Bertram came to get me in the morning, but he was surprised to see me outside of his door waiting. I grinned ear to ear with bags under my eyes.

He looked at me in concern, "Uhh... You're up early."

I nodded quickly, "I am! Now let's go!"

I grabbed him and started dragging him out of the building. I skipped while we headed to Lona's house. Bertram spoke, "It's strange to see you up this early... Usually this is the time you fall asleep." He muttered to himself, "I thought I was going to have to carry your sleeping body there..."

"Fufu. Well of course I'm up early! I've been waiting for this day for 11 years!"

He frowned, "You didn't sleep at all, did you?"

I shook my head, "Not a wink." I clicked my heels giddily, "Now let's hurry!"

We arrived to Lona's house quickly as I couldn't wait another second. I knocked on the door and the servant answered it with a surprised expression, "You're here!?"

I frowned, "Yes, why are you acting so surprised?"

The servant glanced at Bertram who just shrugged. The servant motioned me inside, "Please come in. I will go get miss Lona."

Bertram and I waited around for a bit before Lona rushed over. She looked at me in surprise just as the servant had, "Seri?! Why are you here?"

"Because you said you would help me get ready for the party..."

She shook her head, "I meant, why are you here so early? Did you even fall asleep last night?"

I scoffed as I crossed my arms, "How come whenever I try to do something good, people never believe me. I woke up early for you like an obedient girl, and yet you just assume I never fell asleep."

Lona blinked not believing a word I said. She looked at Bertram and raised her eyebrow. He responded bluntly, "She didn't sleep at all last night."

Lona clicked her tongue and glared at me. I chuckled lightly, "I was too excited..."

Lona sighed and motioned me to follow her, "I won't complain since it's better to do this while you're awake rather than sleeping."

I nodded in excitement and followed her. She started to get me ready for the party. Although she had a servant now thanks to my funds coming from the red light district, she still insisted on getting me ready herself. I'm not sure if she likes to do it or if she sees it as a challenge she has to overcome.

She first put me in my dress and expertly pulled on the corset. I gasped for breath. I really hate the corset part. Since having to put on my own clothes, the first thing I did was stop wearing corsets. They are seriously too uncomfortable. As Lona started on my hair and makeup, there was a knock on the door.

"What?" Lona answered never taking her eyes off of me.

Joel opened the door and brought in a tray of delicious smelling food. My mouth watered as the smell wafted over. Joel spoke in a sing-songy voice, "My darling wife~ I've made you breakfast! Isn't your husband so kind and lovable?!"

Lona made a disgusted face and covered her mouth instinctively, "Get that disgusting smelling thing away from me! It's making me nauseous!"

Ah, Lona must have nausea....

Wait. Nausea? In the morning?

I eyed her suspiciously. She seems to have gained more weight... And her breasts are definitely bigger....

Lona frowned, "Just what do you think you're looking at?"

I looked up at Lona with a quizzical gaze, "Lona... Are you... Are you pregnant?!"

Lona's eyes widened instantly as her mouth dropped in surprise. Joel scratched his head and chuckled, "Ope... She caught us..."

Lona sighed, "Yes... I am."

I jumped up, "Since when!?"

"I found out quite recently... I was waiting to tell you because I didn't want to overshadow your birthday..."

I grabbed her hands with an elated expression, "Who the hell cares about that!? If anything, this is the best birthday present I could ever get!!!"

"Really?" Lona looked surprised. She didn't think I would be this excited.

I felt Lona's stomach with twinkling eyes, "Will you name it after me?"

"No." She responded immediately.

I pouted, "Oh come on! I think baby Seri would be a perfect name."

Lona smiled at me, "Well, you were the reason how Joel and I met... What if you name the baby? You named your baby brother, maybe you can name this one too." She motioned to Joel with a disapproving face, "Because this man is incapable of naming."

Joel deflated, "Looona... I'm not incapable! I have great names!"

I looked at him curiously, "Oh? What did you want to name the child?"

He smiled proudly, "Unicorn."

"..."

I looked at Lona, "You can't let him name the child."

Lona sighed, "I know... He's truly awful at it..."

Joel looked like he was dealt critical damage.

I spoke ignoring his pitiful expression, "Okay.. What about Leia if it's a girl and..." I smiled warmly, "Timothy if it's a boy."

Lona nodded, "Leia and Timothy... Those are both great names. What do you think, Joel?"

Joel sighed knowing he couldn't win, "I like it."

Lona spoke, "I'm a bit surprised you didn't try harder to get me to name it after you."

