Chapter 5

Tip of the Iceberg

There’s so many people, my head begins swirling.

Mommy seems to notice this and asks, “Are you getting tired sweetie? We can take a break.”

I shake my head furtively, ”All these people took the time to come out and give me birthday greetings. I have to thank them all properly!”

Hmm, good job me. I pumped myself up properly.

My parents and the rest of the guests smile and chuckle warmly.

Even though I said all that... I could feel my brain slowly becoming numb, until I notice a pair of children come up with their parents.

There wasn’t anyone else around my age at this event, so I immediately snap back to attention. The focus also made me suddenly aware of the uncomfortable shuffling and bated whispers among the crowd when the four step up.

My eyes are drawn to their almost translucent skin and glistening, silver hair. Their irises seeming to be iridescent ice. The gentleman is tall and holds himself as such, his slicked-back hair and pristine suit give him a feeling of sharpness. 

The lady has a smile on her face, but her eyes are glacial. Long, silver tresses fall about her in waves. The top of her head is adorned with a silver circlet, a blood-red jewel encrusted in the middle.

I couldn’t help but recall Queen Titania even though the two women were polar opposites. If one were a summer sunrise, the other is comparable to an arctic iceberg.

W-Why do I keep running into scary women? I feel myself reflexively break into a cold sweat.

The older son seems only a bit older than me, perhaps a constellation-cycle or two. He’s the spitting image of his father, upright and crisp. They all hold an aura of regality to them.

Wait, scratch that.

The younger son, who looks to be my age, seems a bit different from them. Although he possesses the same silver hair and eyes… He looks much too aloof compared to his family, giving off the impression that he would rather be anywhere but here. Bent shirt collar, mussed hair, dirt lining his shoes, I mentally note these things.

Hmn? Are those… Clumps of fur-balls on his clothing?

…I wanna ask so badly.

But I bite my tongue down and smile instead.

“Greetings Arcanis, Eve, and Aeriea Newlyn. My kin and I would like to extend our gratitude at being invited to this prestigious event.”

“It’s not that big of a deal, it's simply my birthday.” I beam, interjecting before my parents can speak.

The gentleman has a face devoid of emotion, but I notice a small change in his countenance. It could just be my imagination though.

The uncomfortable feeling throughout the crowd seems to abate a bit, but I still feel this… Darkness in their glances. What is it?

He presents me with a dainty, silver chain. A single teardrop jewel, the same colour as the woman’s circlet, hangs delicately off the necklace. I can’t look away from the blood-red jewel, it seems so unreal in its allure.

I excitedly ask mommy to put it on me.

“You really have no patience, little blossom.” Gently chiding me, she clasps it onto my collar anyways.

“My, how lovely. I always wished for a daughter.” The ice-like woman holds her hand to her cheek.

She glances at her sons for a few seconds, looks away, and sighs.

“…”

Uh, should you really be saying stuff like that in front of your sons…? I think I just heard the younger one muffle a groan?

Aristole really beat the information into my head, yet I was still frantically searching for the names of this family. “Thank you… Nnn.”

“Thank you very much, Sir and Lady Amaryllis.” My daddy follows up for my shortcomings and I repeat the same.

The Amaryllis Splash flower.

“You two as well.” I smile at the boys.

“Cute.” Lady Amaryllis mutters softly.

…Her doting words really don’t match her cold appearance at all.

With that, the Amaryllis family walks down and the circle of onlookers part way to let them through.

I wouldn’t realize what that darkness in the eyes of all those guests signified until much later - A deep-rooted hatred.