15. My Eighteenth Birthday
AFTER the day of the King’s Assembly, I didn’t see Ed as much.
A Magic Count has no land to govern, but Ed was still busy with the official paperwork for the lands he had been bestowed as Senior Royal Magician and other administrative matters.
He was so busy, I actually became concerned and wrote him a letter. He responded by saying that he was fine, reminding me to stay well and things like that. So it seemed like Ed was holding up all right.
And then my eighteenth birthday rolled around.
When I awoke, the entire room smelled like flowers.
“Happy birthday, Princess Annabel.”
Noticing I was awake, Ellie came over and opened the curtains around my canopy bed by tugging on the tassels. Now I could see the room. It was filled wall to wall with flowers.
“There’s so many this year again too!”
That explained the strong floral scent. Like last year, I was delighted to know that so many people wanted to celebrate my birthday.
“And there are lots of cards too!”
I was still taking in the beautiful flowers when Ellie showed me a tray covered with envelopes.
“Oh, wow!”
I got to my feet and went to look at the envelopes she had placed on the table.
Is there anything from Ed?
I couldn’t spot anything that looked like it bore his handwriting.
“Why don’t you leave the letters for later? If you start reading them now, you’ll be late for breakfast. You don’t want to keep the king and queen waiting.”
Ellie smiled as she prepared my dress for the day.
“Oh, good point! I’ll read them later.”
She was right. Once I started reading, I probably wouldn’t be able to stop. I nodded and then started getting ready for the day.
When I went down to breakfast, my family was waiting for me. The table had a more luxurious spread than usual in honor of my birthday. I smiled to see it.
“Happy birthday, Bel.”
It was Charles who greeted me first with a big, dorky smile.
“Thank you, Charles.”
I grasped my dress’s skirts and curtsied to my brother. Then I did the same to my mother and father.
“Bel, I’ll give you your birthday present at dinner.” Charles was still grinning.
“Oh, okay…?”
I was a touch taken aback. Charles usually always gave me my birthday present at breakfast. This was unusual.
“You too, Mom and Daddy?”
I looked at my parents.
“Yes. It’s something special. You’ll have all day to look forward to it.”
Mom stopped cutting up the smoked meat for breakfast and smiled at me.
Something special, eh…?
I was curious now. Why the suspense? Still, I’ve always loved a good surprise.
After an enjoyable breakfast with my family, I returned to my room and dove straight into that stack of envelopes.
“Oh, one from Oliphia!”
I opened the envelope and quickly read the letter. She wished me a happy birthday and said how much she was looking forward to seeing me today. There would be an official audience with the aristocracy today for an hour, followed by afternoon tea.
I also got cards from my school friends, including Claude. And plenty of well-wishes from the young ladies of the Najirian aristocracy who’d be attending my tea party. Daniel and Karina both sent me cards as well.
Karina recently returned to royal duties, having regained most of her memories. I smiled as I read her letter. She sounded like she was back to her normal, cheerful self.
Nothing from Ed. I guess he has been very busy lately…
There was no letter from the one person I most wanted one from. I felt dejected. But I soon pulled myself together. Knowing Ed, he would never forget my birthday, no matter how busy he was.
Ah, wait!
I got to my feet and hurried over to the mountain of presents. One of them had the La Boulacherie seal on the notecard. It was a small blue box tied with a white ribbon.
I opened it up, my heart pounding.
“It’s…a rosebud?”
There was a single red rosebud inside.
I stared at it, not sure what I was looking at. Then the rosebud slowly unfurled until a beautiful open rose filled the box. Then it turned into golden particles which floated into the air and swirled, forming letters. Forming words!
“Happy birthday, Princess. I will come to see you this afternoon.”
That’s what the floating, glittering message said.
Amazing!
Was this a new type of magic?
I’d never seen anything like it.
Ed’s special present made me feel like I was in for the best birthday I’d ever had.
✦ ✦ ✦
I hadn’t seen Oliphia in about a month, and we had such fun catching up, the time seemed to pass in an instant.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes! I have the dresses and jewels I’m to take with me all picked out. And my wedding dress is being made as we speak!” Oliphia blushed a little. “But there’s so much to remember! I have to get it together because a lot of foreign visitors will come, and there’ll be a big banquet!”
Oliphia and Claude’s wedding ceremony was set for a few months from now.
It seemed like there was a lot Oliphia had to memorize, since Claude was following in his father’s footsteps as a diplomat. She was studying every day to be his perfect counterpart. But she was all smiles and looked really happy. Seeing her so fulfilled made me smile, too.
At some point, I noticed the necklace she was wearing. It had a white gold chain, with a round blue stone dangling from it. The stone was surrounded by tiny diamonds.
“Is that Claude’s Magic Stone?”
“Huh?”
The blue color was reminiscent of summer skies, the color of Claude’s eyes.
In Najir, it’s customary to exchange Magic Stones when a couple gets married. Only one of a caster’s Magic Stones can exist at any one time, and it is infused with the caster’s magical power. They’re hugely symbolic to our culture.
“Oh, yes! He gave it to me when we got engaged.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Oliphia touched her magic stone, smiling with joy. “You’ll be coming to the ceremony, right?”
“Of course I’ll be there!” I nodded emphatically.
We chatted over tea for around two hours before I saw Oliphia off, then gazed out my window.
“The weather is nice. Maybe I’ll go for a walk around the gardens.”
The blue skies above seemed endless and were dotted with puffy white clouds. It was warm without a strong breeze, the perfect weather for a stroll.
I wanted to walk with Ed if possible, only…he said he’d come to see me in the afternoon, but he didn’t say when. Maybe he was too busy with work again, after all.
“Ellie, let’s go for a walk.”
“Certainly.” Ellie quickly checked the time. “Why don’t we refresh your hair and makeup a bit?”
“What? Just for a walk in the gardens?”
“But today is a special day. Here, sit.”
My makeup was fine enough for a walk in the garden already, but I obediently sat down at the dressing table upon Ellie’s prompting. Maybe she was right, though. It was my birthday. I should try to look my best.
I left the hair and makeup choices up to Ellie.
“Wow, that looks really nice. Thanks, Ellie!”
As soon as Ellie set down her makeup brushes, I opened my eyes. In the mirror, I could see that she’d given me a natural makeup look, very fresh and pretty.
“Shall we go?”
Ellie quickly put the cosmetic items away and headed to the door.
Then she leaned out and whispered something to Hendrick, who was on guard outside. I could see him nodding.
“What’s going on?”
I walked over to Ellie and Hendrick, curious.
“I was just letting him know that you’ll be taking a stroll in the gardens.” Ellie giggled, covering her mouth with her hand for some reason.