Born As The Emperor’s Daughter - Chapter 195 Bloom 4

And so, Alexandra’s winter star celebration with her family has started.

The dining room was livelier and noisier than usual as almost all of the servants who are working inside the palace are all gathered together not wearing their usual identical uniforms but rather wearing something casual and comfortable. Some were just on their pajamas while some were wearing something simple yet formal like a dress or something. Alexandra was wearing something simple and comfortable yet at the same time formal and proper for this event that they are celebrating.

But since it was cold, her dress was thick in order to keep her warm. The same goes for the others too. However, the expressions on their faces were almost the same except for some of her brothers and her father who always have an expressionless look on the face despite what situation they are in. It’s nothing new.

The expressions displayed on their faces were bright and beaming with joy as they either chatted with the people they know or acquainted with or while they are staring at somewhere while thinking about something. Probably someone or something that makes them happier aside from the celebration that is happening right now. Their loud chatter filled the whole place and the atmosphere that surrounded all of them was comfortable and light, if someone decided to shut them all up, it would be really awkward and horribly silent. So nobody tried to. Well, it’s common sense that it would just break everyone’s mood if someone decided to do that.

Alexandra let out a sigh as her grip around the half-empty glass of juice that she was drinking since earlier tightened. Carlos and Diana were behind her, together. Alexandra could tell that they were bickering just like what they used to base on Diana’s increasing volume of voice as she spoke with Carlos who would just let out a laugh and think of a comeback. However, they get along really well when it comes to Alexandra. However, since Diana was older than Carlos for like years, he never forgets to respect her and know his limits as she was also a girl. I don’t know why he continuously teases her despite getting the same reaction every time he does that, Alexandra took a sip from the glass of juice that she was drinking as she watched everyone.

They already exchanged gifts earlier and Alexandra received a ton of them. From the servants and her family. Of course, she also gave them gifts but it was nothing compared to theirs as hers was just the sweets that she made with the help of Diana since she wasn’t allowed to go out and buy in the market just like before when she was still living in the Wistalia palace and she would just celebrate it with her minds, nothing grand, just them eating and exchanging gifts.

“Alexa, are you enjoying the celebration?” She could hear a gentle and warm voice coming from her right. Based on the nickname that he called her, it must be one of her brothers. Christian, probably, she made a wild guess and she turned her head towards the direction of the voice. There she saw Christian approaching her with the usual gentle smile etched on his lips. Alexandra smiled back at him and he stood in front of her. “Yes since everybody is enjoying it as well. They look happy and energetic,” She responded to his question.

“Well, that is true. I left my brother’s side since Brother Chan was there,” He still calls him ‘Chan’ just to tease him. He’s probably tired of calling him idiot all the time so he went on with that embarrassing and cute nickname that he hated.

“You do hate him.”

“No, not really. We just have a lot of fun teasing each other but we’re close, somehow. I could tell that. It’s just that, it’s so quiet there on our side since Brother Gil is reading a book while Brother Calix is eating silently. If I decided to speak, Brother Chan would just interrupt me and we would end up bickering with each other like always,” And he let out a sigh right after he spoke, closing his eyes in the process. Alexandra let out a soft giggle as she witnessed her brother’s reaction.

Then they fell into a dark and deep hole called silence. Alexandra emptied down her glass of juice before she placed it back on top of the table. It has become pretty quiet and all she could hear was everyone’s loud chatter that surrounded and conquered the whole place like a cage.

“So after this, we’re going to focus on the ball that will be held on Brother Calix’s birthday,” And just like that, Christian broke and shattered the glass that is called silence. Alexandra hummed before she responded to him, “Seems like I would be busier than usual. It can’t be helped though I am excited about the ball since that would be my first one. Father is also going to be my escort, don’t you think that would cause an uproar when the emperor who is usually alone and doesn’t escort anyone would appear and dance with a little girl like me?” Alexandra asked him, the expression on her face becoming brighter as she spoke.

“I bet they would be shocked and since you have the physical traits or characteristics a pure-blooded Everly would have, they would think that you are a hidden family member which is true,” Christian said to which Alexandra just hummed as a response.

Her brother spoke once again, “You know, some people wouldn’t agree and would think of you as something different.”

“Just like how our brothers and father used to think of me before?”

“Yeah just like that but it’s not that easy to change their mind. Even though no matter how small the problem is, they would never forget about it and think of it as something big, something that will bring destruction.”

“I know.”

“But please remain strong and don’t be bothered by what they think of you.”

“I will, brother.”

