He wore a simple white T-shirt and black trousers.
At first glance, it looked casual, like soone heading out for a jog, but the fine material and perfect fit made it look effortlessly refined.
When he extended his hand again, a dangerous thought crossed her mind.
’Maybe... just maybe... this Lucian likes a little.’
She pursed her lips before placing her hand in his, already deciding,
’Even if he doesn’t, I won’t waste this mont.’
As that thought settled, she smiled and held his hand tightly.
Lucian smiled softly in return and led her forward, guiding her into the amusent park.
The mont Lana stepped into the amusent park, she sensed that sothing was different.
Balloons bobbed gently in the breeze, and cheerful music floated through the space like a soft embrace.
The entire amusent park was decorated as though it were soone’s birthday.
It was only then that realization struck her.
’...It’s my birthday.’
Her lips trembled as she pressed them together, fighting desperately to keep the tears from falling.
Her chest tightened, mories surging up uninvited.
Every year, back in the Almond family, her birthday had always been celebrated.
There were grand banquets, luxurious halls, and tables filled with exquisite food. On the surface, she was treated like a princess.
Yet, in the midst of countless businessn and forced smiles, she barely even had the chance to cut her own cake.
A standard speech would be delivered, glasses raised, polite applause echoing through the hall.
When it was finally ti for the cake-cutting, everyone would smile for appearances.
No one ever asked her what kind of birthday she wanted.
She rembered that one ti, summoning all her courage, she had told Mr. and Mrs. Almond what she wished for.
She had begged them, and even her brothers, to take her to a quiet amusent park, just the family, to celebrate together.
No grand halls, no businessn, just laughter and rides.
They never listened.
Her brothers had tried once, but even then, they left midway.
She never got to finish the rides, never got to enjoy the day.
Each visit ended the sa way, with her watching the sky darken as she left alone.
Lana inhaled deeply, as she forced those emotions down.
Her throat ached as she tried to speak...
And then Mr. Crow appeared.
But this ti, he wasn’t alone.
One crow beca two, two beca many.
A whole flock suddenly rushed out, their wings fluttering loudly, feathers brushing the air as they flew in perfect formation.
Each crow held a rope banner delicately in its beak.
The sight was so absurd, so unexpected, that Lana let out a small, broken laugh. The tears she had been holding back finally slipped free.
Across the rope, bold letters swayed gently in the air.
’Happy Birthday, Lana.’
The mont she read it, her smile broke wide open.
Mr. Crow was dazed as he watched Lana’s tearful smile, which truly could make everything else feel insignificant.
Earlier, when Lucian had suggested pulling off such a stunt, he had been firmly against it.
As a beast who once held an resepected position in the Mystic Realm, even carrying the na of "Mr. Crow" with pride, being reduced to sothing so... theatrical had felt beneath him.
Yet now, seeing that genuine joy on Lana’s face, he couldn’t help but feel that every ounce of effort had been worth it.
At that exact mont, a quiet realization settled into his heart.
’Maybe lowering oneself a little just to make soone you care about smile isn’t such a terrible thing.’
As the thought crossed his mind, he saw Lana suddenly open her arms wide. Without hesitation, Mr. Crow released the rope he was holding and rushed toward her.
In the next second, Lana hugged him tightly, her arms warm and firm around him.
"Thank you."
Her soft voice brushed against his ears like a feather.
Mr. Crow froze for a brief mont before smiling, his voice gentle. "Happy birthday."
Lana pulled back slightly, her eyes still glistening as she smiled at him. "You’re truly amazing. How did you even manage sothing like this?"
At her words, Mr. Crow stiffened.
The reason he had been gone the entire night was precisely because of this.
Coordinating the timing, gathering the crows, synchronizing their movents, commanding different groups... it had been chaos.
At one point, so of the crows arranged "Birthday" above "Happy." At another, they misplaced the letters in her na, turning "Lana" into a crooked ss. The frustration had nearly driven him mad.
More than once, anger had flared in his chest, but he had forced it down, repeating to himself that this was necessary.
’If she knew the truth,’ he thought dryly, ’she’d laugh at for the next ten years.’
He cleared his throat and replied vaguely, "I was... disciplining and reorganizing my subordinates."
Lana burst into laughter, clearly empathizing with his barely concealed suffering.
Mr. Crow stepped aside, and Lucian smiled warmly.
"I saw from the reports that you’ve always liked amusent parks. You wanted a day like this."
Lana smiled softly. "I do."
As she spoke, another thought surfaced in her mind.
’It would be even better with more people.’ She had always loved lively places, filled with noise and laughter.
Crowds made her feel less alone, as if she truly belonged among them.
Almost on cue, a voice chid in, "Would it be a problem if we joined you?"
Lana turned and saw Lucy, accompanied by several maids and servants. She imdiately smiled.
"Of course not. I’d love that."
The servants bead in response. During her ti here, Lana often joked with them, teased them lightly, and treated them like family rather than subordinates.
She would invite them to breakfast, remind them of small things... avoiding water on unlucky days, staying away from strong winds, or resting when they looked tired.
Thanks to her repeated warnings, they had managed to avoid misfortune ti and ti again.
Before anyone could dwell on it further, Lana grabbed their hands and pulled them toward another ride. It was as if she had returned to her childhood.
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