Chapter 21 Chapter 21

In the end, I decided not to hide in my room and went to the women's space.Usually I'm here just going in and out, reading in the library, walking with Mary, and even going back upstairs to my maids.But now, I treat the ladies' space as a safe cave, because no men and guards can enter without the queen's direct permission.This is perfect. Well, this perfection only lasted three days.We have so many girls that there is always a birthday, and Chris' birthday is on a Thursday.I figured she must have mentioned it to Maxson (and Maxson was always giving someone something at every opportunity) and it turned out that all candidates had to be at the party.So, on Thursday, the girls were running from room to room, researching what to wear and guessing how big the party was.

It doesn't look like everyone is required to bring gifts, but I think I'll do something for her. On the day of the party, I put on my favorite little dress and went down with the violin.After looking around the four corners of the hall, I slipped in quietly.After entering, I scanned the entire venue to see clearly all the guards standing against the wall.Thank goodness Aspen wasn't in it, I couldn't help but laugh at the amount of men in uniform, did they think we were going to riot? The hall was beautifully decorated, with special vases displaying yellow and white flowers on the walls, and similar garlands were placed in every corner of the room.Flowers were hung on the windows, on the walls, and on everything that could not be moved, and a few small tables were set out, covered with bright linen tablecloths, each sprinkled with glittering confetti, and the chairs Gorgeous bows adorn the backs.

There is a huge cake in one corner, the color is consistent with the theme of the room, waiting to be cut.Next to it is a small table with several gifts for the birthday girl. On the other side, there was a string quartet ready to go, which made my birthday arrangements moot.There is a photographer walking around the room, capturing everyone's busy figure. The atmosphere here is relaxed, and Tinnie (who has only been able to get closer to Mary for so long) is talking to Imega and Jenna, and it's the first time I've seen that devoted expression.Mary was standing by a window, as invisible as the guards at the wall.She didn't seem to want to leave that position at all, but she left everyone who passed by to talk for a while.Then a few third class people, Kately, Elizabeth and Emily, turned and waved and smiled at me, and I responded politely.Everyone seemed so friendly and happy today.

Only Celeste and Valleil were in the wrong mood. They were usually inseparable, but today they were far away.Valleil and Samantha were talking, while Celeste sat alone at a table, holding a glass of crimson liquid in her hand.Looks like I missed something that happened between last night's dinner and this afternoon. I held the violin case in my hand and walked to Mary who was in the back. "Hey Mary, this is grand, isn't it?" I put down the violin. "Well, that's right." She gave me a hug. "I heard Maxson would come over later and wish Chris a happy birthday himself. That's sweet, right? I think he must have a present too."

Mary went on talking with her usual excitement, and I was still wondering what her secret was.If she really wants to talk, I believe she will take the initiative to bring it up.We chatted aimlessly for a few minutes, and then there was a commotion at the door. Mary and I turned to look at the source of the sound at the same time. She was calm, but I had completely lost confidence. Chris has always had great taste in clothes and today she wore a floor-length evening gown when we were all in little everyday dresses.In fact, the length is not the point, the color of the dress is an almost white cream color; on the hair, there is a tiara made of a string of yellow pearls, which looks a bit like a crown in front.She looks mature, elegant, like a bride.

Although I still don't quite understand who my heart is on, I really feel jealous.None of us will be able to recreate this moment, and no matter how many parties and banquets there are in the future, imitating Chris's appearance will be a very sad act.I saw Celeste's hand (not the one holding the glass) clenched into a fist. "She's so pretty," Mary commented wistfully. "Better than looking good," I responded. The party went on, and Mary and I mostly just watched everyone.Unexpectedly (and very suspiciously), Celeste has been following Chris closely, accompanies her for a week, and talks with everyone. Although we can't choose not to participate, she still thanks everyone for coming.

At last she came to the corner in the back where Mary and I had been, and we had been standing there in the warm sun.Mary was still enthusiastic as usual, and immediately hugged Chris. "Happy birthday!" she exclaimed excitedly. "Thank you!" Chris replied, as enthusiastic and excited as Mary. "So you're nineteen today, aren't you?" Mary asked. "Yeah, can't imagine a better way to celebrate. It's great that they arranged for people to take pictures, my mum would love this! We're from a decent family, but we don't have the money to do it Yeah, it's so pretty!" She couldn't stop.