She knew that he was worried about her that’s why he was telling her that. She knew that what he just told her will happen. Even if he hasn’t told her that, she already knows that’s why she has to remain strong.

“What are you going to do?” Alexandra became thirsty all of the sudden so before she responded to his question which actually took a long time since she asked Diana to get her another glass of juice to which she nodded as a response and left their side.

“I don’t know. Let’s just see.”

“Are you going to fight back or something or are you just going to ignore what they are going to say?”

“It depends on the situation. If they did something that offended me or insulted me face to face, I would fight back. But if it’s just some pointless and nonsense whispers and murmurs coming from their petty mouths, I would ignore them.”

Christian was slightly taken aback by her response before his lips broke out into a tender yet faint smile barely noticed unless if you stared at his face long. He ruffled her hair gently and rested his hand on top of her hair as he spoke, “If you need any help, your brothers are always here for you. In case if you are in trouble or someone was troubling you, you can come to us for help. It’s not like we’re only siblings just because we share the same blood, siblings should help each other, right?”

–“We’re siblings, we should help and understand each other.”

Is what he always says which rang inside her head multiple times like a broken track or record. Hearing him say that always give her a sense of relief and made her relax every time. An erupting feeling in her heart, it feels like fireworks that would burst in the night sky and erupt into small glowing particles. A sigh wanted to escape her lips to which she allowed to and it was a satisfied one. She relaxed her shoulders and Christian withdrew his hand back which was resting on top of her head, though his hand already left, she could still feel it there because of the warmth that his palm emitted earlier.

“You can always depend on us.”

‘You can always depend on us,’ It was just a simple sentence composed of 6 words, 22 letters yet it took her breath away like it was something beautiful. She has never depended or leaned on anyone even if they offered her to do so because she knew that she can’t share her burdens nor can she do it all alone. After her mother died and her relative who took care of her died, she has always been alone. Even after leaving the orphanage. So she never knew what it felt like to depend on someone, to seek for help.

But.

She wasn’t alone anymore.

Because she have them.

“Thank you.”

—

And so, a few weeks have passed.

“And turn around,” She heard Vivienne say as she was dancing with a male who was taller than her but she was able to do it with him. He was as tall as her father so it was perfect to make him her practice partner. Aside from that, there aren’t any male kids here who are at her height except for Arthur who was always busy and she rarely sees him. She was somehow flexible and she learns fast. She was also good at dancing and doing a few moves, probably thanks to her experience in her previous life as a waitress, dodging, swaying, tiptoeing, twirling, and sliding while carrying trays on your hands while wearing a pair of shoes that isn’t flat.

It was all thanks to her experiences in her previous life that everything seemed easier for her. Guess all the skills I developed before would be put on use here, she thought to herself as she was being twirled around by her tall partner. It was one of the butlers, what was his name again? Richard, was it? She just shrugged and continued dancing with him, relaxed and with ease. Thanks to the heels that she was wearing, the difference in their heights weren’t much of a problem.

Over the past few weeks, not so much have happened although Harrison did do his promise to take her out on the carnival once again but he was being extra careful during that time because he can’t afford himself bumping into Elise or one of his friends. Aside from that, he was also being careful and kept on holding her hand to not let her escape him and let her be dragged by someone else just like what happened a few years ago. They have to spend most of their time on the cliff where they watched the fireworks explode into small particles in the night sky while eating cake and sweets which he bought somewhere she doesn’t know.

A week already has passed ever since her brothers returned to the academy. Alexandra thought that they only spent a few days here when it was actually 3 weeks. Time is fast when you’re happy, it was what she thought of. Right then on, her days returned to its peaceful and quiet state. Though she enjoyed it. Her lessons with Vivienne became longer than usual. Usually, it would only last for like 2 hours but now, it always reached 3 hours minimum. The reason was–

“And done! Good job, young miss! It seems like you are prepared for the ball now. Do you already have a dress?” Vivienne clapped her hands signaling for their practice to end. She and her partner separated from each other, slightly panting and sweating because of how long they were dancing. Alexandra’s knees were numb and weak, she badly wants to take a seat but she has to remain her composure before she collapses on the ground.

“Yes, and it’s going to arrive a few days from now.”

“That’s good! You already learned and memorized all the things that you need to do in the ball, just be careful about not stepping on your father’s foot because that would be really painful.”

Alexandra let out a soft giggle after hearing what her instructor just said. “Of course, I won’t, teacher. But even so, I would be extra careful just like you told me!”

“That’s good.”

–There’s only a week left before the ball.