A frown she can’t suppress turns Cordelia’s lips downwards at his answer. The revelation of the date is not what causes it - rather, the fact that it had passed by without even Naesala himself having taken note of it until she’d brought it up just now.
❝ That’s a shame, that its already come and gone. I’ll have to be certain to remember when the new year comes; it wouldn’t do not to celebrate again. ❞
When he turns the question back on her, an awkward smile curves at her mouth and she glances away, pausing a moment before answering. ❝ Ah… July 7th would be mine. Please, though, do not feel… obligated to ‘spoil me’, as you put it. We’ve always kept birthdays rather simple and quiet affairs in my family - anything large or grandiose would feel… strange, for lack of a better term. ❞
She sighs then, fingers moving to fiddle idly with the ends of her hair. ❝ Favourite colours, birthdays… I do believe it’s your turn to choose a question, if we are to continue like this. Tell me, is there anything specific you’d like to know? ❞
Whether it was just her family’s way, or the fact that she was a branded, Naesala didn’t care much for her answer either. If anything, her birth should be celebrated now. There was no better way to combat the vitriol of others than to make such occasions feel celebratory and completely normal.
“My dear, you’ll be a queen soon,” he reminded her. “I hate to tell you, but the whole nation of Kilvas will be apt to spoil you on your birthday now. It’s a matter of tradition and respect.”
Oh drat, his turn. Well, luckily there were myriad of other mundane questions he could ask her.
“Let’s try favorite foods. Or, if you prefer, your favorite flower?” he offered. “The palace chefs might be used to preparing Kilvasi fare, but I’m sure they will be more than happy to expand their horizons and accommodate your palette.”
