Birthday

Days had passed and it was finally my birthday. I even insisted that it's okay if they don't celebrate it like they always do on their birthdays. As long as they were there to congratulate me then I'm happy

Sadly Thalassius can't come as his duties at the academy were hard and needed a lot of time. I didn't care much about it, since from now on I have more than one person to celebrate my birthday with. Sure, back then the maids were there to congratulate me on my birthday along with my brother and I considered them as family but things with the Ivory family felt different. They seem like my real family. A family that I longed and deserved to have

The day before, everyone was busy setting up decorations and picking food to be cooked for my birthday for the guests and us. They even picked some musicians and some dancers to have me entertained. And the night before my birthday, Delilah creeped into my room and placed a small gift on my nightstand table

"Dad, I placed the gift on her table"

"Good, let's see whether she likes it or not tomorrow. Go to sleep, both of you will wake up tomorrow early"

"Goodnight dad!"

Pierson smiled at the sight of her daughter and waved back to her. He went to his room to continue his work for a while and slept an hour later.

The next day I woke up and saw a small gift. I hesitated to open it as I didn't know who it was from and overthinked that it might be a prank or it might contain something dangerous. But these people aren't like that so I pushed those thoughts away and opened the present, once I opened it, another small box was inside

"What could this be?"

I opened the smaller box and it contained a tulip necklace I have never seen before, even in jewelry shops. Its gold shone under the ray of sunlight that was in my room. The pink color matched so perfectly with the gold and the item looks quite expensive too. I must treat this necklace carefully

A minute later, a maid walked in and got me ready for my birthday. They made me wear an outfit colored blue and gold, with golden stars patterned at the hem of the dress, the strap of the dress were designed like vines with the color of gold as well. One ribbon is placed on both sides of my shoulder while there's another long one on the back of my dress. Another ribbon hugged my waist but this time colored as blue

They tied half of my hair into bun and decorated it with a big flower on the side colored as gold again, while they curled the ends of my hair and decorated the rest with small butterflies

After they got me ready, Delilah busted the door opened and asked me

"Tabitha!! Have you opened the gift we have you?"

"Delilah! Yes I did. It's so pretty! Thank you"

"It's nothing hehe, but you'll receive more later"

"There's more?"

"Of course there's more! You know dad was even worried that you won't like the gift but I told him that you will. After all I picked it, I even had a hard time picking which color to give you"

"Is that why you and Pierson made me and Aeris wait for so long?"

"That's right. But it's all worth it isn't it? Dad is hoping that you will wear it today, so you should wear it!"

"Really? I'll put it on then"

The maid helped me put on the necklace and now I was ready but the problem was…

"Miss Delilah?! We still have to style your hair!" A maid then shouts, looking for Delilah, I mean I did notice that something was missing with her style for today and it seems she was too excited and forgot that they still have to do her hair. Her outfit is cute, she wore something simple but cute, a dress that had short sleeves designed with small flowers then a small pink bow is attached to the collar of her dress, there's another big bow that was behind her dress like mine. And the hem of her dress or the bottom of her dress were designed with small flowers

Delilah smiled at me before walking away to get her hair done, while the maid grabbed a perfume and sprayed it around me. For me to smell more good

"Ah there we go! Now we're finally done"

She clapped her hands then wiped her non existent tears away, I laughed it off then looked at the full body mirror that was behind me. 'Is this really me? I look so different…'

A knock was then heard and when I shouted come in, the door opened slowly and Aeris came into view

"Tabitha, dear. Are you done getting ready?"

"Yes"

"You look pretty, happy birthday Tabitha"

"Thank you!"

I walked up to her then hugged her, to which she returned as well

"Sigh… You know, Pierson invited a lot of people unlike he normally does. I guess he badly wants to flex on people that there's a new Vandeleur"

"New Vandeleur? Does that mean I wasn't known by people publicly?"

"Some people do know you, though those people were high ranking nobles. And Pierson, I guess you can say, he wants to introduce you to other ranking nobles?"

"I see"

"The most shocking fact is- He even invited the emperor! But due to his work he couldn't come so his son will come instead on his behalf"

"The crown prince???"

