Chapter 55: Chapter XXVI Salute-1

"Melanie, wake up. It's time to face the day," soft familiar cooing awoke me from my slumber. In my daze of sleepiness, I figured it was my mother. It did confuse me at first, after all, why would my mother bother? She usually sent in my handmaiden to wake me up, regardless if it was a special occasion or not. But then I hazily opened my eyes to regard the scenario around me, and after spotting the gentle violet colour, I realized that it wasn't my mother. I quickly forced myself into a sitting position, my eyes crossing vision until I received clear sight. Sarina sat at my bedside in a nice white dress, shooting me a large smile. I blinked in confusion, shaking my head until I was a little more awake. "Sarina? What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice still a bit sleepy. "I'm here to celebrate your birthday, silly," she said with a little giggle, reaching over to move some caramel strands away from my eyes. I frowned slightly. "What? What time is it?" I looked away from her to the bedside clock, and was surprised for it to read 5:48 AM. "Bloody hell, Sarina. Don't you think this is too early?" I looked back at her with wide, questioning eyes. She smiled gently in response. "It is never too early to start preparing for your birthday. I mean, I went to all of the trouble of bribing your handmaiden to let me to help you today," I adjusted my seating position, finally feeling like a more awake human being. "You did what?" she shrugged her shoulders casually. "Yeah. Also, your brothers found out for me but it turns out you were born at about twenty past eight at night, so until then, you are still seventeen in my eyes," she casually flicked my nose, causing me to groan a little. "Then why am I awake so early?" Sarina only chuckled in response, shaking her head. She climbed off my bed and moved towards my closet, a little sway in her hips. "Breakfast is at eight, so I have two hours to pamper you to perfection!" I sighed deeply, shaking my head but inevitably swung my lungs over to the floor and stood up. "Now, what to wear..." Sarina debated, regarding everything in the walking closet. Meanwhile I headed into my private bathroom where I quickly brushed my hair into a more tameable position to work with before joining her side. "How'd you even get in here?" I questioned Sarina once she was in my sight again. She hummed in thought for a second. "Your brothers really do care for you, you know? Also, I've been here quite a few times before so they let me in at the entrance," my eyes widened at this. "Really?" I asked in surprise. She nodded in response. "They called me the 'Friend of the Crown' which is kind of cool. I have a title," she turned towards me with a large smile, her teeth glittering. When had she been given a title? Was it per request of my brother? Did this happen when I was in Spain? Most likely. "I think that you would look good in blue," Sarina commented, holding out a navy blue dress. She headed to my body and held it against my figure, inspecting it against my skin tone. "And the verdict?" "Ah, oui, oui, mademoiselle," she responded, walking past me to place the dress on the bed. "I think it will be perfect!" ♕♥ ♕♥ ♕ After a relaxing bath, a foot massage and the longest hairstyling I had ever been a part of, Sarina decided that I looked presentable. She designed her own hair into something beautiful, the violet colours fitting perfect with the simple white dress she wore. She used some of my heels, not possessing such things herself. By the time breakfast swung around, we both were looking pretty good. Sarina looked angelic, but I wouldn't dare admit it out loud. Ian fetched us for breakfast, seemingly aware of Sarina's presence. I was surprised at how calm she was now in comparison to the royal dinner she attended weeks ago. Then again, had she not had a private conversation with my parents? I'm sure all her fears washed away at that time. The banquet hall was decorated beautifully, clearly for the festivities taking place later the day. For now it was just us six attending breakfast, and as I headed into the room, it was the twins who broke the formal code first as they rushed over to my side. They burrowed themselves into my shoulders, causing me to laugh hysterically as I almost stumbled off my heels. I could hear Sarina chuckle behind me, and I almost wanted to send her a sly grin. "I cannot believe it! I didn't think it would happen but you are actually capable of maturing!" Bartholomew commented causing my jaw to slack in surprise. "Excuse you!" I chuckled, ruffling up his jelled hair. He immediately began to screech like a banshee, trying to save his hair like a drama queen. Cornelius just laughed and hugged me tighter, my form having to bend down to hug him. I might be short, but at least I was taller than my brothers right now. I'm sure that fact will change soon enough. "Happy birthday!" he cheered happily, and I couldn't help but return his bright smile. "Thank you so much," I hugged him tighter before releasing him, the twins moving over to greet Sarina while I headed to my parents. "My little princess, already growing up! It's almost a nightmare," I laughed at my father's words, allowing myself to be pulled to his chest. "Eighteen years old. Good gracious," my mother commented, shaking her head with a smile as she joined our hug. It was clear that they were a little motional about today, and I was surprised at how composed they kept themselves. After a quick exchange between us, Sarina came over to greet my parents formally. My father found her slight stiffness funny, patting her on the back. It brought a smile to my face how well my family accepted Sarina, as if she was always one of us. Just this sight in front of me was a gift enough. Breakfast was tremendously satisfactory. It held all my favourite dishes, moving from croissants to an English breakfast. My stomach felt torn by the end of it, and I couldn't help but wonder how dinner was going to be like. My father explained the schedule for today, although he explained minimal of what was actually going to take place. Merely that I had the rest of the morning to myself and starting the afternoon, we would be moving to St James's Park. That already gave me quite the idea about what was going to happen, and it frightened me a little. But, as far as my mother's viewing of a birthday gift went, Sarina was allowed to tag along as long as she wasn't seen by the public eye. We could manage that, I'm sure. I was eternally grateful to now have Sarina by my side on this occasion, as I usually only spent it with my family and with Caleb. Now I had someone who understood my feelings.