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.

Mother cleaned my tears. "I will make sure gifts are sent to your father, perhaps flowers and you can write a letter to him if you like, I'm sure it will get to him," she said with a smile against her lips.

"Thank you Mother", I was truly grateful.

***

I sauntered the halls lost in thoughts, Olivia beside me, a day to my birthday, my 19th Birthday, I sighed deeply, it has really been months since I came to the Hartford house and it felt like years with all that have been happening. I was truly happy I would be allowed to at least write a letter to my papa, for Mother has allowed it.

"Lady Sylvia", I turned at the sound of my name, Lord Lawrence came behind me with a smile.

"Lord Lawrence," I said with a bow.

"How have you been, I haven't seen you a while," he said amused.

"Been where I have always been" I shrug.

"Perhaps I should visit more and keep you company"

I chuckled. "I truly appreciate that but that's not necessary". He grinned. "Why are you here?"

"I came for Cedric but it turns out he's not in the castle, I met with mother and he said he was out with Princess Alice to the Eternal Garden".

"Oh" I made a sound, feeling a sharp pain in my chest, Mother didn't say anything to me, I guess her reason was not to make me worry, well too late.

"I see" I add with a frown.

"You don't look so good Lady Sylvia, you look dull and-"

"I'm fine just woke up on the wrong side of the bed," I said with a forced smile.

"You got me convinced there for a second".

I sighed. "Please be convinced, because I do not want to talk about it", I knew he would want to given the kind of person Lawrence was, he would ask.

"Is it because of Cedric's new betrothed?"

"I told you to be convinced"

"Well I do not want to be... so tell me what makes you sad, I said before a smile looks better on you than a frown".

"Nothing," I said trying to sound convinced but my shaky tone gave me away.

"I understand you're sad because Cedric is to marry Princess Alice... but you should understand its because of the peace treaty,"

"Everyone keeps saying that," I said, sighing. "They want me to be understanding, and I will"

"Sylvia," he said in a sad tone, it was the first time he called my name without adding formalities.

"Nothing, ever since I have came to this Empire, has ever been what I wanted, I have only bear, that's only what I do"

"You're in pain," he said, it wasn't a realization to him but a fact.

I forced a smile, but my eyes were sad.

"Are you unwell if you're you should call the physician or a healer,"

"I'm not exactly sure they would know what emotional pain is".

"You're right... forgive me for I don't really know what to say to make you feel better"

"It's okay Lawrence, talking with you made me feel better"

He raised an eyebrow. "So we aren't going with formalities now?" He said in amusement.

I laughed, it has been a while I heard my own laugh, it sounded strange to my ears.

"I like that sound, wish I could hear it more often from you," he said as his eyes softened.

"You have your charms and your way of making me smile and laugh, I should thank you"

"Nonsense I'm not even with my weapon to fight and yet I have already won your smile"

I laughed and so did he.. It was nice and it felt nice, it was true, Lawrence had a way of making me happy even if it was for a brief moment and I was glad.