THE NEXT DAYS AFTER I CAME BACK IN ANATOL RUTH MADE sure to remind me of my promise to take care of everything. I barely slept last night. The events kept coming back, all the kisses too.

I woke up and immediately stood up. I put my nice red dress with the black corset, that Riftan bought for me on the festival and I compliment it with a small silver chain. I brush my long hair and I braided my bangs making them stay like a little wreath around my head.

It was still early, most of the knights and Riftan were probably sleeping. That's why it was so peaceful in the castle-no screams, no shouting and no Riftan to give us bad looks. I smiled to myself as I passed by his room. I could hear his snoring all the way in the corridors.

"Good morning, Eleanor", Gordon greeted me, when he saw me entering the dining room for breakfast, "would you like some coffee?".

"Yeah, but would you keep me company?", I smile at him and I grabbed two cups from the shelf next to me. I place them on the table.

Gordon carefully took the coffee maker and he poured the coffee into the cups. I love waking up early, because I know Gordon makes coffee in 6 am, so I have the chance to drink freshly made coffee and I can pick between the best fruits for breakfast.

"What are you plans for today, Eleanor", Gordon sat next to me and gave me my cup of coffee. I took it carefully and my first job is to smell the nice smell of his coffee.

"I promised Ruth I'll take care of the work I missed those three days, so I'll be pretty busy today", I let out a deep sight and I sip from my cup, "it was nice to rest for a couple days".

"I heard someone has a birthday today", Gordon smiled so brightly and stood up, then he got into the kitchen and walked out with a nice homemade cake. It was beautifully decorated with candy flowers and pink cream on top spelled my name.

I chuckled, when I saw it. He never forgets, I thought, when I saw the number 23 on top of the cake. Gordon puts it in front of me and the rest of the kitchen staff came out too. They all gathered around me and started singing happy birthday to me. Gordon lit up the candles and close my eyes to make a wish.

Wish me and Riftan could be together, I thought and I blew the candles. Gordon and the rest of the kitchen staff started clapping. I smiled at them and the baker took the cake away to cut it.

"Thank you so much, Gordon", I said to him, when he sat back next to me.

"No need to thank me, Eleanor", he waved with his hand so casually and smiled at me. His eyes wide open like never before, "you help us all so much around here. Without you no one could manage this castle, you're our blessing".

Gordon's words really touched me and I felt my eyes tearing up a little bit. But I kept it in, I'm not a cry baby. After I had some cake with my coffee it was finally time to work.

I walk in the library and I see a big mountain of paperwork in front of me. I almost fainted, when I saw it. Ruth wasn't joking. I let out a deep sight and I move to the desk to start checking the papers, when I noticed a red box on top of my notes. I took it carefully and I opened it out of curiosity.

Inside was a beautiful silver ring with a small pink stone in the shape of a butterfly. It was so shiny and beautiful. Under the box was a small note in a pink envelope with a pink ribbon. I carefully opened it and I saw Ruth's writing.

"Happy birthday, Eleanor. It sucks to be 23, I know. But you can make it through one more year, right? Love, Ruth"

I couldn't believe this beautiful ring was for me from Ruth. He never made me any presents and I've been here for 5 years. I carefully took the ring out and I placed it on my ring finger, it fit perfectly. I couldn't stop looking at it. I'm having the best birthday ever!

Riftan's pov:
I woke up in a pretty good mood. I put my casual clothes, because today I had nothing to do. I fixed my hair really quick and got out of my room to go get breakfast.

On my way there I saw all the knights trying to move a table from the dining room to the garden. I raised my eyebrow in confusion and I walk up to Hebaron, who was giving them all orders like he was the head knight.

"Hebaron, what's going on here?", I stood next to him and I watch as Uslin and Gabelle were placing the table next to my water fountain in the big garden.

"Good morning, my Lord", he greeted me first and then looked at me with surprise, "don't tell me, that you forgot what day is it today".

"It's..Tuesday, right?", I asked.

"Yes, but it's also Eleanor's birthday".

Fuck, I forgot. I thought and I immediately ran to my room. I started looking through my stuff that I bought from the festival. Then I picked out a beautiful white cloak with fluff on the neck part. I smiled, when i threw a quick look. She's going to love it.

I put my present into a beautiful pink box and I put a nice ribbon on top. It wasn't perfect, but I tried my best. Then Gordon came to ask me what I want for breakfast.

"Where's Eleanor right now?", I asked him and I took the box with me.

"In the library", he told me and I started to walk out of my room, when Gordon caught me by the hand and gave me a bouquet of dandelions, "take this too", he said.

I nod my head and I took the bouquet with me, then I started running towards the library. The door was open and took a quick look inside to see her sitting on the desk in the centre of the room. She was looking down at the papers and spinning the feather between her fingers. One piece of hair was behind her ear and it was revealing her face perfectly. She looked beautiful..like she always does.

I knock on the door and Eleanor immediately looks up. When she saw me her face lit up and her smile got wider. I walk inside and I close the door behind me. She stood up.

"Good morning, my Lord", she bows down to me and I rolled my eyes. Then I walk up to her and I gave her presents.

"Happy birthday, Eleanor", I said in the softest voice I can make and she carefully took the box and the flowers from me.

But instead of checking her present first, she tip-toed in front of me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Then her lips were on mine. It makes my heart skip a beat every time, when we kiss. I wrap my hands around her and press her more to me. How can a woman have such impact on me? How are you doing it?

"Thank you, Riftan", Eleanor said after she broke the kiss and stepped away from me. But I didn't want it to end. I pulled her back to me and kissed her one more time.

UNEDITED