Chapter 142 - Seri Counts Down Her Remaining Days As Being Sober

I stood outside beaming with excitement. Why? Well today's my birthday of course! The best part? I am turning 15. That means only 365 more days until I can legally drink in this world.

You never know how thirsty you are until you've gone almost 10 years without a drink...

Anyway. This year I decided I wanted to have a small celebration. I didn't want it to be too showy or anything. Mostly because I hated having random strangers congratulate me. Also, you had to greet everyone before you could have any cake.

So naturally I only wanted a few people to attend.

Unfortunately for me, Queen Luna decided to take over the party planning. I had been avoiding her and the King since William's birthday, but it seems I'm no longer able to do that.

Ugh. I feel exhausted already.

I waited outside the dorms with Millie and Mary. Millie fiddled with my dress with a pleasant smile, "You look very pretty today Seri."

I smiled at her, "Thanks. It's a dress that Queen Luna picked out."

Mary's eyes widened, "Queen Luna picked it out for you?!"

Millie chuckled at her, "Mary, don't you know that Seri is loved by the Queen?"

Mary shook her head, "I didn't know." Mary looked at me and Millie's dresses and sighed, "I feel so inferior to the both of you. You both have such pretty dresses, yet I could only afford this cheap thing."

I glanced at her and noticed her lip trembling. F*ck she's going to cry.

I quickly cut in, "Mary. Your dress isn't ugly at all. Also, why should you even care? It's not like I do."

Although she annoys me, I can't allow her to start wailing. It's too annoying. Thus, I made sure to encourage her to avoid having her crying on my special day.

Mary looked at me with a pout, "But won't I stand out? What if Queen Luna thinks I'm such an eyesore that she kicks me out?"

"Why would she care that much? She's already seen you dressed like that before at Williams birthday party."

"But..."

I rolled my eyes, "Jeez. Next time I will just let you borrow one of mine."

Mary's eyes lit up, "Really?!"

I paused and looked at her chest, "Well... I'm not sure they'd fit though..."

Mary covered her chest reflexively. Millie pouted and tugged on my sleeve, "What about me? I would fit into it better than Mary would."

I sighed and rubbed her head affectionately, "Fine, I will let you have one of my dresses too."

Millie giggled with a large grin, "Hehe. Make sure it's unwashed."

"...What."

Millie smiled, "I said, I can't wait to get it."

Is that really what she said?

I shook my head. Let's just not think about it.

"Sister!!!"

I turned to see Oliver in an adorable sailor like uniform running towards me with his arms opened. I ran towards him and held out my arms. I picked him up and swung him around as he giggled.

I threw him up in the air and caught him, "Oliver! You're getting so heavy. Sister can barely carry you now."

Oliver stuck his tongue out, "Sister must get stronger then!"

I chuckled as I held him, "You little brat."

Mary approached him with large eyes, "Woow. He's so adorable."

Oliver glanced at her and flashed a toothy grin, "Hey, big tits."

Mary's face paled instantly. Millie giggled, "He acts so similar to you Seri."

Oliver heard Millie's voice and stretched out his arms, "Angel!!!"

Millie giggled and took him from my arms, "Hello Oliver."

Oliver rubbed against her, "So lovely..."

My father and Mother walked over. My mother scolded, "Oliver. Don't run away from mommy and daddy like that."

Oliver pulled an innocent face and snuggled into Millie, "But mommy... I wanted to see sister."

My mother sighed, "You'll still get to see her even if you didn't run away. Now come on. The carriage is waiting."

My father smiled, "I had them bring the larger one so your friends could ride too."

I sighed, "You mean the one that makes me sicker than most?"

He nodded, "Yup. That's the one."

I silently groaned as I followed him away. After a short, but disturbing, carriage ride, we finally arrived at the Imperial Palace. Millie helped me off as I gagged and held my stomach.

My father frowned as we walked in, "Apparently Dante and William are already inside."

I sighed, "Daddy, you're not allowed to kill Dante on my birthday."

My father clicked his tongue, "Fine."

We walked in and I saw a group of people gathered around. My face darkened. I thought I said only a few people? Now it's going to be hours before I can get my cake.

As we were greeting people, I saw a server walk by with glasses of wine. I went to reach for it, but my hand was slapped away. I frowned and rubbed my hand.

My mother spoke, "No drinking. You can't drink for another year."

I sighed, "But it's just a year. What difference does a year even make? Think about it, what's the point of waiting when I will be as mature now as I will be then?"

My mother frowned, "Don't get philosophical with me. It's society's rules."

I chewed on my lip in irritation. Queen Luna walked over to me and smiled, "Ahh, Seri. I haven't seen you in so long."

Oh, great. This is exactly who I wanted to avoid.

I forced a smile, "Queen Luna. You look as gorgeous as ever."

Queen Luna smiled at me, "I was worried about you. I haven't heard from you since William's party."

