After my little episode, Icarus beckoned for his companion to come forward. The young man also wore white robes and in his hand, he carried a small wooden chest with a rather simple design. What is it?

When the man opened it for us to see, a necklace shone brilliantly. Icarus picked it up and I saw the necklace split into two. Upon closer inspection, I saw a single gold feather design in both of the necklaces. 

It was... okay I guess.

"It's crafted by the Grand Priest himself. The feather is plucked from the rare Owlet-Nightjar bird that the Grand Priest is taking care of. A grand gift indeed." 

A number of nobles who heard Icarus' explanation exclaimed with awe. "I heard rumors of the only existing Nightjar in the world is in the Holy Empire. It was true!"

"The Owlet-Nightjar is said to have divine powers!"

"I bet it's worth cities!"

A feather is worth that much? Then again having divinity is rare.

Icarus returned the gift into the chest and a servant took it away. I heard my father express his gratitude for the Holy Empire's gift.

"This one bid the twins' a harmonious birthday! Glory to Glarios Kingdom!" The two priests from the Holy Empire bent their waist slightly to show respect.

"Please Icarus, don't be so courteous. We humbly accept the Holy Empire's greetings." King Henry replied and all of the royal family acquiesced.

As Icarus and his companion silently retreated to their table, a man dressed in blue brocades slowly walked forward. I'd never seen that kind of robe before. He also had worn what seemed to be a black hat? But it was rather different.

As I gazed at his silky and shiny blue robes with intricate flower patterns stitched in a darker shade of blue, I noticed a light green pendant hanging on his waist. It was tied against a wide silver belt. Then I heard the servant state his name and status.

"His Highness, Xie Jing Yuan, ninth prince of the Rishan Empire!"

Shi what now?

I let my sights behold the man in blue brocades. He had a gentle and scholarly aura, his face was more of feminine features with his fair tone, his eyes much smaller than the usual with a warm gaze and a soft smile. The man greeted us in a unique way, his right hand cupped his left fist and bent his waist forward.

"This humble prince greets the royal family of the Glarios Kingdom!" His voice was mellow but all of us heard his distinct accent. He stood upright and waved his long sleeves without waiting for a reply.

Two men wearing green robes similar to his, carried a large chest and the prince opened it quickly. A scent that is distinctive to fresh soil permeated my nose. Somehow it was invigorating. But what I saw was only plants!? Or was it vegetables?

"The emperor bestows a box full of 100-year-old ginseng for the royal family. And for the twins, this humble prince prepared the Ghost Orchid. These gifts symbolize longevity. May Glarios Kingdom prosper forevermore."

I was suddenly startled when I heard a snort above me when the ninth prince finished talking. 

Who was that? The Crown Prince or the King?

When I looked back at the Rishan prince, I didn't see his reaction but suddenly in his hands, was a potted plant. It was so big, almost as if it was a branch of a tree. But what caught my eyes was the white flower that hung slightly in the air. Five thin petals centered around a green head that protruded outwards with two additional petals dangling below it. It looked like an insect.

A second of silence filled around us and no one seemed eager to talk. Fortunately, someone caught the conversation away from awkwardness.

"Emperor Qin is very generous with his gift. Truly! I heard that 100-year-old ginsengs were a luxury that only His Imperial Majesty could have. We are very grateful for his sincerity." Queen Magdalene ranted with amazement.

I didn't see the Queen's face behind me so I didn't know if it was sincere or not, but based on her tone, it was friendly. I ignored the awkwardness creeping and just focused on the gifts. I felt my mood sink.

First, it was feathers, now it was plants! What's wrong with these people? How can a baby appreciate these things!

Xie Jing Yuan bowed his head and said his gentle reply. It was rather perfunctory. The prince then went back to his seat.

Another man from a neighboring kingdom walked forward and presented his gift. This routine lasted for a while.

Then after an hour, the line gradually decreased. And I was happy with the nobles' gifts I received. They were all shining. Toys, jewelry, bolts of fancy cloth, and rare gems were a feast for my eyes. After a while, the crowd started to stir the moment the giving of gifts was finished and the King ordered for the banquet to begin. When the smell of food reached my nose, I heard my brother Ethan squealing with delight. What a foodie.

