"Teo, Affra! Where have you been!? We been worried about you."
"Mother, I showed to Affra the castle and we got to know each other better. That's why we didn't notice how quickly time passed."
"Is it true Affra?"
"Yes Ms. Akihito, Teo is so kind that he showed me the whole castle, and besides that we got to talk about a lot of things we are passionate about."
Mom puts her thumb and forefinger around her nose and takes a deep breath.
"All right.
Ooo, you look very pretty with the rose behind your ear Affra."
"Thank you Ms. Akihito, it's a gift from Teo, and so are these books."
My mother puts her right hand on Affra's head and her left hand on my head and starts caressing us.
"I'm glad that you two understand each other.
Wait here until I bring everyone to start the party."
"Let's go to the table Affra."
We get to the table, I sit at the head of the table and Affra on the left side, close to me.
We're both starving after spending almost a day without food, so both of us sneaking food until the guests arrive.
As far as I know, when you turn 8 you have 2 festivities, the welcoming festivity, when you welcome the guests and offer them the main course, every year on someone's birthday this is done, and the second festivity which is done only when you turn 8, 16, 24... years old.
Then the guests give you gifts, you are obliged as a guest to bring at least one gift, after the gifts have been received the cake is served.
Unfortunately, sweets are very expensive due to the fact that chocolate is hard to find, for this reason you cannot have many guests.
-10 minutes later-
Mom gathered all the guests in the living room.
There are not to many guest, I think I can count them on the fingers of one hand.
It's Affra with her father, Illiane and my parents if I put them as guests.
Oh, and Oliver with 3 people who work in the castle but I didn't have a opportunity to speak with them.
"Teo, did you get along with my daughter after spending one day together?"
"Of course Mr. Shaiord, your daughter is incredible! I found out we have many things in common, Affra even told me about your lordship's kingdom.
The way she told me about the kingdom made me want to visit."
Shaiord remains speechless and staring at me for a few seconds.
He's most likely amazed that I got along with Affra.
He shakes his head left and right a few times.
"Ahem, ahem. I'm glad you've come to terms with my daughter, and my kingdom will await your visit."
"'Folks! Welcome to my son's birthday.
I'm sorry, it took so long to get started but there was a problem that didn't allow us to start.
But now it's solved! So without further ado, I invite you to eat from the prepared dishes while listening to our orchestra playing the anniversary song."
Everyone started eating after Dad finished saying the last words.
Looking at Affra I notice that she's starving too, I didn't think I'd see her drooling, not that I'm any better.
I don't even know how I control myself not to eating without stopping.
-One hour later-
How tasty were the dishes.
I think now it's time to start the second festivity.
My father suddenly stood up from his chair and raising his wine glass with his right hand in the air.
"Folks!! It's time to start the climax moment for Teo!"
Affra takes her father by the hand and both of them come towards me.
Shaiord holds the gift in both hands and holds it out to me.
I put my hands under his hands and he releases the gift that falls into my palms.
"Teo, this is the gift from us.
It's a armor made of leather and metal. The materials from which was made are very special and the best blacksmith in our kingdom was commissioned to make it."
"Thank you very much Affra, King Shaiord . I'll use it gladly."
"That's what we're hoping!"
Affra with her father go to their seats, at the same time Illiane gets up from her chair and comes towards me with a smile on her face.
"My Lord, I wish you a happy birthday and I wish to give you this gift that has been in my family for generations."
Illiane stretches out her hands to me, in them holds a wooden box. I open the box, the suspense doesn't subside until I see what's inside, a ring!
It is made of a black material, as black as the starless night sky, and in the middle of the ring is a blue gem.
"Thank you Illiane! Can I wear it?"
"Of course."
Illiane leaves the box on the table, takes the ring and places it on my index finger.
I don't know why, but I could swear the ring tightened on my finger and the gem started to glow for a split of second.
Maybe I'm just tired.
Before I know it Illiane has already sat down in her chair and the other guests are coming towards me.
It's the chef, and if I remember correctly the others are the servants who work in the castle.
"Our Lord! We're glad that you've reached the wonderful age of 8.
I and the 3 servants of the king would like to offer you a box full of candy made of the best chocolate we can found."
The chef places the box of candy in front of me, then the four go to their seats.
I open the box to serve myself a candy, I can't believe it but there are over 40 candies in it.
I take the first candy that comes to my hand and throw it directly into my mouth, the chocolate has a bitter tinge and is so soft that it melts as soon as it enters my mouth.
"I really appreciate your gift and the candies are incredible!
Thank you."
Now is the moment of truth.
Will I get the family sword or do I still have to wait?
Please, god Ordirin!! May I receive the sword today!
"Son! Your mother and I discussed today to see what gift we're giving you, and we came to the conclusion that you deserve...!"
My parents are approaching me and both of them are hiding something behind them.
I can't take it anymore! I'm moving my legs incessantly, my heart beating faster and faster with every step my parents take.
"The Family sword."
My father hands me the hilt of the sword he was hiding behind his back.
Happiness is not the right word for what I feel now, nor do I know how to say what I feel.
It's like a dream where all my wishes come true.
I managed to make Affra to like me, had a wonderful birthday and now I got the family sword.
If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up.
I grab the handle of the sword with my right hand and put my left hand on the sheath that hides the blade of the sword.
"Mom, Dad. Thank you for trusting me with the family sword."
"Teo, your father gave you the sword. I have a different gift I wish to give you.
Close your eyes and bow your head."
I feel my mother tying something around my neck, I'm not quite sure what it is but most likely it's a talisman.
"You can open your eyes."
When I open my eyes the first thing I see is a silver tree hanging from a black chain.
I put my right hand on the talisman and turn it around, twist it to admire it .
It's only half a tree, it has more branches coming from the stem and the back of the talisman is straight.
I glance at the back of the talisman and notice that it has writing something on it, I bring it closer to my eyes and stand frozen for a few seconds.