Prince Logon was getting ready for the grandest event of his young life - his 10th birthday party. The entire kingdom was buzzing with excitement as they prepared their finest attire for the grand occasion. The prince, however, was filled with nervousness and worry.
"What if I make a fool out of myself in front of everyone?" he says, "And what if getting my ears pierced hurts?"
King Aerin and Queen Estel tried to ease his nerves by assuring him that everything would go perfectly. The party was set to start at 6 PM and go on until sunrise. All of the royal guests had already arrived and were staying at the palace.
Prince Logon's best friend, Evera, had also arrived the day before. The two were inseparable, but there was one thing that put a slight damper on their friendship - Princess Esme and Evera both had a crush on the prince. The adults couldn't help but laugh at the young prince's innocence and lack of knowledge of the situation.
Damian, who had been told about the party in yesterday's class, was eagerly awaiting the festival. He was excited to see how the prince would handle the event.
Queen Safira was by Damian side helping him choose his outfit. She was extremely proud of him, having heard all about his gym achievements and good work in class. However, she was also sad as she had to leave soon, but she was too nervous to tell him just yet.
"I think you look more beautiful in that one, Safira," Damian said, pointing at a dress.
Queen Safira replied, "Do you think so? I feel like it's too flashy, and I don't want to steal the spotlight from Prince Logon."
"Safira, you already stand out, how could another item make it any worse?" Damian smiled at her reassuringly.
Queen Safira was deep in thought, considering a proposal when Fenris strode into the room.
"Safira, Damian, good day," Fenris greeted them.
Queen Safira and Damian both responded with a warm hello. The Queen then showed Fenris the dress that Damian had picked out for her to wear.
Fenris approved of Damian's choice, a stunning red one-piece dress with a low V-neck and shoulder straps. The dress featured short sleeves and a crisscross pattern on the back, with a silver scaly pattern adorning the entire garment. On her shoulders were two small dragon jaw parts that added a touch of magic to the dress.
Completing the outfit was a silver jewellery set, shaped like a rib cage, with the clan symbol at its centre. The dragon pattern continued down Safira's arms, ending with a tail that connected to the rings on her hand.
"See, I told you, the white one doesn't do you justice, Safira," Damian declared proudly.
Queen Safira leaned in and planted a kiss on Damian's cheek, "Such a clever little boy, aren't you? Now come here, let me put these in."
She opened a box and placed contacts in his eyes, hiding his unique purple hexagonal irises.
"How do I look, and why do I have to wear these again?" Damian asked, admiring his reflection.
Queen Safira smiled and kissed him again, "Gorgeous, darling. We're worried your eyes might attract too many beautiful women."
" What!!!!"
As Fenris chuckles, she says "Hahaha! It's nearly time to leave. Damian, you look fantastic in that suit."
Damian, feeling a bit cramped, responds with a smile, "It's so tight, I can hardly move in it."
Queen Safira giggles, "Hehe, still gorgeous though, Damian. No picking up any girls tonight."
"What do you mean by that?" asks Damian, confused.
Fenris teases, "Oh, you'll find out one night for sure."
A knock sounds at the door, and Prince Logon calls out, "Your Majesty, may I enter?"
"You may," replies Queen Safira.
As Prince Logon enters the room, he stops in his tracks upon seeing Queen Safira's stunning appearance. "Wow! I thought I was going to stand out tonight, but with you wearing that, all eyes will be on you."
Queen Safira laughs, "Haha, what are you talking about?"
"Nothing... I came to talk to my brother and ask him some stuff," answers Prince Logon.
Curious, Queen Safira asks, "Sure, why him?"
"Because he's honest and always tells it like it is," explains Prince Logon. "Brother, how do I look? And be honest."
Damian takes a moment to consider before responding, "You look... umm, what's that word again? Safira, what goes with stunning and starts with a D?"
Prince Logon is dressed in a full green outfit that perfectly complements his skin tone. The light green fabric is adorned with the family crest and glowing flowers. He's wearing a gold headband with hanging leaves and a royal symbol in the middle. His pointed ears have not been pierced yet, but golden jewellery loops over the helix, displaying the family crest and vines. And, in keeping with his connection to nature, he's going barefoot tonight.
Queen Safira thinks for a moment and then says, "You mean dashing."
Damian nods, "That's it! You look dashing, brother."
Prince Logon nervously asks, "Uh, brother... do you think Princess Esme won't think me a fool and notice me?"
Damian reassures him, "I'm sure everyone will see you tonight. It's your birthday and your party, brother."
