Chapter 6

Coming Up Roses

Breathing a sigh of relief, I realize that that should be the end of the pleasantries and birthday greetings. I can finally go look for Crescia.

I ask my mommy if I can go out to the garden for a rest. She pets my head and gently whispers, "Go on. You did well tonight, little blossom."

Hehe! My face breaks into a wide smile. Mmn, feels good to have your hard work appreciated. I place both arms on my hips in elation. Oh, my parents look like they're enjoying my reaction. I run off before daddy can nag at me though.

Excuse me, pardon me. I cut through the crowd, all smiles.

Spring is in full bloom right now, so mounds of flowers have woken up. I scan my eyes through the petals in search of a pair of familiar antlers.

Ah, there he is!

I tap on his antlers lightly, but Crescia doesn't move. Peering through the gardenias, I see he's fast asleep. Haha, he looks exactly like a resting doe. Crawling in, I seat myself beside him and look at the rising moon. I peer beside me. His face is so serene... The moonlight reflects off a nearby pond and swirls of light dance off his face. It looks like his freckles are playing ring-around-the-rosy.

"Today has been a great day, Crescia. I would even go so far as to say my birthday has been a huge success!" I breathe out through my nose in triumph.

"Mmm. Happy birthday, Aeriea."

Oh, looks like he's awake. Crescia rubs the sleepiness from his eyes.

He holds up a barren branch to my face. "I heard Children of Man give each other presents on their birthdays."

"..."

Wow, I was surprised for a second there since that caught me off guard. I quickly begin laughing and nodding ecstatically though. Only Crescia would get me such a silly present. Even though it's just a stick, I'm genuinely happy. "Thank you, Crescia."

"Ah no, your present isn't finished yet!"

Tilting my head, I wait for him to continue his explanation. He doesn't say anything else though, so I furrow my eyebrows in confusion and continue looking at the full moon. A while passes. We're just silently sitting beside one another, gazing at the night sky. But, somehow it's comfortable and warm.

The moonlight gradually gets brighter and brighter, its large magnanimity also seeming to wholly wish me a happy birthday. While thinking such thoughts, I hear a soft, airy voice engulf me. I look at Crescia, his eyes are shut as he faces the moon and sings. The branch's bark seems to flake off and a white interior is shown as if it's being painted with moonshine. It encircles itself, branching together naturally as if all trees grow at such a fleeting speed. Buds pop up and unfurl into translucent flowers. I feel my heart thump  softly.

A trance comes over me as I wait until Crescia finishes singing. I can't help but notice his long, light brown eyelashes as they flutter open.

He places the crystalline crown on my head and smiles.

"Happy birthday, Aeriea."

Even in the night air, my face suddenly feels too warm. What is this gripping feeling in my chest? "You already said that, Crescia."

"Hehe, I guess I did huh?" He tilts his head and I can't help but giggle.

"Thank you."

“Ah, you already said that too!”

We look at each other for a moment before both breaking into laughter. I'm giggling so hard, my stomach cramps and tears begin gathering in my eyes. I wipe them away and begin eagerly telling him all about the wonders of today.

*

Spring comes and passes, a fleeting and serene feeling welling up in my heart. Crescia has to continue his migration during the winter months, but he pinky-promised to visit me again next year.

I look out the window and swiftly feel danger approaching my forehead. I don't react quickly enough though and a ruler meets the top of my head with a thwap.

"Pay attention to the lecture, Aeriea."

Tears well up in my eyes from the sting.

Damn you Aristole, so strict even in this cold! Remembering that tonight's dinner will be roast lamb, I silently curse him to faint from the frostbite so that he'd miss out dinner.

"Proper ladies shouldn't be having such rude thoughts."

I gasp. "You're a mind reader, aren't you?"

"Nonsense. Alas, it is too easy to read the emotions on your face. As a noble, you should train to keep your facial expressions neutral no matter the situation."

"That seems useless..."

His eyes became dark holes that'll suck me in if I don't agree... So scary.

"I'll keep that in mind!" I quickly change my tune.

When he turns around and begins the lecture anew, I daze off once more.

Daddy's usually always busy, but even mommy's been engrossed in something lately too...

There's no one to play with me and there isn't much around for entertainment, other than my imagination. But I feel like I'm getting too old to always be running around outside by myself. Maybe I should go read.

That's so mature of me, I nod proudly.

Looking out the window into the garden, I see my reflection in the glass peer back.

Wow, Aristole is right.

It is super easy to tell how I'm feeling.

A large pout meets my gaze and I feel as if I lost in some inexplicable way. But, is that not normal? I try to think back to what my parents do.

Sometimes, officials will visit our home. Regardless of the topic of conversation, my parents usually have a smile on their face.

Wait.

Now that I seriously think about it, it's not always a smile. How do I describe it? I guess it's more like... Depending on the situation, they'll have the appropriate expression on.

I try pushing my mouth up into a smile.

...Ow ow ow. My face muscles are cramping.