I TRIED MY BEST TO FINISH MY JOB AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE so I can spend some time with Riftan after that. After all it's my birthday, so I can allow myself to be a little bit selfish, don't you think? I still had a lot to do, but it was getting late at this point.

After giving me my gift this morning Riftan said he has some things to take care of and I haven't seen him since then. Come to think of it I haven't seen anyone today. Well, what did you expect? You're locked in the library.

I was putting the papers into nice brand new folders and I tried my best to put them in an alphabetic order on the shelfs, so Ruth can find the easier tomorrow. My hands were so tired I barely moved anything with them. At this point I was ready for the day to be over. Even tho I had a lot of work my friends came to congratulate me for my special day, which made me feel so good and blessed.

Let's see, I picked up the last folder and I open it to look what's inside. Funny enough it was the folder with my notes for the engagement. I felt kinda bad. Thinking about it right now I am kissing Riftan and we are pretty close, but he's still getting married to lady Maximilian. I put the folder down and I let out a sight. You can't stop it, Eleanor. You two aren't going to be together. Not even in million years.

"Eleanor", I got snapped out of my thoughts by Gordon, who was standing at the door looking at me with a smile, "we would like you to join us for dinner. Orders from the Lord".

"Yes, I'm coming", I said.

I can't believe it's already dinner time, I put the last folder on the shelf and I quickly grabbed my cloak to put it on my shoulders to warm me up. Gordon leads me and walk quietly behind him. He threw me a quick glance and then continued waking.

Half the way and I realised we are not going to the dining room like usual. I tried to ask Gordon about it, but he didn't answer me. When we finally reached the big garden I see all my friends there gathered around a big table filled with wine, booze and food. Riftan was there too sitting between sir Hebaron and sir Gabelle smiling at me.

"SURPRISE!", they all shouted at me and all stood up to raise their glasses.

"To Eleanor!", Riftan announced.

"TO ELEANOR", they all repeated.

I laughed as I watched them drink in my honour. The music playing on the background and all the servants, knights and maids all together having fun. Gordon guided me to my seat which was between Ruth and Yurixion. I sat down and I saw Riftan's eyes right across of me. He put a gentle smile on his face.

"I can't believe you organised a whole feast for me, Ruth", I turn to my whit haired friend and he looks at me with his neutral face.

"It was sir Hebaron's idea", he said.

The night was going great. Everyone had fun and a few drinks. The servants were dancing around and I was asked to dance a couple of times. I stood up and sit Elliot held me while we danced together. Then he spins me around and I ended up dancing with Uslin. Sir Hebaron had more drinks than the usual and he expressed his happiness with screaming.

"That's our Eleanor, such a lady!", he said and clapped with his hand, I saw Riftan rolling his eyes, because he didn't like shouting.

I sat back after the song ended. I needed to get some rest before our next dance. Yurixion pours some wine in my cup and we cheer each other in my honour. Sir Hebaron leans closer so I can hear him better and I smiled.

"You know, Eleanor, I know I'm way older than you and you see me as a father figure, but you are just so beautiful", he began saying and I saw Riftan's vein popping on his forehead, "but tell us, we gotta know. Is there someone, that might take your hand soon?".

"Yeah! Tell us, Eleanor", the rest shouted.

"Don't you think it's inappropriate to ask such personal questions, Hebaron?", Riftan finally decided to involve himself in the conversation.

"Nah, it's our Eleanor. I know her since she was 18, she turned into a woman right in front of my eyes. I can ask her anything".

Once again Riftan rolls his eyes and grabbed his cup to sip some booze. I chuckled nervously and I waved my hand in front of them.

"Oh, I have plenty of time to pick a husband, it's not the most important thing", I said and I laughed it off a little bit.

"I see you've already have a proposal", Hebaron points at the ring on my finger, that Ruth gave me as a present. Everyone gather around me to look at the ring, they were all so impressed by its beauty. Even Riftan came to see it, "who's the lucky fella, Eleanor?".

"Oh, no no! It's a present for my birthday from Ruth. It's not an engagement ring", I corrected the misunderstanding, but they didn't really believed me. Even Riftan seems more angry than usual. I look over to Ruth, "he can say it too, we are not in a relationship".

Everyone looks at Ruth and he just shrugged a little bit. I see Riftan squeezing the cup in his hand ready to break it in every moment.

"She's right. It's just a ring", Ruth confirms.

"Ahhh, too bad. It would be nice to see our beautiful Eleanor getting married", Hebaron puts his arms around Riftan's shoulders and then looks at me, "I feel like a father watching his little girl get bigger. So emotional".

"Okay. That's enough", Riftan stood up and he walks up to me, he gave me his hand and looks at me, "would you come with me for a second, Eleanor? I'd like to show you something?".

"S-Sure", I put my hand on his and he hold it tight leading me away from the crowd.

When we were finally inside the castle Riftan gently pulled me into a empty room and closed the door. He walks up to me with his strong heavy steps and cups my face. Then he leans down and kisses me. I knew I had to push him away, because I literally just organised the folder for his engagement, but I couldn't. I love his lips and his touch. When he broke the kiss he lets his head rest on my shoulders. I start slowly stroking his hair.

"Please, Eleanor...", he says in a low voice and I looked at him, "wait for me a little longer".

"What are you saying, Riftan? I'm not going anywhere", I said in confusion. He raised his head to look at me and puts his hand on my cheek.

"Promise me you won't give your hand to any other man", he rubbed my cheek with his thumb and looked at my eyes, "promise me you won't give to Ruth, or anyone else. Please".

"I promise...", I smiled.

UNEDITED