"Yes the crown prince, many nobles will be shocked about this…"

"What do you mean?"

"One of the things Pierson was known for, was him inviting the emperor or the royal family everytime we have an event, but of course the emperor doesn't sometimes come through Pierson is his best friend"

"What? Won't that put him in an embarrassing situation though?"

"That's what I expected too but guess what? It didn't! Everyone knew that him and the emperor are on good terms and the emperor can't always come due to his work. And Pierson is always fine with it. At least he tried. But you know, it's quite shocking"

"What is?"

"The emperor's son is coming, I mean he rarely makes public appearances. He only does if it's a special occasion, every invitation sent to him would always get turned down. And people say that he's cold to other people unless it's his family so I'm not quite sure if he'll stay long, assuming he's not good with communicating with other people. But maybe he changed? Pierson kept telling me that the emperor would always scold his son for acting rudely in front of Pierson or to other people''

"I see"

"Anyway, let's get going, the party is starting soon!"

Once they escorted me to the hall, now did I realize that there are indeed many people, some I don't know while some had familiar faces. Their eyes are all on me, which made me overwhelmed. I've never been in a situation where many people would look at me at the same time.

The party started, and some nobles began dancing while the others chatted with one another, and those who were on their free time, came up to me and greeted me a happy birthday while holding gifts in their hands. I wonder how many I'll receive?

A cold yet soft looking man then came over with a knight beside him, Is he perhaps the Aziel? Prince Aziel?

"This is our first time meeting each other, isn't it?" His tone was calm, and for some reason it made me feel relaxed.

"Ah? Yes?"

"Happy birthday Tabitha"

"Thank you" Wow, that was all I can say… But I knew that the Prince would obviously be attractive but now that he's in front of me, I can't mutter out more words, why was his hair glowing yet it was colored black? His beautiful red pupils looked as if it was glowing, it was a stunning sight. I didn't even realize I was staring at him for 2 long minutes

"Is there something wrong with my face?" He says along with pointing his finger at his face

"No there isn't!"

"I see, well then. I'll go for now, there are more people waiting in line to greet you and give you gifts. See you later" He said and gave me a warm smile. He was known for being cold, but where did that go? Or perhaps he's hiding his true personality right now

The prince then left and more nobles congratulated me along with their gifts. Jeez, I was only thanking and handing my hand out to receive their gifts yet why do I feel so tired already? Minutes pass by and gift giving is already done, the other nobles are talking to each other, dancing once again and more. Then I see Aziel approaching from the distance

I thought he'll leave because of how boring this party is, but I guess not?

"I find you interesting Tabitha, would you like to be friends?"

"If.. that's alright with you, then why not?"

"Alright, so we're friends now?"

"Yes"

God… this is kind of embarrassing…

"May I ask how old you are now, Tabitha?"

"I'm 9 now, how about you, your highness?"

"I'm a year older"

"Oh so you enter the academy then?"

"Actually… I only study at home but I do plan to go to the academy next year. It's quite boring to see my teachers from 5 years ago everyday"

I laughed at his statement, and surprisingly a smile creeped up to his lips- but I didn't notice that. Too bad

"May I know what your full name is? Pierson only told me so I would know what to call you"

"Oh I'm Tabitha Vandeleur"

"Vandeleur? Then you know who Thalassius is?"

"Yes? I lived with him"

"Really? Oh you know, the reason why I wanted to go at the academy because I heard Thalassius is studying there, and I admire his swordsmanship and I want him to become my teacher"

"Really?"

Our conversation lasted long, but unfortunately the moment was ruined after his father asked for his presence. He wasn't that boring when I talked to him, honestly I'm even more surprised that we talked for a long time

After the party was over, I opened Aziel's gifts first and one of them was a bow that I could use either for training or a real battle. The size was a little big for me as of now but it will be sized perfectly soon.

Delilah's eyes widened and happily shouted "You can train with me now! I begged father to give you one but he refused! Since you're given one we can start tomorrow!"

She giggled and ran around me in pure happiness, I laughed at the sight of her and continued to open the other gifts given by other people. The gifts given by the Ivory family were random but they were expensive, clothes from Delilah, jewelry from Pierson and many more..