"Happy birthday, Princess."
The old noble lady handed Florence a gift box with a warm smile.
"Thank you," Florence replied, forcing a polite smile that looked obviously fake. She immediately passed the box to her maid without even glancing at it.
The old lady noticed the gesture, her smile faltering slightly. She sighed quietly and stepped aside.
Layla held the gift box in her hands. Noticing that Florence kept glancing toward the grand entrance doors of the hall, she leaned closer and whispered, "Princess, are you sure the prince will come to help you tonight?"
Florence rolled her eyes. "Ugh, don't say that. Be positive."
"Positive?" Layla raised an eyebrow. "Like your marriage?"
"Layla!" Florence snapped, glaring at her.
Layla quickly coughed and pretended to clear her throat. "I—I'm sorry, Princess. I meant…"
Before she could finish, a cheerful voice interrupted, "Oh, hello, my dear Princess!"
Florence turned around to see Lady Evelyn standing there with a wide smile, her husband beside her and a glittering gift box in her hands.
"Ugh, not her now," Florence muttered under her breath, though she forced another smile for the sake of appearances. "Oh, hi, Lady Evelyn," she greeted sweetly.
"Happy birthday! This is from me and your brother," Evelyn said, passing the gift to her.
Florence took it politely, while Layla's eyes drifted toward Henry. Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered how she had run into him by the pool that morning. Their eyes met for a brief moment. Henry's lips curved into a smirk before he gave her a playful, boyish wink.
Layla gasped softly, gripping the gift box tighter and instinctively hiding behind Florence. Henry couldn't help but chuckle at how strongly his charm seemed to affect her.
"Oh, you didn't have to go through all that trouble," Florence said smoothly. "Your presence alone is enough. But still, I appreciate it—thank you."
"Oh, don't say that, Princess," Evelyn replied, laughing lightly. "After all, you're the only aunt to our future baby boy… or girl." She rested a hand on her belly, then looked teasingly at Henry. "Right, dear?"
Henry cleared his throat. "Yeah, right, right." He turned to Florence. "Accept the gift for now, Florence—because in the future, you'll be the one showering our children with presents," he teased, making her chuckle softly.
Evelyn smiled wider. "And soon you'll have your own household, so you won't get to celebrate like this in your parents' kingdom anymore. Enjoy every moment while you can."
Florence's smile faltered instantly at those words, the mention of her upcoming marriage weighing down her mood.