Today is the day.

My birthdays have finally begun!

…Or so I would like to say. 

The reality was a little less grand.

As Carine, I was still fast asleep, lost in a truly deep and comforting sleep that only my beloved canopy can provide. 

Meanwhile, as Feyt, I was already wide awake, stretching my limbs as the cool, early dawn air seeped in through my window. This early in the morning, not a lot of people would be up and about. Though things weren’t exactly silent, it was a lot more calming than it usually was. I wanted to enjoy this fleeting near-silence.

Under Eliza’s observation, I kept up my training regimen even away from the estate. I was supposed to begin my regimen now. My routine usually started with a long jog through the village outskirts, but today felt different. It was my birthday, after all. Surely, I could afford to take it a little easy.

Yeah, I should probably do that.

I dropped onto the creaking floorboards gently so as not to break them and started on push-ups; the monotony of the exercise calmed my mind. With each rep, my thoughts drifted.

I remembered my last one in vivid detail, especially how it had started. 

The loud bang of my door being shot open, then followed by Fray’s voice, basically calling me a “sleepyhead”. I found it quite annoying back then, and I was kinda worried my door would break apart into pieces with enough slammings.

I turned to look at my door.

Unslammed, like most doors should be.

A small sigh escaped my lips, followed by a small chuckle. Fray’s absence this year was quite noticeable, wasn’t it? This serene calm wasn’t what I had pictured when I thought of coming home.

I really miss her, huh?

But wherever Fray was, I hoped she was working hard, or more likely, having the time of her life. I’d just have to wait patiently for her promised visit, whenever that might be.

I was just finishing my last set of sit-ups when, suddenly, Carine’s eyes fluttered open.

And unlike Feyt’s calming morning, my ears greeted the distant, hectic gathering echoing into the room.

They’re not done yet, huh?

The Sareid estate, usually a palace of professionalism and calm, had now become a place of clamor and noise.

Slowly, I rose from my beloved canopy bed and padded across the room. Pushing open the glass doors to my balcony, I was greeted by the crisp, pre-dawn air. I took a moment to savor it before stepping forward and looking down at the scene below.

The dance hall building at the rear of the estate, usually unused and barely paid attention to, was actually the source of the whole frantic air this morning. A constant stream of staff, be it maids, butlers, or knights, flowed in and out of its grand doors. Some of them carried decorations, tapestries, and crates.

That’s right. My birthday party, well, Carine’s to be precise, was to be held there. In that unused dance hall. The very same hall where I had…

But I wasn’t the type to dwell on such things. I wouldn’t call Mother or Father inconsiderate for choosing it. This was, for all intents and purposes, my second debut into high society, and we desperately needed the larger space.

And as for the “second debut” thing…

Well, you remember my little stunt during the entrance exam? The streamed fight against that instructor, and both of me seizing top 10 places in the public rankings? Well, apparently, those made quite the impression. 

So many families were suddenly sending in notifications of their attendance for my birthday party. Merchants from various parts of Setus had also garnered interest, as many seemed to seek to sponsor my party.

I remember walking in on Father’s office, his desk was practically buried with notifications from various families, all requesting the honor of attending. The original venue, which was last year’s ballroom in the main building, would have been utterly packed full.

So, as a last-minute decision, Father and Mother agreed on a change of venue. This last-minute change was the source of all this frantic energy. I’d fallen asleep to the sound of it last night, but it seemed the preparations had continued straight through until morning.

Well, on the bright side, they had plenty of time to work things out. The party wouldn’t start until late afternoon, after all.

Without skipping a beat, I dropped onto my bedroom’s plush carpet and began a set of push-ups to match Feyt’s set. I made a small game of alternating between rises and dips to keep my mind busy.

With my party still being prepared, I had time to think.

Feyt’s birthday would be simple. A family and friends gathering. Mom and Dad had surely prepared something heartfelt, would they prepare a cake like last time without Fray’s presence, though?. 

Eliza and Ressa would most likely be there. They should liven up the party quite a bit, but I was a little worried Dad might get the wrong idea again. Ricent would undoubtedly show up with his usual grin.

I briefly pondered what kind of gifts I would get from them. Last year’s selection was kind of varied in range, from Dad’s practical training gloves, Mom’s beautiful flute, Aunt Diane’s soothing herbs, Ricent’s oddly pretty river stone, and Fray’s… my hands instinctively tightened around the twin necklaces resting against both my collarbones.

I still wonder if these things were truly artifacts.

I had been wearing them together at once for a while now, but never once did I feel an inkling of power. In fact, it kinda brought in more trouble than anything, especially with Mother.

Could this be some sort of elaborate prank from Fray? But I, who remembered her every word and how she spoke that day, it seemed she was being genuine about the necklaces. 

Without any means of asking her directly right now, the best I could do was just keep wearing, just in case.

Now, as for Carine’s party.

I needed to steel myself. 

The guest list had exploded, easily overwhelming last year’s list. I should expect more than twice the amount of parents trying to pitching their sons to me. I should probably brace for a staggering amount of emerald jewelry, too.

As for familiar faces I might see…

Mirabelle, Eveliana., everyone… They would come, right? I knew Mirabelle promised during the ball, but what about the others? We had barely met outside the exam, but I felt like it wouldn’t be right if they weren’t there to celebrate my birthday with me, however selfish that thought may be.

Then there was the Third Prince. The chances of him not coming were as slim as air. What bothered me most was what “gift” he would bring me?

The last gift he gave me led me to being fireballed. I truly hoped he wouldn’t rope me into some other scheme before he even finished his part of the deal. He wouldn’t be that much of a scum, would he?

—

Julient let the formal document, now bearing the King’s own wax seal, fall onto the cluttered surface of his desk. A satisfied sigh escaped him.

“Finally…”

After weeks of persuasion, of strategically framing this request as something other than his own personal whim, it had all culminated in this sheet of paper. This was the final piece of the puzzle… the one thing needed to finally fulfill his part of the deal with the girl known as Carine Sareid.

He leaned back in his chair, the wood creaking. He placed a hand over his face as he let out a sigh. “Seriously, of all the things she could ask for… But I did tell her she can request basically anything. Clearly, I underestimated the ambition in her blood.”

Although it took a while, all things considered, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. This approval, authorized just today, would be more than a mere fulfillment of a deal. Wrapped with the right words, it could be the best birthday present she has ever received.

“Bastion,” he called out. “Has the carriage been prepared?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” his butler replied with a bow.

Julient stared at the sealed document. He could only imagine what kind of look Carine would show him once he presented her with this. Would she maintain her flawless composure, or would she, for once, show him a glimpse of the unguarded shock she’d reserved for that commoner boy?

The curiosity and anticipation were gnawing at him. He couldn’t risk putting it off any longer. Though it would be quite early, he decided it was time.

He pushed himself up from his desk and straightened his formal suit. He strode from the study and descended the tower steps. Not long after, he emerged into the castle’s main courtyard, where his carriage awaited.

His eyes widened slightly at the carriage choice.

“Bigger than usual, isn’t it?” he muttered to himself, noting the more opulent, four-horse state coach instead of his preferred sleeker model.

But as he approached, his steps faltered. His eyes narrowed.

Two figures stood beside the carriage, their smiles warm as they saw him.

Julient came to a full stop, his polished mask of anticipation freezing over. His voice, when he spoke, was flat, barely hiding his annoyance.

“…Why are you two here? Brother? Munith?”

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