*Ana*
The cake is so pretty. But just as I am in awe of it, I can't help but notice something wrong. It is the number of candles. Aren't there too many?
Isn't the tradition supposed to be a candle for each year? I try to remember a book I read in the past as a reference. I can't say for sure, as I can't remember having any birthdays, let alone cakes.
Since I lived in Nochten, we don't celebrate. If I did have any, it would have been when I was three or younger, and that is rather difficult for me to remember for some reason.
I bet Father wanted more candles. I look up to my father. He is smiling and happy right now, but he looks like he is about to burst. I can't help but smile before something shifts beside me. It's Mykhol. He is pouting.
"It's just a cake," I hear Mykhol scuff again before crossing his arms and sitting back. "You can have cake anytime, but look at how dumb the King is, smiling like he just invented it. Haa," He added with a roll of his eyes before looking at me.
"I wasted a new gown for something so silly," Mykhol said, but I shushed him.
"Cousin, please," I hope no one heard. The King is speaking, and I don't want to miss anything." I turn back at the sound of wheels to catch Mr. Brown, who is pushing the cart past us.
"Wow," I whisper in awe. It looks even better up close. The cake from the candles is encircled by a golden halo that shines like the moon.
"It's so—" I lose my thoughts as my stomach growls. "Oh," I cover my stomach, but Mykhol hears me.
"Hungry?" Mykhol breaks into an amused smile. His mood is better.
"Yes, I didn't eat this morning." I stop as if I only now just remembered. But thinking of my silly faux pas, my face warms up, and I look down. I am suddenly aware that I am in the same room full of people who saw me be so foolish.
I wonder what they must think of me. I'm afraid to look up to spy on them and see judgment. Indeed, they all remember.
I keep my head down and hold my hands. My feet are well-shoed this time, but I can't help but pull my dress a little to check. Mykhol watches me and nods as if he understands why I am doing it.
"No, I guess you were in a little hurry." I think I hear a little laugh before something shifts in him. "But you had some fun, didn't you?"
"Fun?" I look up at the strange statement. What fun? Did Maddie already tell him about me and Nicoli in the Kitchen?
I look to Maddie, who smiles at me, bewildered, but I have already shaken my head.
No, when could she tell Mykhol? Maddie was with me this whole time. Again, I turn back to Mykhol, a little stumped, but Mykhol's expression has changed. It's oddly softer.
"Well, at least we will get something out of this." Mykhol goes, and I feel his hand reach for mine. "I hope you will enjoy yourself tonight, Ana. His usual smile comes back up as if like a mask. "It's going to be a night you'll remember."
"I plan to." I agree, but I find his smile odd. But it's only me; the other ladies and girls seem to have the same effect. I see them steal glances at us with blushes and smiles.
I must just be oversensitive because I am still hungry. I think as my stomach gurgles. I dismiss Mykhol's smile as that and turn in time to catch King Alexander thanking and dismissing Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown turns to leave promptly but seems to stall as he looks over the crowd. When his little brown eyes find me, I feel myself sitting up. I sheepishly nod my head with a little smile. Mr. Brown smiles back but drops it just as quickly and pushes on.
"Everyone," King Alexander motions, and everyone stands again. I fumble to get out of my chair, as the hoop skirt is not the best to manage. But I am also mystified by what we are doing now.
Aren't we going to eat cake? I wonder as I feel the heavy pause in the room.
"What's happening?" I whisper to Mykhol, but he shakes his head. He seems just as lost as I am.
"Why would I know?" Mykhol utters, unsettled by the silence. "I think they are waiting for something."
"Waiting for what-" I ask as I see Nicoli walk to the cake.
What is he- and then all at once, I hear it. Both Mykhol and I cringe as the room suddenly erupts into a harmonious sound.
"What the hell? " Mykhol looks to me, and I look to the room.
"It's a song," I utter, but it does not help us. Whether it was a song or just noise, everyone was singing. Somehow, everyone knows the words. But how? I don't know, but it doesn't matter because Mykhol and I don't.
What do we do? I start to worry. I don't want to seem rude. But again, I don't know what everyone is signing, so I don't know if it's better just to be quiet. We don't have any songs like this in Nochten. I feel myself between worry and confusion as I look around.
In my panic, I find Nicoli. He is watching me while cocking his head before making a funny expression.
'What are you doing?' Nicoli mouths after watching me. I only shrug.
'What's everyone singing?' I mouth back to see Nicoli suddenly laugh.
"you don't know how to sing-" Nicoli covers his mouth quickly to stop.
'This isn't funny.' I furrow my brows at him. Nicoli, however, seems to laugh a little more before taking a breath. He shakes his head at me before pointing to his lips.
'Happy birthday to you,' Nicoli mouths slowly. He goes on to the next line. I follow, confused before I realize it.
"That—" I quickly nod. Nicoli appears with a huge smile but continues to mouth the words.
"Happy birthday to you," I manage to squeak out the last bit in unison with the rest. It's terrible and flat-sounding, but I am proud I could do that much.
'Good job!' Nicoli throws a thumbs-up as the song comes to an end. He beams a smile of approval that I can't help but feel silly.