I chuckled feeling a bit guilty. Well... If it's a girl it would still be technically named after me...

Lona motioned me back to the seat, "Alright, the fun is over. I have to finish getting you ready so we won't be late."

Lona quickly went back to finishing getting me ready. After she finished, we all left to go to go to the palace where my birthday party was going to be held. I walked inside with an excited face. There were servants everywhere putting up decorations. I licked my lips as I looked around for bottles alcohol.

"Sissster!"

I looked to see Oliver running towards me. I picked up up and spun him. I wanted to cry at how big he was getting. I whimpered, "Oliver, stop getting so old."

He giggled, "That's what happens sister. I can't stop time."

I pinched his chubby cheeks, "Well you need to figure it out. You're making your big sister feel old."

He stuck out his tongue, "Well you are old! You are like an old lady now!"

I frowned, "Oi. You little brat. Do you want sister to hit you?"

He made an innocent expression, "Don't get upset sister... You are still the most beautiful person around."

I gave a firm nod, "That's right."

I put Oliver down and he shouted, "MOTHER! BRING SISTER'S GIFT! MOTHER!"

My mother walked over holding a small gift, "I heard you Oliver. You don't need to yell."

He took the gift from her and handed it to me, "Here you go sister! I made you a gift! But don't ask what it is... Because it's a surprise!"

I took it from his pudgy little fingers with a warm smile, "You made this gift by yourself?"

He nodded innocently, "Yup! I made a hand drawn portrait of us!"

My mother sighed, "Oliver... If you tell her it's not a secret..."

"Oh..." He looked down in confusion making his chubby cheeks stick out more.

I giggled at his adorable reaction, "Well thank you Oliver. Big sister is going to open it now."

As I opened it, I just knew it was going to look adorable. It's probably some stick people or some- HOLY SH*T!

My mouth dropped as I looked at the picture. It was a f*cking masterpiece. Even though it wasn't on Mary's level, it was definitely close. Why the hell am I the only one who is bad at art?!

I looked up at my mother with a pale face, "Did he... Did he really make this?"

My mother chuckled proudly, "Isn't it good? His art teacher says that he is a prodigy like she has never seen."

I want to cry.

Oliver frowned as he sniffled, "Do you not like it?"

I shook my head and smiled quickly, "Oh, no! I love it! Thank you Oliver." I ruffled his hair as he giggled happily.

My father skipped over, "Darling, did you tell her about our present?"

My mother shook her head, "I haven't yet."

I looked at them with expectant eyes. Is it my own personal villa? F*ck. I hope they are giving me a beach house. That's what rich parents do, right?

I groaned impatiently, "What is it what is it?"

My mother looked away blushing slightly, "Well... Now that your brother is a little older, your father and I were thinking about getting a professional family portrait made... Of all of us together."

I blinked in surprise, "A family... Portrait?..."

My father nodded with a worried expression, "Is it not a good idea?"

I shook my head biting my lip, trying to refrain from crying. "No... That's perfect." My parents both sighed in relief.

A family portrait, huh? Somehow that thought makes me feel warm inside. I looked at my parents and Oliver and felt a genuine smile cross my face, "Thank you... I love it."

My parents looked surprised to see such a smile on my face. They had never seen it before. My father hurriedly added, "We also bought you other things."

I chuckled lightheartedly, "Thanks."

My mother looked at my dress, "Seri... I don't want to nag... But why would you choose to look so... So intimidating?"

I wore a blood red dress with black lace covering it. My hair was pulled to the side with elaborate curls and my hair was adorned in blood red jewels. Even my makeup looked fierce. I felt like some villain from a steampunk era.

I made a pose, "Don't I look fabulous? Since I'm an adult now, I figured I should start dressing more daring. Now no one should dare to mess with me."

My father gave me a thumbs up, "I approve." He thought that this domineering look would surely keep the wolves away... Well... Maybe not all of them...

I noticed an expensive whiskey bottle from my father's company out of the corner of my eye and licked my lips. Since I'm 16, I can drink here now right? Is noon too early to start drinking? Nah. It's the evening somewhere in the world.

I went to reach for it, but my mother slapped my hand. "Don't you even think about it."

I whimpered as I rubbed my hand, "Why not?! You said I had to wait until I was 16! Now I'm 16! So why can't I drink?"

She rolled her eyes, "It's too early in the day. Plus, you still have to greet all of your guests. Do you want them to think you are a drunkard?"

I shrugged, "I don't really care."

I'm pretty sure it's the truth anyway.