[ SPECIAL CHAPTER ]

After Asher gave Alina a white rose as a gift, he vanished into thin air. This amazed everyone within the banquet hall, which made Diellzain to roll his eyes. Aelius laughed at the reaction of his younger brother.

"You really hate the Astra, huh, Zain?" Aelius asked. Diellzain sighed.

"It's not like I hate him. He's just naturally annoying," his older brother chuckled again. Helios and Orpheus listened to their conversation as Chantelle announced their turns for the gifts.

"Of course, the first one to give his gift is the Third Prince, Prince Diellzain Ray de Ciera! My beloved nephew, please come on stage ~" Diellzain prevented himself from sighing as he raise his hands in front of him. One tiny box floats above his palms and Alina's face lit up as she saw her third brother walking towards her.

"Hmm ~ I wonder what Brother Dae will give me ~" Alina sways her body happily as she sing-song her words. Diellzain chuckled.

"Happy birthday, Ali. Since you love the Callisto Garden so much, I made you a garden," Alina tilt her head and blinked for a couple of times, and when she realized what she just heard her eyes widened.

"Brother...'made' me a garden?" she asked, emphasizing a certain word. Diellzain smiled at her, looking proud. 

"Of course. And it's a garden similar to Mom's. I made sure to put lots of odilia flowers too, because I noticed how much you love it. And there's no need to worry about it wilting..." Diellzain leaned forward to Alina for a whisper.

"I stole some holy garden's soil to make sure it won't wither," Alina gasped as she place her palms on her cheeks. She looks like sparkling with that huge and bright smile. 

'Are you for real? Brother Dae just do whatever he wants...he stole? Stop yourselft from tearing up, Ali' Ali thought, maintaining her joyful act despite the fact that she's overthinking about what her brother did.

"C-cute..."

"The Princess is really adorable isn't she?"

"You took words out of my mouth,"

"R-really? Then I have my own garden now?" Alina's excitement is shown all over her face. Her beautiful eyes seems to sparkle as she stare at her big brother happily. Diellzain watches her as he walk towards Alina. 

"That's right, my dear sister," Diellzain bend his body a bit as he hand the tiny box that has expensive cover. He made sure that the cover is eye-catching to show a very important gift. 

"Yaaay! Thank you very much, brother Dae!" Alina jumped off from her seat and wraps her arms around her brother, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Diellzain chuckled and gave her a peck on her forehead as well. 

"Aww, so sweet ~ I want a kiss from Dae and Ali as well!" Chantelle spoke. Diellzain secretly glared at his auntie. 

"Please refrain yourself from calling me like that, Aunt Chan. Only Ali can call me like that," Diellzain said with a voice just enough for Chantelle to hear. She chuckled and distance the microphone from her lips. 

"Does that mean, Lea can't as well?" Diellzain rolled his eyes. 

"Kae can," Chantelle laughs. 

'How cute ~' she thought. 

"Alright, for the second gift, coming from our Second Prince, Prince Aelius Luke de Ciera!" Aelius materialized his gift from his hand. It has a golden aluminum foil cover with white and red ribbon.

The foil, being made with real gold, not just its color.

"Here's your gift from brother Aeli, Ali. I won't tell you about it for now, because I want to surprise you with it. Make sure to tell me after you've opened it," Alina nodded her head and then accepted the gift from Aelius. Its size is enough for Alina to hold it in two hands. She hugs it and the glass bell jar from Asher.

"Thank you so much, Brother Aeli!" Alina gave Aelius a peck on his cheek, and everyone in the crowd cheered from the cuteness of their Princess.

"Next, before we call our dear Emperor. Let's have the First Prince! Helios Rishi de Ciera!" Everyone clapped their hands as the First Prince walks towards the Princess. Alina smiled widely as she face her eldest brother.

"You look extremely happy, Ali," Alina nods her head repeatedly. She giggled, facing her brother with excitement all over her face. 

"Seeing my little sister gets excited for my present..." Helios smiled without finishing his words. Alina tilt his head. 