"Yeah, you're right, thank you... I'm just super nervous. Will you be by my side, brother?" Damian asked, his voice trembling with nerves.
King Aerin and Queen Estel had informed him that they were making a big announcement before the start of the party. He was being adopted into the elf community, making him an official prince.
"Yes, I'll be by your side, brother," replied Damian, a smile spreading across his face.
"It's so exciting, you're going to be an official prince!"
Damian sighed, "I know, but I don't understand why. I just want to stay by your side."
Queen Safira and Fenris listened to their conversation, as they applied makeup and Fenris styled Queen Safira's hair into a dragon braid, with a silver dragon skull adorning it.
"Damian, you should be happier. Amazingly, you're going to become a prince," Queen Safira said, trying to cheer him up.
"But I don't want to leave you. I don't understand why I have to," Damian replied
Queen Safira looked down, as Fenris continued to fiddle with her hair.
"Damian, are you not happy about joining the forest elf family?" Fenris asked, concerned.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited. They've been very kind to me, but I'll be left here when Safira goes. The tutor told me about the races on this planet, but he said nothing about dragons. Does that mean you have to go home?" Damian asked.
Queen Safira placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "It's more complicated than that, I'll have him explain it to you at your next class. But for tonight, please put on your best smile and be happy."
"I'll always be with you, Safira. You make me so happy," Damian whispered.
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. A guard informed them that it was time to go, the chariot was waiting.
Everyone stood up, making their way downstairs and into the chariot, ready for the big adoption announcement and the start of the party.
Two hours later, the group arrived at the grand hall. Queen Safira marvelled at the beautiful decorations, with plants that would light up the hall once night fell. The hall was massive, with a stage, seating area, dance floor, river and fountain that flowed through it, and even a medium-sized lake with a deck overlooking it. The roof was made entirely of glass, offering a stunning view of the sky and moon.
"Wow, Logon, this is amazing," Queen Safira exclaimed. "This hall is truly fit for a grand prince's birthday party."
"Thank you, Aunt Safira," Prince Logon replied with a smile.
"I can't wait for the party to start." Fenris and Damian echoed Logon's excitement.
Just then, Queen Safira remembered something. "Oh! I almost forgot, Logon, I have a birthday present for you," she said, taking an item out of her storage ring.
Prince Logon's eyes lit up as he saw the long sword. "For me, Aunt? How did you know I wanted this?"
Queen Safira chuckled. "I could tell by the way you looked at your dad's sword. I knew that's the path you wanted to take."
Excited, Prince Logon hugged Queen Safira and quickly took the sword, but he underestimated its weight and it hit the floor, breaking it.
"Mom's gonna kill me on my birthday. I'm so dead," he groaned.
Queen Safira and Fenris erupted into peals of laughter, with Fenris trying to stifle her giggles with her hand. Damian, meanwhile, looked on in bewilderment, unsure of what was so humorous.
"Help me, Aunt," Prince Logon cried out in desperation. "She's gonna kill me!"
At that moment, Queen Estel appeared, her voice stern. "I'm going to do what now?"
As Queen Estel approached, Prince Logon turned deathly pale, fear creeping into his heart. Queen Safira, however, was quick to act. With a flick of her wrist, she grabbed the nearby sword and held it protectively in front of Prince Logon.
"Don't worry, my dear," she said with a comforting smile. "Little Logon here said that you would be upset with me, but it seems I was unaware of the length of this sword and accidentally dug a hole in the floor. I'm truly sorry, sweetheart. I'll make sure it's fixed."
King Aerin rushed over, his eyes wide as he gazed upon the sword. "What? Safira, this is so unfair!" he cried out in disbelief. "I only got an Adimite sword after I graduated from your training, and now he gets one at just 10 years old?" he pouted like a child.
"Aerin, dear, it's quite simple," Queen Safira said with a smile. "They are my wards, and I love them deeply. Plus, you were a bit lazy at first, so I had to train you."
King Aerin just stared in disbelief, feeling how unfair life can be.
"Don't worry about it, Safira," Queen Estel interjected, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Darling, pull yourself together. We'll have someone fix the floor tomorrow, it's no problem Safira."
Prince Logon silently mouthed a "thank you" to Queen Safira, who simply nodded in response.
Just then, Drac and Kiron walked into the hall, their eyes lighting up at the sight before them.
"Wow!" Drac exclaimed, "This is stunning! And may I say, everyone looks absolutely gorgeous. The gentlemen look so formal, and the ladies, simply breathtaking."
...
As the guests arrived and filled the grand hall, Prince Logon, King Aerin, Queen Safira, and Queen Estel greeted them and showed them around the magnificent room.