Chapter 366: Birthday preparations.
It was officially Elias’s birthday. The grand hotel in the city where his party was to be held had been transformed into a shimmering palace of fox lanterns, each with seven tails and eyes that resembled those of the fox lord. Some were glass lanterns, crafted so exquisitely that they seemed to belong in a museum or palace, and not used as props at a party.
There amber glow lined the gardens, the balconies, the walls and every hall, casting a warm regal light across the polished floors.
Cascading flower arrangements of mixed varieties spilled from tall vases. Chandeliers dazzled wit there glow which split into a million tiny stars. White silk and red velvet drapes framed the walls. In the gardens and courtyards, white fox shaped fountains sprayed arcs water out of their mouths, lit by hidden lights, making them sparkle like liquid fire.
The entire hotel was booked out, every corner humming with anticipation, as if the building itself had received an invitation and dressed for the occasion.
At exactly 6 p.m, hover cars started gliding to a stop at the entrance, their sleek doors opening to reveal nobles in beautiful gowns and tailored suits.. Those who came on small flying ships descended gracefully, the wings of their transportation folding as guests stepped out onto the red fur carpet laid across the hotel’s grand steps.
Chosen member of the press lined the carpet, cameras flashing, capturing every arrival as if it were a royal gala. The red carpet and press had been Sienna’s idea, and the guests were loving it. The air was filled with chatter, laughter, and the flashing of cameras. It was a night of fun and glamor, all adding to a spectacle.
Inside one of the executive suites, however, chaos reigned. Sienna knelt beside her daughter, who had insisted on wearing a princess dress of layered materials and littering sequins. Lina had basically convinced her daughter to stand out like a lighthouse beacon in the middle of the sea. It was ridiculous!
Ali twirled, then stopped abruptly, frowning at her reflection in the mirror. "It doesn’t look right mama."
Sienna’s lips lifted into a smile. Finally, her daughter was seeing the problem. "It’s too...."
"It’s not shiny enough." Ali cut her off. "Mama, make it shine more. All the little princesses of the royal family are coming. I want to shine more than them. Mama, I don’t want to be the loser. This is all about the face of our family." She wailed, stamping her foot as if the entire celebration and Veythar reputation depended on her shining dress.
Mrs. Miller rushed to fuss over Ali’s dress, smoothing it, attaching a shiny red pearl here and there, adjusting the tiara and scolding Sienna at the same time. "Do you know what time it is? You are not yet dressed, Sienna! You have thirty minutes. Thirty minutes until you walk into the grand hall on your husband’s arm. Do you want to embarrass him or yourself by showing up unkempt?"
She pushed Sienna away from Ali, shooing her to the side.
"Grandma," Ali wailed, "There is a wrinkle on my dress!"
Sienna sighed, half amused, half exasperated, watching her daughter behave as though the party were hers alone.
"Please don’t turn out entitled and spoiled." She muttered to herself. A part of her was dreading Ali’s birthday. If she was like this on Elias’s birthday, how would she react on hers?
In the other suites along the same floor, relatives and friends were in similar states of frenzy. Most had spent the day helping with the preparations and they were late for dress up. The quick ones, who had chosen to be simple were already dressed.
Like aunt Linera, who was dressed in a gown of emerald, with a lightly made up face. She was leaning against the door frame, watching her husband change into his fourth suit in front of the mirror. The only other time she had seen him this nervous was when he was appointed Prime Envoy.
"Why all this fuss for a birthday? It’s not a coronation."
Her words were met with laughter from her husband. "It’s worse than a coronation. Sienna turned it into a red carpet event and now everyone is comparing outfits on BeastNet. I don’t want people saying the Prime Envoy looked tacky or cheap. At least, I should outdo the Stellar chancellor."
Linera rolled her eyes. The Stellar chancellor was a panda beast man who had a grudge against her husband. The man liked to compare and compete with Jorik over everything. And whatever Jorik said in the ling’s court, the Stellar chancellor stood on the opposing side.
If Jorik ever said he had discovered the cure for world hunger, the Stellar chancellor would propose that everyone starve to death. The enmity wasn’t about any issue at all, it was simply about never allowing Jorik to be right.
In the next room, Uncle Daren was twirling, showing off his green peacock tail cloak. He adjusted the collar, gave a slow turn, and with a smug little huh, he smirked at his wife. "It’s perfect, right?"
His wife groaned. "I have said a dozen times already. It is perfect. My only worry is that you are going to outshine Elias and then I will be slapped like Numia."
They both looked at each other and laughed loudly, in a way only a couple that had an understanding of each other could do.
Uncle Daren sighed. "I can’t believe Sienna denied her an invitation to the party. It was all Numia could talk about before...and her pregnancy."
His wife snorted. "She was not looking forward to giving them a gift or simply enjoying the party. Her plan was to find a way to pimp Corven Junior out to the highest bidding noble seeking ties to the Veythar’s in any small way. Anyway, didn’t she say her pregnancy was high risk? Let her stay home and take care of it."
They shared an understanding look and laughed again, recalling the tantrum Numia had thrown when Sienna told her she was not invited to the party, at the last minute. It had been a relief to everyone.