Chapter 89: A Forgotten Birthday
"My birthday," I said with wide eyes, I was so consumed by my dreams and everything that I forgot my birthday was a day away, have it drawn close so soon? How could I have forgotten? Mother must have known because she holds my records.
"You silly girl," Mother scolds. "Birthdays are not something to be forgotten for they happen once a year"
"Forgive me, Mother, for it really crossed my mind"
She sighed. "It’s alright... So tell me how big do you want it? How should we celebrate, the Ballroom is at your disposal"
I gulped. "Forgive me, Mother, I have never celebrated my birthday before for it doesn’t bring joy to me, it’s also the anniversary of my Mother’s death"
She fell silent. "Forgive me Sylvia for I forgot that fact, it must be really hard. I wanted something to cheer you up for you have been so down lately so I thought celebrating your birthday would lighten the mood a bit and you could finally speak with Cedric for both of you haven’t had a glimpse of each other for days"
I smiled, I thought Mother to be only a lady fixated on laws like she should and consumed with society and all, well she was but she was a Mother, she was like a mother to me, she cared enough for my well being to celebrate my birthday for me even though it was a painful event for me.
"I really appreciate your concern Mother" I took her hand. "It warms my heart but I’m sorry I don’t celebrate my birthday, for instead it served as a memorial for my mother, my papa and I usually visit her grave and spend time there, bring flowers, it was a time for both of us, three of us to be exact," I said as my eyes grew wistful, I wanted to cry at the memory but I forced myself not to.
"Forgive me Sylvia for I can’t grant such a wish for you, the moment you step into the Empire there’s no going back, it would have been easier for you when you were brought in as an infant but you came here when you already have a life outside the walls"
I felt my cheeks wet, no matter how I tried to fight it the tears still fell.
"My Lady," Olivia said in a worried tone behind me.