Adlet waited for the Grantz to all settle down. “So how do Your Highnesses plan to celebrate His Little Highness’ birthday?”
Dylan let go of Adrian and straightened.
“Isn’t it obvious? We’ll invite the legion commanders and cabinet ministers. Using the most gorgeous fireworks and trumpets, we’ll celebrate the birthday of Xavier of Grantz.”
That was how all of their coming of age ceremonies went.
Adrian worked out the kinks in his neck as he nodded. “We’ll raise the Grantz flag, as the nation’s heir and its future emperor deserves.”
Grantz’s flag has always flown over the imperial capital, but during major festivals and other dates of special significance, they would use a special variant instead.
Ano wondered aloud from the side, “What present should I give him? A warship?”
Ano shot that down himself before anyone else had to answer. He seemed even more apprehensive then when he had to bring his own arm, that a king insect had bitten off, home as a child. “No, he wouldn’t like that. Big Brother’s already given him a greenhouse too. There’s still two days to go. How can I make sure my gift stands out from the mountains he’s going to get…”
Adrian and Dylan also heard Ano’s musings. They didn’t seem the slightest bit nervous. In fact, they were brimming with confidence.
Adrian got off the desk and straightened. “It’s obvious. Ye Muo will definitely like–”
He and Dylan cut themselves off at the same time. They exchanged a look. Both of them got the message loud and clear: [Ye Muo will definitely like the gift from me the most.]
Adlet looked past them to Norton. He awaited the man’s final decision.
Norton looked down. “That’s fine. The rest will be arranged as Mother always did.”
Adlet nodded. “I will send out invitations and schedule for the flag to be raised on the day of. Please excuse me as time is of the essence. Your Highnesses, please make sure to prepare your gifts well.”
Adlet had invitations sent and announcements made by that night.
The usual Grantz commenters almost immediately gathered once more.
[Will photos and videos from His Little Highness’ birthday banquet be made public? They’ve always been made available for the birthday banquets of other Grantz. We’ll even get a glimpse at how the Grantz are getting along.]
[That probably depends on if any of the Grantz can remember the password to their social media accounts. I’m hoping one of the guests can deign to share a few moments…]
[Who would dare to film anything without explicit permission from the Grantz? All those photos and videos from years past were taken by people commissioned by the Empress.]
[Why was this announced so last minute? At least give the other countries some time to prepare gifts. For those from Grantz, there’s a rule stipulated long ago that gifts can’t be too lavish. We can match the gifts of other nations at most.]
A few minutes later, the official Grantz account responded to the top post in the comment section.
[There will be. As in previous years, we will record all the wonderful moments to share with everyone.]
This reply almost immediately skyrocketed to first place.
Adlet immediately went to Ye Muo’s room. The child was still speaking with Lady Ye. He was lying on his bed with Lady Ye sitting by his side.
Adlet nodded at Lady Ye before looking at Ye Muo.
“My apologies for the interruption, Your Little Highness. I wanted to ask as I drew up the guest list if there are any friends or schoolmates you would like to invite to your birthday banquet.”
Ye Muo turned to Adlet. “Is that really okay?”
Adlet nodded encouragingly. “Of course. The other princes and princesses have invited schoolmates before as well.”
Ye Muo sat up in bed. He seemed a little nervous.
“I’m not sure. I’ve only spent a semester with them so I haven’t really made any friends. I don’t know if they would be willing to come. We can try, but there might not be many who accept.”
Adlet and Lady Ye exchanged a look and smiled a little at each other. Only Ye Muo would fret over something like this.
“They’ll love to be invited, Your Little Highness.”
Ye Muo seemed to relax a little. He counted the people off on his fingers. “My big brothers said they would request leave and come. Dad, I’m talking about my other dad, will definitely come with Mom. I think Augustus, Cairns and the others should also be coming.”
Adlet’s smile deepened. “Of course. I’ve noted all of them down. Rest assured, Your Little Highness. Everything will be taken care of.”
He had already drawn up a preliminary list.
“Would you mind if I invited some children your age? You may need to spend some time with them during the event.”
Just as adults had their social occasions, children needed age-appropriate occasions of their own. Ye Muo should get to know children his age. Like wolf cubs, they would learn through play and interacting with each other societal roles.
However, Adlet wasn’t so sure if Ye Muo wanted this kind of socialization. The Grantz never needed activities like these to solidify their position before, not to mention that there was only one Grantz in this generation.
Adlet only brought it up because perhaps Ye Muo needed to make some friends.
Ye Muo nodded. “No worries. I don’t mind.”
After all, Ye Zhiyuan was young for a legion commander. He often encountered such occasions in the Ye family as well.
Adlet nodded and then turned to Lady Ye. “I’m sure I won’t need to prepare an invitation for you, milady. The palace guards all recognize you. You need only head straight over. Or, perhaps you would like to help me with His Little Highness’ birthday preparations? A mother always understands her children best, after all.”