'His smiles have become more genuine now...' Alina chuckled, putting the presents she previously got to the single couch behind her before stretching her arms to Helios. 

"Happy birthday, Ali. My present is also a secret for now, that way you can look forward to it even more," Helios folds his fingers, leaving only his index finger. He pressed it to his lips and smile softly at Alina, causing the latter the feeling of an arrow shooting her heart.

'My brothers are so pretty...'

Alina accepted the gift from her brother and wrap her arms around Helios before giving him a kiss on his cheek, the prince did the same as they both chuckle.

"They're all really close..."

"A sight to behold!"

"It's so adorable!"

"Yes, yes. The interaction of the Princess and her brothers are indeed warming! However!" Chantelle paused and smile widely to the visitors.

"We are not done yet as The Emperor makes his entrance! Emperor Orpheus Raven de Ciera, do you think your gift will move everyone's heart?" Chantelle asked. Orpheus smirked as he stood up from his throne. He walk towards Alina as Helios walks back to his seat.

"Of course. Because my gift is none other than..." Alina tilt her head and look at her father with a huge smile on her face. Orpheus kneel down in front of her, placing his hand on top of the Princess' head.

"The Antares Palace," Everyone gasped upon hearing the Emperor's words. Even Alina was surprised, her eyes widened and her mouth gaped.

"T-The Antares Palace?" Alina asked, blinking for a couple of times.

'Huh? But, I''m already living in the Alphard Palace, where the Princesses lives...why is he giving me the Antares Palace?' Alina thought, confused about the gift of her father. Meanwhile, her brothers smiles proudly as if they already knew about it.

"That's why I placed your garden there," Diellzain smugly spoke, crossing his arms and legs while closing his eyes. His favorite pose of all time.

"Eh...? B-but, Dad aren't I living in the Alphard Palace now?" Alina asked. Orpheus smiled at her.

"The Alphard Palace belongs to all the princesses, Past, present, and future. However, the Antares Palace, my gift to you, only belongs to you, my dear Princess. It's your property now," Alina pressed her lips together as she prevents herself from tearing up.

'The place where I lived for five years...the place where my Mom gave birth to me...the place that's always warm even in winter...right. That's right, I wanna go back there, Mom's pictures are probably still hanging there, I wanna see it again," Alina giggled, throwing herself to her father and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. The crowd watches them as they feel the warm interaction between the Princess and the Emperor.

"Thank you very much, Daddy. You really really know me well..." Alina whispered on the Emperor's ears. The Emperor closed his eyes as he embrace his daughter back.

"Of course, you're my daughter after all,"

Alina giggled.

"It's been two years since they sealed off Antares Palace. But it turns out Dad has plan for it,' Alina kissed her father's cheek and didn't let go of him, hinting that she wants to be carried by her father. Orpheus puts his right hand on Alina's back and wrap his arm under her thighs as he stood up.

"Now that we're done with the gifts, a dance performance from the Ciera Talents will take the spotlight now, and all of you can join as well to flex your talents. Everyone, enjoy!" Orpheus said, waving his hand to the crowd. All the visitors clapped their hands as they yell greetings to the Princess.

Alina watches them and couldn't help but smile.

'What a warm feeling...'

---

"What are you doing here?" I turned my head to the balustrade where Asher suddenly appeared standing. He stared at me and then bend his knees, placing both his arms between his legs--why are you posing like Spid*rman?

"Are you alright? You look exhausted," he said, poking my forehead. Thanks to that, I feel a lot more better now. I was supposed to be thinking how happy I am about this birthday, but I suddenly remembered the guy I saw earlier.

"Hey, Asher. Is there any other Ciera now besides my family and Uncle Ran's?" I asked. Uncle Ran and his family is the only other Ciera than I know, so who was that? Sure, his eyes aren't red, but his hair is black. 

Oh come to think of it...for two years I really haven't met Uncle Ran's family. Maybe that was his son? But, he would've introsuced him to us if he were...

