Chapter 3 It's My Birthday

• Eulalia was in her room, concentrating on getting ready for the festival. She was wearing her mother's dress — a simple but charming outfit with a bodice that gently tightened her waist and discreetly highlighted her breasts. The neckline, elegant and subtle, gave off a delicate femininity without being too daring. The light pink tone of the fabric contrasted beautifully with her black hair, which was half up and adorned with fresh flowers. Her simple and comfortable outfit completed the outfit, while the flowing skirt accompanied every movement with grace.
• As she adjusted the details of the dress, Eulalia ran her fingers along the hand-embroidered lace, feeling the familiar texture that always reminded her of her mother's tenderness. In the only piece of jewelry she wore, the necklace with the moon pendant given to her by her father, rested the memory and protection of that beloved figure.
• Suddenly, she heard a soft voice from the hallway:
• “Eulalia, are you ready?”
• She turned her head and saw her father standing in the doorway, his eyes shining with emotion. He was gently holding the portrait of her mother, Anabel — the only record she had of the woman she loved so much. The picture, painted by Eulalia herself following her father's instructions, exuded affection and memories.
• “Daddy, I'm almost ready,” she replied, fixing a loose strand of hair.
• Her father approached her and, with an emotional smile, said:
• “My dear, you look stunning today. Look at you... you look so much like your mother.”
• Eulalia looked at the portrait, and, for a brief moment, her eyes were filled with longing and tenderness. Without wasting any time, she replied:
• “I miss her too, Dad. But it's good to know that she lives on in me somehow.”
• Her father, still smiling, placed the portrait on the dressing table and held out his arms:
• “Come on, Lalia. Let's enjoy this day. Today is your birthday; you're finally turning 18, and the festival is going to be wonderful! I want you to have fun and at least give someone a chance, understand?”
• She hesitated for a moment, but the affection in her father's eyes encouraged her. With a slight sigh and a shy smile, she replied:
• “Okay, Dad. I promise I'll try to enjoy it.”
• Her father then gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead and added:
• “That's right, at least try to have fun and get along; I'm sure you'll enjoy it!”
• With those words, Eulalia left the room, taking with her the emotion and the memory of her mother. As she crossed the corridor, the familiar atmosphere mingled with the distant sound of preparations for the festival. She felt her heart beating fast, not only because of the anxiety of the event but also because of the expectation of a new chapter in her life.
• As soon as she entered the house, she could hear the sounds of the festival — people chatting, music, and a lot of buzz accompanying the evening. It was a happy night for everyone.
• “Come on, Lalia, the party's already started!” exclaimed her father, holding her arm affectionately.
• Walking together through the streets of Sunlake, the two headed towards the center of the village. The road was lined with simple but charming decorations: lanterns hanging in the windows, garlands made from local flowers, and ribbons that danced in the wind. The scent of bread and fruit, mixed with the smell of the countryside, made the air light and full of promise.
• When they reached the central square, Eulalia saw the party already in full swing. There were tables full of food, stalls decorated in bright colors, and a band playing cheerful songs to rock the celebration. Men and women, young and old, were well-dressed, each contributing to the atmosphere of celebration and unity.
• In the middle of the crowd, two voices stood out. Sussi and Blair, Eulalia's only close friends, rushed to hug her enthusiastically.
• “Happy birthday, Lalia!” they exclaimed in unison, their faces lit up with joy.
• Eulalia laughed, hugged them both tightly, and replied:
• “Thank you, girls! You always know how to make me smile!”
• The three of them looked at each other, admiring their dresses, which, although simple, were beautiful. Sussi was the first to speak, running her hands along the bodice of Eulalia's dress:
• “You look perfect! I'm sure nobles dress like that, Lalia!”
• Eulalia blushed and replied jokingly:
• “Don't exaggerate; you look perfect, too!”
• The residents chatted animatedly, exchanging greetings and stories while the band picked up the pace, inviting everyone to dance. The atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming, full of smiles and voices that blended into a harmonious chorus.
• As Eulalia danced with Sussi and Blair, a young, friendly figure soon approached her. It was Tom, Sussi's brother, who had been watching her since the beginning of the party. With a shy, sincere smile, he called out to her:
• “Eulalia, how about a little dance?”
• She looked at Tom in surprise. She thought about refusing, but, from a distance, she saw her father looking at them expectantly, so, to please him, she answered:
• “Sure, Tom. Let's dance!”
• As they moved to the music, the two began to chat in a relaxed way:
• “You know, I've been watching you during the party and...” began Tom, hesitantly, trying to find the right words.
• “I think we'd better... Er... Let the dance do the talking for us now!” interrupted Eulalia with a soft smile, gently deflecting it.
• “I wanted to tell you something; it's important,” he insisted, trying to get the conversation back on track.
• “If it's so important, it's better to talk about it later, isn't it?” Eulalia kept interrupting him; he knew what she was probably going to say, but he didn't know if being proposed to by Tom was such a good idea.
• Suddenly, before Tom could continue, a deep, unmistakable howl echoed from within the forest that surrounded the village. It was a sound so loud and clear that it made everyone's footsteps stop and the music cease.
• Smiles faded, and conversations ceased in a mixture of surprise and fear. Eulalia and Tom stopped dancing, their faces turning into worried expressions. Around them, the guests looked at each other, and an uneasy murmur began to spread.
• “What was that?” asked a nervous voice among those present.
• “It was nothing, just forest animals,” one man said, trying to calm everyone down.
• The forest had never been attacked by anything, and while it seemed pure danger, it acted like a dome isolating them from the world.
• Eulalia's father, who until then had been smiling proudly, quickly approached to hear what was going on. His gaze, once affectionate, now showed seriousness.
• “Stay calm, everyone. It's only the wolves that inhabit the forest; they've never come here; they're not going to come today,” he said, but his voice betrayed a slight tension.
• As the howl echoed again, louder this time, and the festive atmosphere turned into a scene of suspense, Tom took Eulalia's hand and looked at her intensely:
• “Stay with me, Lalia. If anything happens, I'll protect you...”
• Eulalia, her eyes big and her heart racing, just nodded silently.