n

n

n

"Which of these should we put in her beautiful silvery moonlight hair?

" Erin added.

n'Why must you say it like that though...'

nThat statement of hers was the start of a heated debate, and that brings us to now. The three enthusiastic ladies spouted their preferences one after another until they started giving out explanations as to why it suits me better.

nAs I have said. It was nonsensical but still amusing nonetheless.

n

"Red suits milady more,

" Amy voiced out.

nThe others glanced at Amy who was proudly showing them red hair clips.. The three who were in a heated discussion hummed before they all nodded in agreement. It was now decided that red accessories would be used to decorate my hair.

nWhile they were busy doing that, somebody knocked on the door. Freesia went and opened it to let whoever it was inside.

n

"Milady, this came from Her Majesty The Empress,

" George announced and gave me a fancy wooden box that has beautiful carvings on it.

n'Auntie?'

n

"Thank you, George,

" I uttered and smiled at him.

nThe latter nodded and left the room. So now, I was sitting there in front of the vanity table, holding a fancy box.

n'What could this be?'

nIt's making me rather nervous, to be honest. Anything that came from royalty would always be priceless and quite burdensome. I, who is still not used to having expensive things given to me. I'll probably get used to it for maybe, a few more years?

nI slowly opened it, afraid of what I would see. Something shiny greeted my eyes.

nWas it jewels? Nope.

nGolden figurines? Not either.

nAnother jeweled bonsai tree? Thankfully not. That bonsai tree is still there on my bedside table, constantly reminding me every day that rich people are ridiculous.

nWhat was it then? Oh, it's just shoes. But these shoes probably cost ransom money. Given that it came from Her Majesty herself.

nIt's pretty though.

nIt was silver in color. On its pointed heels, intricate vines with leaves curled around the soles and at the back of the shoe. The artist who did this should be given an award, as to how delicately beautiful that silver carving was.

n

"Amazing…

" I mumbled and gazed at it in wonder.

nThis looked like it could be displayed in museums…

nI then saw a card lodged between the shoes and pulled them out. It was a letter from the Empress.

n'Happy birthday, my dear niece. I could not attend the celebration even if I wanted to, so take this gift instead.'

nAwww…

nA smile immediately appeared on my lips upon reading her message.

nIt's true that the rulers of the empire should not attend a party on a whim, even if you're blood-related or not. It's an unspoken rule because it could be taken as something else if they did. It's a different case for a prince though. I was worried that Ezekiel may not be able to come but he assured me that he definitely would.

nWell then, I would use these shoes instead!

nI gave it to Amy who then placed it carefully over the bed, next to my oomph of a dress. I was seriously excited to put it on and we were just waiting for dusk to come so I could wear it.

nThey had now finished fixing my hair. It was left flowing on my back, just as they have agreed on, and decorated it with gold chains and red tiny jewels. For the nth time today, they got on another discourse on what earrings and necklace would be a better partner with the dress.

n'I can't even anymore…'

nThere was another knock on the door before Nathaniel came in. It made me amused. He had finally learned not to barge in every time.

nHe was wearing a white undershirt that Adele had made for him, and on his hands, was a wooden box.

n'What's with wooden boxes? Is it another gift?'

nI looked at Nathan and saw him looking a little embarrassed.

n'Yep. It is another gift.'

nJust like with the royal family, I was also slightly nervous about what Nathan would give. He is a little intense when it comes to this. I still can't get over that time when he literally gave me a treasure box.

nNathan cleared his throat and glanced at my maids. Mari interpreted it and immediately shooed all of the others away from the room, including herself, leaving us alone.

n'Now what's my tsundere brother up to?'

nThere was silence, a long one. The two of us are just there, staring at each other.

n'This again… fine.' I internally sighed. If I waited for him to start talking, the party would probably start and he would still not croak by then.

n

"Is that for me?

" I voiced out and gestured at the box in his hands.

nNathan glanced at the box and reached his arms out to hold it in front of my face. I took it from him without uttering a single word and opened it in front of him.

nInside was a set of glittering rubies lying over a velvet cushion. It glinted in the light and almost blinded me.

n

"A choker…?

" I mumbled.

nMy eyes widened as I stared at the gems and immediately turned to him.

n

"This…

"

n

"It's a replacement for those blue diamonds from before. I know it's not the same but…

" Nathan stated while he scratched his head--

"I couldn't find anything that closely resembles it.

"

n'Blue diamonds?'

nMy brows were furrowed as I tried to ransack my mind of what in the hell was he referring to. Then it finally dawned on me.

n'Didn't my first encounter with him was when he grabbed the necklace off my neck?'

nRight. I was so mad at him by then! I thought he was a rude man in my dream…

n

"I'm sorry that I broke it,

" he added timidly.

nSo he got guilty because of that time so he bought me another? When I literally have forgotten about it not until he reminded me of it again just now?

n'Oh, brother…'

nI poked the biggest stone in the center with my finger.

n

"You don't have to…

" I muttered. Yes, he doesn't have to. But we're talking about Nathaniel here who goes out of his way to do superficial things.

n'How much did this cost?!'

n

"No, I was a jerk. I also apologize for that,

" Nathan answered and let out a sincere smile. The first time that I saw him or was it? I don't know! I just know that it is rare!

n

"Happy birthday sister,

" he declared as he patted my head lightly.

nAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

nYou guys! You don't understand how I feel right now!

nHe just called me sister, in my face! And with that handsome face to boot! I think I am having a nosebleed…

nOh dang, I wanna hug him!

n

"Thank you, brother,

" I practically beamed at him.

nThe two of us were like puppies wagging our tails at that moment. It was then interrupted by somebody knocking on the door again.

n'How many times would someone knock on it for today?'

nDad came in and saw the two of us and he looked a little taken aback. He was wearing his white suit, looking like every inch of a valiant patriarch. In his hands, was a rectangular box.

nI have a premonition already…

n

"I did not know you were here,

" he told Nathan who then bowed to him out of respect.

n

"I just gave Nadia my gift,

" he answered. Nathan then glanced at me,

"I will take my leave now.

"

nFather and I watched him go and as soon as he was out of sight, father took his place and sat right in front of me.

n'Here's another extravagant gift, I presume…'

nI will probably drown with it at the end of this celebration. I could definitely feel it now…

nDad stares at me first with a warm look on his face.

n

"You resemble your mother a lot,

" he then pointed out.

"If your mom is here, both of you might have looked like twins.

"

nHe must be terribly missing her again… Damn it, dad. Let us not get sad before the ceremony alright? I don't want to appear in front of people with puffy eyes.

n

"If you say that, I will cry, you know!

" I commented.

n

"That's not good. It's your day so you should only be happy,

" was my father's response.

nI pouted at him,

"Then don't make me!

"

n

"You look beautiful, daughter,

" was his reply.

nUgggghhh! Why must you do this dad?!

n

"I told you not to make me cry,

" I was trying to hold back my tears from spilling. My father only shook his head while laughing softly. Just from doing that, it made him looked younger.

nHe should always smile, yes. Both he and Nathan...

n

"This gift is a bit late…

" he said and gave the rectangular box to me.

n

"Late?

" I mouthed as I took it.

nWhy late though? I mean, it's just in time for my birthday right?

n

"It's supposed to be given to you before The Hunt, but there was an issue regarding the shipping. I only got it a week after the event and the hunt is already over,

" dad explained when he saw the confusion on my face.

n'The Hunt? Does this mean…'

nWith eagerness, I lifted the cover of the box to confirm what I had in mind, and gasped as soon as I saw what's inside.

n