Kurosaki Teisen was the main star of her naming ceremony and presentation. Her inquisitive green eyes sparkled underneath the lights as she observed her surroundings. She appeared swallowed up in the expensive and vibrant pastel colored kimono she was put into.
Kurosaki family members sneaked glances at the wiggling baby. The guests were the ones who walked toward Iwao and his daughter, greeting him with pleasing smiles and complimenting the baby. Iwao puffed out his chest, proud of his adorable daughter.
He even pointed out the fact that he designed and chose the kimono his daughter wore. Citing her coloring as inspiration for him to choose the pastel colors that suited her.
Iwao, having trimmed down his beard to a suitable length and braided back his hair, stood behind his daughter. He wore a dark striped, maroon yukata with a simple black belt. He stared down multiple family members who commented about his daughter, thinking he wouldn't find out about their words. Their pale faces and twiddling fingers satisfied Iwao, but not enough to calm his indignation about his precious daughter.
Iwao gracefully ignored the tension that spread across the room.
The tension was a repeat of Kurosaki Hisano's presentation. There was no outside family to break the tension. Risako's family didn't receive an invitation to attend. Iwao didn't send them one. Already knowing their reaction to their copulation as a failure .
Iwao knew he would have punched his father-in-law before he finished his derogatory sentence. A laughable thought when he used to snip at Nagare for the same failure .
One month in his daughter's presence, as somewhat forced as it was, Iwao was wrapped around her finger.
The visible absence of Risako was kept unspoken.
No one dared to ask Iwao.
The leaked rumor of Lady Risako's rejection of her daughter spread through their circles a week before the party. No one knew which servant dared to betray the Kurosaki, but not even Ume caught the perpetrator. After all, Iwao was meticulous on who entered his home. Only those inside of his home knew of Risako's reaction after birth.
Nagare tried to negate the rumor from spreading but was unable to do so. Gossip unleashed was impossible to stop. He promised to attend the presentation, wanting to give his elder brother face. Not that he would miss his own niece's party.
Despite their strained relationship, Iwao attended both of Nagare's children's presentations.
Nagare wouldn't miss it.
Those who attended the party pitied the baby and her circumstances. Others assumed Lady Risako's reaction was due to her child's gender. Blue blooded families preferred sons. Kurosaki Teisen was not useful to the Kurosaki.
Yet, Kurosaki Iwao was unashamed at having a daughter. He didn't reject his own child. Preferring to interfere in every single aspect of his daughter's life. Seemingly raising her alongside her governess and wet nurse.
It was apparent that Lady Risako was not involved in her child's life whatsoever.
Kurosaki Teisen's governess, Ume, stood beside the bassinet instead. Greeting the guests in place of Lady Risako with a prideful look on her face. Ume wore her best kimono, donning new accessories given to her by her full-grown children. The accessories on her obi were given to her by Iwao during the first year under his employment.
Twenty minutes into the party, Lady Yukina made a quick appearance.
She cooed over her grandchild before fluttering away to entertain the guests she invited.
Sometime after Yukina left, Nagare and Kasane appeared with their children in their arms. Kasane held Hisoka, while Nagare carried Hisano. All of them were dressed to impress. Showing family members and guests that the Master and Lady were on Iwao's side.
"Congratulations," Nagare clapped Iwao's shoulder. "She is a doll."
Iwao grumbled. "Thank you for coming." He muttered even lower. "Why are you late?"
Nagare answered. "Socchan ended up needing another yukata. Apparently, the one mother wanted him to wear was not to his taste. Too scratchy and gaudy." Iwao snorted. "Socchan is particular on the fabrics he wears on his body."
Kasane walked closer, looking down at her niece with a beaming smile. "Oh goodness. Kurosaki men know how to create such lovely children!" This was not a means to boast, but a fact. She lowered down Hisoka, informing him. "See, Socchan? Hicchan? She is your little cousin."
"Cousin!" Hisano chimed with a beaming smile. "She's very pretty, Uncle!"
Iwao snapped out of his thoughts and smiled lightly. "Thank you."
Nagare slightly turned for Hisano to get a better look at Teisen. He continued on speaking to Iwao.
Hisoka reached down his hand and patted the top of Teisen's head. Teisen stared right into Hisoka's eyes, attentive for the first time during the party. Teisen's lips twitched into a smile, as if, she was genuinely smiling up at her cousin.