Year 963, Month 4, Day 13.
Although there are three elements of unluckiness today, which is 6 from Year 963, then 4 from the month, and 13 as the date…
This is still my birthday.
A special one, on top of it.
My name is Reinst Carnatia Grabberton, the only daughter of the Grabberton family, and the one who is glorified to be the perfect queen candidate.
HOLD IT!!
I am not bragging, by any means. I am just stating the facts.
The nobles always flatter me, but never try to really know me.
When I told them that I didn't think of myself like the perfect candidate whatsoever, they dismissed me and said that I was being too humble.
The noble girls showered me with praises and compliments, yet they talked behind my back. About my pretense and that I was actually a wicked person.
Before I know it, I have gotten used to all that, and nowadays, I don't really care about them anymore. To the extent that I can't really remember who is who among them.
Although it is true that…
I often question this world, why isn't there a single person who would truly want to be by my side just for who I am?
I long for a companion. A true friend. Or a true love, just like the ones they portrayed in the stories I read.
I have given up on the idea of a loving family from my own family members. All they care about is the family's honor.
In the first place, the idea of a loving and warm family just like what they portrayed in the storybooks and films will always remain a fantasy, especially among nobles whose marriages are not based on love.
Oh well…
I was reminiscing the past as today, I will once more stand in front of the nobles and must prepare myself to be showered by their stares, praises, and ill-talks.
As it is my coming of age ceremony.
Which means, more nobles will attend this year's birthday compared to the previous ones.
A knock to the door can be heard when I already finished wearing my silver grey dress and emblem, and was just about to wear a hair pin decorated with the imitation of a small red carnation.
"Yes?"
The one who opened the door was my mother.
"Oh, your preparation is done already? Good, as expected of my daughter," she praised me as soon as she saw my appearance.
"You look beautiful. The crown prince should be attending your party. I wonder if he will propose to you right away?"
Oh, it would be nice if that happens, right?
She then approached me.
Just right when she walks…
I noticed tiny hands holding tightly to her dress from behind.
Those hands belong to none other than my little brother—Dominick Robin.
Two small amber eyes just like mine—peered from behind Mother.
There you are.
Mother's treasure. Her pride and joy.
My heart aches a bit whenever I see him.
Not that I hate him… but do I love him?
I am quite unsure.
Although we are true siblings, we don't spend that much time together. I am still busy with my studies and trainings, while he also receives the necessary education to be the heir of the family as soon as he can read.
Domi would spend most of his time with Mother, and the other servants.
My time with Mother decreased when Domi was born. As a result, my training and education weren't supervised directly by her, and started to be more lenient. However, I am still not quite sure whether I should be happy or sad.
Not like my feelings matter, anyway.
Shortly after, Father comes in, as well.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Take care of your every behavior and words. The others will be watching you."
"I know, thanks for reminding me."
"Good."
And something unusual happened. Well, it has ever happened before, but not that often…
Father lightly patted my head.
"Happy birthday, Reinst. I hope you will grow up to be more elegant, just like the carnation flower that you're named after."
"Thank you, Father."
And before standing on the stage and opening the party, Kanisan and Clyde greeted me and congratulated me on my coming-of-age.
To be honest, I kinda envy the mother and child bond that the two of them have.
They seem to be very close to each other.
After standing on the stage and uttering some sort of empty word---I mean, my UTTERMOST gratitude towards all who attended and my GRATITUDE to be here today, I sit down somewhere nearby and begin to enjoy the food and drinks. Top quality, as always. As expected of my family's top-rated cooks!!
Whenever I eat, I always come to realize that… perhaps… by any chance…
FOOD IS MY RAISON D'ETRE!!
*Ahem*
Nah, sorry for my desperate attempt to find something in life that I can enjoy wholeheartedly.
But my lovey dovey date with my food (most of which have already ended up in my stomach by now, I may be a cruel person for eating my love) is sadly interrupted by the upcoming nobles. Seems like most of them have already finished eating, too.
Yup, I know it's normal and it's even the correct attitude to at least show your face to the person being celebrated.
"Reinst-sama, congratulations on your coming-of-age!"
"Reinst-san, happy birthday! You look so gorgeous today!"
"Congratulations, Reinst-san. Should you not be the prince's suitor, I'd happily take your hand in marriage."
There are so many faces that I can't really remember.
I mean, except my classmates and people I have often seen, I don't pay much attention to the others… with the exception of those that my family deemed important and ordered me to remember.
Most of the noble girls here are my rivals, anyway. Mother would tell me not to be swayed by their words and plummeted below them.
One by one, people who have finished their hypocrite---I mean small talks with me moved to make ways to others to greet me.
"…congrats," An older noble girl with her golden hair curtly delivered her greetings as she was looking down, seemingly thinking of other things.
Well, there are nobles who are forced by their families to attend, despite how busy they are. As the coming of age ceremony of the Ducal family is important, so most nobles—even those from far away would come.
If it were just another normal birthday, probably those who attended would mostly come from the West area, with some from the other areas.
Anyway, I never saw her before, so she must not be from anywhere around the West Area. Most nobles coming from far areas like her would try to at least make an impression to me since we don't meet that often, but she didn't even try!!
Wait… she didn't even introduce herself to me. Did she not know that I don't even recognize her?
…ah well, not that I care. I probably won't even remember the nobles I saw one by one at the end of the day. Not that it mattered, except for some few influential ones that I need to remember at any cost.
I sighed. Who else will I meet after this?
...The horde of nobles seemed to be endless from where I could see them....