[42.1] Every New House Needs a Party

I walked down the hall lined with white marble and golden trim. I whistled in admiration, "Wow. This place is really snazzy."

Cyrus and Felix followed behind me. While Felix was grinning brightly, Cyrus was the total opposite as he looked around indifferently. After the situation on the island was resolved, we were returned back to the Capital so that they could investigate the incident. I was really bummed by having my island vacation cut so short due to the unforeseen bad weather, but I was happy to be back in the Capital where I got a tour of Cyrus's and Felix's current house.

I tapped on a statue, "Is this real gold?"

Felix spoke up with a smile, "It's real."

I skipped over to the curtains and felt it, "Whoa! Is this velvet?"

Felix nodded enthusiastically, "It is."

I hopped over to a painting and pointed at it, "Is this an antique?"

Felix nodded again, "It is. I think it's a portrait of my great great great grandfather?"

Cyrus clicked his tongue and interrupted, "I thought you were visiting to help us get settled in, not to sightsee."

I stepped over to his side giggling, "Can't I do both?"

He averted his gaze away from me without answering.

I reached up and poked his cheek, "Are you jealous I'm not giving you enough attention?"

Cyrus pushed away my hand from his face but still held onto it. He leaned in close with a smirk, "What if I am? What will you do?"

I stared into his devilish blue eyes as my mind went blank, "Uhhhh-"

Felix coughed forcefully and looked away timidly, "I'm standing right here…"

I pulled away from Cyrus and cleared my throat. I walked ahead, ignoring his snickers.

I walked into the ballroom dedicated to dances and parties. I nodded in approval, "This is perfect."

Cyrus looked around, "For what?"

I beamed with excitement, "For a party!!!"

His face soured, "Why would we have a party?"

"Why wouldn't you? You moved into a new house so you obviously need to have a housewarming party!"

Felix tilted his head as he thought, "We could also have a party to celebrate Prince Cyrus ranking first place in the competition."

I nodded, "Atta boy! See! There are tons of reasons!"

Cyrus rolled his eyes, "I only got first place because everyone else got trapped."

"Don't say that! First place is first place." I hopped over to Cyrus and bumped my hip into his, "Also, we're young! We are supposed to be making mistakes and having fun. So let's have a party!"

Cyrus thought for a moment, but then shrugged, "It's up to Felix."

I turned to Felix with a bright smile and he nodded, "I don't mind."

I grabbed Felix and jumped up and down with him while cheering, "This will be so fun!"

Cyrus watched us with a slight frown, "Who will we invite?"

I stopped jumping and turned to him with a matter-of-fact expression, "Friends, of course."

He raised an eyebrow, "So who? Just Hazel and Zephyr?"

I paused, "Oh…. Wow… W-We… We don't have any other friends, do we?"

A depressing atmosphere spread among us.

Felix spoke slowly, "Maybe we shouldn't have a party."

"No! No. We have to have a party. We must celebrate! We will just have to invite our classmates."

Felix asked innocently, "You mean the classmates who are terrified of you?"

I turned to glare at him.

He coughed and averted his eyes, "W-Well I know of a few people I can invite and we can also have Priscilla and her friends come."

My face twitched, "Can we not do that?"

Cyrus put his hands on my shoulder and smiled at me teasingly, "You won't allow Felix's sister to come to his party?"

My mouth felt sour, but I still acquiesced, "Fine. She and her friends can come, but she's not allowed to come near me!"

Felix laughed, "I doubt we can reinforce that."

"Ugh. Just try your best. So we will invite everyone except for adults."

Cyrus raised his eyebrow, "Aren't we adults?"

I shook my head, "Young adults. There's a difference."

Felix asked, "What's the difference?"

I responded calmly, "We can still bend over without throwing out our backs."

Ah.

It's good to be young again.

Felix laughed, "Okay, I guess I will ask the servants to prepare snacks and drinks for a party."

I nodded, "Make sure they make a lot. Oh! And we will need decorations!"

Cyrus let out a sigh, "How about we leave the decorations to you, and you leave the invitations to Felix and me?"

I nodded, "That makes sense. Okay! Let's make this a party to remember!"

Felix cheered with me, "I can't wait! I've never had a party I've actually looked forward to before!"

Cyrus let out a sigh, "Don't go too crazy you two."