The evening was beginning to settle in by the ti we finally reached ho. I handed Count Wallace over to Remi and bolted up the stairs, only to hear him call out behind .
"Ah, Master, the custard!"
"Put it in the kitchen, I’ll pick it up later!" I hollered, not slowing my pace.
So of the guests had already arrived, including my family. I hurried past them with brief, polite greetings—too rushed to stop—and made a beeline for my room.
I needed to change. There was barely any ti left before the party began. Bursting into the room, I found Lyall and Enora already inside. Both were dressed impeccably and seed to be waiting for .
"You two—"
"Hurry over, Master! You’re already late!" Enora called, waving over with urgency in her voice.
I sighed and tugged the mask off my face. Lyall stepped forward without a word, slipping off my coat with practiced ease and placing the box of custard on a nearby table.
Over the next hour and a half, the two of them worked swiftly, helping change into the outfit that had already been laid out.
It was a formal ensemble, striking in its artistry. The tailored suit was a deep navy blue, threaded with iridescent teal undertones that shimred subtly under the light—mirroring the shifting hues of the ocean. Silver embroidery traced the cuffs and lapels in delicate wave-like patterns, while a brooch shaped like a crescent moon clasped the cloak draped over one shoulder. The inner lining, dyed a muted jade green, flowed behind like gentle currents. A crisp white shirt peeked through beneath the waistcoat, paired with a seafoam-colored bow tie and matching gemstone cufflinks. My hair, already tousled, frad my face in soft, uneven waves—its aqua-blue strands catching the light, a perfect echo of my eyes, which glimred with the sa tranquil depth.
Enora stepped forward and pinned the Ryujin family crest onto my vest—one final, noble touch.
"There you go," she said, handing Lyall the pendant I always wore.
The pendant with the pressed purple rose petal—my twelfth birthday gift from my brother.
Lyall clasped it around my neck and adjusted my shirt collar so it remained hidden beneath the folds.
"Done," Enora announced, stepping back as they both regarded with appraising eyes.
"Then let’s go," I said. They nodded in unison.
The three of us exited the room and made our way down the hallway toward the ballroom, where the party was being held.
"Is everyone there?" I asked as the distant voices spilled into the corridor.
"Yes, Master."
"I’m late," I groaned.
"...I don’t understand why he’s here."
"Where’s Master?"
"Young Master looks so sad..."
"But why was Master summoned to the palace out of nowhere?"
"Let’s wait till Master arrives."
"Since when was Prince Davian so close to Ryujin?"
The guards at the entrance bowed and pushed the doors open. Lyall, Enora, and I stepped inside—drawing every gaze in the room.
"Master!"
"Master’s here!"
"Finally!"
"Master, you’re late!"
"Which host shows up this late?"
I let out a light chuckle, my eyes scanning the crowd until they found Kai. He stood near the side with Davian, his silken aqua-blue hair softly glowing under the warm lights. He wore a finely embroidered ivory jacket with intricate gold and midnight-blue patterns, its coattails lined with lavender satin that shimred subtly with every movent. The high collar was fastened with a sapphire brooch, and a deep blue ribbon tie peeked through beneath. Paired with tailored black trousers with gold-trimd hems that completed the look, lending him a more refined, princely air. The mont our eyes t, his expression lit up. I smiled back.
"I’m sorry I’m late," I called out a little louder.
I gestured for Kai to co over. He glanced at Davian, who gave him an encouraging smile and a gentle nudge forward.
Kai made his way to . I bent down slightly to et his eyes.
"I’m sorry."
He shook his head and smiled up at . "It’s fine now that you’re here."
I placed my hand gently on his head, patting it carefully so I wouldn’t ruin his hair.
"Shall we start now that you’re here, Master?" Enora asked.
I turned to her, then addressed everyone with a smile.
"Let the celebration begin."
Music swelled through the room as I held Kai’s hand and led him toward my family.
"Happy birthday, Kai," my father greeted warmly.
"Happy birthday, Kai," Rune added, placing a hand on Kai’s shoulder.
"Thank you, Grandpa! Thank you, Uncle!" Kai bead.
Father’s face flushed with delight while Rune visibly paled.
"U-Uncle?!"
I coughed to hide my laughter, which only made Rune glare at .
"What did you teach him?" he asked, and I raised my hands innocently.
"Well, since he’s my adopted son, doesn’t that make you his uncle and Grandpa?"
"Is it wrong? Should I not call you that?" Kai asked, looking worried.
"You can call Uncle," my father said with a bit too much enthusiasm.
"See? He likes it!" I pointed at Father with a grin.
Rune sighed in defeat. "Then... you can call Big Brother."
Kai’s face lit up. "Okay!"
"Happy birthday, Kai!" a high-pitched voice chid in before Kai was swept into a warm hug by my soon-to-be aunt.
