CHAPTER XXIX: UPCOMING BIG EVENT

"Your birthday is coming, My Beatrice."

"Yes, but Father, I would like to have a simple birthday party"

"Why simple? We could prepare a grand celebration." His brother, Ronald, complained. He thought that her precious and lovely sister deserved anything.

"Yes, My Beatrice. We could celebrate your birthday as usual. You are my only daughter and I want only the best for you.", agreed by the Marquees.

It was dinner time and it was her favorite steak was the main dish on the table. She was stopped in cutting her food.

"Thank you father and brother, but—"

"No, buts.", Beatrice was trailed off by her brother Ronald.

"My Beatrice, Also, please understand that our reputation is on the line. I am not saying that it is more important than you, but we need to stand on our ranking." Marquees explained.

"Yes, father." She sadly agreed.

On that part, she understood it well. The Marquees was right. Reading novels with this era, she knew how important it is to show off your wealth to other nobles. It was like a shadow competition in high society. Rather the ranking that her father mentioned, it is actually about wealth. In fact, there are nobles with high rank, but struggled in their own earnings.

Wealth is the key in the high society to survive. The key on the battlefield in the nobility. It is used for influence and connections. It was the sad reality, and everyone was required to fit in. "Whatever era, this money and ranking system is still dominating."

"Don't be sad, Lil' Sis. After this summer, you will also be attending school like me. We will invite many nobles at your party. So, wouldn't you take it as an opportunity to know the people, whom you will be going with. Don't you think?", convinced by Ronald.

With the sudden realization, her spirits slightly beamed. "Ah You're right, brother."

"Yes. Why I did not think of that. I was too focused to the male lead. Truth to be told, the reason that I recommended a simple celebration was because I am afraid to personally meet the male lead."

"But as my father and brother's suggestions, there is no point on focusing on that. I just have to take my advantages, and to amend the reputation of this wicked girl in the high society. I will able to personally learn from the other nobles."

"Reading books would not enough to fill my lacking. Experience has the real key. And the most important part is....

...unlike tea parties that I chose to decline fearing of facing nobles personally, I am with father and brother who can guide me. There is nothing for me to be terrified of."

The Marquees and brother noticed that the lady was in deep thought again. Apparently, this attitude was one of the changes to the lady. She first thought things, before speaking it. And it can't be helped for them to add this as as one of the cute sides of the lady.

****-------****

"Brother Andrew, what are you doing?" Lily curiously asked.

"I am sculpting."

"I can see clearly that you are sculpting."

"..."

It was a log with an arm length on the round table. Lily roamed and looked afround to the busy Andrew until she was behind him. She bent her body and whispered closely in his ears.

"Is that for Sister Bea?", she teasingly said.

Andrew flinched and felt embarrassed. His face heated up, even his ears is burning. Lily wryly grinned. It was like a cat that caught an elusive prey.

He cleared his throat before responding, and languidly explained. "Ehem. Her birthday is coming. It is only natural to prepare something to our benefactor. Anyway, what about you, have you already decided your gift?" He intentionally veered the topic in other direction.

"Yes. And it is a secret." She jubilantly said.

In his eyes, it was like her sister lily's mouth became a peacock.

"Is that what you and the twin preparing yesterday?" He answered while in focus with his sculpture.

"Yes, and Sister Bea will be very proud of us when she saw that."

"I am pretty sure of that."

"Yes, and I can't wait to see her reaction. Will she hug me after receiving it? Kiss me?" Lily admiringly said. Her eyes were glimmering.

Hug? The word caught Andrew's attention. Curiosity chilled beneath his skin. He, then, looked to her sister who proudly bragged about their secret gifts.

"Bea will be very proud of the squash that you all took care of."

Squash? Lily snapped in her day dreaming. "Who said that it is a squash?!"

Lily crossed her arms and added to proudly say, "With the help of Sister Mildred, we embroidered a handkerchief, a beautiful one, while the twin made their beautiful cards."

Andrew replied with a wry smile. At that part, Lily, who was very proud, stoned in realization. She already spilled their beans.

"You tricked me!!"

"I do not know what you are saying, Lily. I only said about the squash at the yard" He innocently responded.

Lily just pouted as her response. She forgot that her brother can be a cunning fox.

Andrew satisfied with his ruse put his focus in sculpting. However, she had still a wild card on hand. It is her time. She cleared here throat. "Sister Mildred told us a story yesterday."

"..."

Lily turned her back to the busy man, but still continued her story. "She said that once upon a time, there is a man who fell in love with the most beautiful woman in their village. It was a love at first sight. With all his love, he decided to make sculpture of her beloved woman, and gave it to her as a gift. It was a symbol of his undying love for her."

He, who just listening, stopped working. Lily, then, turned to face his brother.

"Is it not a great story, Brother?" She asked with a slight sarcasm.

"..."

"Sister Mildred said that it was a very famous story in high society."

"..."

"Anyway, I will go to the yard now, and I have to water the vegetables. My squash is waiting for me." She said and left with a big grin.

When Lily was out of his sight, Andrew stared to the sculpture of Beatrice that he made. It was close for completion. Learning the story, he felt his body was burning again. He could not understand it, but he only knew that his inside was already messed up.

****-------****

"Marielle?"

Marielle, who is going to the kitchen to put back tea cups and plates, turned. It was the young master.

"Good afternoon, Young Master." She politely bowed and greeted.

"I need something from you."

"Yes, young master. What can I do for you?"

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Hi fairiess. Happy Sunday!

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