Chapter 24 - My Masterpiece

I took my beautiful creation and rushed to show Lona.

"Lona! Lona! Lona!"

I came across her in the hallway preparing for the night.

"What what what?"

I shoved my creation into her face, "Behold! My masterpiece!"

She stared down at it with a confused face, "What is it?"

I rolled my eyes, "Come on. It's obvious."

She nodded, "Yes. It's obviously a wand."

"It's not."

"A pinecone?"

I stomped my foot, "Come on. Be serious. It's clearly a flower."

She looked at my creation with uncertainty, "Yes... Clearly..."

I giggled in excitement, "Hehe. When I give this to William I'm sure he will be so pleased he will cry."

"It's William's present?"

"Yup! I made it myself."

"Are you sure you don't want to get him something else just in case?"

"Why? This is more than enough. And it's so awesome!"

She raised an eyebrow, "Yes. Of course. I will just prepare him something else. Just in case you change your mind."

I nodded and waved my hand, "Sure sure. Do whatever you want."

She grabbed my wrists, "What did you do to your hands?!"

"Oh. They may have gotten a little cut and burned when I was making it. I didn't know scrap metal was so sharp."

"I can't believe you!"

She grabbed me and dragged me towards the kitchen area and sat me down. She pulled out a first aid kit and began to treat my wounds. The entire time she kept grumbling.

"Why are you so upset? They aren't bad or anything."

"If your father found out that I let you get hurt on my watch I would be fired."

"Relax. I won't tell him or anything."

She paused and looked up at me, "Have you been ignoring what I've said these past few days?"

I chuckled guiltily, "I would never ignore you. I always listen to everything you have to say."

She gave me the side eye, "Of course, little Miss. Then I guess I don't have to explain."

As she marched me back up to my room, I couldn't help but feel like I had ignored something important. Oh well. It's not like it's the first time.

As I got into bed she took my creation from my hands, "I will go wrap this for you."

"Thanks Lona. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

It took me a while to finally fall asleep. I was just so excited to give him my beautiful masterpiece. Ahh! He's going to cry. And this time I'm going to see it. That night I had an amazing dream about the bawling William worshipping at my feet.

I was awaken by Lona who dragged me out of my bed and chose my outfit.

Sigh. When will I be able to pick out my own clothes?

After she got me ready, she smiled. "There. You look beautiful."

I stared into the mirror and frowned. I look like a god d*mn cabbage patch doll.

"Alright. Stop frowning. Let's go down to breakfast already."

As I walked into the dining room, I immediately stopped in my tracks. My mouth dropped open.

"BABY GIRL!"

NO! Please God no!!! Not this man!

My father leapt from the table and hugged me. He spun me around in excitement.

"Daddy missed you! Did you miss me?"

Miss you?! I've enjoyed the f*ck out of these peaceful days without you!!

I forced a smile, "I've missed you so much!"

He sat me down clearly elated by this. I glanced at Lona who had a sly smile on her face. Oh, you fox. So this is what you meant last night.

I sat at the table and looked at my father, "Daddy. Why are you home?"

"Why? To take you to Williams party of course."

"Why?"

His smile had a clearly angry aura behind it, "Why not? Do you really want to be alone with William so badly?"

I swallowed hard and quickly shook my head, "Never."

"Good! Regardless, it was about time I made another house call to check up on you. Are you still doing that knight training nonsense?"

"Yes."

"Any improvements?"

I frowned, "No. Dante and William still beat me."

"Ah, well I suppose that's no surprise. They have had more experience than you."

"Hmph. Anything they can do, I can do better."

He chuckled, "I like your thinking."

After we finished eating, Lona prepared the carriage. She loaded several gifts into the storage box on the back.

I tugged on her, "Where's my gift?"

She sighed and handed it to me. Lona was really good at gift wrapping. I would just throw it in a plastic bag and call it good, but she made it look professionally wrapped.

My father looked over in curiosity, "Oh? Your gift?"

"That's right! I made it myself."

He bit his lip in jealousy, "So... You made William something personally? You put so much work into it that you even hurt your pretty hands?"

I giggled trying to quell his anger, "Don't worry, Daddy! I will make you something even better!"

He smiled happily, "I can't wait to see it!"

I can't believe I have to make this cry baby something.

He reached out his hand, "Come on, my princess. Daddy will help you inside."

