The soft morning light streamed through the tall windows of the palace, bathing young Alex’s room in a warm, golden glow. His eyes fluttered open, excitement already bubbling inside him before he even remembered why. Today was no ordinary day—it was his fifth birthday. As he sat up in bed, the realization hit him, and a wide grin spread across his face.
He jumped out of bed, his small feet pattering across the ornate rug that covered the polished stone floor. Outside his window, the palace grounds stretched out endlessly, gardens filled with flowers in full bloom, fountains tinkling softly, and the sky a perfect shade of blue. The twin suns of Alderaan cast long shadows over the towering spires and graceful architecture, but all Alex could think about was the day ahead.
His fifth birthday would be celebrated with a grand feast and a ball, a tradition for every child of House Alde, one of Alderaan’s great noble houses. House Alde had a history that stretched back centuries, their name known throughout the galaxy for wisdom, diplomacy, and their deep connection to Alderaan’s people and culture. Alex had heard the stories of his ancestors, but today wasn’t about them. Today was about him.
A soft knock came at the door, and a familiar figure stepped in. It was Mara, his nursemaid, her warm face lighting up with a smile as she saw him bouncing around in excitement.
“Good morning, young lord,” she said with a slight bow, though the affection in her voice was clear. “I see someone is ready for his big day.”
Alex nodded enthusiastically, his eyes wide with excitement. “Is everything ready, Mara? Is the feast already being set up?”
Mara chuckled as she helped him into his clothes, a finely embroidered tunic in the deep blue of House Alde, the crest of their family—a silver eagle with wings outstretched—emblazoned on the front. “Oh yes, young master. The chefs have been working since dawn, and your mother has overseen every detail of the preparations herself. It’s going to be a day to remember.”
As she finished dressing him, Alex’s father, Lord Aldric of House Alde, entered the room. He was a tall, stately man with a kind face but an unmistakable air of authority. His presence filled the room, though his smile softened as he saw his son dressed for the occasion.
“There’s the birthday boy,” Lord Aldric said warmly, scooping Alex up into his arms. “Are you ready for your big day?”
Alex nodded, his excitement barely contained. “Is everyone coming, Father? The queen? The other houses?”
Lord Aldric chuckled, setting him down gently. “Yes, Alex, many important guests will be here tonight. But remember, today is also about learning who you are. You are a son of House Alde, a family of great history and responsibility. The feast and ball are celebrations, but they are also part of the tradition that helps you understand our place in the galaxy.”
Alex tilted his head, only half understanding. He was more interested in the thought of cakes, presents, and dancing. But his father’s words hung in the air, a reminder of the world beyond the walls of the palace, one he was slowly beginning to grasp.
Before he could ask more questions, Mara took his hand. “Come now, young lord. There’s much to do before the feast tonight. Your lessons mustn’t be forgotten, even on your birthday.”
---
The day passed in a whirlwind of activity. Alex, despite his young age, was being introduced to the traditions and responsibilities of his noble house. Master Kallos, his tutor, was a stern but patient teacher, guiding him through the morning lessons in etiquette and history. They practiced proper greetings, bows, and how to sit at the grand dining table without fidgeting—something Alex found particularly difficult.
“You must remember, Alex,” Master Kallos said as he adjusted the young boy’s posture, “that tonight’s guests are not only here to celebrate your birthday, but also to see the heir to House Alde. How you conduct yourself reflects on your entire family.”
Alex frowned, his small face scrunching in concentration. “But why does sitting so still matter so much?”
Kallos smiled slightly, his normally strict demeanor softening. “Because, young lord, appearances matter. You are representing one of the great houses of Alderaan. People will look to you as a symbol of honor and dignity. You will grow to understand this more with time, but today is your first step.”
Alex nodded solemnly, though a part of him wished he could run outside and play in the gardens instead of learning how to sit properly. Still, the idea of being a symbol of something great made his chest swell with a little bit of pride. He was part of something bigger than just himself.
---
Later that afternoon, Alex’s best friends, Layla and Thom, arrived at the palace. Both came from noble families themselves, and while they were also being trained in the ways of Alderaan’s elite, they were still children, full of energy and excitement. The moment they arrived, the trio raced through the palace halls, their laughter echoing off the walls.
“Did you see the ballroom yet?” Layla asked, her dark hair bouncing as she ran beside Alex. “It’s all set up for the ball tonight, and it looks amazing! The chandeliers are huge, and there are so many decorations!”
Thom, always the more serious of the three, grinned as he struggled to keep up. “I heard the chefs are making a cake taller than Alex!”
Alex’s eyes widened. “A cake taller than me? We have to see it!”