Kai giggled softly as she hugged him, her smile radiant. The bond between them had deepened over ti—she treated him like her own younger brother.
"Aunt Alys!" Kai bead, pulling back slightly.
Her hair was a bright red now, her eyes a vivid blue, and a ruby pendant glinted at her neck.
"Oh my, why are you growing up so fast? You were such a tiny little bean!" she teased, making Kai’s cheeks flush.
Silas appeared beside , clearing his throat.
"Happy birthday, little one."
"His na is Kai," Grandfather corrected gently as he approached, and Kai’s face lit up.
"Grandfather!" Kai smiled, running up to him.
"Happy birthday, Kai. You’re growing up so well," Grandfather said, patting his head with a rare softness in his eyes.
"It’s thanks to all of you," Kai replied, beaming.
"Happy birthday, Kai." Lady Elise stepped forward with a gentle smile. Her red hair and blue eyes mirrored Alys’s—it was clear they shared a strong resemblance.
I glanced at Silas before leaning toward him, covering my mouth. "So... we’re going with the story that Aunt Alys and Lady Elise are mother and daughter?"
"They agreed to it, so... probably," he whispered back in the sa tone.
"When did that happen though? I thought Lady Elise wasn’t too fond of her."
"Alys has this... way of making people fond of her," Silas replied, lips twitching slightly.
"Heh? Look at you—bragging about your fiancée." I nudged his side teasingly, and he cleared his throat, clearly flustered.
"My, my, you all look like one big, happy family," Lord Devil said as he approached with a glass of champagne in hand.
"Well," I glanced around at everyone—my family, my people, and at Kai.
"We kind of are."
"Master, how cruel of you to leave Young Master alone on his birthday," Zach teased, draping an arm around Kai’s shoulders from behind. "He looked so lonely standing there."
Both Silas and I flinched slightly, while Lord Devil sighed.
"I wasn’t lonely," Kai corrected firmly, "Davian kept company."
That made the air still. A beat passed before everyone turned to look at —waiting for an explanation on why the future Grand Duke of Sestia was on such close terms with my heir.
"You’re calling him by na?" Zach asked, his brow rising.
"Yes," Kai bead, "He’s my friend. He teaches lots of things."
I looked over to where Davian stood, watching us with his usual quiet smile. I gave him a small nod. He blinked, then smiled a bit wider and walked over.
Zach’s lips twitched. He tilted his head, voice sweet but mischievous, "Then how about ? Can I be your friend too, Kai? I’ll teach you all sorts of things."
"You better not," Count Wallace—Lord Hawke—intervened, tugging Zach back by his collar.
"Why not?" Zach whined.
"Because I’m already his friend," Davian said calmly, gently pulling Kai away from Zach and keeping him by his side. "And his ntor."
I smiled watching the two before turning to the Nash family—Count Wallace’s household had arrived: Ezra, Brielle, Rachel, and Lady Yvaine Nash.
"I welco the Nash family to my heir’s celebration. I’m truly grateful you could make it on such short notice," I said sincerely.
The ladies curtsied gracefully, and Lady Yvaine replied, "It’s an honor to be invited, Marquis."
She looked much healthier than the last ti I had seen her. After treating her, I’d been called again when similar symptoms appeared in Rachel. As Ocean, I was well-acquainted with the family now—even if Reina wasn’t.
"Lady Yvaine, Lady Brielle, Lady Rachel—you all look radiant. Are you sure you’re not growing younger each day?" I said with a soft smile.
They chuckled, and Roan appeared beside , comnting dryly, "Stop flirting, Master."
"I’m not. Just stating the truth," I said, completely straight-faced.
"Well, if anyone hasn’t aged a day, it’s you, Marquis," Lady Yvaine said, her rose-pink eyes glinting. "Still as young and dashing as ever."
I smirked. "I’ll have to thank my parents for that."
Cue my father and Rune both coughing into their hands. I fought the urge to laugh.
"Um, Marquis," Brielle spoke up shyly, glancing around. "Will Lady Reina not be attending?"
"She isn’t feeling her best today," I answered smoothly, "but she sent her warst wishes—and a gift for Kai."
Brielle nodded, though I caught the faint concern behind her smile.
Zach leaned in, glancing at my father who stood near Kai.
"By the way, Master... I noticed Young Master called Duke Aurelius uncle. Are you related to the Duke’s family sohow?"
That drew curious eyes from every direction.
"You could say that," I replied, looking at Father.
"It’s thanks to Duke Aurelius that I’m here, after all."
Zach’s mouth fell open in shock while Father offered a small, knowing smile.
"Well, that’s interesting," Lord Devil murmured, studying us thoughtfully.
"Is it because Duke Aurelius sold you that magic stone mine when you first ca to Sestia?" Count Greene asked.
"Yes," I replied simply.
Everyone nodded, accepting that explanation at face value—except those who knew the truth. They smiled, quietly content.
It was a good evening.
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