The seasons came and went, and it was now the end of the year. In what felt like no time at all, almost a year had passed since Violet was born.
“It’s almost time for Flür National Day. I couldn’t do much last time around because I was carrying Lettie, but I’m back to pitching in this year!”
“All right, all right. Have it your way.”
“Hooray!”
I’d stuck to polishing silverware back when I was expecting, but this year my body was traveling a lot lighter. Now that I’d gotten Mr. Fisalis’s approval, I was going to pull out all the stops and do my part!
Violet had Mimosa and Daisy to look after her, so she’d be fine without me. Despite all my early objections to having a nanny, I was learning to rely on her these days. It was great to have her around.
✦ ✦ ✦
Between the cleaning blitz and setting up the mistletoe decorations, preparations for Flür National Day were slowly but surely coming together.
But that wasn’t the only occasion we had to celebrate this time—Violet’s birthday was likewise drawing near.
“I’m glad to see Miss Lettie reach her first birthday in good health.”
“We’re as delighted as anyone to watch her grow up so fast.”
The servants seemed more excited for Violet’s big day than the national festivities.
“That should do it for the end of the year and New Year’s feasts. Now to figure out what I’m doing for Miss Lettie’s birthday.”
“Woo! I can’t wait!”
“You can count on Uncle Cartham!”
Over in the kitchen, upon finishing his preparations for the New Year’s meals, Cartham turned his attention to the menu for Violet’s birthday celebration.
“She’s still too young for grown-up foods, so let’s stick to a vegetable-based menu.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”
“I’m sure Lord and Lady Fisalis will come bearing plenty of rare fruits and veggies!”
Good timing on their part.
My in-laws were going to be staying in the capital from the end of the year onward. Whenever they came to visit, they always brought us ample fruit and vegetables from their territory as a souvenir. That was sure to include all kinds of produce we didn’t have here in Rohze; no doubt Violet would be thrilled.
“There are so many delicious vegetables grown in the Fisalis territory! I’m a big fan myself.”
“That’s the beauty of farm-fresh produce.”
“Exactly!”
I was practically drooling at the thought of the salad to come.
“Now what should we do for dessert?” Cartham wondered, his mind already elsewhere.
Dessert?! Oh boy, I’m hyped already!
Wait, no! I’m not the star of this celebration—Violet is.
“Normally we’d go for a pastry loaded with cream and fruit, but I’ve never tried feeding her anything that rich before.”
“Precisely the issue.”
“We could take this opportunity to introduce her to a new taste...ooor...maybe not.”
“That’d be pushing it, I think.”
“Yeah, probably.”
We need a dessert appropriate for Violet, who still hasn’t learned to eat grown-up foods... What should we do?
While I was racking my empty brain, Cartham struck his palm with his fist in an epiphany. “How about a fruit tower?”
Now that sounds like a good idea!
“A fruit tower?”
“Oui! I’ll stack various kinds of fruit together, all beautifully cut and decorated!”
“Ooh, good idea! Lettie can handle fruit!”
“Precisely.” Cartham shot me a charming wink.
“Man, I’m already drooling! Won’t it be a lot of work to cut everything into pretty shapes, though?”
“Don’t worry—I’ll make Tin handle that part.”
“Poor Tin...”
Cartham’s son, Tinctorius, was supposed to be coming home for the New Year’s holidays. The poor guy was getting work dumped in his lap before he’d even arrived!
Once the end of the year rolled around, Quince—who was on break from school—and Tinctorius—who had taken time off for New Year’s—both arrived at the manor. Mother and Father Fisalis made their trip from Le Pied as well—and at long last, Flür National Day was here.