I sat directly opposite Mom and beside Dad too.
Her straight blond hair fell freely behind her. Finally, she didn't tie it up.
Wow.
The table was filled to the brim with different dishes and courses. But I knew we couldn't dig in directly. If we did, Mom would really have our heads.
Seeing what was on the table, I deduced how lunch would go. The only thing missing was the dessert.
"There's no dessert here?" I was surprised. Mom always had desserts.
"I am saving it for last, and it was meant to be a surprise." She started.
A surprise?
Mom's surprises were the very definition of surprises. Good or bad was the question, but since it was a birthday lunch, I had an inkling it was going to be the former.
My excitement nearly deflated when she continued, "Although I am considering rethinking my actions." She replied with a scoff.
"Don't be angry." I pouted.
"I am not angry at you." She stated.
Oh.
I knew who she was angry with.
That person was currently eyeing all the food on the table, and drool seemed like it slowly formed as he kept swallowing back.
"Can we start? What's the holdup?!" He whined eventually.
"Shut up! We haven't even said blessings yet." Mom retorted with a ticked expression.
She stretched her hand over the table, and I took it, giving Dad my other hand, which he took along with Mom's free one, not easily, though.
When we all finally held hands, I took the initiative to give the blessings.
And after that, we dug in.
We started with the Bugbear Pavlova, which Dad rushed to wolf down, causing Mom to step on his toes.
He choked on the food, and I rushed to give him some water, and after a few minutes, he calmed down.
I tried to hold back, but I couldn't help the laugh at his misery, although I caused it.
Meh.
Then we moved on to the Matteafruit Bombe, and thankfully Dad ate calmly this time. The mesh of bite-sized fruits on the skewer tasted rich, especially with the combination of spices she used.
For the main course, we had the choice of the Cured Grim Terrier and the Steamed Ethereal Tayra.
The taste exploded in my mouth; the texture was just right.
"Gosh, Mom, you've been holding back on me!" I was a moaning and groaning mess, and thankfully I was allowed to be at the table.
Somehow, I was sure Mom's legs were still on Dad's toes because he hadn't uttered a single guttural growl, even while feasting on the Terrier.
"I never claimed to have taught you everything I knew." She finally smiled in delight.
"But I will teach you." She said between bites, and I nodded.
Soon we were ready for dessert.
"Wait here, and I will be right back. When I tell you to close your eyes, you close them, okay?" She instructed as she stood and went into the kitchen.
"Alright, close your eyes!" She screamed from the kitchen, and I eagerly shut them.
I heard her footsteps inch closer, and I resisted every urge to open my eyes as the scent of whatever she brought wafted into my nose.
Is that?
The aroma was oddly familiar, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. But the suspense wasn't for long.
"Okay, open them."
Swiftly, I snapped my eyes open, zeroing on the cake she carried.
It is!!
"N-no..." I shook my head since I could not believe it.
"Yess." She nodded her head as I kept shaking mine.
Subconsciously I placed my hands over my lips and let out a harsh gasp.
"Is that what I think it is?" I had to ask.
"Yes, it is." She was beaming as she set the tray on the table.
A White Chocolate velvet cake surrounded by apple creamed strix cookies!
"Oh, Gods!."
Suddenly the shaking intensified.
"The total cost of this is not less than a hundred gold!" I exclaimed as my eyes watered.
"It was." She confirmed, setting the tray on the table.
"But how?! Did you rob the manor?! We're practically poor!" I exclaimed.
Of course, I had many questions because this was supposed to be unaffordable for anyone except noblemen and women.
We lived in a forest!
We were reliant on our products and skills to live.
Even if we had good generational wealth, it could not have been enough to get the cake in front of me.
"Don't even get me started on how rare apples are!" I started, "But apple cream?! Did you sell Dad's organs?"
I didn't put it past her.
"No matter how much you fight, you can not go around selling his organs!" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so I did both.
If we had this much money to buy this type of dessert, we could've bought into nobility! I was just so confused and happy.
Last year, when I went through some of Mom's food magazines, I made an offhand comment about wanting to try this dessert combination.
"When I said we could sell dad's kidneys to eat this, I was joking, Mom!"
I was left alone to scream, squeal and overreact for a while, and they just kept staring at me with this crazy smile.
After a while, Mom said, "Let's just say that a few of those merchants owe me fewer favors now." She winked at me.
"Thank you for this. You guys are the fucking best!" I screeched.
"Language!" Mom rebuked me, but I didn't care, although I did apologize.
Just as I was about to dive right into the dessert, Mom spoke, "Now, before we get started, I should give you my gift."
"Can't it wait?" I asked with a low groan as I eyed the cake.
"No, it can't." She gave me a stern look that made me swallow all of my retorts immediately.
"Okay..."
She bent to the side and pulled out a long rectangular box underneath the table.
"What I am giving you is essentially my legacy." She started.
Even knowing how serious it sounded, I couldn't help the comedic sniffles I was making. I wasn't over the dessert yet.
I reached over the table when she moved to pass the box to me.
"When I was your age, I was on the battlefield." I glanced at the box, contemplating what could be in there.
"The world at the time was tumultuous. So, I had joined the violence of war by fourteen."
"Much younger than dad?" I noted.
"Much younger," Dad confirmed, holding mom's hand.
"Although that life is behind me now, it will forever be a part of me." She gestured to the box while I nodded.
Making sure not to damage it, I gently lifted the lid.
"And I wish to share it with you."
The glint of two blades caught my eyes first.
"I wish for it to protect you. I wish you learn from it that no matter how dark the times might seem, with these blades in your hands: you can fight."
I let my eyes roam the sharp tip, up to the lethal edges.
"That you are never powerless..." she whispered.
To the slim hilt, seemingly perfect for slender-small fingers, finally, it ended at the crescent-shaped butt.
"That you have authority."
The twin daggers seemed to spiral into existence, my reflection reaching me from its blades and silver hilt.
As I picked one up, the sunlight from the bay windows bounced off the blades instantly, forming a fluorescent of colors. I let out an uncontrolled gasp as I inspected the blade.
I was careful not to give myself a cut as the lights attracted me.
"T-thank you, Mom."
Words were not able to express how I felt. I was sincerely grateful. The words were things I needed, something I resonated with.
Authority!
The power I needed to take responsibility.
I had lost mine over the years.
But somehow, as I slipped the dagger into my grip, I felt some of it trickle back into me.
"I would like to learn," I asked without thinking.
"Of course." She agreed firmly.
With a knowing smile, she continued, "But it will not be easy."
Nodding, I sighed. "I want authority."
"I doubt it would come easy."
I decided.
"Hm." Mom nodded in response.
"But please go easy on me." I laughed wryly, knowing how mom was.
"You have nothing to worry about." She nodded with a brilliant smile.
I nodded and thanked her again.
"Now that that is done, we can dig into the cake," Dad spoke up, breaking the solemn atmosphere by sharpening his knife against his fork.
"Ngk!"
"She gets the first bite." Mom scolded after Dad grunted.
If it weren't for her, he would've jumped into the cake.
Dad started sulking as he gritted his teeth at having his feet stepped on without pause.
"Happy birthday, Amare."
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