What a simple little song. I want to laugh at my panic. It's simple, yet it brings so much joy. I can't help but feel warm and fuzzy. And I can see it in the room. Everyone looks so happy just to be together.
Things are so different here. Everything is so much more bright and friendly. No wonder Nicoli is the way he is. Anyone would be. If I lived in Dawny, I'd probably also be
No, let's not think of it. I stopped myself. No, I want to be happy now. I want to be happy because it's Nicoli's birthday.
As the song finishes, the clapping begins. This time, I am a bit quicker to catch on and follow. Mykhol, however, seems to have given up entirely. I see he barely keeps a smile as he only stands waiting for whatever else to end.
"Cousin, at least try." I go to see Mykhol lift his lip a little.
"I'm trying."
"Not that well," Maddie laughs, making Mykhol sneer further.
"You, be quiet." Mykhol goes, and Maddie turns her head as Father is on the move. He picks up Nicoli.
"Alright, you ready, son?" King Alexander holds Nicoli over the cake.
"Yup," In his arms, Nicoli takes a deep breath and begins to blow. The candles splatter wax as Nicoli pushes his lungs to the max. One by one, the candles die. And When they are all good and dead, more laughter and cheers erupt in the room.
"Ah, you're heavy," King Alexander says, setting Nicoli down and motioning for a servant to start. They begin to work on cutting the cake.
While they cut and divide the slices, the doors reveal the same kitchen attendants from earlier. They are coming in with plates to put out on each table.
"Your Empress," one winked at me before setting the plate down. Maddie huffs at them.
"Traitors," Maddie growls, and they quickly scatter away. But it seems to be in good fun, as Maddie's sour face turns to smile at me. I find myself laughing, and I don't seem to be the only one.
King Alexander, putting Nicoli back down, seems to want to have his fun. He makes a show of plopping his head over Nicoli and nearly topples him over with his weight. Nicoli quickly swats at his beard.
"Get off you old pile of rocks!" Nicole grumbles, and King Alexander lets out a robust laugh.
"Is that any way to speak to your old man? Punk." King Alexander scuffs before going to tickle him. Nicoli squeals and tries to pull away, but King Alexander has longer arms.
"No, please!" Nicoli cries and laughs, but this only seems to do the opposite. King Alexander gets more potent in his attacks.
"Honey, please." Queen Belinda laughs, still seated. Her eyes shine after both of them as if they are happy until her grey eyes shift over to find me.
"Ah," I feel myself stiffen as I see her do the same. Her face stays pleasant, but her smile shifts at the corners. But then it's back up again as she gets up.
"Everyone, please." Queen Belinda motions for all to sit before joining her husband. She smiles sweetly up at him before King Alexander leans in to whisper. Again, her smile shifts but never falls. She moves to take his arm as Father turns to the room.
"I can not fathom how the years passed so quickly." King Alexander starts, "My son is already five years old. And the next time I blink, he'll be a man." King Alexander moves to shuffle Nicoli's hair.
"Hey!" Nicoli again swats at his hand. His reaction makes everyone, including me, chuckle. Father only pulls Nicoli closer to him before kissing Stepmother on the cheek.
"Hunny, please." Queen Belinda cooes. King Alexander winks at her before looking over the room.
"Let us all remember time waits for no one," King Alexander goes on. So, let's savor every moment we have. This cake is to celebrate my son and our time together another year. And that, for all those who've been apart, be brought back together now. And walk together into the future." King Alexander pauses to grab his glass and lift it. The room moves to lift theirs.
"To our children. May we see them grow and walk farther than we ever will." King Alexander toasts and takes a drink. The room follows suit. They take up their glasses higher.
"To our children!" Tables call back before drinking. This time, Mykhol joins in. He moves his glass to his lips and swallows it all. Me, however, is a different story.
"Oh," I reel back at the very smell. It's almost as bad as the tea, and I barely touch my tongue to it before having to put it down again.
How does anyone like this? I can't help but want to rub my tongue on a napkin. But I already know that would be impolite. I have to endure the taste and hope the cake will be better. The blue frosting especially looks delicious.
I wonder if it will be blueberry or something else blue-flavored? I ponder on the idea but find myself getting stuck. There are not many blue things to eat, are there? Now, I am even more curious about my slice of cake.
Either way, I will eat it. I think, feeling my stomach gurgle. I am famished.
"Let us eat," Father booms and turns to motion for everyone to start.
"Cake!" Nicoli quickly brushes past him to get the table. His smile is clear as day. But Stepmother, however, stays standing.
"Wife?" King Alexander pauses, holding out his hand for her. But Stepmother shakes he head. Instead, she turns to look at the room.
"My gentle sirs, our King speaks so handsomely that I can only find myself a poor comparison. But small as it is-" Queen Belinda pauses to look directly at me. "I, too, wish to participate in this day of celebration."
Participate? I feel my lips grow dry from her stare. Something hardens in my stepmother's eyes as she continues to look at me. They are mysteriously colder, and when she smiles, it matches in an odd shine.
Suddenly, I think of a sword, and it makes me shiver. I shiver and wish Stepmother would stop staring, but Stepmother only widens her smile as if to show her perfect round white teeth.
"I've prepared something." Queen Belinda lifts her head without breaking eye contact, "For both my children."
Both? I repeat. Did she say 'both'?