The blonde general marched up the wet, marble steps, adding a trail of water droplets behind from her drenched state. She brushed away some stray strands of damp hair as she entered the main hall, where most of her family were already gathered and as she guessed, probably waiting for her.
"Where did you both head off to? And why are you alone...and...drenched?" Alex shot, as soon as she came through.
"I heard about a new friend. Alex said that he's with you. Where is he?" Catherine asked and Olivier shot Alex a look.
Her parents and her two other sisters, sat and listened quietly at the 'passing-game'.
"Well, I assumed he was with you since both of you were gone the minute I returned? Where did you head off to anyway?"
Olivier sighed, "I need to get off these wet clothes. I'll join you after I'm done."
"But...,"
Olivier shot her a stare as she headed for the stairs and Catherine decided to let her have her way for now. Alex held a puzzling look on his eldest sister, as his gaze followed her suspiciously.
"Hmm, something must have happened," he suggested, as he paced to and fro behind a sofa with folded arms.
Catherine observed her brother as he continued in deep thoughts. She sighed and crawled
back on the long sofa beside her mother and nestled close happily, as Mrs. Armstrong wrapped her arm around the birthday girl.
"Do you think she forgot my present?"
Olivier pulled a crisp, casual shirt out from the wardrobe and a pair of pressed pants that hung close by it. She laid them on her bed as she started to dry her hair with a towel.
Her sword laid close by her as usual, at the edge of her desk, nearby at hands reach. It leaned against the early evening's light that basked in by a window, glistened by droplets of water that started to abandon it, for their preference of the carpet below.
Outside the manor, a lady was seen drawing the curtains at the window from her room as she got ready to dress.
As she hung her uniform and coat up on the wardrobe door to dry, she realized her sleeve was missing a button.
Her family could hear her coming as her close steps drew their attention.
Alex held his stare and waited for some response as she sat down opposite him, in which her silence prolonged.
"You haven't answered me."Alex replied, frowning his brows impatiently.
Their butler arrived suddenly with a small envelope and a tiny box.
"Miss Olivier and Miss Catherine, you have an envelope and a present for you respectively."
He smiled. "A man dropped by minutes ago and presented these."
Olivier's eyes widened as a button fell out from its opening.
"Where's he?"
Catherine squealed pleasantly and was all smiles when she covered the tiny box within her hands. The box was velvety purple, fastened with a small tag that hung on a thin, silver thread, which read 'Happy Birthday'.
"H-he left as soon as he left these behind. Is there a problem, Miss?"
"Wait, don't open it!" Olivier exclaimed, as Catherine pulled it's thread and uncovered its content in all eagerness. The box lid fell off and a pink, paper rose sat prettily in its tiny compartment, staring at its new owner and the rest of her surrounding family as they inched closer.
"It's...a paper rose!" Alex commented. "There's something else in that box."
He placed the paper rose into his little sister's hand and picked up a small, folded note.
Dear Alex's sister,
I'm sorry this gift couldn't be anything more on a short notice.
So I sincerely hope this little novelty, that is popular with
young girls back home, will serve well as a gift for you today.
This is formed by a square piece of paper, I heard from your
brother that you have a kind heart and love gardening.
Flowers of different kind, hold different meaning and message.
I hope that you'll continue to grow hopes and spread the goodwill
to others with your hands and flowers.
P.S: I'd also like to thank Alex for his warmth and kindness he
has shown me. Your people has also shown me that we are all
not so different. And that strength comes in all sizes, regardless
of men or women. It shall live with me and rewrite a history of
Amestrians never known before in my home, in time.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
Kaz
Alex's eyes widened and softened as he began to tear. Catherine smiled.
"He must be a good man, Alex."
