Mikino Alcaeyn, Shayleiah Alcaeyn, and a ton of others, OPEN to anyone who can get to a Sidhe event Evening June 29
The Alcaeyn gardens had, before now, been seen only by a very select few. It was for Shayleiah Alcaeyn’s seventh birthday that all of that changed. The whole of the great expanse was not opened to the public, but a good portion was, and the gardens proved to be everything that rumor promised. The sound of trickling water undercut the currents of music pleasantly filling the air. The lighting was soft, overtaking the landscape as the sun set. Everything was perfect, beautiful, and word was that the Sidhe chosen to coordinate the event, Bianca Blair, was wed to a human.
The Alcaeyn servants were dressed in the colors of the House, gold and pearl, but there were others brought in to handle the event as well and their attire was as elegant and varied as the flowers. At Sidonie’s insistence, he had opened the event to the public. It suited his desire to ensure his daughter remained beloved in the eyes of their people and it meant Sidonie’s suitors could attend.
Shayleiah had said that she wanted a real gala for her birthday, and that was precisely what she got. No expense was spared, and it was a night to rival any royal event. It also provided a display of Myarallis’s work. As head of the Alcaeyn’s personal security, she saw to it that the guests remained safely within the boundaries which had been set for them. Any who sought to wander were politely redirected, and any troublemakers were quietly removed from the premises or detained, depending upon the severity of the infraction.
Entertainment was provided in abundance. Music and dancing, Candy-making, food and drinks, and games abounded. The difference between this gala and many others was that it was an event for the children as well as the adults. Shayleiah may have been the belle of this particular ball, but she played with others without thought to their parentage, with the sort of acceptance that people were so sadly prone to losing over time. She was watched carefully, of course, but Mikino had been cautious in her upbringing. A scraped knee in a game didn’t incite and entourage of caregivers to fawn over her and he would not have her giving off the impression of being spoiled (though she most certainly did not want for anything).
Mikino could relax more than usual at this gathering. He had cause to trust all of his staff, and word of any trouble would be brought to him discreetly. It left him a chance to mingle without constantly checking in on Hailey, though she did run to him a time or two to exclaim over one thing or another, which allowed the world to see him in a way that was refreshingly new—their somber statesman, their charming politician, was indeed a loving father.