บท 20: Clean and fast

The last preparations for the birthday party were going on. The ballroom is split into two sections, one for the adults and one for the children.

The venue for the adults is elegant and stylish, contrary to the children's part, that are decorated with bunny balloons, paper chains, garlands and children appropriate seats and tables.

After all, the adults being grown ups used this occasion to do business together and not only to celebrate and be in the good grace of someone with influence, that is a bonus point with its advantages, but still, the main focus is on the secret agreements amongst each other.

Right then, half an hour before the guests came, when all the servants are busy doing the last touch, by bringing the light snacks and drinks out and standing in position.

Bethea is alone, outside the balcony of the hall, leaning on the railing and looking absently at the servants busily hurrying around.

She is fully dressed up in her golden gown and her make-up was done beautifully. She was sure that no one could steal today's thunder from her, but even with make-up, one could see the paleness on her face.

The cold chill of the winter hit her skin forming red patches on her white flesh. Her body shivered lightly from the cold, that her arms automatically wrapped tightly around her, but the little heat her ams give off is not enough, her heart was soaked from the cold chill, that nothing could warm it up.

"You know what to do." She said, not breaking the absent stare into the ballroom.

"Clean and fast."

"Don't disappoint me."

There is no one answering her and no one is on the balcony, other than herself. Who is she talking to? It seems like she talks to herself.

Little steps could be heard, coming from the hall across from her.

"Mommy, mommy! How do I look?" comes a happy call.

Valentin asked around where her mother was and heard from a maid, that she is out in the balcony, so she rushed there to show her cute pink dress and crown to her mother.

She spinned around and asked, "And is it cute? Nanny even put me a crown on, its glittering and sparkling, now I look like a real princess."

Bethea swept away the blank look on her face and smiled towards Valentin with a motherly look. "Yes, my Sweetheart looks like a princess, just like in the stories you like, but you are a million~ time beautifuller then them." She praised, stretching the million to emphasize, how better she looked.

Valentin grinned from ear to ear. "Hmm~ mommy is such a sweet talker, but..." Her smile fell into a taut face. "My dress doesn't suit the theme, bunnies and rabbits don't go well with princesses."

Bethea went up to Valentin leaning over to her height and cupped her face gently. "Ohh, my sweet Valentin, I am sorry, but I promise I will someday make it up to you, ok. Just have some fun today."

She gave her tender cheek, that had a tint of pink from the cold, a kiss and ushered her inside.

"Now, let us go back in, it is too cold outside, you are wearing to little and the guests will be here in any minute. We have to be presentable to greet them, to uphold the face of the Evans family."

"Yes, mommy."

Valentin naturally knows, that she had to shoulder such big responsibility with such a young age. Her mother reminded her of that everyday, how could she forget!

She is not like Emilié who tarnished the family name and is a useless piece, who had no helping function in this home. Her pride shot up from the feeling of importance she got from her mommy, though such kind of upbringing wasn't healthy for a still developing young child.

Both of them went in, leaving the balcony empty; a rustle came from outside, followed by the wailing of the wind.

"Hmm?" Valentin turned back her head, she could have sworn she heard something.

"Something the matter Valentin?" Her mother asked.

"No. Nothing." She must have seen wrong, how could there be someone outside in their backyard, without being noticed. She shouldn't occupy her mind with such things today, it is her birthday and her friends would be coming to celebrate.

Then a cheeky grin played around her face, her eyes glimered in a wicked light. Yep, she will have her fun today, that's for sure.