Elise's birthday party was turning out to be quite simple and less stressful than Rena had anticipated. It could have been the fact that the age range that Elise requested included a total of four girls. At first, Rena was relieved that it was a small number to allow Elise the ease of interacting with girls her age so that she does not feel overwhelmed.
As the day was coming closer, Rena was worried that Elise would feel sad because she would be expecting more girls.
"Are you excited for today?" Rena asks as she combs Elise's hair
"I am, thank you for allowing me to celebrate my birthday and to have guests"
Rena had finished styling Elise's hair. She turned her so they were now facing to face.
"There was no way we were not going to celebrate your birthday," Rena reassured her
"Despite everything that had happened?" Elise asked with a doubtful look on her face.
"Now more than ever. I have learned that bad things will always happen and will always exist. That is how the world is made up, and the only way to continue living is for good things to exist as well. Whether it happens by chance or fate, or it happens because we make it happen"
"Your birthday is a special occasion, not only for you to acknowledge it but for me as well. It is the anniversary when I became a mother when I found out I was pregnant I was happy and scared. But when I heard you crying and saw your tiny face, I felt such joy and love that I never have felt before. There is nothing that would make me or your father not celebrate this day." Elise smiles at her mother
"Now for one final addition," Rena places a bracelet on Elise's wrist
"Isn't this grandmother's bracelet?"
"Yes, it is. You can wear it today, I think you are responsible enough to take care of it for today."
"I will"
"Let's go" Rena extends her hand to Elise and they walk out of her room to greet their guests at the entrance of the castle.
Rena and Elise watched as the four carriages one behind the other approach them. The doors were opened in synchrony revealing the girls and their guardians. Their eyes could not decide where to look, they shifted from the castle to the statues to the queen, the princess. After a few seconds of being stunned at the presence that they were in, they lined up just as their carriages did. One behind the other ready to present their gift to Elise.
The little girl and her guardian approached Rena and Elise and bowed to them
"Hello, what is your name?" Rena started the conversation, the girl being extremely shy hid her face in her guardian's skirt
"Apologises your Majesties," her guardian said nervously
"There is no need to apologize" Rena tried to lighten the mood
"This is Amelia, my daughter and I am Anne. It is such an honour to be invited to your home and to be in your presence"
"Please the honour is all ours, you are our guests, please make yourselves comfortable. Hello Amelia, my name is Rena and this is Elise." Elise was also nervous about meeting the girls today, but she remembered the advice her mother had given to her. The girls she would meet today are their guests that they invited and as such must make them feel welcomed.
"Those are beautiful buttercups, did you pick them yourself?" Elise tried to ease the tension and make Amelia comfortable
"They are, we picked them this morning so they are fresh. Amelia adores flowers and she was especially happy to make the crown for you." Amelia's mother explained
"It is beautiful" Elise continued "Thank you for accepting my invitation and for your thoughtful and lovely gift"
Amelia finally gains the confidence to hand her gift over to Elise which she accepts
"Thank you for your invitation and I hope you enjoy the gift," she hesitates before saying "I hope we can be friends." Elise is taken aback by her bold statement, to which she smiles "I hope so too"
Amelia and her mother bow once again and return to stand in front of their carriage
"Good day your Majesties, my name is Ella and this is my daughter Gabriella and it is our honoured to meet your acquaintance." Elise immediately saw the difference between Gabriella and her mother and Amelia and her mother. The clothes they wore, the way they spoke and how they presented themselves.
"Ah yes, Lady Ella I do remember you, however, this is my first time meeting Lady Gabriella"
"I prefer to be called Gabby, your Highness" Gabriella's mother did not expect her to say what she said, but she was more worried about how the Queen was going to react.
"Then Gabby it is" Rena replied with a smile
"My Princess, I have brought you a flower crown made of white roses, I do hope it is to liking"
"I like it very much and I prefer to be called Elise" the two girls start to laugh with their hands covering their mouths
"Then Elise it is" she replied and they continued to laugh
The next pair was also of high birth Duchess Katherine and her granddaughter Kya
"I present to you Princess, a flower crown made of purple lilies"
"These are rare, I have never seen any like these before"
"We had them imported just for you" Duchess Katherine explained
"Thank you" Elise did not expect that they would go through so much trouble, have flowers imported just for her.
The final guest was Yuna and her mother Sue. When Elise saw the flower crown she had accidentally blurted out
"They're fake" she quickly slapped her hand over her mouth in regret
"Yes, they are. I figured that for you to cherish your gift it has to last, so made them with flowers that would not wither. I'm sorry that I offended you, Princess"
"No, no you haven't offended me, I'm sorry for my outburst. It is lovely, thank you"
After the introductions and receipt of the gifts, Elise was pleased, each girl was unique and she could not wait to spend the day with them.
"I hope all of us will enjoy today and make memories that we will carry with us. Shall we being?"