Chapter 13: 10th Birthday
Octavia sat beside Aurelia's bed, gently smoothing the fabric of her daughter's nightdress.
Octavia: "Aurelia… tomorrow is the big day."
Aurelia smiled softly.
Aurelia: "Yes, Mother."
Octavia: "Are you done with your dance practice?"
Aurelia: "Yes. I learned the entire routine."
Aurelia: "Miss Rosella said she was satisfied with my performance."
Octavia studied her daughter carefully.
Octavia: "Tell me honestly."
Octavia: "Did you enjoy learning the dance?"
Octavia: "Or did you hate it, thinking you were forced to dance just because your father wanted you to?"
Aurelia shook her head.
Aurelia: "No. I enjoyed it."
Aurelia: "Both the routine… and the practice."
Aurelia: "I was glad Father thought of having a dance performance."
Octavia smiled knowingly.
Octavia: "So dancing with Daniel made you this happy?"
Aurelia stiffened.
Octavia: "Miss Rosella told me everything."
Octavia: "It was your idea to make Daniel your practice partner."
Aurelia's cheeks flushed.
Aurelia: "Mother, please don't tease me."
Aurelia: "Yes, it was my idea—but not for the reason you're thinking."
Aurelia: "I just didn't want to make mistakes."
Aurelia: "Practicing solo isn't the same as dancing with someone."
Aurelia: "That's all."
Octavia chuckled.
Octavia: "Of course."
Octavia: "Still… I wouldn't mind seeing you dance with him."
She sighed softly.
Octavia: "To me, Daniel is already family."
Octavia: "But Aurelia… don't forget who we are."
Octavia: "House Saint John carries a reputation."
Octavia: "Do you think society would accept you choosing a maid's son over noble heirs?"
Aurelia lowered her gaze.
Aurelia: "No."
Aurelia: "They wouldn't."
Octavia: "And they would use it against your father."
Aurelia nodded slowly.
Aurelia: "I understand, Mother."
Octavia brushed her hair gently.
Octavia: "Your father and I only want what's best for you."
Aurelia: "I know."
She hesitated.
Aurelia: "It's just… dancing with someone I practiced with feels safer."
Octavia raised an eyebrow.
Octavia: "I'm not judging you."
Octavia: "You don't need to explain."
Octavia: "You're allowed to like whoever you want."
Aurelia groaned.
Aurelia: "Mother—!"
Octavia laughed.
Octavia: "Alright, alright."
Octavia: "But don't get your hopes too high."
Octavia: "Leslie and Daniel usually come after the party ends."
Aurelia's shoulders slumped.
Aurelia: "I know…"
Octavia: "Now—did your dress arrive?"
Aurelia shook her head.
Aurelia: "No."
Aurelia: "The tailor sent word—the delivery carriage met with an accident."
Aurelia: "That's why I came to you."
Octavia sighed.
Octavia: "I'm sorry, my love."
Octavia: "I'm overwhelmed with preparations today."
Octavia: "Why don't you ask Aunt Leslie to go with you?"
Aurelia brightened.
Aurelia: "I will."
---
Later That Day
A gentle knock echoed.
Leslie opened the door.
Leslie: "Oh—Aurelia."
Leslie: "Is everything alright?"
Aurelia: "Yes, Aunt Leslie."
Aurelia: "I need your help."
Leslie smiled warmly.
Leslie: "Anything for you, my dear."
Aurelia: "My party dress couldn't be delivered."
Aurelia: "We need to pick it up ourselves."
Leslie nodded.
Leslie: "Of course."
She hesitated.
Leslie: "May I bring Daniel along?"
Leslie: "I've never taken him out just for leisure."
Aurelia's smile widened.
Aurelia: "Of course!"
Aurelia: "The more, the merrier."
---
Silver Lake Town — Evening
The streets glowed under lantern light as they walked toward Up2Date Tailors.
Leslie slowed her pace, letting Aurelia and Daniel walk ahead.
Aurelia felt as if the world had narrowed—just the two of them.
Aurelia: "Aunt Leslie… will you and Daniel come to the party from the start?"
Leslie's smile softened with sadness.
Leslie: "I'm sorry, my dear."
Leslie: "As always, we'll come after it ends."
Aurelia stopped.
Aurelia: "I want you both there."
Leslie knelt beside her.
Leslie: "Aurelia… we don't belong to that world."
Leslie: "Please don't make me say no."
Aurelia swallowed.
Aurelia: "I'm sorry."
Daniel spoke quietly.
Daniel: "It's alright."
Daniel: "Think of it this way."
Daniel: "We'll be there when everyone else leaves."
Aurelia looked at him.
Aurelia: "You won't leave me?"
Daniel met her eyes.
Daniel: "Never."
Daniel: "Mother and I will always be there for you."
Daniel: "Enjoy your day."
Something warm bloomed in her chest.
Aurelia: For him, those words might mean little.
Aurelia: But to me… they mean everything.
Aurelia: "I hope you keep that promise."
Daniel: "I intend to."
She smiled all the way back to the mansion.
---
Eve of the Birthday — Saint John Manor
The estate had been transformed.
It no longer felt like her home.
Silk banners woven with Valoria's crest glowed with living light.
Crystal chandeliers swirled with pastel mist.
Mage-lights floated like laughing faces.
The banquet table gleamed under mountains of sugar sculptures—dragons, unicorns, a towering three-tier cake.
Even the ancestral portraits had been enchanted.
Her grim ancestors smiled.
It felt wrong.
Aurelia stood at the top of the staircase, hand resting on cold onyx.
This wasn't a celebration.
It was a display.
A performance for nobles.
She spotted Daniel below—dirty hands, simple clothes, helping with decorations.
He looked up.
Smiled.
Mouthed: Happy Birthday.
The world steadied.
Lord Dean Saint John placed a hand on her shoulder.
Baron Dean: "Magnificent, isn't it?"
Baron Dean: "Nothing but the finest for the heir of House Saint John."
Aurelia forced a smile.
Aurelia: "Yes, Father."
He walked away, satisfied.
She turned toward the tall windows.
Beyond the glass—
The real sky.
The untamed stars.
And one secret wish, hidden in her heart.
A single dance.
Not for nobles.
Not for the house.
But for the boy who promised never to leave.
---