess, you want to expand the business to the south, since you're here.
— I'm not on a business trip — He answers with a nervous smile — I've heard so many stories about the wonderful vacations on Santora, that I wanted to take a break from work and refresh my mind.
— I fear there's nothing refreshing about the summer here — says Agatha and drinks from her wine.
— I just realized, so — He comments and continues with his food.
— Are you married, Mr. Lewis? — Asks the oldest sister, but doesn't let the man answer - I guess you aren't. May this journey see you returned with a bride at your side.
— Thank you, Miss Agatha — He answers.
— Let us have a walk in the gardens — Says Melanie to break the uncomfortable silence.
After lunch, the family goes to the living room connecting the house to the back gardens. At this time, Pearl feels suffocated in her overbust corset. Her dress is a beautiful blue piece chosen by her sister. Off the shoulder puff white lace ruffled sleeves decorated with fabric flowers and a full gathered skirt.
Although her clothing is appropriate for the evening, she feels as if a look more like her cousin's would be a better fit. Jasmine wears a soft, muted pink dress over her fitted corset. Accentuating the collarbones, a wide off the shoulder neckline adorned with roses in the puffy and voluminous shoulders, tapering just above the elbow and a brooch at the center of the bust.