Chris is the third level, and she must have far fewer restrictions in life than I do, but I can also imagine that such a grand party is rare even for the third level. "It's so shocking!" Celeste exclaimed. "For my birthday last year, I had a black and white themed party. As long as you were wearing anything in any other color, you wouldn't be allowed in at all." "Oh!" Mary whispered, jealousy evident in her voice. "That was fantastic, great food, special lighting, and music! Well, we had Tessa Tumbler in particular, have you heard of her?"

There's no way anyone hasn't heard of Tessa Templer, who has at least a dozen hit singles.Sometimes you can see her music video on TV, but Mom always frowns on this person.She thinks that we are all more talented than Tessa, so she sees that such a person has gained both fame and fortune, and the job content is basically the same as ours, with such a big difference in income, which makes her feel very uncomfortable. "She's my favorite entertainer!" Kris exclaimed. "Well, Tessa is an old friend of our family, that's why she came to my birthday party. I mean, how can we spoil everyone's fun with a bunch of dull fifths."

Mary glanced at me, and I could tell she was embarrassed by me. "Oh," Celeste added, looking at me, "I forgot, didn't mean to." The sweetness in her voice is so irritating that it makes me want to hit her all over again... better not push me. "Never mind," I replied, as calmly as I could. "What do you do as a Second Class, Celeste? I mean, never heard your music on the radio." "I'm a model." That's totally a tone of how I don't know, "Haven't you seen my ad?" "Not really." "Oh, well, you're a Fifth Class, and I don't think you can afford magazines either."

It hurts because it's the truth.Mei likes to sneak through magazines every time we go to the store, but doesn't see any reason to buy them back. Chris shouldered the responsibilities of moderator and changed the subject. "Do you know, America, I've always wanted to ask you, as the fifth level, what is your main specialty?" "music." "Give us a show sometime!" I sighed: "Actually, I brought a violin here today and wanted to play a piece for you. I thought it would be a nice gift, but seeing that you already have a band, I thought..." "Oh, do a show for us!" Mary begged. "Come on, America, it's my birthday!" Chris responded. "But they've got you covered..." Despite my protests, Chris and Marie have stopped the quartet and gathered everyone at the back of the room.Some girls sat on the floor with their skirts spread out, while others pulled up stools. Chris stood in the middle, very excited, and Celeste stood next to her, still holding the glass of undrinked wine in her hand. After the girls are all seated, I get the violin ready.Several young people from the orchestra came to my side to express their support, and a few waiters who had been busy also stopped. I took a deep breath and clamped the violin to my chin. "For you." I looked at Chris and said. Holding the bow, I paused for a moment above the strings, then closed my eyes and let the music begin. At this moment, there is no evil Celeste in the world anymore, no Aspen lurking in the palace, and no rebels to raid, only the perfect note remains.They flowed successfully one after the other, and this gift to Chris became, in effect, my gift to myself. I may only be a fifth grade, but I'm not worthless. I play the piece, as familiar as my father's voice or the smell of my room, and after a few wonderful minutes, it inevitably ends.After the bow was drawn to the strings for the last time, it fell quietly into the air. I turned to look at Chris hoping she would like the gift but I didn't see her face at all because behind the girls I saw Maxson standing there at some point in a gray suit , holding a gift for Chris in his hand.The girls applauded for me, but I didn't care, all my attention was on Maxson's adoring expression, which slowly changed into a smile, a smile just for me. "Your Highness." I curtseyed to him. The other girls all stood up and saluted Maxson.At the same time, I heard a scream. "Oh no! Chris, I'm sorry." Several girls let out a low exclamation, and when Chris turned around, I saw why.Her beautiful gown has been ruined by the wine in Celeste's hands, and she looks like she's been stabbed. "I'm sorry, I turned around too hard. I really didn't mean it, Chris, let me help you deal with it." If it were someone else, Celeste's tone might appear sincere, but I could see through her . Chris covered his mouth with his hands, held back his crying, and then ran out.As soon as she left like this, the party broke up.McKesson is to his credit for chasing him, though, I would have liked him to have stayed. Celeste wailed to anyone who would listen that it was pure accident.Dusty nodded and said that she saw the whole process, but the others basically rolled their eyes and dropped their shoulders to express their disbelief. Dusdy's support alone was meaningless.I silently put away my violin and prepared to leave. Mary grabbed my arm and said, "Someone needs to fix her." If Celeste can make someone as gentle as Anne rough, or think he can take my dress off me, or make someone as nice as Mary angry, then this person is really very bad for choosing Faye. up. I'm going to get this girl out of the palace.