I forced myself to keep smiling as he helped me inside. I deserve to eat a bunch of cake for putting up with this man. I stared at Lona conveying this and she just stared back at me with a stoic expression. However, I got the feeling she was saying I wasn't allowed to pig out.

I felt myself rise into the air and placed on someone's lap. I looked back at my father who was still smiling at me with that stupid handsome face of his.

"It's more safe if you're on daddy's lap!"

Like hell it is! Oh god! My pride is taking critical damage.

"My lord. The little miss gets really bad motion sickness. It would be better if she laid down instead."

Yes! You tell him Lona!

She continued, "She can use your lap as a pillow."

Traitor!!!

My father nodded and forced me to lay down onto his lap. I glared at Lona telling her mentally that I would have my revenge. She just smiled at me.

We arrived after what felt like forever. My father helped me out of the carriage. I wanted to smack him so badly, but instead I pretended as if I was happy.

We approached Williams house with Lona carrying several wrapped gifts and I carried my masterpiece. The butler at the door bowed to us, "Welcome, esteemed guests. The party is in the garden. Please follow me."

We followed him as he led us through the familiar hallways. We eventually walked outside revealing a giant garden complete with all sorts of flowers.

How long has this been here??

The butler noticed my expression, "Queen Luna had it commissioned for William's birthday. It's new."

God d*mn rich people.

As we walked through it I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. There were so many rich people here that I've never seen before. Not only that, but the decorations looked like pure gold! I wonder if they would notice if I swiped something...

Lona looked down at me and gave me a warning, "Little Miss. You better be on your best behavior today."

Sh*t. Can she read minds?

"Good day."

I looked towards the voice and noticed William. He looked at me with his smug smile but froze when he noticed my father's looming presence over me.

He bowed to him, "It's good to see you again, Lord Kane."

My father huffed, "Sure. I can tell you're as energetic as ever."

I heard William gulp and speak in a nervous voice, "My mother would love to chat with you again. She's over there."

He looked to where he pointed. He glanced back with a scary expression, "Alright. But if I hear that you are up to no good with my daughter, I'm not going to care if you are a prince."

I shouted, "Daddy!"

He smiled at me and ruffled my hair, "Don't miss daddy too much now."

Oh! Just go already.

I watched as he walked away. Both me and William breathed a sigh of relief.

William turned to me with his usual irritated expression, "I can't believe you got here so late. Everyone else has arrived."

"Well, you know what they say. Save the best for last."

He rolled his eyes, "Whatever. Just follow me. I will show you to where everyone is at and you can put the gifts there."

As me and Lona followed him, we came to where all of the children were at. I breathed a small breath of relief. I was worried this place would be swarming with annoying brats. At least there wasn't too many here. There were a few I didn't recognize, but I could see Dante and Millie standing off to the side talking. I waved at them.

They walked over. Millie smiled at me, "I'm glad to see you."

Dante chuckled, "We didn't think you were going to come. Especially, William. He was so anxious we thought he was going to explode."

"I was not!"

He growled at Dante who snickered at him. I grabbed my gift and shoved it towards William.

"Here!"

He looked at it, "What is it?"

"Your gift. Go on! Open it."

"Right now?"

"Yes, why not?"

Lona bent down to me, "It's considered rude to open a gift before food is served."

I waved my hand, "That's bullsh*t. Just open it."

William glared at me, "Could you refrain from cursing on my birthday?"

I smiled confidently, "Nope."

He sighed, "Alright. I guess it's fine if I open it since you keep shouting at me."

I felt my face twitch, "I wasn't shouting."

He ignored me and opened the gift carefully. He took out my masterpiece and looked at it in confusion.

"What is it?"

I scowled, "Hah hah. Very funny. You know what it is."

He looked over at Lona still confused. She spoke, "Yes, Prince William. Do not joke about her present. She worked very hard on it. You know very well that it is a flower." She put extra emphasis on the last word.

"Ohhh. Yes of course. But, why a flower?"

I smiled triumphantly and flipped my hair, "It took me a while but I figured it out. You really like flowers, but since they have bugs on them, you're too scared of them. That's why I made you this myself. It's metal so it won't attract bugs and it won't ever die."

He glanced at me, "You said you made this yourself?"

I nodded firmly, "Yup!"

Go on. Revel in my awesomeness.

He looked at it and smiled. I froze for a second at his face. It looked so tender and warm. It was nothing like I had seen before. Even though he was young, I could tell he was going to be a heart throb if he made that face.

But God d*mnit! I wanted to see him cry! Not this!