Promise

Birthday

           

Putting her hair in a ponytail and putting on light makeup, she glanced at a rectangular box next to her jewel box. There was a note:

Dearest Caroline,

   This is the gift from us. Happy birthday, dear. Do try putting them on.

Love,

Father

Caroline opened the box and saw there was a set of jewelry earrings and necklace. They were shiny that could make embellishment on her pale skin. But maybe the jewelry was too much for Caroline. She picked up the grass-made bracelet from her jewel box instead and held it close to her.

There was a knock at the door. "Milady, sir and madam would like to see you."

"Thank you, Geraldine. I will come down in a minute." Caroline put her bracelet back to her jewel box and went to greet her parents.

Comparing to her parents, she was the plainest in the mansion as if she was a daffodil in the house. Everything related to Caroline was plain. She didn't particularly like luxury decorations and clothes even though she knew she was supposed to have them and to be luxurious just like other royals.

"Happy birthday, dear!" her parents said.

"Thank you, father and mother."

"Do you like the jewelry set, dear?" Her mother noticed Caroline didn't put on the jewelry.

"I love it. It is lovely. Thank you so much."

"You should put it on. I think it will look lovely on you." Her mother said while holding her hands.

"I have to say the set suits my night gown more, mother. I prefer wearing them at night." She ensured her mother with a smile.

"Speaking of the set, it is a good chance for you to them on tonight, dear. We are meeting Sir Malcom and his son tonight. I'm sure they will like you a lot as I've always said I have a beautiful daughter who can sing so well. She is gentle and caring. Everyone likes you, Caroline." Caroline's smile faded after her father said it. She knew what was going to discuss next, her marriage.

Caroline had just turned 35 today. Usually women at her age were married with kids except her. Her parents were extremely worried about her, not that if she would ever get married. They were worried that there was no man who was willing to her daughter on the business basis. They knew who Caroline was waiting for.

"I can't go tonight. I'm going to Lady Helen's tonight. Right, Geraldine?" Caroline looked at Geraldine firmly.

"Yes, sir. Lady Caroline is meeting Lady Helen tonight to celebrate Milady's birthday."

There was no doubt Caroline was finding excuses not to meet Sir Malcom. It was all because of one person.

"What is wrong with you, Caroline? You are 35 and not married. Do you know how many people make jokes on you whenever I meet other royals? Which type of man would you consider as your husband? Tell me! I'll find one for you." Her father started raising his voice.

"I'm looking for the man who has made a promise to me that he would come back and find me. It is a promise, father. You don't understand that because you don't have promises to mother. You just think of me as a trade that is good for your business which is same as mother to you. I am absolutely faithful to John. No one can replace him in my heart. He will be and is coming back really soon." Caroline literally shouted. It was so rare she shouted at people. But whenever someone doubted something about John, she would let out of her emotion completely.

"If he is not dead yet..." Her father said slowly. Caroline ended this conversation by walking out the house with her basket.

"Milady!" Geraldine ran after Caroline.

The father sighed so did the mother. They didn't have any other idea that made their daughter to accept the fact that John could be long gone after being a knight. It was useless to wait for a man who made a promise while he was 15. It was not true love at all. But what they didn't know was the secret, what they called, 'lost love'.