Birthday in Spring

Chapter 25

-----A YEAR AND A HALF LATER------

Ashlyn's POV

My stay in this residence has been a year and a half now. Who knew that in a whole year and a half many things have happened, many pranks were pulled by brother Adrian, many memories were given to me by father and uncle.

Summer is about to be done plus spring is coming tomorrow. When we ate this afternoon, my father questioned me what would I do on my birthday tomorrow first day of spring. Do I want to have a party like my brothers always do every year? Fancy and full of fake people? I answered him while father, uncle, and brothers were eyeing me, waiting for what would I answer, "Father, I don't want unpleasant guests on my birthday. I don't want fake and trashy people just want to get close to me because of power together as wealth. Besides I want to celebrate my birthday with all the people here in the mansion." He was surprised at my words. Father didn't hesitate and showed his reaction to me since father and I got close. He became opened moreover let his guard down in front of me. My brothers including uncle Philip aren't used to it at first but time goes by and they manage it already. I then continued my eating, taking a bite really is hard when someone is still talking. "Wait, what do you mean by all the people here in the mansion?" Uncle asks in curiosity. "I mean by that is I want to celebrate my birthday with the maids, knights, my two teachers, and of course my family." Uncle was about to say something when brother Adrian stand and walk out. "What a drama king," I scoff underneath my breath.

That's what happened earlier. Time really is passing quickly, I who just took dinner and sleep. Woke its already my birthday. The three aren't here they're in the palace discussing something with the emperor. So as uncle and brother Ezekiel, uncle Philip is enrolling brother Ezekiel in an academy. For truthfulness, brother Ezekiel should have been to an academy when he was eight years old but brother Ezekiel said to his father he didn't want to come to the academy. He can just hire a scholar and teach him. So that also happen to brother Adrian, he also didn't want to go to an academy.

Camille and Ava find a beautiful dress for me. It was adorned with jewels from the western empire. I'm familiar with it because I once traveled to the west to find strong comrades, to fabricate an alliance to help my nation in my seventh reincarnation before. While Nina and Mina gave me sweets, they prepared also Mirya gave me poison beverage like always. Come to think of it nowadays Mirya is getting smarter she couldn't touch my food because the chefs in the kitchen are busy. She can't always take my food from the maid who is assigned to give it to me since it will cause a ruckus. And after that, if a ruckus is started rumors will spread that the personal maid of the child of the 'De Alegro Residence' is ill-mannered. Knowing my family, they can fire her without hearing her begging. Why? Because my family hates seeking gossips including brother Adrian. Even if I'm not close with Adrian I know he hates it also. So Mirya tampered my drinking water with other beverages.

I wore the blue dress Camille and Ava choose it fits perfectly on me. Then I walk to the kitchen, following me we're Camille, Ava, Mirya, Mina, and Nina. I stopped when I reach the kitchen so we're the ones following me at the back. I knocked at the wide-open door, "Excuse me for my rudeness, is the food ready?" I asked politely, they were flustered to see that I was here. They lined up swiftly, afterward, I think this older man is the head chef here. "Young master, all of you requested this morning are already done. My lady can check if this was in her preference." The head chef nervously said. I just took a peek at the foods I know they won't let me down. I hid my smile, "Mister chef, can you bend a little your too tall." The chef bent his knees and looked down. Is he scared that he will be fired?

I patted his shoulder, "Mister chef, no need to be nervous I just took a peek. And the amount and foods that you plus your people made are all right in my expectations. It's good that you increase the amount of the food because many people will eat it later." The head chef's mood that was pale along with nervousness became cheerful. All the people in the kitchen thank me but I said there was nothing to be thankful they should be the ones to be thanked and not me. Like every day they cooked food not just once but three or four times a day. I was about to go out when I remembered something I need to say, "Mister chef, please remind all of the maids in or out of their quarters that they all need to go to the garden. And please bring some delicious commoner liquor that knights enjoy. Bring many as you can." I spoke. I could see their puzzled faces. Nevertheless, they didn't question me anymore.

I went through many halls and many maids who we're cleaning greeted me while doing their work. I told them to go to the garden with their colleagues this afternoon.

