57 Hope we can stay like this (1/2)

There's still a week for the Royal Parade and the city is a festive mood. All the streets are decorated with the colors of the Royal Household: Red and gold. There are a lot of unique events this week promoted by nobles and merchants all over the city. Like a big festival, this is by far my favorite part of the year.

I'm also happy to report that the squirrels are selling well. We can see kids holding their plush toy all over the city. Julia is promoting the sells by visiting schools and she also donated some to the orphanages. This actions made her popularity rise over the days and made Crown Prince so happy that he made generous purchases at IP stores.

All hail the all might squirrel!

Cough. I got a bit excited with all the money, sorry.

Meanwhile, the clinics' project was realized by IP in cooperation with the Crown and some smaller nobles. Since we had a lot of support we opened clinics all over the town and not just at the Parade's path. It fills me with joy when projects with random aims help in the end many people. In this case, is even more touching to me since a lot of nobles embraced the cause of providing free treatment to the citizens in need.

Although they were all good news, for me the best news this month is that Brother is coming back to spend the holidays with us! As a matter of fact, he is arriving today, so we will have a small welcome party for him. We opted to not call his friends since we would have to call the power couple of the moment and their two candles for the dinner, what it would make his return awkward. Being so, the dinner will only have our family.

It's been a long time since we shared a meal together. Just thinking about it makes me a bit nostalgic.

I quickly went to our house entrance. Just like me, Mother was fidgeting. Maybe she was the one who suffered the most of us having Brother away since this is the first time that any of us live outside.

”Ceci you are here. Your Brother is late. That brat doesn't change, if he takes more than 10 minutes to arrive I won't wait for him”

Opposite to her claims Mother didn't sound a bit impatient or had the willingness to go away.

I was just about to tease her when we heard the sound of the carriage in front of our door. Before I could invite her to come with me to the front, I saw just the colors of Mother's dress flashing by. Not to be outdone, I chased after her. Hmph, I won't let you greet him alone.

Hearing the cluck from the door opening, both of us stopped at our tracks and quickly fixed our appearance. By the time the door was opened, we had impeccable appearances once again.

”Oh my dear daughter, are you leaving to work now? Your Brother was supposed to arrive earlier but it seems you will miss him”

”Oh well, it's regrettable, but I can always see him later”

I must say that I'm always astonished on how well nobles can act. Like really, we can easily win Oscars for our little performances.

Ignoring our Oscar-awarded performance, Brother opened his arms and said deliver the words that we had been waiting.

”I'm home”