The Grand Birthday - Part 2

The sun rose, and I got out of bed. Stretching, I looked at my messy hair in the mirror. After brushing my teeth, I tapped on my pendant.

“Good morning, Janessa!” said Comet.

“Morning. Rise and shine.”

I summoned my staff and swirled it around.

“Wait, you must collect your special token,” said Comet.

“Huh?”

I tapped on the screen, and animated images of floating balloons in red, blue, and yellow appeared.

“Yay!” said a sound effect.

“YOU HAVE RECEIVED A SPECIAL TOKEN IN HONOR OF THE KING’S BIRTHDAY” popped up on the display.

“What does it do?” I asked.

“I do not know,” said Comet.

“Ah. I’d better get dressed then! It’s dressmaking time.”

I entered the dressmaking room, only to be bombarded by columns of helium balloons rising to the roof.

“What the heck?” I said.

One last balloon whacked me in the face before flying up. I clicked my tongue and looked up at the ceiling that was covered. Just as I waved my scepter and sparks came out of it, all the balloons popped and coins began falling out of them.

“Yikes, all this raining money is going to be painful,” I thought aloud.

I covered my head with my hands and tightly shut my eyes. One of them landed on my hand and was too light to be a coin. After closer inspection, the foil was peeling off. I opened it, and found chocolate instead.

Chocolate coins, seriously?

Pixies came out of the posters and took all the chocolate coins away, except for the one in my hand.

“Guys, we need to make a new outfit,” I said.

There was no response, and they floated into the posters with their coins. I groaned and picked a turquoise blue fabric, interfacing, and white lace.

I began cutting, and the pixies reappeared, carrying needles and spools of thread. They all wore the same outfit in different colors.

We cut, sewed, and finished the main bodice for the top. The skirt was simply a gathered rectangle. The sleeves and collar were made of the lace.

I jumped into my floating, completed outfit, consisting of a top with a matching skirt. Then, I was able to wear it. The finishing touches were the white ballet flats and a lace bow for the back of my hair.

I grabbed my scepter and returned to the current dimension, landing with a graceful pose. Snapping my fingers, it turned into a streak of light that entered my pendant.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

There was a knock at the door. I answered it and found Prince Cassius standing, his dark circles sunk deep into his skin, and in his hand, there was a box. He yawned and then smiled at me.

“Cassius, what happened?” I asked.

“I had to burn the midnight oil to finish the gift,” he said. “Now, if you will excuse me, I will have a nap. Take this… Take this to my father and wait for me.”

“Yes, got it.”

He gave me the box and walked away like a zombie.

“Wait, we can’t start without you!” I said.

Fran ran toward me and said while panting, “Madam, the cake is ready! Would you like to see?”

“Of course.”

We entered the kitchen, and under a glass case, there was a square, vintage cake topped with buttercream and frosting flowers.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE KING” was piped on it.

“Oh, it’s lovely. I bet it tastes even better than it looks! I’m hungry already,” I said.

Fran giggled and said, “Ah. I was in baking school, but could not continue. Thank you, madam for giving this opportunity.”

“Don’t worry about that. No, thank you!” I said.

She beamed and put the cake in the fridge.

“Janessa? Is Janessa here?” asked Catherine near the kitchen.

“I’m here,” I said.

“Great, get Prince Cassius, and we can surprise the King,” she said.

“Oh, I’m afraid he’s still asleep. He’s tired from working on the gift,” I said.

“Did Cassius make a gift?”

“Yes.”

“How thoughtful! We just bought a gift from a jeweler.”

“I see. Well, he won’t be up until at least an hour.”

“That is too bad. Should we wait?”

“He told me to give the gift and then wait for him.”

“Great, let us do that then!”

She clasped her hands and ran off, raising the hem of her skirt.

Catherine made a U-turn through the carpet and said, “Oh, come to the banquet hall, will you?”

“Of course.”

We ascended the steps, and my feet hurt once I reached the second floor.

I stood behind Catherine as Evan and Kelly stood in front.

“Janessa, where’s Cassius?” whispered Evan.

“He’s asleep…”

Prince Evan’s face scrunched up.

“My Lord, why is he sleeping at this hour?” said Evan, dialing his number. “Cassius, come in front of the royal banquet hall at once! Hello? Hello! He cut me off. That little…”

“Calm yourself, Prince Evan. Janessa told me he was up all night making his gift.”

“Oh. That is not good. I should not have woken him.”

His facial muscles became soft as he looked away from us.

“There he is! His majesty,” said Kelly, bowing.

We all bowed and curtseyed.

“And there is Cassius right behind him,” said Evan.

“Right, there he is,” said Catherine.

The King marched toward us and said, “What is all this?”

“Happy birthday!” said Cassius.

The King looked behind him and said, “Oh, dear Cassius. You look so worn out. Have you slept at all?”

“No, your majesty.”

“Now then, how can I possibly be happy on my birthday if my son is so exhausted?” he said.

“You will be, I am quite sure of it,” said Cassius, yawning while covering his mouth.

“Very well. Let us enter.”

Evan and Kelly opened the glass doors, and we saw a grand stage with a balloon arch of white, blue, and gold balloons. There was a poster of the full family on stage.

“Ah, Amelia is also in the photograph,” said the King, in a shaky voice.

“Indeed. I hope she will learn her lesson soon,” said Cassius, yawning.

“I certainly hope so too. Oh, what a lovely, delightful cake under the glass case! This style was popular during my boyhood. Wherever did you find this?”

Prince Evan whispered to Catherine, “I told you that he would like this.”

“You were right,” she said.

“The maid baked it for you, your majesty,” I said.

“Wow, what a splendid gesture!”

We sat around the table on the stage.

“Words cannot prove how grateful I am at this moment,” said the King.

“Father, here,” said Prince Evan.

He passed him a red box the size of a palm.

“What is it?”

“You may open it.”

The King grinned and said, “What a fair watch. Really, you must have spent so much money on this. Was there any need?”

“Only the best for you, your majesty,” said Evan.

“Hmm, I suppose so. Much thanks.”

“Here, your majesty,” said Kelly, passing a thin box.

“Another gift.”

He cracked the box open and said, “Oh, a wonderful pen.”

“It is one of a kind,” said Kelly.

“Thank you.”

“Janessa, hand the King my gift,” said Cassius.

“Yes, of course! Here, your majesty. Prince Cassius made it all by himself.”

“Did he now?” he said, snatching the box. “Ooh, a pin. Now, what does it say?”

He squinted and held the box close to his eyes, and then panned it away from him.

“My goodness… ‘Remember me the way I always remember you.’ I am getting emotional,” said the King.

Kelly placed his hand on his chin, and Catherine smiled while staring at the table.

“These were the very words of my late wife!” said the King. “Thanks a million, dear Cassius! A truly sentimental gift. Oh, just look at him.”

Cassius had fallen asleep at the table, and we all stared at him. I giggled and soon, everyone started laughing. He covered his ears and slept further.

After the King cut the cake, we left a slice on a plate beside him.