Gifts
After eating some extremely tasty cake, two maids carry the table full of presents towards mama and me.
“How about you open your gifts now, Rose?”
“Are these all for me?”
“Of course, they’re the gifts of everyone here to show how glad we are for you being alive.”
There is a clapping sound as a familiar voice says, “Well said. So you can be thankful after all.”
The crystal ball transmitting the party then breaks as the candles start to flicker, the water fountain begins to bubble, a slight tremor in the halls is felt and a bright light shines in from the window as the draft suddenly gets really strong.
From the chandelier a ball of fire emerges and turns into Ifrit and from the light a blonde woman with golden eyes, shiny jewels, wearing a yellow dress with white stars on it appears. Next from the fountain a beautiful woman with long wavy blue hair emerges, she seems to be wearing a white tunic of sorts. Following that, small little clumps of earth begin to roll out of the flowerpots and clump together until a muscular man with long vine-like green hair and a thick mustache appears from it. He seems to be wearing a suit made of plants. Then out of nowhere a whirlwind appears in the hall, rapidly moves toward me and transforms into what looks like a ten year old boy with curly gray hair wearing green leather clothing and a hat with a feather and pokes my face, “So you are the one I heard about? I hear you dance really well, wanna dance with me?”
“Sorry…I can’t dance right now, my body is too weak. Are you Sylvia?”
“Yes I am, yes indeedy! You have a sharp eye, maybe too sharp…Or maybe you’re just too dull otherwise. How did you figure it out?”
“Well, you all came with Ifrit and you’re all different elements so I just assumed. Nice to meet you, your Highness.”
“OOOH! I like that one Ifrit, quick witted, polite and no sense of fear. Unlike those guys over there, look, look they’re shaking more than an autumn leaf in the wind. Ahahahahahah.”
Ifrit then drags him away from me and rubs her knuckles on top of his head causing black smoke to appear from it, “Oy, you’re ruining the introduction I planned! Do you want me to grill you or something?”
As the blue haired woman puts her hand on Ifrit’s shoulder, steam starts to emanate from her.
In a soft and slow voice, the blue haired woman answers,“There is no need for violence, is there? Didn’t you want to look dignified?”
“Puh-lease, El, I always look dignified.”
“Is that so…?”
“It sure is! Why did you even ask? You wanna start a fight or something?”
The blonde woman then jumps in between them and splits them apart, “Let’s stop this here!”
“Ooooh look they have cake,” the muscly man says as he sits down next to auntie and uncle, who are on their knees in a praying position, and eats a slice of cake.
“Anyways!” Ifrit yells, “Go do your introductions and gifts, like we planned already.”
The blue haired woman answers, “If we go in order, don’t you need to go first, since Nox isn’t here?”
“Good point!” Walking over to me, Ifrit touches me by the chin and looks me straight in the eyes, “Good, it looks like your soul is finally starting to settle in. Happy Birthday, Rose!”
“Thank you, your Highness! I’m really glad you gave this life to me.”
“Hehe, yes, now that is how you say thank you! Take some notes Ruby.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Hahaha, uptight as ever. Anyways since I already gave you the gift of life I didn’t bring a gift, I just wanted to wish you a happy Birthday.”
“Thank you, your Highness!”
“Pfft, just call me Ifrit.” She says while brushing through my hair. Her hand feels just barely not too hot to be uncomfortable.
Next the blonde woman with the yellow, starry dress walks up to me, “Hello there, my name is Lum, nice to meet you while you’re awake.”
“Yes, nice to meet you too! Thank you for helping me before.”
“You’re welcome~ Happy first birthday. I couldn’t think of a gift so I will instead just give you something back that was taken from you with the curse.”
Putting her finger on my belly I feel my heart suddenly pumping really quickly as I start to sweat and groan in pain.
“Rose!? What are you doing to her!?” Mama yells.
“Just removing the part of the curse that blocks her bloodline ability. It’s a little painful but it should work now.”
Feeling a little exhausted the pain stops and mama asks, “Are you alright, dear!?”