Ignoring the rules of decorum, the three children sneaked into the grand ballroom. It was even more magnificent than Alex had imagined. The tables were covered in silks and ornate place settings, and towering arrangements of Alderaanian flowers filled the room with a sweet fragrance. At the far end, a grand table had been set up for the feast, and in the center of it stood the cake—a towering confection decorated with icing that shimmered like the stars.
“Whoa,” Alex breathed, his face lit up with awe.
Before they could get any closer, a voice called from behind them. “What are you three doing in here?”
It was Mara, her hands on her hips, though there was a hint of a smile on her face. “You’re not supposed to see all this until tonight, Alex. Come on, let’s get you back to your rooms. You still have to get ready.”
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With a few groans of protest, the trio was herded out of the ballroom and back to Alex’s quarters. The feast and ball were only hours away, and though they had spent the day learning and playing, the enormity of the evening was starting to settle on Alex’s small shoulders.
---
As the suns began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the palace, Alex stood in front of the mirror in his room. He was dressed in a formal tunic and trousers, the deep blue and silver of House Alde making him look more grown-up than he felt. The crest of the eagle gleamed on his chest, a reminder of the legacy he was a part of.
Mara fussed over his collar while Alex’s mother, Lady Elara of House Alde, watched from the doorway. She was a striking figure, her long, dark hair braided intricately, her gown flowing like water as she moved. There was pride in her eyes as she looked at her son.
“You look every bit the young lord you are,” she said softly, stepping forward to kneel beside him. “Tonight is a big night, Alex, but remember, it’s also meant to be fun. Enjoy it. This is your day.”
Alex smiled, the nerves he hadn’t even realized were there easing at her words. “I will, Mother.”
Lord Aldric appeared beside them, his presence as commanding as ever. He placed a firm hand on Alex’s shoulder, his voice warm. “It’s time.”
---
The grand ballroom was filled with the elite of Alderaan and beyond. Nobles from the great houses, senators, and even Queen Breha herself had gathered to celebrate Alex’s fifth birthday. As he entered the room with his parents, all eyes turned to him. For a moment, the grandeur of it all took his breath away. The chandeliers glimmered overhead, the music played softly, and the sound of murmured conversations filled the air.
But it wasn’t long before Layla and Thom appeared at his side, both dressed in their finest, though their mischievous grins hadn’t changed.
“Ready for the ball?” Layla asked, nudging him.
Alex took a deep breath, then smiled. “I think I am.”
And as the night went on, with dances, laughter, and the grand feast in his honor, Alex felt for the first time what it truly meant to be a part of House Alde. It wasn’t just about titles and tradition—it was about family, legacy, and the people who stood by him, no matter what.
As the stars twinkled above, young Alex, heir to House Alde, celebrated his birthday surrounded by friends, family, and the knowledge that one day, he would carry the weight of his house with pride.
The night of Alex’s fifth birthday was a whirlwind of excitement. The grand ballroom was alive with music, laughter, and the warmth of family and friends. Guests from across Alderaan gathered to celebrate the young heir of House Alde. As the ball progressed, Alex, dressed in his finest clothes, found a quiet moment by the tall windows. He watched the sun set over the palace gardens, his thoughts drifting away from the festivities and back to the people who had been constants in his life. His mind wandered to Mara, the palace maid who had been with him since he was just two years old, and Master Kallos, the stern yet wise tutor who had shaped his understanding of nobility.
---
A Flashback: Mara’s Story
It was a bright day when Mara first entered Alex’s life. He was only two years old at the time, a small, curious child exploring the world around him with wide eyes and clumsy steps. Mara had been hired as a maid in the palace of House Alde just before Alex’s second birthday, a commoner with no ties to nobility but a strong sense of duty. The palace was vast and intimidating to someone like Mara, but she quickly became known for her kindness and quiet diligence.
The first time Mara saw Alex, he had wandered into one of the palace corridors, far from his playroom, his tiny legs carrying him further than they should have. The palace staff had been bustling about with preparations for his birthday, and no one had noticed the little boy slip away. But Mara had. She was on her way to deliver fresh linens when she saw the young heir standing alone in the hall, looking up at a tall painting of one of his ancestors with a puzzled expression.
Mara had hesitated at first, unsure of whether she should approach him. She was new, after all, and not yet familiar with her place in the palace. But instinct took over. She couldn’t leave the young lord by himself. Slowly, she walked up to him, crouching down so her eyes were level with his.
“Are you lost, young master?” she asked softly, a smile playing on her lips.
Alex had blinked up at her, his big blue eyes filled with curiosity. He didn’t seem scared, just fascinated by the world around him. “Who’s that?” he asked, pointing a small finger at the painting.
“That,” Mara said gently, looking up at the imposing portrait of a past Lord Alde, “is one of your ancestors. A great man who helped bring peace to Alderaan many years ago.”
