"I see. It must not be easy for you, either." It was equal parts comforting and distressing to realize their situations were not as different as she had imagined. Comforting to know she was not alone in her discomfort with familial ties, distressing because... once again, it seemed that there was no one to give her an easy answer. Why did no one write instruction manuals for such things. She would surely read one with great gratitude.
As for seeing Alys as a friend... she was certainly friendly, but she was also meant to be Juliette's guardian. She had not yet engaged in any activity that Juliette could remotely perceive as the dispensing of discipline, however. Her cheerful kindness never faded, but Juliette had been well conditioned to wait for the other shoe to drop. When it did not, she only became more anxious.
"I will think on what you have said," she said, relaxing enough to smile once again. "It is good to remember that I am not the only one who may have... troubles of this nature." A pause, then, "I think your sister is lovely. Kind and noble and patient. I admire her very much."