17th of December, 1809.
The day had finally arrived—Xavier's 9th birthday. Nine years as a cherished member of the Ashford and Ivanovich families, and one year since the passing of his beloved father, Jonathan.
In preparation for his grandson's special day, Grandpa Graviil ensured that the entire nation knew of the occasion, overseeing every detail so that the celebration was perfectly tailored to Xavier's tastes.
Across the Russian Empire, citizens cheered and rejoiced, treating the birthday of their youngest prince as a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Inside the Tsarigrad Citadel, the grand Ivanovich Palace where the main celebration would take place, Xavier stood in his room. Anastasia, along with several maids, carefully dressed him in regal, elegant attire—fit for a prince on his most important day.
As all the other maids left, Anastasia complimented "You look great, Young Master!", clapping her hands in joy with a grin.
"Thank you", Xavier replied, a bit embarrassed as his cheeks reddened.
Alcmena laughed in the corner of the room, saying to Xavier, "You look like a Christmas tree, kid".
Xavier's cheeks reddened more, as he angrily replied, flustered, "Oh really!? Well you look like.... like...".
When Xavier couldn't come up with a comeback, Alcmena burst out laughing, making Xavier even more embarrassed by his outfit.
Realizing that Xavier's spirits were dwindling, Alcmena, who could sense the thoughts of Xavier, as his contractor, took a deep breath and offered an apology. "Don't be so down, kid. I was only joking."
"You actually look great in that outfit."
"Wait, really!?" Xavier exclaimed, searching Alcmena's face for sincerity.
"Yes, really," Alcmena replied, nodding. "That outfit suits you perfectly—it makes you look like a king. Someone truly worthy of wielding Excalibur and carrying the title of the vessel of the great and mighty King of Dragons, King Alcmena D. Regaliath ."
"So wear it with confidence and resilience, and don't let the opinions of others weigh you down."
"Xavier nodded excitedly, and Alcmena smiled with pride, seeing how much his student—whom he regarded as a son—had grown.
From a distance, Anastasia watched with a joyful smile, touched by the bond between Xavier and Alcmena, not just as master and student, but as father and son.
Picking up the Visors of Time, Xavier's mind was instantly refreshed by the pair of glasses, and all the anxiety and worries he had in him, were not all gone.
"With a confident stride, Xavier approached his room's door and, smiling calmly at Anastasia, said, 'Shall we, Miss Anastasia? The guests must be waiting for me."
The grand hall, where the banquet for Xavier's birthday was held, brimmed with nobles, politicians, and all of Xavier's friends, classmates, and former students. Every face in the room belonged to someone who had known him during his years at the academy or in public life. Lavish gifts filled every corner, tributes from the many distinguished guests in attendance.
Laughter and lively conversation echoed through the hall until, with a sudden shift, the room fell into a reverent hush. The royal guards had announced Xavier's arrival.
All eyes turned to the young prince, poised on the ornate balcony above. Draped in regal finery, he surveyed the gathering below, the anticipation palpable as his audience waited for him to speak.
With a glass of wine on his left hand, Graviil thanked everyone for attending his beloved grandson's 9th birthday.
Graviil continued, his voice rich with pride, "To celebrate my grandson's birthday, we shall first indulge in the finest feast this world has to offer. Then, we will be treated to a magnificent theater performance, brought to life by the most renowned actors. And finally, a grand display of fireworks will light up the skies across the entire nation, marking this special day in my beloved grandson's honor."
Looking back at Xavier, Graviil questioned, "Are you not going to say anything to your guests, Xavier?".
Xavier taken a back replied, "I'll try...".
Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Xavier addressed the crowd, his voice clear and steady. "I, Xavier, grandson of King Graviil Ivanich, am honored and deeply grateful to have you here today to celebrate my birthday. It makes me happy to see so many familiar faces. I hope each of you enjoys this special day as much as I do."
Graviil began to laugh cheerfully, slapping Xavier's back, as he said, "That's the spirit, kid!", with a big smirk on his face.
Raising his wine glass beside Xavier, Graviil summoned a small, radiant spark that danced across Xavier's glass, illuminating the room in a brilliant flash as they toasted alongside the cheering guests.
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As Xavier's birthday celebration unfolded, the grand hall became a feast for the senses, with lavish dishes crafted by the finest chefs from around the world. The centerpiece was an enormous cake in the shape of a dragon, modeled after Alcmena in his dragon form.
Lying comfortably in Anastasia's arms, Alcmena muttered in frustration as he stared at the cake. "I can't believe this kid..." he grumbled under his breath.
Anastasia giggled and said softly to Alcmena, "Don't be so mad Lord Alcmena, your cake version looks very majestic and beautiful. Young Master must have put a lot of effort into getting those details done right".
Surprised by Anastasia's compliment, Alcmena blushed, his cheeks flushing as he shyly turned his gaze toward Xavier, who was joyfully engrossed in conversation with his closest friends.
"A lot of effort, huh?", Alcmena pondered to himself. "This kid sure finds new ways to leave me speechless every time".
Back with Xavier, Jupiter suggested they secure a front-row spot for the upcoming fireworks display. Elowen, Sophie, and the rest of the group lit up at the idea, their excitement growing as they eagerly anticipated the show.
As the guests began moving toward the grand balcony, ready to watch the fireworks that would light up the skies over Moscow, Violet excitedly called out to Xavier from across the room. When Xavier turned to see who was calling him, he was surprised to see two unfamiliar faces standing beside Aleksander and Violet.
