Unapologetic

The celebration went on smoothly since the very start of the event. 

And to Elle's surprise, the guests did not even get close enough for her to speak to them. They kept their distance from her for some reason. Most of them only simply greeted her with warm and gentle smiles from afar. 

Only the immediate members of the royal family and highest officials came over to personally greet and deliver her their birthday wishes. Even then, they did not linger around her for long. Before any conversation could even start after the exchange of greetings and birthday wishes, they were already gone. 

The only thing that was comforting was the fact that Elle did not feel like they were purposely avoiding her. Instead, it was obvious to her that they were politely excusing themselves away, as if they knew something – that she should not be talking much.