I went to the garden and gave Mirya the picnic blanket to set it on the grass. I had ordered Mirya to took some picnic blankets and bring them all by herself when we were still in my room. The picnic blankets were thick and long furthermore really heavy. Because Mirya has been complaining that it was heavy I let Camille took half of the blankets. For Camille, it was just easy for her to hold the blankets. Maybe because of training and doing heavy stuff here in the mansion. Mina, Ava, and Nina finish putting the ten blankets in different places. I allowed them to rest for a while. And sit with me.

My teachers; Scholar Ronald, Madam Francine, and Butler Asher also his wife Lina came with gifts with them, I bowed to my teachers first for respect. Scholar Ronald is assisting madam Francine while walking since they are husband and wife it's natural. "Madam Francine, it's good that you came I thought you wouldn't." I sighed in relief. "Young miss, we wouldn't miss this chance to celebrate your birthday with us. Also, you're our favorite student among the other students we taught. You're patient, smart, a fast- learner, and lovely. Even my wife Francine wants you to be our daughter." Scholar Ronald expresses his adoration to me by his words. While madam Francine patted my head. I giggled. Madam Francine and her husband doesn't have children because madam Francine is infertile. She couldn't bring herself plus her husband to adopt a kid. Maybe because they are scared of losing their adopted child. Since their children died at such a young age. That was their first child that also made madam Francine infertile after. They just continued teaching and live happily with each other's company. Scholar Ronald and his wife treated their students as their children. That is also the reason why they grow fond of me. My teachers gift me a rare jade couple bracelet. A rare jade couple bracelet is said to be for couples to have a strong relationship. Oh god, they say I must gift it to my partner when the time comes. I sighed.

"Miss, this is for you." He handed the two gifts Nina took them and put them at the side of the big three I've been sitting. I called butler Asher to approach me, "Butler Asher, call all the knights here. Including the Shadow, Crimson, and Otieno knights. Let them conceal their identities." I whispered the last sentence that I know butler Asher heard. He nodded butler Asher inform me about the secret knights. It was rather strange he revealed a big secret to me. The Shadow Knights are leaded by father, The Crimson Knights are leaded by brother Adrian, and last is the Otieno Knights are leaded by brother Ezekiel. "Head maid, please sit. It must be tiresome to come here with many works you just finish." I commented. "Young miss, thank you for your offer," she sat and resume her words. "And no, young miss, it's not tiresome to have fun just a little time." The head maid smiled in relief.

Butler Asher came back with many maids and knights. It's a relief that the garden is almost big as the mansion is. The knights we're not clean more of quite dirty. I think they were training earlier. Did I disturb them? My thoughts of it clouded my mind but I don't want to feel guilty about it. They, question me why are they here. I simply answered them by saying, "We're having a feast." They were very flustered, "Don't be flustered please sit and enjoy spring's arrival plus my birthday." I showed my smile that was little but will be noticed. The people in the kitchen arrive with many baskets in their hands. I don't know how many baskets were they holding, I'm too lazy to count.

They place the food on the blankets. Maids and knights we're surprised to see commoner liquor. It was quiet, too quiet. The people from the kitchen were about to leave when I stop them and let them sit at the blankets. I chuckled they notice, "Why are you all quiet? Are you afraid of me? Don't be. Please eat the food will get cool. And don't show me with discomfort while eating especially you, all knights." I glance at them they were red as a tomato is. They still didn't touch the food so I ate first then followed by Mina, Nina, Camille, and Ava. "My lady, thank you for the food. Guys let's dig in." one of the knights yelled Afterward they started eating with no hesitation.

After we finish eating everyone was full. While knights are drinking the liquor, I ask the chefs to bring it. I was getting bored, then I got an idea. "Who is getting bored? Why not let's play a game that one of all you know?" I shouted really excited. The maids and knights stared at each other a loud shout of their agreement is roaring the whole garden. Before we could've started, I ask Mina to fetch my brother and have some fun here. And Mina happily follow my order and ran happily back to the mansion. Hmm, what games would we play? I grinned in my thoughts.