"I'm fine. I hope Queen Luna can forgive my impertinence at that time."

Queen Luna shook her head, "On the contrary, I was overwhelmed when you stepped in to defend Prince William. I can tell you care about him very much."

Ugh. Why do I know where this is going?

She gave a sly smile, "Perhaps you would want to dance with Prince William again today? You both looked so nice when you did it at his party."

My smile twitched, "I'm afraid I can't do that. Last time I nearly broke his foot. Not to mention he was laughed at because of my poor dancing skills. I couldn't possibly make his go through that again."

Queen Luna pouted, "But Seri... I really think that you and William would be a good couple."

My father glanced at her with a scowl, "Couple?"

Queen Luna chuckled, "Relax Kane. I meant as dance partners." Her face then turned serious, "Unless our Seri is actually interested in Dante?"

"Dante?!" I nearly fell over at that name. Why was she bringing him up?!

She continued, "I heard about the two of you... And your... Incident."

I blushed and looked at her pleading my innocence, "That was out of my control!! I don't even remember what happened! All I know is that I had a massive headache for several days!!"

And possibly a concussion.

Queen Luna frowned, "You're sure?"

I nodded, "Yes. That incident was a one time thing. It only happened because I was hit in the head too hard."

I paused. Sh*t. It wasn't a one time thing!!! Didn't me and Dante...

I tried to refrain from blushing further and giving myself away.

My father grumbled next to me, "If that bastard even shows his face by me today, I will ruin him."

Dante already knew this would be the case, so he made sure to remain hidden in order to ensure his life.

I frowned at him, "Daddy..."

My father crossed his arms, "I can't help it. Why would I hand you over to that wolf?"

Hand me over?

Although I am a bit surprised I don't even see Dante at all. Knowing him, he's probably outside on a terrace. I will just bug him later.

Queen Luna sighed, "Won't you just think about a dance with Prince William?"

I nodded, "Alright... I will think about it."

Only think. I'm not actually going to go repeat that blunder.

Queen Luna nodded and then left. After we greeted all the guests, I attempted my escape to the cake table. However, my father held me back.

"Not so fast. We have to discuss the company."

I instantly felt tired, "Huh?!"

He nodded, "It seems your chocolates were a big success. I just knew you would be excellent at taking over my company."

I frowned, "Daddy! For the last time! I don't want to run your company! That's too much work! Just let Oliver take over."

"I can't do that. He's too young. I want to retire now."

"Why are you acting like such an old man?! You can wait!"

"Come on, I know you'll love it."

"Love it?! You never get sleep!! Why would I want that life?!"

"But baby girl! You're a natural! No one could do as good of a job as you!"

I groaned, "Just let me go get caaake!"

My mother watched our conversation and nudged Oliver. "Oliver, go save your sister."

He nodded and saluted, "Right away!" Oliver ran towards us, "Daddy!!!"

My father looked at him and frowned, "Don't run! You'll fa-"

*SMACK*

Oliver tripped over his own feet and face planted on the ground. He sat back up and wailed, "DAAAAADDDY!"

My father rushed over and picked him up. He shushed him gently, "There, there Oliver."

As Oliver wailed I giggled and gave him a thumbs up. He winked at me and gave a thumbs up before returning back to crying. I hurried off to the dessert table and grabbed a large plate of cake. I looked around and hid under the table.

I think I entertained people enough for one day. Now I just want to hide and eat my cake in peace. I took a bite and swallowed hard.

Sh*t. I should have took a drink while I was at it.

I looked under the table cloth and saw small shoes walk close. I whispered, "Psst. Oliver."

Oliver stopped and looked around while trying to find the source of the sound, "Sister? Are you a ghost?"

"No, I'm not a ghost."

"Oh... A snake?"

"Oliver."

"Yes?"

"I'm under the table."

He walked over and lifted the table cloth slightly. He smiled, "There you are."

I smiled back, "Oliver, be a good boy and grab your sister a drink, will you?"

"Okay sister! I'm excellent at holding cups now!"

....Are you?

He grabbed a drink and proudly walked with it back to the table. It spilled out as he walked. He slid it under the table, "Here you go!"

He waited to be praised. I looked at the glass that was now half full. Or was it half empty?

However, I couldn't help but praise him. "Good job Oliver. Now grab sister some more cake."

Oliver grabbed a full size cake and crawled under the table with it. He licked his lips at it, "We should just eat the entire cake."

I chuckled, "Atta boy Oliver. You really are my little brother."

As we ate the cake he looked around, "But why are we eating under the table?"

I winked at him, "This is what it's called to be hiding in plain sight."

He nodded, "Oooh. But why are we hiding?"

I raised an eyebrow, "Let me ask you this. Do you enjoy being around so many people?"

He shook his head, "No... They like to pinch my cheeks."

My eyes sparkled. Well, they are very pinchable cheeks...