Today is the day.
I nervously gulped down the dry lump on my throat caused by my nervousness. Come on Yuta you can do it, you're only five years old. If you sing, people would think it's adorable instead of cringe.
Yeah, let's take a deep breath.
"Pfft, he's going to sing?"
I glared at Callisto who finally appear after his long sleep. Io smiled innocently.
"Little master is indeed going to sing,"
"Just give up. Go back to sleep," Callisto yawned as he waved his hand.
"Shut up! Just you watch, I'm going to make everyone melt!" I yelled, pointed at Callisto.
"Mhm," Callisto lazily nodded his head. "Why are you up so early though? It's only five in the morning,"
"... I'm too nervous,"
"..."
"..."
"... Pfft!" Callisto snorted loudly and trying to contain his laughter.
"Shut up!" I yelled at him.
Io only sighed.
After five minutes of bickering, I finally tried to sing. The music I'm singing is just a random song, from the melody that I often heard during parties. Then I just improvised the lyrics.
It's not like my voice is like those professional singers, but I have to admit, this body has a beautiful soothing voice. Perfectly high-pitched, no cracking.
I just hope my mad father would love my present.
⊱
⊱
⊱
The party is grand. And since my fifth birthday, my father didn't order the maids to dress me in tacky clothes. I dressed up the same as my brothers. White shirt underneath, dark blue suit with jewelry.
And like always, my brothers kept a watch on me.
Raphael is sitting beside me on the chairs prepared for us Conover children. I was sitting on Christopher's lap, the twins are off to do an important mission aka 'Executing The Food Smuggling Operation' at the table. They're going to come back with snacks for us.
Then Juno is patroling within the building.
Everything went smoothly.
And my eyes captured the familiar sight. That corner of the wall where that strange man disappeared during my first birthday.
He's not here anymore.
"My lovely baby brother, you seemed to be deep in your thoughts,"
Christopher said as he gently pulled my cheeks, then squishing them.
"It's nothing!" I cheerfully chirped. Christopher smiled happily.
Raphael stole glances toward me.
I stared at him curiously.
"Oh," I grinned when I understood him. "Up?"
I innocently reached my arms to Raphael. Raphael widened his eyes. He cleared his throat, feeling flustered.
Christopher smirked at Raphael.
"Hoho, our cute Ezra wants you to hold him,"
"... I suppose," Raphael mumbled. He awkwardly reached his arms toward me and I grabbed them. He lifted me from Christopher's lap, and gently put me on his lap. "... You've gotten bigger,"
"Yeah! I'm going to be a cool adult, like Raphael, and Chris!"
"Aaaw!" Christopher awed with his cheeks turning red. Raphael only blushed slightly, but then it disappeared. He looked away to hide his embarrassment.
In my eyes, these two are still adorable brats.
"We're back!"
The twins ran toward us with two bags of clothes filled with snacks. Some nobles stared at them strangely. A vein appeared on Christopher's forehead, but his eyes and mouth are smiling.
"Didn't I told you two to bring only a little amount of snacks? not half of the table?"
Raphael and I looked at each other, then we laughed.
We finished some of the snacks while waiting until the end of the party. The end of the party means that it's time for children of Conover to present their gifts. I already told father I have a gift, so this year I'll be included for the first time.
Raphael presented father a new sword, crafted with diamond. It looked simple, but I heard the sword contained magic in it. Making it more durable than other swords.
Then Christopher presented a magic ring. A ring where father could use as a shield. Those type of rings is crazy-expensive.
Edgar who sent a gift all the way from school is a giant feather. It almost has the same size as an elephant. I even asked Christopher how did Edgar get that feather. Christopher only said that it's not a hassle for Edgar to do that since it's his power.
I don't get it!
His power?! He never told me his power! And my other brothers told me that Edgar told them to shut up.
That mysterious Edgar, I have to force him to tell me whats his power later when he returned from school.
"Ezra,"
"Hm?" I looked over to father.
The hall is quiet.
I looked around and every single person in the room is looking directly at me.
Wait, is it my turn?!
The twins already finished?. I looked over to the twins who are sitting on their chairs, smiling widely at me. I gulped and looked at my father who's looking at me back.
Here goes nothing.
I walked over to him. Then standing in the middle all by myself.
Everyone is anticipating.
I gulped again. My skin is so cold.
"... ♪ ♫,"
"!!!"
I had my eyes closed the whole time, but I heard faint gasps from the crowd. I pour my passion into my singing, with two hands clasped together. My memory about my first birthday, my mother's face, Amanda, Rosemary, they're all flashing right before my eyes.
"Huft," I exhaled after I finished singing. Then I looked at my father. "!"
Woah, his face! He looked bewildered.
The room is quiet too. Their eyes are wide open, mouth slightly parted.
Clap after clap started to emerge, suddenly the room is so loud. Filled with whistles and clapping. They even chant my name!
"Wah!"
I gasped in surprise when my father lifted me off the ground, smiling brightly at me.
"Thank you,"
He embraced me tightly. I was so shocked by his actions. He looked ecstatic. I hugged him back, giggling.