Stephen had always had a talent for slipping away and hiding. He had always been the quietest of the siblings, her friends, but over the years he had grown quieter, more distant. There were many times when she had visited the castle and hadn't seen him once. He seemed to have changed, like Edward had, only Ella had never been able to think of an explanation for Stephen. One day he was there, the next he wasn't. And when she did actually get to see and speak with him he was oddly stiffer and more formal than he used to be. 

It had pained her at first, because they had been so close. And for years she feared that it had been because of her. That she had done something to cause him to act this way. Sometimes she still wondered if that were true, but Ella was just happy whenever she did get to see and speak with Stephen. She still considered him a friend, despite it all. Edward, as well, even if their interactions were almost as brief.

Still she longed to ask Stephen why. Why had he started to act so distant and strange?

She looked at Avril, brows furrowed in consideration. Her brown eyes flickered to the dance floor, catching sight of Edward twirling his partner. She did so love to dance... But exploring the castle in search of her friend, something she hadn't had a chance to do in what felt like an age...

Smiling, Ella's eyes met Avril's again. "The night is young, and there will be more dances and more partners later. Let's go look for Stephen."