Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Dear Riley
Happy birthday to you~

Guests started cheering as a little girl started blowing out her candles. A big "10" shaped candle was in the top center of the cake, before being plucked out of there.

"Time to slice the cake!!"

Everyone gathered quickly once they heard that. They all surrounded the now 10-year-old girl, whether to give her a pat on her head, get a slice of cake, or both. Riley squealed when a plate of her own cake was placed in front of her by her brother.

"Here you go, champ, " he chuckled, ruffling her hair and earning a small "hey!"

Once he left, she wasted no time grabbing a fork and stuffing herself with her delicious chocolate cake. It only took four big bites for her to finish the cake, making her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.

"Riley dear?" her mom called out.

"Yes?" she turned to where her parents were standing by the doorway to her kitchen.

Her father chuckled when he saw all the crumbs all over her cheeks, as her mother sighed, going to wipe it off.

"We got you something, " she smiled.

Riley eyes widened when her father pulled out a rectangular box and handed to her. There was no wrapping so she could already see what it was. There was elegant swirls that surrounded the green velvet box but it didn't cover the front where a clear cover was placed.

Inside there, laid a doll. It was a beautiful doll that had a shiny sliver hair with bangs tied back by a green bow. She wore a green dress with four white buttons, white long sleeves, and ruffles underneath. A matching green cape covered around her shoulders but it was very short, reaching the doll's chest. There was white stockings on the legs and green flats. The most interesting part of this doll were her eyes, for it was a bright green color, like a pale mint. On the bottom of the cover, the word "Celadon" was written under.

"Mommy, what's 'Keladon?'" Riley asked.

"Honey, it's pronounced 'Celadon' and I think that's the doll's name, " her mother replied.

Riley looked down at the box, before smiling up at her.

"Wow! Can I play with it?!"

"Sure, sweetie. That's why we gave it to you in the first place. "

"Yay!! Uncle! Uncle!! We have a new tea guest!!"

The mother chuckled when she watched her daughter run off through the crowd of the guests. The father stood by her side again, following her gaze to Riley.

"You really think we should have gave her that?" her father asked.

The mother looked at him confused. "Which?"

"That doll," he grunted.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you saw that salesman, honey. He looked almost....scared when he saw you grab the doll."

"He was probably scared that we won't make a good deal with him. Usually, salesman can be cunning, you know."

"Still... "

"Honey, look at our daughter. All her 10 years, she has been playing with only her dolls. Barely any friends, and the only ones that play with her are her brother and uncle. Soon she's going to start losing interest in playing with dolls, so until then, we should just let her feel young while it lasts. "

"........."

The father sighed and nodded, turning his eyes to where his little girl was pulling one of her uncles and her brother to go with her. There was still that horrible feeling in his stomach. A feeling he know he'll regret ignoring in the future.

A feeling that will be his biggest mistake once he knows he's too late.

~End of Prologue

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