My birthday finally came. Of course Noriko was invited and I asked her to come a little earlier to spend more time together. But, despite being together, I was in the process of being transformed into a perfect lady. I have once again a pretty braid after I convinced my mother that this is what girls my age wear. But my dress this time was another thing. My mother took into consideration my taste, but it still was grandiose. It was a silver princess dress long to the ground and with little stones like crystals on the torso.The stones were made specially like that to slightly reflect the light and seem like I had an ice dress. My jewelry was still delicate and nothing extravagant, but still very pretty and luxurious with small light blue stones.
The guests started arriving in the late afternoon and I had to greet them one by one. All of them were the same people who were present at the Spiritus party plus some family members. This was also so that we will bond before beginning school, but as it was my birthday, a special place was made for all the presents. I didn't receive them directly, everyone was just putting them there. This was both to show that presents are not that important as being present, but also to leave an easy way out for those who, for some reason, didn't bring one. The staff would empty the place and store them in my room when there were too many to fit. I think it took more than two hours for everyone to arrive. So during this time, all I did was to greet my guests and do small talk with them.
The orchestra started to play a vals and my father took my hand to the center of the ballroom and we started dancing. He had a very proud look on his face which was almost saying "Look, this is my girl, blood of my blood!". I started giggling at that thought and when my father asked about it, I just brushed it away. Every big noble's house has a ballroom for special festivities like this one, but ours is not used that often. Tonight was packed though, and after we started the vals, others joined us. After a while, someone asked permission to dance with me as well.
"Alex!" I gasped while throwing my arms around by bigger cousin.
"Would you please allow me the pleasure of a dance?" he asked formally.
"Of course, my dearest cousin." I had a big smile on my face. "I did not see you earlier when the others came. When did you arrive? I would have come to greet you at once!"
"I just arrived, Fredrika. Don't worry." He patted my head while talking and then we danced together for a while. He was finally there! Ohhh… just watch out for the teasing!
"How is school?" I asked, smiling.
"Well, as usual! Kinda boring, but there are also times when things get really interesting. Like one time we had to duel and magic was permitted so I just smacked the face of an annoying noble who thought that he was above all." He smirked at med. I giggled. He hated bullying and I shared that with him.
"What happened with my very serious cousin who will have to face all the responsibilities in the world?" I teased him.
"He is still present at school, but if given the opportunity, he will try to have fun from time to time. Now that the school year is over, I will finally be able to spend more time with my beloved little cousin and torment her of course." He looked at me teasing.
"And which cousin would that be?" I asked innocently.
"The one in front of me, of course."
"I don't think this cousin will allow it. And anyway, it is usually the maids who are tormented by our actions. They will be more tormented now when they see you. You've grown a lot in the past year, cousin." I haven't seen him for almost a year and he is now almost as tall as my father and strikingly handsome. I am of course imune of his charms because I know his true self, but when he was talking smoothly or authorially with others, most people were surely put under his charm. And that was before him becoming so handsome and tall. The poor hearts of my maids. "Will you come tomorrow to visit me?"
"It will take a few more days to finish packing and moving home from the school dorm." he responded.
"Did the school year end last month?" I checked.
"We had some tests before going into the senior sections so it took some time. But after moving I will come see you almost every day when I can." He assured me.
"Great! I have to show you so many things! Like how advanced my magic is and my little wolf, but don't say a word about this to anyone." He winked at me that he will keep my secret.
After our dance, I introduced him to Noriko and after he left us, she was already in love with him.
"Don't fall for him."I said jokingly."His real personality is more laid back than what you see."
"What?" she asked me puzzled.
"You will see soon." I said enigmatically. They will of course encounter each other many times during this summer, before entering school, as both will be visiting quite often.
As I was dancing another vals with Alex and laughing at his stories from school, I was announced that the two princes just arrived. Of course they received invitations for my birthday party, but I never thought they would come. They usually don't attend such parties, but I guess my father is pretty important. I went and greeted them and became even more surprised than I was to actually see them. I invited them to a table to have some tea and cake while others were dancing.
"You look really lovely today, Miss Fredrika!" The first prince complimented me.
"Thank you, your Majesty! But the whole room became more lovely since you arrived.", I said.
He looked at me and smirked. Why the smirk? Did he actually hear me at that time? After some people came and greeted them, they announced that they have to unfortunately leave.
"I hope to see you soon, Miss. Fredrika!" the first prince said before leaving. Whaaaat? Why?
The party ended with nothing else important happening. I danced with two other boys a year older than me whom I encountered at past parties and chatted a little with them. The others seemed a bit afraid to ask me, I wonder why. I also danced again with Alex, and although my father asked me once more I have to refuse him to dance with my cousin. I love my father, but I am very busy you see.
The next day I made plans with Noriko to open my presents. All were expensive. I received many jewels, some fine gloves and hair ornaments. Noriko gave me a necklace with a wolf pendant which had crystal eyes. I loved it so much that I was always wearing it every day after that. My parents gifted me a matching fan and umbrella to use when at school. They were very luxurious and beautiful, but I will try to avoid them as much as I can as I didn't actually like those things. They were mostly in my way. The gift from my cousin was made of two boxes, one full of pink roses, a good color for a 14 years old, and with little chocolates between them. In the smaller box was a pair of pink gold earrings in the form of two roses. I will keep them for special occasions.
From the princes I received beautiful flowers, bigger than any vase I had in my room and two head accessories: a silver moon pin from the second prince and a pin with 5 little silver stars from the first.