"Is today's the day, Elsie?" A little boy, who had icy blue hair with a shine of opal black in it styled neatly as he had to attend an important occasion, asked the maid who was dressing him up. His innocent crimson eyes brimming with youthfulness and anticipation.
"Yes, your Highness. Today is the day that you were born 3 years ago and would meet the nobles of the kingdom at your birthday party." The Maid replied while sliding shoes onto his little feet.
"So, that means I can also roam around the castle freely after that, right?" The excitement was palpable or even contagious to some extent in the Boy's voice.
"Sigh~ Why are you more excited for that, Your Highness? Shouldn't you be excited about your Birthday Party?" Picking up the little boy from his hands, the Maid made the boy stand up, trying to confirm not to have any imperfections on the Boy's outfit.
He was wearing a coat woven with brocade fabric in emerald green with light floral textures all around. A Phoenix, the crest of the Everhart family, was embroidered on the chest with padded collars providing comfort. A small shoulder cape could be seen with golden lining on it, and a golden sash tied in knot at the front, completing the look.
"Yes, It's perfect." The Maid muttered under her breath in satisfaction, seeing the little gentleman.
"...Now, I can go!" Without waiting for her reply, the little boy started running towards the door, barely able to contain his excitement anymore.
Swish
"Before that, I have something to tell you, Your Highness." Suddenly appearing before the Gate blocking the door for the Boy, the Maid said.
"What is it?" The Boy, still his hands flapping around in excitement, asked.
"Happy Birthday, Your Highness!" Lowering down to the Boy's level, the Maid gifted him a whole dozen sweets, which he loves!
"Cocoa Sticks!" Taking the cocoa sticks from his Maid, the Boy replied with a charming smile, "...Thank You! You are the Best, Elsie!"
"Shh! Not too loud, Your Highness. If her Majesty heard that I gave you this, she would-"
Creek
The Door opened when the Banter between the two was going on, and a beautiful lady came in.
" -...Kill me."
She was the Queen of the Everhart Kingdom and Mother of the Boy, Kiera Everhart.
**********
'Shit!' I hid the cocoa sticks in my coat as quickly as possible, hearing the creaking sound of the door. If Mother found out about them, there's no way I am getting to eat even one of them.
Since I have become capable of eating things in this world, the one thing that I liked the most was the Cocoa sticks that Elsie gave me. The sweetness mixed with a slightly bitter taste and a crunchy texture, it's just perfect!
But I can't eat them too often as Mother had banned them saying that it is not fitting for a prince to enjoy these kinds of desserts, and after that, I could only get them occasionally by convincing Elsie to betray Mother.
And today, it was not just Cocoa sticks, it was that they were a Gift from Elsie, I couldn't afford them getting taken away!
"...What were you saying, Elsie? That if I would find I would kill you for?" Mother asked Elsie in a questioning tone.
"I-It ...It was... was..." The ever lively and lovely Elsie had her face pale in fear confronting Mother.
"It was...?" Mother pressed her on the point.
'I need to do something.' Seeing Elsie trembling, I decided to take the matter into my own hands.
"...It was-"
"It was about my training classes, Mother." I cut her words, giving her a side look to let me handle the matter.
"...Training Classes?" Mother wondered.
"Yes, Training Classes, Mother. I was telling Elsie to teach me the sword."
"...But you are still too young for that, Dear."
"That's what Elsie said to me too, Mother, isn't that right, Elsie?" I gave her a side glance to follow my lead.
"Y-Yes, Your Highness is right, Her Majesty. I said that it was too dangerous for him right now, but he still insisted." She improvised and put all the blame on me.
"...But then why would I kill her for that? She is right, It's still too dangerous for you, Dear." Mother said with concern clear in her voice.
"But I want to, Mother! I saw Father practicing from the window one day, and I want to be just like him ...No, I want to be better than him!" I said, putting all my non-existent acting skills into action.
"But-"
"No ifs or Buts, Mother!" I stretched my hands and body as I could and continued, "...See I am a Big Boy now! I can handle the training, so please, Mother, please!" I tried my best to make as cute of an expression as humanly possible.
"...Still-" There was still slight hesitation in her eyes about my request.
'Just one last push!'
"Please, Mother! I would even behave as prince-like as possible at today's party, so please, please."
"...But-"
"Pretty please!" If someone were to say, I was brainwashing and manipulating her through my current antics, they might not even be wrong about that.
"Sigh~ Alright, if you behave properly in the party, I would talk to your father about it." Mother finally gave in, as I flashed Elsie a thumbs up.
"Thank You, Mother!" I instinctively tried to hug her, but remembered there was "treasure" in my coat and controlled myself.
'Hoo... Almost Blundered, I need to be careful.'
"Ahem!... So, why did you come here for, Mother?" Prince Mode activated.
"I came here to take you with me. The Party has begun, and the guests have arrived. It's time for you, Aiden, to make an entry. Are you ready?" Mother asked me, making her tone serious.
"Yes, I am."
"Then Let's go, and make sure to remember your promise."
'I made a promise? ...Oh, to behave properly!'
"A Prince always keeps his promises, Her Majesty." I made a fist from my right hand, and thumped it against my chest, bowing down in respect.
The sudden change in my behavior surprised Mother for a fraction of a second but she quickly replied maintaining her usual queen demeanor.
"I expect nothing less from my son."
**********
The Grand Hall of the Everhart Castle was decorated gloriously to celebrate the third Birthday of Prince Aiden.
Every corner of the Golden Hall located on the southern side of the Castle was brimming with Rarities and unique things from all across the world.
The Marble on the Hall's Walls was adorned with intricate golden Carvings making the already enormous hall appear even more gigantic and royal.
The Crystal Chandeliers hanging from the Ceiling were mystical to look at. The shine, reflection, and opacity of the gems embedded in it mesmerized even the Biggest of the Gem traders present in the party.
The Mana energy they emitted was so pure that even if someone on the Death Bed inhaled it once, their life would extend by a few days.
The Tables were covered with the finest red silk found in the entire of Melux, embroidered by the most talented artisans.
The Silverware Cutlery was present on each of them and every guest who entered the hall was served with the tastiest wine that had ever graced their taste buds.
The Windows allowed the perfect amount of moonlight into the Hall that combined with the luminescent light coming from the floating Candles turned the atmosphere in the Hall similar to or even better than of Paradise, while the Magical butterflies and fairies flying around elevated it to new heights.
The Ice Phoenix's Banners hanging on the Entry gate of the Hall with the Huge number of Guards confiscating every weapon from the Guests seemed too cautious in some's eyes while others understood that the party they were attending should be held with the utmost sincerity and seriousness.
The Chatter among the Guests of the party in the hall was lively as no one present there had ever attended a banquet on this grand of a Scale...
"Now, Her Majesty Kiera von Everhart and His Highness Aiden von Everhart are entering!"
...But, It was brought to a dead silence with this announcement as all of them eagerly waited to see the face of their Future King.