Mother and Carlos came back just before we fell asleep and probably just kept sleeping for a week.
They looked more.. relaxed.
I couldn't believe what I saw .. but he is married. Fate..do the..whatever.
Zephyr took out a folded paper. " Carlos, your wife sent this note. "
He handed him a large, neatly folded in half note. After reading it, he barely reacted.
" Well, I hope she gets better. You look popped, Zeph. "
" I'm just getting my second wind. " he turned my head for a sweet smooch and lifted me up like the lightweight I was putting me down safely. " Let's go. I'm going to wash up. Carlos walks with me."
" You know, I can just wash you? " he walked after him descending towards the Sen.
" I told you, Em, to stop saying things like that..
" There is nothing wrong with man washing each other! "
" God damn it.. "
I watched with my mother as they walked away and when turned to her.. I saw a little smile.
" Well.. how was your walk? "
She answered, still watching them. " The locals wanted to meet him, and he was kind enough to entertain them with a few tricks. "
I looked at her profile suspiciously. " He is indeed a kind man, isn't he? "
She finally looked at me with an unreadable expression.
" I don't know what you are thinking, Lylly Wold. He is a married man.."
She walked away echoing her own sentiment, but her little smile carried more truth than her words.
---
" Bring those plates and make sure you don't drop them. "
" I'm doing my very best, Sisi."
It was the 5th trip in a row, but we managed, and our house finally turned into my dream home, flowers on the outside, the trees and saplings we planted slowly taking root.
Dozens of tables and long benches set up outside all had plenty of food and drinks on them. There were fires and torches everywhere, making the night chill now ever present a non-issue.
We greeted some people already there, the lively chatter around us already filling the early night air.
I headed towards my home. Someone dug four large holes in the ground, and I had stuck torches in them, too.
We went past them and inside. It is more the same. It genuinely looked like a forest.
Well done, me.. and people.
Demelza and a bunch of others were doing final preparations.
" Where is the birthday girl? "
Demelza was playing with little Arnold, who may didn't understand what was happening, but enjoyed himself all the same.
That's one happy kid.
" She is showing Ciren around, Petra went with them. She really taken to Ciren. " The gloomy girl was nowhere to been seen as they talked about things. " I guess she has a poetic soul as well. Either way, it's good training she said."
" Poetic? " asked Lizzy.
" Hmm.. Ciren is super into poems of the ancients. She is the one who taught Zephyr how to read and write." I explained.
" The poet and the warrior princess. Now, that's a good song. "
Eli and I still needed to change and then ask steady hands Lucian and all reliable Alex to carry the cake.
Why not just one?
One to carry, one to clean the road. If they still drop it, I'll have Zephyr drop them from the clouds.
Talking about him. He walked in, laughing with Carlos. They were both wet.
He looked at my questioning gaze and shrugged.
" He washed me.. w-with his power. ..Yeah, yep, go on, yuk it up, ladies. "
That phrasing erupted the room into laughter.
I walked up to him and ..he was soaked. They both were. Having too much fun.
" Go change ..the both of you. Then grab the girls. They are off somewhere with Petra. And fix your hair.."
" Yes, ma'am. "
Carlos stepped up with his usual charming personality. " I apologise dear sister, it's my fault ..the river was inadequate..
Zephyr tapped his shoulders and led him upstairs.
" He really is an odd one, huh? " Demelza walked beside me, watching them heading to our room.
" It's true, and who knows what else he becomes.."
" What do you mean? " She asked, tilting her head.
" Nothing.. Eli, let's go soon as they finish and change as well. " I found my sister near the sweets table. " Demelza? Alexander is at Lucians house go tell them it's time. Bring the cake, then once Anna is back, we are good to go."
" Roger that."
---
" I can't believe you spent this much coin on underwear. You probably have more alone than all the women combined in the village. "
I ignored Eli's words, which she's been echoing since.. forever now.
" So..can I assume you haven't used yours? "
" ..I'm thinking about it."
I turned around to see a smiling blonde girl with a very new smile on her face.
" When? Not tonight, though? "
" I was thinking his birthday? ..coming up in November . Maybe we can borrow your house? "
" Look at you making plans. Of course you can...no...n-not OUR room or bed, but sure." I corrected myself.
My little sister looked so mature now.
She was always more curious than me. Used to call me prude. Times sure changed.
" Have you decided on Zephyr birthday? Please don't tell me, you gonna put it on your day? "
" Of course not. That's my day."
To be honest, I was at a loss. Any day would be special once picked. Maybe December? Or maybe spring? I'm thinking entirely too much about this.
" I will pick it up after today. I just need to decide. "
" Riiight.."
I picked out my favourite black dress and underneath Zephyr's favourite things too.
Eli took one of my yellow dresses that she might as well have, I bought it with no real purpose other than it looked good.
Downstairs, most of the family arrived and looked well dressed for the occasion. From the looks, only granny with her fellow and the girls were missing.
" Is he.."
" Yes, Zephyr left with Carlos to bring them, Vistellia is bringing everyone still missing with Metill. "
Good.
I took a look outside, and the crowd swelled to almost the entire village from the looks.
There are so many people for one girl's birthday. Everyone looked lost in food, drink or conversation.
The Emil sisters took care of the music, and those with talent were already playing a fast song, making the first couples already drawn to dancing.
Good.
I felt quite proud it came together nicely considering the sheer number of people invited.
I poured myself some wine inside with the others and looked at the cake.
It wasn't going to be enough.. probably not even for the entire family, but it was more symbolic than anything else.
It was surrounded with mountains of sweets, jam buns, almond and nut brittle, smaller pies and cakes, Zephyr brought enough candied fruits and some other things we never saw, I was very excited to try.
A new shop opened and sold a lot of things, I never even seen.
Something called pudding that had dried fruits in them, dark crumbs the size of pebbles called chocolate, a plate full of thick white sticks called massepan made from almond, honey, and milk and much more he forget everything about so couldn't tell me.
" This is insane.. you can feed the village with this easy. She's going love it. "
Demelza and Liz with the Emil sisters admired the sight and made eyes on all the strange new things they had never seen before.
" Lylly, I brought the crown. Also, mother and Metill are back, and that's everyone."
Mother handed me a flower crown Ilianna loved so much.
I picked the flowers that had nice meaning for us. Black tulips representing her and myself and woodland bulbs for covering the rest in a similar shade of blue as Zephyr.
It was perfect.
The noises outside become louder and louder. We all walked outside with Alexander holding the cake. There they were. Carlos holding Ciren's hand, behind them Petra, and her fiancee.
Zephyr was leading them, holding our princess whom I went and crowned immediately.
"" Happy birthday, princess. ""
She laughed happily, and we turned to face the now entire village that gathered behind us.
""""" HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! """""