It was her twentieth birthday. Despite entering her second decade of life, Alex didn’t feel any older. Or wiser, for that matter. Vylad had been gone for almost a month by this point, but Alex tried not to pay any mind to that. She didn’t want a man to dictate her mood, but she had been failing greatly the past few months. She had gone from incredibly happy to sad within the course of a day. Not once did she explain why. Dante felt it was regarding someone she knew, perhaps from Meteli, from that day’s interaction. However, after speaking to Laurance and Cadenza about news in Meteli, he was stumped to learn nothing had changed there either. Alex started to fall into a new normal after a week, and her mood mellowed out. The concern felt for her was lifted.
“If Cadenza takes any longer, the host will be late to her own party.”
Kandi was growing impatient with Cadenza. The whole day wasn’t going according to the schedule she had created in her mind. The boys started late on decorating the barn, so she had to take over. Then Cadenza was falling behind on the finishing touches of Alex’s dress and getting herself ready. Kandi was standing in a robe, coiling parts of Alex’s hair up and pinning it behind her head. She had a pearl comb nearby, ready to place into her hair when it was finished. She was being slower than normal because of Cadenza.
“Cadenza has never been timely,” Alex admits, a little sheepish. Cadenza would be late to her own funeral if given the chance. “She’s never been punctual, and she may never be.”
Kandi laughs, tucking the pearl comb into the back of Alex’s hair. “I’m glad to see you’re doing much better. You worried me for a while with all that sulking you’ve been doing.”
“Perhaps it was the weather,” Alex lies, pursing her lips together. She crosses one leg over the other, adjusting her own robe to cover more of her thigh. “Winter sadness.”
Kandi places her hands on Alex’s shoulders. Looking at her through the mirror. “Let’s hope there’s no more winter sadness. It’ll be spring soon enough.”
Spring would officially bloom alongside daffodils later that month. Snow would melt and leave behind a wake of mud and newly found smells. Time was going by so slow yet quickly at the same time. It was becoming hard to keep up.
Cadenza comes in with a pool of fabric the color of deep red wine in her arms. She holds it up to reveal a dress adorned in tulle and sleeves falling down like ripples in the water. “I told you I’d finish in time,” she says, sending a smirk in Kandi’s direction. “Now, hurry up and change. Kandi and I need to dress too.”
Alex wasn’t one to wear such dark colors. It was always something light, or white. She rarely wore dresses that past her knees. While the dress clashed with her red cloak, it made her feel mature to wear a dress like a young woman.
“It looks beautiful,” Alex says, feeling the fabric glide against her fingertips. “Thank you.”
°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
Her title meant little to nothing to her. Alex didn't feel like a Lady, so she put little mind to it. In Phoenix Drop, she didn't go by her title. Oftentimes, she forgot she even had one. She was like the Ro'meaves in that aspect. They left their titles behind in O'Khasis. They all felt equal. And despite having titles of their own, Aphmau was still their lord.
But spinning around in her dress made her feel worthy. It was silly, really, but Alex adored how the fabric of her dress expanded and followed her as she twirled. Her hair continued to hold its shape, much to her own surprise. Her cheeks forever remained rosy on her joyous face.
She's a giggling mess as Dante continues to playfully twirl her around. It wasn't a formal outing, just a large group for friends having fun. It was much like Kandi's birthday only a few months before. Only, it was less cold.
“Dante, she'll forget her own name if you keep spinning her around like that,” Garroth scolds. Though, his voice had a playful tone in it. “I'd stop while she remembers.”
“I’m more concerned about the throw up that she'll spew on my shoes,” Laurance comments, grimacing at his sister. He clutches his drink, glancing down at his shoes. “These are my nice shoes.”
Dante reluctantly agrees, stating that she was enjoying their dance. He slows her last twirl down until she unable to stand still and wobbles around in a daze. Jokingly, Dante bows to her. “M'lady. The pleasure was all mine.”
Garroth sighs, reaching forward for the blonde female and steadies her. Alex grabs onto his arm, leaning into him to gain stability. She flashes a toothy grin. He smiles down at her, a slight chuckle emerging from his lips.
When Alex is able to see the world clearly, he walks her over for a drink. Leaning against the table, there's a bit of silence between the two.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“I am enjoying myself,” Alex admits, leaving her cup to linger against her lip. “To be truthful, I don't remember the last time I had a birthday like this. . . or if I've had a birthday like this.”
“I enjoy parties here much more than O'Khasis,” Garroth says. “I love my siblings, and my mother always made it wonderful, but being in O'Khasis always held a weight on my shoulders. It was a year closer to becoming lord and tackling more responsibilities. I don't have to do that here.”
Alex nods her head at this, giving her full attention to him. She was thankful she never had to worry about that, but she felt horrible that Garroth did. Perhaps Laurance was lucky in that aspect.
“What am I doing? I shouldn't dump my past on you at a celebration.” Garroth takes the cup from her hands and places it on a table alongside his. She stares at him, confused, before noticing his outstretched hand. “Shall we?”
“We shall.”
°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
Alex lost track of time. It had become dark already, and they had first started to celebrate while the sun remained in the sky. She felt as though everything was winding down.
“Come with me,” Kandi says, grabbing onto Alex's arm and tugging her towards the exit. “I have a surprise for you.”
Alex follows blindly, stating there was no need for a surprise when they've already done so much. She was in bliss, and she couldn't possibly imagine what would make this day any better.
“Hi darling.”
“Daddy!”
Alex rushes over to Hayden, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso. She didn't think she'd seen him today. She didn't even know he was coming.
“I had a meeting run late, but I wanted to stop by and tell my youngest happy birthday.”
She can't help but to smile, tugging Hayden towards the entrance. “Stay for a little while. Laurance and Cadenza will be thrilled to see you.”
Hayden nods, allowing her to lead him into the barn. Kandi follows toe, glancing around the area after feeling like she was being watch.
But they were.
A certain pair of green eyes watched from a distance.
