Before Calm

Everyone was involved in helping each other in something. Elder people in the castle were looking after the decorations. As per decided, Diane and Catherine were helping at the camps, sure enough, the people also wanted to participate in some way and they were helping this happen. It was an occasion to celebrate, people needed to relax and this was a perfect occasion. In the castle, there was a bit of struggle in the kitchen. "Princess, let us handle the cooking, you shouldn't be doing so." A maid called out to Vivian who was trying her best to cook a giant-sized cake. "It's nothing, I can handle such a small matter. Please don't worry about me and continue doing your work." To her request, no one could argue more. "Oh! Looks like we will be honored by a Royal Chef today." The master of the castle, Athena said in with a hint of sarcasm. Hearing this Vivian couldn't hide her blush. "Relax, I like cooking as well, let me lend a hand. Everyone, you can continue your work, we'll handle this here. Rem, you go and ask Diana if she needs any help." Athena ordered others as she pulled her sleeves up to get to help Vivian in her cooking. "I'm so sorry to make you get involved in my childish request." "You young girls don't have an idea about how to impress someone, do you?" Hearing this she almost felt her heart skip a bit, "Wh… What? N NO No, It's not like that. Really! It's just that I wanted to help. Yeah, that's what it is." Hearing this Athena burst out in laughter. "I've outlived many people, you can't deceive me, let me help you with this one and you help me back with something as well okay?" To her question she was a bit confused, "What can I even help you with?" "I need you to make my daughter fall for a certain someone."

Finally, it was the evening, the time of celebration. The enemy attacks had stopped for some reason. No one was aware of the situations in the Nine Hells or in the Heavens. For the longest time, people had forgotten their sorrow just a bit. The fest was going smoothly. Theodore never liked the idea of being around many people so he always used to sneak out on his birthday, but today he was actually looking forward to it. After greeting everyone and talking to everyone Vivian and Athena brought the cake from the kitchen. The celebration was being held at the frontal balcony due to which even people standing across the street could see the celebration. Theodore was today's center of attraction, and as the Birthday – Boy he was standing at the center as well. On one side Nicholas was standing while on the other there was Vivian. Merida was standing next to Griffin and Chloe. The girls were all on Nicholas's side, not a new thing for him as he was quite a chick magnet. Looking at which Athena was pushing her daughter to go and stand next to him, but she was a bit too much repulsive of the fact. Aeneas was prying on the cake which was a huge event by royal standards. 6 layers of delicious-looking cake, with icing on top and a sweet scent of wineberries, which were the obvious reason for a certain someone to get attracted to it. The environment was quite merry. As the cake was about to have gotten eaten by Aeneas, Evan stepped forward. He walked right next to Theodore and said, "So you wore it. Your mother's gift. I'm glad that you like it and I'm sure she'd be feeling the same. Congratulations on your 21st birthday my son." Hearing this Jason almost fainted, not to mention Nicholas and Merida who also had gone completely pale. Evan had never been so gentle and expressive towards them in recent years. "He's gone and done it then." Chloe talked to herself.

The celebration was going smooth, the cake had been sliced and was being distributed by the waiters of the castle. People from all over the capital city were enjoying these quiet times. There were many people at the fest as well. Merida had gotten in a small fight and was now drinking sake as per challenge. It looked like she had no issue doing so. Nicholas was being followed by a flock of girls. Athena was dragging Diana with her as she stealthily followed him around. Evan, Jason, and Chloe were having a discussion. Meanwhile, Theodore was standing alone on the balcony. From here he could see far to the south. He could even barely see his hometown. He wished for good luck to his people whom he abandoned as well. It was a full moon and there were very few stars, yet the sky was full of beautiful auroras. It was normal this time around as the southern winter was just around the corner. Vivian walked in towards where he was standing. She was wearing a beautiful ocean blue colored dress with orders engraved in golden color. It was a royal long gown and looked very beautiful on her. A cute little tiara with ocean stone also helped her attire to stand out. She had tied her hair with a beautiful teal blue ribbon and golden clip. A single strand of hair was still loose on her face. As she walked in with a glass of wine in her hand, she looked no less than a goddess, even Theodore was in awe for a moment. The only word that slipped through his mouth, "Beautiful." Hearing this she almost paused mid-walk, she never had received such a compliment from him. "Thi… Thi… This is just the dress, I… I… I… mean it's because of the dress… And maybe some make... Make-up stuff. Diana lends me her dress and this tiara." She replied with a cherry-red face. "Yeah, but they look good on you. I wonder whose birthday is today. Oh, and thanks for the cake, I loved it. Athena told me about how much effort you put in. I can't thank enough." Hearing this she almost melted away in blush. She walked and stood next to him like a doll with her red face and steaming ears. It was as if she was so heated by the blush, she could boil water on her head. As time passed, silent music started playing, nobles who were invited to the celebration along with people who were present there started dancing to the tune. Athena out of nowhere got to the center of the stage and asked, "We'll be ending this celebration after this little dance, I believe everyone was able to enjoy today. Vivian, why don't you bring today's main celebrity to the ball?" Hearing this she just froze, 'what are you doing? My heart can't handle this much.' Were her thoughts. But to her surprise, Theodore turned towards her and asked her, "Well, I don't have a clue about dancing. Will you be my partner?" His question was a straight shot to her heart. 'wh…wh…which..whaat..what? Partner? As in pa…pa…partner?' She was still frozen. He held her hands and they walked to the center. 'My heart is going to explode, I'll get you for this queen.' Her looks made Athena laugh. As she was struggling to handle her heart while teaching Theodore how to dance, Merida walked in drunk as hell. Her eyes widened and her jaws were dropped dead by the scene. She just froze while pointing towards Theodore, as she tried to say something. Nicholas then dragged her back as she started crying. "Damn you, drunk idiot! Just go to sleep already." He complained while carrying her on his back. The envious looks of the girls were obvious and others could feel their gazes on Nic.

"Am, I doing it right?" Theodore asked her to which she just replied with a low hmm. The music got a little slow, the whistling of the wind in a low howl was a little bit audible as the ball was going on. Theo was trying his hardest to keep up with others, even when all others were at a slow pace. Seeing which Nicholas was smiling with an awkward expression from a little distance. For some reason, his face had this proud thug smile. As a tradition, almost every prince and princess was given at least the basics of the ball, but there were always some who avoided it all, just like Theo, and now he was regretting it as many eyes were preying on him. After trying to get his movements right, he finally had the time to look at his partner who was having a smile on her face along with a light blush making her cheeks look pinkish-red. Looking at her he said "I just didn't want any of us to regret a thing. That also includes me though. If my birthday brings a few moments of joy to us all, I'll be glad to enjoy it to my heart's content with you." his reaction was a little bit out of the blue for her and she couldn't think of anything as a reply to him at the moment, though she asked him, "Are you happy?", to which he replied with a smile "I am more than just happy Vivi! It's the best feeling you know!" "What feeling?" She asked to which he answered, "The feeling of being loved!"