Aria's hand went up to her hair unconsciously to run her fingers through it, but she stopped as soon as her hands reached her head.
Instead of running her fingers through them, Aria lightly ran her hands over the fishtail that Helen's maid had made, ending into an elegant bun at the nape of her neck. Aria smiled bitterly as she felt the flowers making an intricate pattern in her hair and remembered Helen's maid exclaiming that she had such beautiful hair.
Aria looked at Helen in front of the mirror, getting her make-up touched up. Aria had refused to let the maids put make-up on her, saying that she would jump out of the window if anyone dared to powder her nose.
Aria's eyes wandered from Helen and she caught sight of herself in the mirror.
Aria stopped dead as she stared in the mirror.
Her eyes widened as Aria turned a bit and a gasp escaped her lips.
Helen and the maids were immediately alarmed and Helen asked, "What's wrong Aria? Did something happen?"
"No nothing. I just stepped in the dress a bit." Aria hurriedly replied.
Helen siad with an apologetic smile, "Sorry Aria. But please put up with it for a few days. I want Joseph to really remember this birthday."
Aria absent-mindedly assured Helen that it was all right and then turned her attention back to the mirror.
Aria was disappointed when she looked in it now. All she saw was herself, her frail face with the black eyes.
Aria closed her eyes as she remembered whom she had seen in the mirror a minute ago. Of course it had the differences, her face was a bit thinner and she was not tall enough, but Aria was sure that she had caught a glimpse of her mother when she looked in the mirror.
Aria was ecstatic as she focused on her image in the mirror, she could almost see her face getting rounder, hair twisting themselves into a more traditional bun and the black eyes turning red.
Aria muffled another gasp as a man appeared beside the woman that had just materialized in the mirror. He had a kind face and wisdom in his deep red eyes. Though Aria had once forgotten his face, she had no doubt now. "Mom, dad?" Aria muttered softly as two little girls bounded to stand on either side of the couple. They both had blonde hair and looked like they were looking for their playmate.
"Beth. Julia. You both look beautiful." Aria muttered. She was not startled with what followed. An elderly man with a stern face but kind eyes stepped forward, looking very kingly with his long black hair tied back. Aria chuckled internally, "You're still trying to act all tough grandpa?"
Next instant Aria stopped breathing in anticipation. Natalia's arms moved as though she was holding something, a baby by the looks of it. Aria knew what was coming next. She was about to meet the newest member of her family. The sibling she had loved even before it was born.
Aria blinked and leaned forward in anticipation. She could already see a bundle in mom's arms. Yes. Any moment now. She would have a look at her brother or sister, she did not know which, but Aria knew she loved it with all her heart.
"Miss Aria? Miss Helen?" a voice suddenly spoke from nowhere.