“Yes…Just a little exhausted.”
“That’s good, if you need to rest that’s completely fine, mama will take care of everything, okay?”
“Okay…”
“What bloodline ability did you unlock in her? Is it the Emperor's Sword? If so I also need you to tell me exactly what the activation conditions are so she doesn’t accidentally-”
“It’s not the Emperor’s Sword. She inherited this one from her other mother. It is called Gaia’s Garden. It is an ability that causes plants to grow and rejuvenate around her.”
“I wasn’t aware that the Empress held this power.”
“That’s because she doesn’t. It has long been dormant in her lineage until your daughter’s previous life was born. Originally it was a gift from my brother to one of her ancestors but they sure have let things go over time. That boy was so much nicer than his descendants…”
“I see, is there any danger to this power? How is it activated?”
“There is no danger to it and it is not activated. It is simply an ability that makes plants around her grow at all times. Either way, I wish you a happy birthday, Rose.”
“Th-Thank you, your Highness.”
Next, the blue haired woman approaches me, “You look tired, let me fix that.”
She touches my forehead and I suddenly feel something cool enter my body and feel full of energy again.
“There, that should be better.”
“It is! Thank you, your Highness.”
“Now then, let me properly introduce myself. My name is Elqueenes, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I have seen you try to practice dancing with me yet you seem to struggle quite a lot.”
“I was told it’s because Dragons like me can’t absorb water mana, apparently it’s poisonous.”
“Hmm…I see…” Holding a ball of water in her hand she says, “This should work then,” as she punches it through my belly straight into my heart, causing me to throw up blood.
I faintly hear mama scream as I nearly pass out but then an ice cold shock spreads through my body that makes me go wide awake again and I take a deep breath.
“Rose!? Are you okay!?”
“Huff…Huff… I think so, yes.”
“What the hell did you do to my daughter!?”
“I adjusted her body so she can now use both the water and fire element without problem by turning her part water dragon.”
“You did what!? How dare you alter my daughter’s body wi-”
“Right…That’s enough Ruby,” Ifrit says as she touches mama’s forehead and she falls asleep. “Sorry about her, El.”
“Please…She’s your descendant, of course she is hot headed. I’m surprised she stayed calm for this long. Either way, you can now continue practicing, Rose. Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you, your Highness. Ifrit is my mama going to be alright?”
“Yes, she’s just sleeping. I’ll wake her up when we leave.”
“Alright…”
Next, the muscly man approaches me and holds out his hand for a handshake. I accept it and he smiles widely.
“I’m Gaia, nice to meet you kiddo.”
“Nice to meet you as well, your Highness.”
“Say, why don’t you ever dance for me?”
“Because I only know Nox’s, Ifrit’s and Elqueenes’ dance well enough to practice it.”
“Ah…I see! And here I thought you just didn’t like me, bahahaha. Anyways, I didn’t know whether I liked you or not so I didn't bring anything. Happy Birthday, kiddo.”
“Thank you, your Highness.”
Before Gaia can even fully return to his place, Sylvia is already right in front of me again, poking my cheek, “So, so, do you like my wind?”
“Yes, especially on a hot day or when I’m training.”
“Hey, hey, do you like looking cool and mysterious? Why am I even asking of course you do! Everyone does!”
Putting his hand on my forehead he says, “I bestow upon you a blessing! Now there is always a slight breeze that follows you and makes your hair flow nicely when you walk! Also I recommend a cape, it will also heroically flow behind you!”
“Okay? Thank you, your Highness.”
“You’re welcome, you’re welcome! Happy Birthday!”
Ifrit claps her hands together and says, “Alright, that’s everything for today, we’ll take our leave now.”
Disappearing as quickly as they came they leave nothing behind to know they were ever here.
Mama then wakes up again and quickly checks my body, “Rose!? Are you alright!? I’m so sorry! I couldn’t do anything!”
“It’s alright mama, there was nothing you could ha-”
Vomiting up blood again things get blurry and I fall unconscious.
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