This is such a great little story all on its own! I feel bad for Fara, for meeting that much hostility from her peers right away, and for her mother's complete disregard for her feelings. Make the other kids realize your value, okay, Colette, but maybe some pointers would be useful? Instead of just leaving your young daughter to muddle through all on her own? I'm sure there's some reason behind it having to do with building character or proving that Fara is worthy of her family name, but a little mentorship wouldn't go amiss.

So is it a culture thing that has the Cuper kids so hostile? Like a distrust of outsiders? Or does Fara represent some kind of direct political threat to them or their family? And how much of this hostility is coming from what their parents have told them? I'm getting the impression Fara's father's decision to marry her mother was not a popular one among his family. Which might go toward explaining why Colette is so stressed out about the trip.