Alex had stared at the painting for a long moment, then turned back to Mara. “I want to go home now,” he said simply, as if the palace itself wasn’t already his home.
With a soft laugh, Mara had taken his tiny hand in hers and led him back to his nursery. From that day forward, Alex had always looked for her. Though Mara wasn’t officially his caretaker, she became a comforting presence in his life. Whenever he wandered away from his lessons or needed a break from the strict protocols of palace life, it was Mara he sought out.
In the months that followed, Mara’s role in Alex’s life grew. Though she was still a maid, tasked with maintaining the palace’s pristine condition, she always found time to help with Alex when he needed it. She would read him stories when he couldn’t sleep or soothe his tears when his parents were too busy with the affairs of House Alde to attend to him.
It was during his second birthday celebration that Mara realized just how important she had become to the young heir. The grand ballroom had been decorated with colorful banners and tables filled with sweets and gifts, all in honor of the little lord. But despite the festivities, Alex had grown overwhelmed by the crowd. The room was full of people—nobles, diplomats, and guests from across Alderaan—and for a two-year-old, it was all too much.
Mara had been working in the kitchens when she heard the soft cries of the young lord. Without thinking, she rushed to find him. In the corner of the ballroom, hidden behind the long curtains, she found Alex sitting by himself, his face streaked with tears. His small shoulders were shaking with the effort of trying to hold in his sobs, not wanting to seem weak in front of the guests.
Quietly, Mara had knelt beside him. “There you are, little one,” she whispered, wiping away his tears with a gentle hand. “It’s all right. I know it’s a bit too much, isn’t it?”
Alex had nodded, his face still buried in his hands. Mara smiled softly and picked him up, carrying him out of the ballroom and into the palace gardens where the air was cool and fresh. She held him close, walking in silence until his sobs subsided.
From that day on, Mara became more than just a maid in the palace—she became someone Alex could trust. Though she wasn’t of noble birth, her heart was noble in ways that mattered far more. She had been with him through every milestone, always there in the background, offering quiet comfort and wisdom.
---
Interlude: Master Kallos
At the far side of the ballroom, Master Kallos stood with his arms crossed, observing the celebration. He watched as Alex danced clumsily with his friends, his serious gaze softening for just a moment. Though Kallos was known for his stern demeanor, there was a depth to him that few in the palace truly understood.
Master Kallos was a man of mystery, even to the nobles he served. He had been hired by Lord Aldric to be Alex’s tutor when the boy was barely old enough to walk. His reputation preceded him—he had tutored the heirs of several noble houses across Alderaan, each one emerging as a disciplined, capable leader. But Kallos rarely spoke of his past, keeping his personal history as guarded as a fortress.
---
A Glimpse into Kallos’s World
One rainy evening, about a year ago, Alex had been restless, unable to sleep. The storm outside had kept him awake, and so he had wandered the quiet halls of the palace, looking for something to occupy his mind. That was when he had stumbled upon Master Kallos’s private quarters.
The door had been ajar, and inside, Alex had seen Kallos sitting at his desk, his back to the door. The flickering light of a single candle cast long shadows over the room. Alex had been about to call out when he noticed something strange. In Kallos’s hands was a small, weathered book, its pages yellowed with age. The tutor’s usually stoic face was soft with a kind of sorrow that Alex had never seen before.
Before Alex could get a better look, Kallos closed the book and locked it away in a drawer. His eyes shifted, catching sight of Alex standing in the doorway. For a moment, the two of them simply stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken words.
Kallos cleared his throat, his face returning to its usual stern expression. “You should be in bed, young lord,” he said, his voice quiet but firm.
Alex hesitated but nodded. He turned to leave, but the image of Kallos with that old book stayed with him. It was the first time Alex had seen the man as something more than just his tutor. There was a weight to Kallos’s past that he didn’t share, a story hidden beneath layers of discipline and duty.
In the months that followed, Alex noticed small things—how Kallos sometimes seemed lost in thought during their lessons, or how his gaze would linger on the horizon as if he were waiting for something or someone. Though Kallos never spoke of it, Alex couldn’t help but feel that his tutor had once been a man of action, someone who had seen and done more than he let on.
---
The Ball and the Bonds of Friendship
As the music in the ballroom swelled, Alex’s thoughts were interrupted by the laughter of his two best friends, Joran and Lira. They ran up to him, pulling him away from the window where he had been lost in reflection.
“Alex, you have to see this!” Joran said excitedly, grabbing his arm. “They’re bringing out the cake!”
Lira, ever the calmer of the two, smiled and nodded. “It’s huge. Taller than you, probably!”
The trio darted through the crowd, weaving between the guests until they reached the grand table where the cake stood—an enormous confection, decorated with shimmering stars and intricate patterns of frosting.