We were taken by Emma and the other maids to feed us quietly at their seats. That was when I noticed an unfamiliar presence from the corner of my eyes. I looked towards him. The man was seated beside Prince Harold. Who is he? Grand Duke?

His face was full of indifference and coldness that it looked like he was not enjoying the banquet. Rather, he looked bored. The man's eyes were the lightest blue as if it was white and paired with black shoulder-length hair, for me, he seemed rather lonely. As if he felt my sights on him, the Grand Duke turned and stared at me. I held my gaze as a familiar feeling rose inside me. This man is similar to my father.

I heard the maids' voice and broke eye contact; I happily ate away the food before me. I glanced at my brother and as I thought, he was a mess. Fortunately, the maids were prepared to have him wear a bib. Tsk.

Two hours had passed by, and I felt sleepy. The nobles started to stand up and chat away with the others. Some were dancing at the center of the hall, mostly it was the young teenagers, and the ambiance was so cheerful. The royal family also participated in this social charade. Light music accompanied the laughter and chattering, creating a happy and relaxed atmosphere.

Father and mother were talking with the Grand Duke, Sir Rowan, Prince Harold, and other men and women whom I didn't recognize; they were speaking in a relaxed and friendly manner; the group huddled at the left side of the hall. 

While at another side of the hall, Princess Barbara in her gold gown was eye-catching, her stature imposing, and beside her was Crown Princess Averille with her gentleness and elegance; they were surrounded with other women of high statuses, tittering, smiling, and eyeing one another.

Near the entrance were King Henry, Queen Magdalene, Crown Prince Alfred, together with the representatives of the neighboring kingdoms. And at the very corner of the hall, I saw the Rishan Prince and Icarus together, observing quietly.

When Ethan suddenly cried out, in a flash, mother was right in front of us, looking worried. "Ethan, what's wrong?"

My brother stretched out his small arms and gave a pitiful look to mother. I inwardly scoffed and almost rolled my eyes. So clingy!

Mother, of course, softened her gaze and picked Ethan up in her arms. My brother then giggled as he settled so comfortably in mother's arms. Tsk!

I glanced sideways and saw that my father was walking towards me. Wait, is he going to carry me?

"Emilia, come. My comrades wish to see you." Without hesitation, the duke picked me up and I could not even complain that I wished to sleep. I blinked my eyes twice to focus my sights on the crowd who were staring at me.

As my father introduced me to his companions, I heard that they were in the same corps three years ago. I silently listened and observed them as they gushed and cooed right in front of me. 

Why was it every time, they do these weird expressions? Their faces had distorted into an abnormal way, their voices a pitch higher. I do not understand. 

When a burst of laughter reached my ears, all of their eyes suddenly lit up and their smiles widened even more. Strange.

I glanced at Ethan and he was happily laughing in mother's arms, his face so bright and cheerful that his teeth were showing. He seems happy.

Mother is also enjoying herself.

As I stared at the crowd before me, every detail of the dresses, suits, and pieces of jewelry caught my eyes, I almost went blind with the sparkling lights. Their faces were ladened with their smiles and laughter was all around them. It seems everyone is happy.

Am I happy?

Ever since I had consciousness, I was always observing the people around me, listening to their stories. The past seven months living as Emilia was as unfamiliar as it could be. Knowing I had been born as a baby, I was shocked. Seeing I had a family, I was uncomfortable. I felt that it was all a dream. 

Why did I feel that way? But little by little, unknowingly I had grown accustomed to the people around me. Experiencing all these emotions was a novelty itself. Although I asked myself, 'why was it a novelty?'

Why do I feel that this new life as Emilia Kinsley Redgrave is not for me?

Who was I exactly? I had no memories but I had an understanding of my surroundings. Although I knew that as a baby, it seemed impossible for me to have these kinds of thoughts. When I looked at Ethan, he gave me the impression that we were not the same and that he was thinking like a normal baby. He was too childish and I was too mature.

Everyone had said so. That I was different from others my age; that I was too calm. However, I thought myself a genius, a prodigy, that even before a year old my comprehension was that of an adult. 

But is it really like that?

Deep down I knew that I was not normal. Ethan was also not normal.