The Night Before Destiny

After we’d all eaten our fill, we went to our rooms to sleep. Except for me. I climbed out of my window, planning to spend the night playing outside and return just by sunrise. But my plan was stopped before I could even get started.

Just as I opened the window and stepped onto the roof, a familiar voice called out to me.

“Where do you think you’re going, young master?”

Crap! “H-h-hey, Savanna! What brings you up here?”

“I’m here to make sure you don’t sneak out before your big day.”

“Ah, come on! Just let me go out real quick!”

“No.”

“Pleaseee,” I begged. But Savanna’s expression was unchanging, her will like iron.

“No way, young master. It would be in your best interest to go back to sleep. Otherwise, I’ll have to take you to your sister’s room.”

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of that happening. “I just wanted to try it one more time…”

“There’s really no way you’ll let me go?”

“Don’t even try, young master. Just go back and spare me the trouble of taking you to your sister.”

“Alright, alright.”

I tried to run using Shadow Step, but Savanna caught me instantly.

“Stop struggling and go to sleep, young master. Otherwise, I will take you to your sister.”

“Fine! I’ll go to sleep. But next time, you won’t catch me.”

“Yes, until next time, young master.”

Reluctantly, I went back to bed.

“…ster. Young master. Wake up, young master!”

“Ah, yes, I’m up, Lanna.” I rubbed my eyes, finally waking.

“Today is your big day. Get ready, young master.”

Suddenly, Mom walked in.

“Velly, let your mother dress you up.”

“Good morning, Duchess!”

“Ah, yes, good morning, Lanna. Now, come here, Velly. I’ll dress you up myself.”

“No, Mom!”

“No discussions. There’s no way any mother would let someone else dress her cute son on his big day.”

“Haaaaa… Fine, Mom. Lanna, you can leave. I’ll come out after my mom dresses me up.”

“Alright, young master.”

“Good boy, Velly. Let’s get started.”

Mom began dressing me up. Fun fact I hadn’t known: Mom is a fashionista and, surprisingly, has magic that helps people look better. I won’t lie—I looked the best I ever had by the time she was finished.

As soon as she was done, my sister burst into the room.

“Awww! My little brother is sooo cute!” Yuna exclaimed as she pounced on me, hugging me tightly.

“Big sis, let go! I can’t breathe!”

“Sorry, sorry. But you look so cute. You’ll break all the girls’ hearts like this.”

“Big sis, don’t say things like that in such a condescending tone.”

“You look great, son!” Out of nowhere, Dad walked in.

“You also look amazing, Dad.”

“Well, we do have the same outfit.”

“You two will look great when you walk into the room,” Mom added.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well, everyone will get settled and enjoy food and drinks for a bit. Then, when everyone’s gathered, you and your dad will walk in together. That’s how the ceremony goes.”

“And the royal family?”

“They’ll just enter like everyone else. Normally through the front door.”

“I didn’t think royalty would ever do that.”

“They’re making an exception for you because of your upcoming engagement with Princess Lyra. Normally, they’d make a grand entrance later, but Prince Alistair specifically requested not to steal your shine on your big day.”

“Alright. Yuna and I will go in first. You and your dad will follow about half an hour later. Lanna will fetch you when it’s time.”

Dad sat down next to me on the bed.

“So, are you nervous?”

“Of course not, Dad. You know me.”

“Hahahaha! Yes, that’s how you’ve always been. Just like me. I want you to know I’m prouder than anyone today. No matter the outcome.”

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll make you proud. Not that I can control how good the results are—it’s already set.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot that part. Well, it doesn’t matter. You’ll still make me proud.”

“I know I will.”

After a while, Lanna opened the door and said it was time to go. Dad and I stood up and made our way to the reception room.

“Let’s go, Dad.”