Lady Ye’s eyes lit up. “I would be more than delighted. I can come visit tomorrow.”
……
The next two days passed unremarkably for Ye Muo aside from the many people decorating the palace.
Adlet was busying himself with Lady Ye anytime outside of mealtimes. Even Adrian and the others were assigned tasks. Ye Muo wanted to help out Ano at first, but Ano ushered him out to play with Pangzhua as he had been sworn to secrecy.
It was not until the evening of the big day that Ye Muo was asked by Adlet to try on the suit he prepared.
It was one of those rare occasions that clothing didn’t need to be purely military style. It could almost be considered fancy compared to the banquet suits the other Grantz usually wore based on the number of decorations alone. Mainly black with deep red accents, it was very in line with the Grantz style.
Ye Muo couldn’t help but glance at the brooch Adlet was fastening to his lapel. The crystal embedded within was from an insect.
Adlet chuckled, “Your pockets won’t be as full tonight, Your Little Highness. But do keep in mind that crystals have been stocked anywhere there are daggers in the palace. The vases in the banquet hall have as well. Please use them as you wish.”
Ye Muo nodded. When Adlet finished, he turned to look in the mirror.
Lady Ye was also present. She helped adjust Ye Muo’s sleeves and looked at his reflection as well. The dark coloured clothes made the child’s skin appear even fairer than usual.
When Ye Muo turned around, she couldn’t help but gently stroke his hair and give him a kiss on the forehead. “Good boy. You’ve grown so much.”
Adlet looked at Ye Muo. “It’s time, Your Little Highness. His Majesty is waiting for you outside.”
Ye Muo nodded. He realized just how many people were in the corridor when he stepped out.
Not only Adrian and the others, but also Ye Zhiyuan. Ye He and Ye Yun stood beside him. Norton stayed at the end of the corridor, dressed formally with a crown, dark red cape and all. His accessories were meticulous.
Adlet stood by Ye Muo and reminded him, “Go on, Your Little Highness. Join His Majesty.”
As Ye Muo passed Ye He, he heard Ye He whisper, “Happy birthday.”
Ye Muo smiled at him. He knew that Ye He had rushed back after completing his mission ahead of schedule.
Ye Yun nudged his shoulder. He seemed much more steadfast than usual. As always, he appeared like a proper big brother in front of Ye Muo. “Don’t worry, we’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Ye Zhiyuan was a tad less restrained than usual. He hugged Ye Muo, albeit quickly letting go a moment later.
When he approached Adrian and Ano, they approached Ye Muo and fought for the right to stroke his hair. Ano couldn’t beat Adrian in the end. If it wouldn’t have wasted so much time, he would have definitely gone in for round two.
Ano could only hurriedly say to Ye Muo, “The present– I put it in your room!”
Ye Muo nodded as he moved on. Fortunately, Dylan didn’t move as he passed the man. He did feel his gaze on him, though.
Ye Muo subconsciously lowered his head and picked up his pace. Just as he was about to pass by, he heard Dylan’s deep murmur, “Likewise. It’s in your room.”
Ye Muo was taken aback for a moment. He made a sound of acknowledgement, but it wasn’t until he reached Norton that he realized Dylan was probably referring to his gift. Like Ano’s, it was in his room.
Norton remained motionless. Ye Muo looked up, a little puzzled. He happened to meet Norton’s eyes. The man had been observing him for some time.
He extended a hand to Ye Muo. When Ye Muo took his hand, Norton finally glanced at Adlet, who was by the door.
“Let us begin.”
Adlet made a sound of acknowledgement. He clapped his hands and led the others to clear the way. “Please follow me, everyone.”
Norton took Ye Muo in the opposite direction, down a wide, sparsely populated path. Ye Muo couldn’t help but glance back.
Norton looked down at Ye Muo. “You can see them later.”
Ye Muo made a sound of acknowledgement and quickly turned back around.
Norton only paused for a beat when Ye Muo saw the crimson curtain in front. He quietly reminded, “We’re almost here.”
Norton led Ye Muo to his spot. Attendants on both sides parted the crimson curtain.
Ye Muo’s eyes widened a little. They were currently on a balcony on the second floor, next to a staircase leading down to the galley.
Ye Muo could see so many people down there. They stood in small groups of twos or threes, children sticking with their parents or elders. Almost all the adults were quietly holding wine glasses. Some Ye Muo had met before, but more he hasn’t.
And right now, they were all looking up at Norton and Ye Muo.
Norton led Ye Mo to the spot to his right. “This is my beloved son– Xavier Grantz.”
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the date of his birth.”
An attendant handed Norton a glass of wine. Norton accepted it. “May he be safe, happy, and healthy.”
With that, he downed the glass, as did the other guests. “May he be safe, happy and healthy.”
Their voices were uniform like trained soldiers, reverberating throughout the hall long after.
Norton set the glass back on its tray. Before everyone present, he took off his crown and set it on Ye Muo’s head.
