"Happy birthday, my lovely Rina!"

Her mother hugged Catherina gently as she landed a kiss on her face.

'Ever since I became their family, I've been exposed to so much skinship.'

"Ahh what do I ever do with you? How could you be so adorable?"

Today is Catherina's 6th birthday.

The servants in the mansion are busy right now, as they are preparing for her birthday's celebration.

"Are there going to be a lot of people?" She asked.

"No. I don't want other people seeing my precious daughter's cuteness. This celebration is only held for family only."

"Oh goodie." Catherina smiled.

Catherina doesn't really like inviting a lot of people in her birthday. It's just a bother.

"Hm? Does our Rina not like seeing other people? Oh my, you're like your father." Her mom giggled.

"Madame-!" A maid barged in.

"What's the matter?"

The maid gave Catherina's mom an envelope. Her mother started reading the letter and she looked a bit in shock when she saw the content.

"They want us there?"

"Yes, madame.." The maid drooped her head.

"Mommy, what's going on?" Catherina asked.

She smiled weakly at her. "The royal family invited us to the imperial palace. It seems like the empress wants to see our precious Rina." Her expression didn't look cheerful.

There must be something going on between her family and the royals.

"Mommy, are you alright?" Catheirna worriedly asked.

"Me? I'm alright! Don't worry, baby. Your celebration will be wonderful after the visit. And I have a present for you later." She kissed her cheek.

"Thank you."

*Slam*

"Rina! Happy birthday!!" Callahan banged the door open and ran towards her. "Here's my gift." He gave her a box.

Catherina opened it and saw a necklace with a ruby pendant.

It was beautiful. Really mesmerizing..

"Thank you, brother." She smiled. Catherina was really happy right now.

"Ah- what do I do mother? Rina is too cute." He looked like he was talking about something serious.

"I can't do anything about it, Callahan." Her mother replied.

Callahan noticed the envelope that his mom is holding since earlier and his eyebrow twitched.

"What's that? Is it from the royal family?"

"Yes. They want to see Rina."

"What?"

Callahan and mom's expression were the same. They must know something that Catherina doesn't.

'I'm curious.'

The otome game never actually revealed these kinds of details since the main story only started when Callahan is already twenty-one years old.

Meaning, Catherina will be sixteen when that happens.

It's really been a long time since she played that game so she kind of forgot the other details of the plot and story.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Rina must be confused right now. Don't worry about it, Rina. Your birthday celebration will be great." He reassured her with a smile.

'That's what mom said earlier too.'

Catherina just nodded in response.

...

In the past few hours, the mansion was busy preparing for Catherina's celebration.

Her mother also helped her dress up in order to look presentable.

"An angel has descended- Gosh I love you so much!"

Her mother landed kisses on Catherina's face everywhere. It was like a kissing baptism.

'It tickles.'

"Madame, it's already time." A servant announced.

"I see. Shall we get going, Rina?" She carried Catherina in her arms.

"I'm heavy."

"Heavy? Which of part of you is heavy? You're as light as a feather!" She swinged her around.

She finally stopped and Catherina rested on her arms. She wrapped her arms around her neck and leaned on her shoulder.

*Creak*

"Wife."

"Raphael?"

The duke finally arrived home.

"I've finished my work extra early for Rina. I'm not late, am I?" He pecked mother's cheek.

"The empress wants to see Rina." His wife whispered.

The duke's expression darkened when he heard mother's words.

As Catherina and his gaze met, he softened his expression a bit.

"Happy birthday, my dear daughter." He kissed her forehead.

"Thank you, daddy." Catherina responded, still in her mother's embrace.

"This is a gift." He handed her a red gem that was shaped as a rose.

"Is this a ruby?"

"It's a red diamond. I had it made from a talented craftsman."

"Thank you." Catherina hugged the rose.

She felt a warm feeling in my chest. It felt good to have a loving family.

"Wife, may I carry her?" He opened his arms, waiting for mother to give me to him.

"Hm? No. I'm carrying her this time. You carried her last time on her 5th birthday so it's my turn now."

"Father! You've arrived!" Callahan's image came running towards them. "Wow, Rina is so pretty." He pinched her cheek gently.

"I want to go down." Catherina looked at her mother.

"Aww, it's a pity."

Her mother finally let her down on the hard floor.

"Let's go, Rina." Callahan held his sister's hand.

Catherina nodded.

.
.
.

It took them an hour to arrive at the castle.

The ride wasn't bumpy as Catherina expected. Instead, it was so comfortable that she drifted off to sleep.

When they arrived at the destination, it was her father who carried her all the way inside.

"We greet sun and the moon of the empire, her majesty the emperor and empress."

"Rise. You may take your seats." The emperor uttered.

"Oh my~! Is this Catherina? I want to see her up close. Come here, child." Long red hair and and red eyes, her features were beautiful.

'That must be the empress.'

Father put Catherina down and she walked towards her.

"I greet the moon of the empire." Catherina curtsied.

"Happy birthday. Wow, you have the same features like your father."

"Yes, your majesty."

"You're an adorable child. You really are the duke's daughter. He raised you well." She chuckled.

From outside, it seemed like she was complimenting something.

But if Catherina was to analyze her words well, it had a hidden meaning.

She just insulted her mother indirectly. It was obvious.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." She responded.

After the greetings and everything, they began eating.

"So the child is already six? Time really passes by quickly." The emperor spoke.

"Indeed, your majesty." Father replied.

The emperor and Catherina's father started talking about matters of the empire.

Catherina's mother was busy feeding her and Callahan just ate quietly.

But then, Catherina noticed the empress giving her father quick glances then she started blushing out of nowhere.

'Oh.'

Now Catherina knows.

She finally knew the reason why they looked like that earlier everytime they mention the empress.

'The empress is fond of my father.'