"What's wrong, Xavier?" Misaki asked, noticing his stunned expression. "Aren't you coming?"
Xavier quickly regained his composure and told her, "My sister's calling for me. I'll join you all in a bit."
Jason gave Xavier a playful smack on the back. "Whatever you say, bro."
"Yeah, just don't be late, or you'll miss the fireworks," Jupiter added with a grin.
Xavier chuckled shyly. "Don't worry, I won't be long. I'll be there soon."
As Xavier headed towards his sister, Violet excitedly hugged him, asking, "How is the birthday boy feeling?".
Xavier embarrasly replied, "Stop it Sis... you're embarrassing me in front of everyone".
Aleksander chuckled, ruffling Xavier's hair. "You're still too young to be embarrassed by the affection we show you in public," he teased.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar woman leaned in toward Xavier, her face brimming with excitement. "You must be the little brother Darling always talks about!".
"And who might you be?" Xavier asked, curious about the lively stranger.
With a bold grin, she replied, "My name is Natalia Ravenshadow. I've heard so much about you from my beloved Aleksander."
"I'm not your 'beloved,'" Aleksander said coldly.
Natalia sighed in mock disappointment. "Why are you always so cold to me, Darling?"
"Because you keep irritating me!" Aleksander snapped in frustration.
"You big meanie," Natalia pouted, crossing her arms in playful defiance.
Xavier pondered to him for a moment, as he came to a surprising realization. He then asked Natalia, "Wait, did you say your last name was Ravenshadow?".
"Yes!", Natalia responded.
"That's the last name of my school's headmaster, Principal Cedric Ravenshadow!", Xavier added in astonishment.
With a proudful grin expression, Natalia answered, "That's right, I am the beloved granddaughter, of Principal Cedric, Head of Pennsylvania Royal Academy!".
"That's so cool!", Xavier replied in utter awe. "You resemble him a lot!".
The other unfamiliar figure, arms crossed and a playful smirk on his face, chuckled and remarked, "I have to say, Prince Xavier, you're even cuter in person than in Aleksander's stories."
Extending his hand for a handshake, the man introduced himself with a confident smile. "I am Prince Ragnar Flashstride, a close friend of your brother. It's an honor to be here for your special day, Xavier."
The mention of the name "Flashstride" caught Xavier off guard. He realized he was standing before the eldest son of the Flashstride royal family—and the older brother of the notorious Prince Magnus.
Noticing Xavier's unease, Ragnar offered a sincere apology. "I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable. I understand why you might feel that way, considering all the trouble my stubborn younger brother has caused."
Ragnar then bowed his head slightly, continuing, "I apologize for what my brother has done to you and anyone close to you." Reaching into his pocket, he produced a small gift. "As a token of my apology, I offer you this."
Opening the box, he revealed a necklace forged by master blacksmiths. "This necklace is enchanted. If it ever breaks, it will teleport you and anyone nearby several miles away from your current location."
With a warm smile, Ragnar added, "I hope you'll accept this gift as a symbol of my apology, and perhaps forgive my brother and my family for any harm we've caused."
Seeing the sincerity in Ragnar's eyes, Xavier smiled and graciously accepted the gift. "There's no need to apologize for your brother's actions, Prince Ragnar. I hold no grudges against you or your family, so don't worry too much about it."
Relieved, Ragnar sighed and smiled. "You are far too kind, Prince Xavier."
Natalia giggled to herself and mockingly said, "Still the honorable son of your family, as always. You haven't changed a bit."
Prince Ragnar shot back, "How ironic. You're still the same old crybaby Natalia I've known since childhood."
"I am not a crybaby!" Natalia retorted, clearly irritated.
Aleksander chuckled, drawing an annoyed glare from Natalia. "What are you laughing at, Aleksander?"
"I just remembered how, as kids, you always acted so high and mighty but got scared by the smallest things," Aleksander teased.
Hearing that, Prince Ragnar burst into laughter, joining Aleksander as they recalled those moments from the past. Natalia's face flushed red with embarrassment, and she quickly covered her face with her hands.
Watching the playful banter, Xavier thought to himself, "I never imagined my brother would have friends he laughs with so openly.
Maybe it's just because I'm used to seeing him so serious and a bit cold that it's hard to picture him like this".
Suddenly, Violet remembered the fireworks were about to begin and hurriedly urged them, "We need to get going, or we'll miss the grand finale!"
As they made their way toward the grand balcony where everyone had gathered, Xavier, who was walking behind the group, felt a light tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he was met with Princess Jasmine, who gently poked his nose and said with a playful smile, "Peek-a-boo!"
Startled, Xavier stammered, "Princess Jasmine?"
"Surprise!" she laughed. "Did I scare you?"
Xavier chuckled awkwardly, his initial shock fading, and complimented her outfit after taking in how radiant she looked. "You look... amazing today."
Blushing, Jasmine smiled shyly. "Th-thank you... You look great as well," she added, her cheeks flushed with color.
"Thanks!" Xavier replied, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Just then, a loud crack echoed through the air as the fireworks launched, painting the night sky with brilliant, majestic sparks. The entire crowd's attention shifted to the breathtaking display, including Xavier's and Jasmine's.
"So beautiful!" Jasmine whispered, her eyes filled with wonder as she watched the fireworks explode in vibrant colors.
Xavier, captivated by the sight of her smiling in awe, quietly murmured, "Yeah... beautiful."