Wait, that got me thinking as well why Uncle Ran's family never visited the Center Empire, and they weren't even there when I was first introduced as a Princess.

"Hmm, I don't think so," Asher answered. He's now sitting on the balustrade with his palms leaning on it to support himself. 

"Why?" He asked. Should I tell him about that guy? This is the first time that I've seen that person after all. 

"Then, are there any other people here that got black hair other than Ciera?" I leaned my cheek on my palm as I turn my head to him. Now, he's staring at me with that confused expression. 

"No. Black hair is a distinct trait of Ciera, why are you asking me these questions?" Right, there's no way...maybe I was just seeing things? It could be that his hair is not black, but since he was at the back, the shadow covers his hair making it similar to a black color? 

"Hmm...nothing," I answered and closed my eyes. 

"Princess...oh, the Astra is here too," I turned around when I heard a voice. And there I saw Ziel--walking towards my direction handsomely. How beautiful! Are you sure you're only 11?! 

"Hi, Ziel! Where have you been? I tried looking for you earlier," I spoke. He smiled at me as he put his hand on his chest before bowing to me. 

"Greetings to the First Princess, and once again, Happy Birthday," Aww, he's so cute. 

"Thanks! I'm glad Ziel could come--"

"Aren't you going to greet me? How insolent," I looked at Asher beside me and he's raising his right brow to Ziel. His arrogance really will never change.

"Apologies, oh well Hi to the Astra," I covered my mouth and suppressed a laugh. He's smiling but his words shows annoyance! Its tone showshow uninterested he is to the arrogant magician too, hahaha!

"This brat...!" Asher grits his teeth and forced a smile.

"Hah ~ doesn't matter. I don't want my mood to be ruined today. I'll leave you two then," and then after Asher said that, he disappeared.

"It looks like that Astra has become more bearable today," Yup, that's right. I hope he drop down that attitude of him for good, but it looks like Asher won't be Asher without that annoying personality.

"Right? But, let's not talk about him. How are you, Ziel? I'm glad you could come!" I said with a cheerful voice. Ziel's been gone for two years and we were only sending each other a letter ever since. I even noticed how our penmanshin have changed overtime.

"I'm doing alright, Princess. Good thing our captain is also invited to the Princess' birthday party. When I asked him for permission, he said we can go back to the Center Empire together," Nice! Whoever this captain is, I thank you with all my heart!

"Wow ~ your captain is so nice!" I replied, he chuckled and nod his head.

"Indeed, Princess. He always takes care of me for being the youngest knight there. He was the same person that trained the Third Prince," Whoa--for real?! You're being trained by the guy that created that monster?! I hope he won't create another one. 

"Wooow ~ that means you're going to be so strong in the future too!" I answered. Brother Dae is strong and amazing after all. He was one of the MVP's during the war against the subordinates of the Black Magician before. 

Come to think of it, I never asked Asher about his lies about the black magician yet...

Well, I can always ask him about that. For now, let's focus to Ziel. 

"I'll become stronger for the Princess," I tilt my head, still smiling. Is he referring to the second princess or me? Well, he hasn't met the second princess yet, so of course it's me, right?

My son is so sweet ~

"That puts my mind at ease!" I don't know what to say, but having my family, Asher, and Ziel to protect me will secure my whole life! 

"Please look forward to the third event of your birthday, Princess," Third event? The knight searching event? Wait, he'll participate in that event?! Is he already an official knight to join that? 

Isn't...this guy only 11? Wait...is that even allowed?!

"Are you going to join it? Uhh...you're only 11, right?" I asked. He smiled at me and nod his head. Are you for real? Wow...really, everything is possible when you're in fictional world, huh?

Ah, but I think this isn't fictional anymore. This is my reality now. I can't help but smile.

This guy in front of me that was only a side character in a novel I used to read is talking to me. The fathers and brothers that are supposed to hate me loves me dearly. Everything in this world might be the same with that novel, but the differences is huge.

I can't wait to meet my big sister.

"Hehe, I'm looking forward to it then,"

***