Chapter 9.2

Ohhh, there’s a few more children compared to last time! A pretty lilac gown flares out and catches my attention. That must be Leila!

When it’s their turn to greet me, Mark von Kerris pulls out a bouquet seemingly out of thin air.

“Amazing!” I clap.

“Happy-” Von Kerris begins.

“Aeriea, your outfit is gorgeous! Those cute little flowers in your dress and hair are so adorable!” Leila is squealing and grasping both my hands with her own, “Not to mention that crown, the handiwork is so detailed!”

Recomposing myself quickly, I grasp her hands back and just as enthusiastically gush. “I’m so glad to finally meet you, Leila! Your outfit is beautiful as well, the dress accompanies your shoes perfectly.”

Oh, she’s really beaming! But your father is looking a little disgruntled, haha.

Von Kerris gently pulls her hands off, “Aren’t you forgetting the most important part, dear?”

Realization dawns in her eyes, “Oh my, forgive my rudeness! My esteemed father and I wish you a very happy ninth birthday!”

Greetings this time were as long as ever. Maybe even longer.

Regardless, I’m completely drained… Well, this time I got everyone’s names. Not a single stutter tonight! So, I’m quite proud of myself.

Currently, the party’s in full-swing. Swirls of colour are bustling about, an array of frenetic dresses and dandy suits put me in a daze. It looks like everyone is happily socializing or dancing to the live string quartet.

Although all the invitees are lively, the atmosphere is a little… Peculiar. Well, it makes sense to me now after I read about the century-long war. I notice the majority of the Kindred aristocracy crowding together. Whereas the Fairfolk and Humans mingle about strenuously.

Was it like this last constellation-cycle too? I can’t help but wonder if it’ll be alright.

My worries seem to be unnecessary though. I spot daddy trying to introduce everyone to one another with mommy sparking topics of conversation. There’s still a tension in the air, but I trust my parents will be able to handle it.

Managing to maneuver my way through the crowds, I walk out the entrance. Tracing my way through familiar garden paths, I peer behind each flowering shrub.

No antlers in sight.

I walk back towards the gardenias from last year and peek in - No one.

Before I can crawl inside to wait, voices emerge from the rose archway. My body unconsciously turning and walking towards the source of sound in search of a certain deer.

Two pairs of frost-blue eyes cut towards me instead. It’s already dark out, so I can only make out a blur of two figures and the gleam of their irises.

“What’re you doing here?” A person my height caustically grumbles.

Another person who’s a head taller stays silent.

Oh, so it’s them.

“I could ask you both the same, this is the garden of my family’s estate after all.”

A scoff comes from the smaller one.

“Mind your manners to the Newlyn heiress, little brother.”

“It’s fine.” I wave it off lightly, “Good evening First and Second Prince of the Amaryllis line, Sól and Nott.”

Nott abruptly steps into my personal space, his face inches away from my own. “Manners? You know it’s this girl’s fault we're suddenly getting dragged back and forth everywhere by father, right?”

Wow, Sir Amaryllis is actually doing that, huh? “Pft-” I stifle a laugh.

“What was that!? Did you just laugh?”

Oh no, Nott’s face looks scarily angry. But, for some reason, that makes it funnier to me. Doing my best, I swallow the laughter down.

“Well, isn’t that a good thing? You get to learn about the responsibilities of your household.” I answer, trying to sound ambivalent to their situation.

“Now, now.” Sól drags his little brother back by the scruff of his neck. “Aeriea’s correct, we will eventually have to get used to such things.”

Clouds obscuring the moon drift back into hiding and I see their countenance more clearly.

Sol’s slicked-back hair gleams in the moonlight, his frame straight as a ruler. I bitterly think Aristole would probably cry tears of happiness at his posture.

On the other hand, Nott’s hair is frizzy, his shirt has a few buttons undone, and his tie’s crumpled. Aristole would probably also cry looking at this guy…

Sól is as crisp and clean-cut, as Nott is frumpy and sloppy.

While thinking such rude thoughts, I realize this is my chance to ask. “Do you two have a pet?”

Nott immediately jolts. Sól’s expressionless, but I think his empty eyes look confused.

“I'm considering asking my parents for a pet and was thinking about asking you for tips.” A bright smile breaks out when I think about a fluffy owl or Werecat.

“Unfortunately our household doesn't allow pets.” Sól answers.

“Huh? But Nott’s clothing is always covered in something like cat fu-”

“WAH!” Nott covers my mouth with both his hands. He hisses under his breath, “This is just lint!”

Curiosity wells up in my lungs, but I let it go with an exhale. “...I see.”

“...”

An awkward silence ensues. I did want to try talking to these two but… Sól is kind of hard to talk to, while Nott is… Plain rude. I should just go find Crescia.

“Well then, please excuse me. I have other matters to attend to.”

“H-Hold up! I’m not done with yo-” Nott’s voice cuts off. In unison, both their heads snap towards the forest. A dangerous glint in their eyes.

Eyebrows furrowing, my gaze follows to where theirs lay. There’s no sound or discernible movement, which confuses me further.

It’s a tepid evening with a crisp breeze carrying the scent of pine and half-bloomed nectar. Nothing seems to be out of place, but as I stare more and more deeply into the darkness, I can… Sense something amiss.

Fixation towards the entrance of the woods, the coniferous trees seem to engorge, murkiness threatening to swallow everything around it.

Goosebumps begin blossoming up my arm and a great foreboding overwhelms my instincts.

Similar to the Amaryllis fear that day? No, somehow it was different. With Lady Amaryllis, it was an overwhelming fear that made me feel like I had to submit.

But this… It’s an instinctual terror that feels almost…

Feral and savage.

Amidst the widening shadows - Light…? There couldn’t have been any in that absolute darkness, but…

It’s there.

I can feel it.

Warm... Yet cold…

Like spring.

“Crescia?”

And my body reflexively rushes towards it.