Cain took a look at his surroundings. It was like he was drowned in the ocean. Darkness trapped him but he could still see translucent jellyfishes swimming around him. He followed them to the brighter place where there are lights coming from above. 

He floated and touched water bubbles reflecting the memory he was most fond of. His mother’s smile. His modest bedroom in the wood cabin he lived in before. His teddy bear that his mother knitted by herself. Everything that he missed to death.

Another big bubble appeared. It was reflecting Lumi and Ian. When he tried to reach it, the big bubble burst into million smaller bubbles. A ghost- like hand of sea plants tangled his wrist, forbidding him to reach for another recollection of memories.   Just when he thought he could breathe freely underwater, he started to feel suffocated. He was pulled deeper. And the light source was getting farther.

He just wanted to be like those jellyfishes. Swim freely without resisting the stream. But his current condition was pathetic. He was pushed more and more to be involved in the drama he resisted. He was tied to responsibilities and titles he considered loathsome.

“Help me…” Cain asked. 

And in desperation he saw three pairs of hands freed him from the grip of sea plants.  

He was saved.

***

“Happy Birthday.” 

Rigel said flatly, also clapping a hand with no enthusiasm. It’s actually just his effort to be funny, but he failed just like that. Beside him, Lumi brought a chocolate muffin with a little unlit candle on it.

“Congrats for another year of officially being an adult.” 

Cain who had just woken up gave him a judgemental look with his eyes. His head was heavy from lack of sleep, the sunshine that went through the big window hurt his eyes, and the absence of Nara, who had already jumped to headbut Rigel’s leg made his overall mood go down. 

“What time is it?”

“Almost eight… You are allowed to wake up late since there is no class today.”

Cain yawned as he tapped his own lap. “Nara come here.”

The cat jumped playfully to Cain and kissed his cheek. Maybe that’s the way he congratulated Cain on his nineteenth birthday. To think that a cat could be this obedient, Rigel had to admit magical beasts are interesting. Maybe he could try taming one once he’s freed from sin debt.

Everytime he remembered that his current condition was full of limitations, he could not help but feel frustrated.

“This is your cake.” Lumi said. She pushed the muffin on a small plate to Cain’s face. Rigel snapped his finger and a fire lit on the small candle.

“Thanks.” Cain blew the candle softly. 

“No wish?”

“To be safe until my next birthday is enough.” 

Lumi sat beside him. “Eat this. I have prepared your favorite, you better be grateful.”

Honestly, Cain hated being woken up with surprises more than anything. Maybe it was because the two of them had woken him up from an unpleasant dream, Cain’s mood was not as sour as usual.

Cain took a bite of the muffin. He had  expected a rich chocolate flavor and moist texture. But after chewing several times, he knew that this muffin was not made by the head chef.

Lumi smiled smugly. Rigel raised one of his eyebrows. Is that not a normal muffin? Why does Cain's eye get brighter in an instant after tasting it?      

“I told you my gift would be the best among all, right?”

“Yeah…” Cain chuckled. “Thanks.”

“Is that really good?” Rigel looked at another muffin placed on the nightstand. He didn’t hold back to take one and eat it wholeheartedly.

“Hey!” Lumi wanted to take the muffin back yet Rigel avoided her with no effort.

“Ey. Why being stingy, Missy? You did not inject this with love potion or anything right?”

“As if I would bake those myself.”

Rigel laughed. He took a big bite and finished the muffin.

“It’s all right, Lumi. She won’t mind other people tasting it.” Cain continued to eat. “No need to fight him over this.”

“But!”

Cain sighed. “I am not that stingy either, okay?” 

Cain took another muffin and brought it to Lumi’s lip. “Eat this. She would be angry at me for not feeding you.”

 Rigel really wanted to ask whom Cain and Lumi were talking about. But he got a feeling that soon he would know.

“We are the first to congratulate you, right?” 

“Yeah. No one would barge into my room like you two.”

Just after Cain said so, someone knocked on his bedroom door. 

“Cain? You are awake?”

Rigel opened the door and Estelle smiled at him. “Thank you, Mister Winters.”

“You’re welcome princess.”

Alan followed Estelle’s step. He and Rigel bowed to each other. 

“Happy birthday, Cain.” Estelle hugged Cain tightly. “I wish you happiness and all the other great things.” 

“Thanks.” Cain smiled. 

Alan also gave him a warm hug after Estelle let him go. Lumi moved to hide behind Rigel since she disliked seeing Estelle no matter what the circumstances were. 

“Alan had prepared the suit for tonight’s banquet. The color is blue, your favorite.” 

“Oh. Thanks.”

“And also for  you and Miss Callisto too, Mister Winters. I hope both of you won’t reject it since Alan had prepared all of the accessories too.”   

Alan smiled politely. “I just want the best for the prince's birthday banquet.”

“I actually do not mind having the same uniform as the knight but thank you, Sir Alan.” 

“Please do not be so modest. It would be a shame for the prince’s personal guard to dress so plainly.” Alan smiled. “And Miss Callisto. I hope the dress I prepared is to your liking.”

Lumi glanced at Alan then mumbled. “Thank you, Sir Alan.”

She hated the idea of wearing something that was probably chosen by Estelle. But Alan is always so kind to her. 

“I hope we all have a nice experience tonight.”

***

“She must be kidding me. Sir Alan must not have planned this alone. This must be her doing!” Lumi’s face was red, a combination of anger and shame. 

“You looked pretty, Missy.” Rigel observed her from head to toe and found no faults. The dress was modest and elegant. The icy blue fabric as the dominant material for the skirt resembles the color of her eyes and the cutting was just right for her petite body. She also had her hair done in a nice bun. Silver rose hair pin made her look like a fairy. 

Rigel himself got a black suit with royal blue ornament and deep blue shirt, since tonight’s banquet was blue themed. 

“And I am being sincere, just so you…”

“WHY DO I HAVE TO WEAR MATCHING DRESS WITH CAIN?”

Oh, so that’s the problem. Rigel laughed out loud. Cain beside him only rolled his eyes nonchalantly. It would be a lie if he’s saying he didn’t see this coming. His sister really wanted Lumi to be his wife and he knows it. 

“The first dance is yours, isn’t it just right to wear a matching dress with the prince?” Rigel still laughed when he reminded Lumi of her task tonight. Oh my God, this is so funny.  

 “I do not agree for the first dance so people would think we would get married next month!”

“You can just get married next year when you’re turning eighteen.”

Lumi held back herself to blow some strong winds and make a mess of Rigel’s fine appearance. And the maids who had accompanied them smiled at each other. 

“Your majesty, the King is waiting to come together to the ballroom.” 

The steward had called Cain to be ready to make an entrance with his family. Rigel gave his hand to Lumi and both entered the ballroom through another entrance as an odd but charming couple. Rigel stood out with his handsome face and tall build while Lumi was someone who had been anticipated as the prince’s spouse candidate.

“I wish for Sir Alan to accompany me.” Lumi mumbled. 

“The princess would punish you for going in with her lover.” Rigel replied in a whisper. The door for guests had been closed, a sign that the banquet was about to start. 

“That’s the point, don’t you get it?” Lumi pinched Rigel’s arm.

The light of the room was dimmed. Illumination by a little blue fire imitating aurora near the entrance for the royal family. 

Holden Aldebaran walked in with his queen. While Cain acted as an escort for his sister, following the step of his father slowly. 

As expected of the King, his opening speech was flawless. He wished for his son to be more mature and for the other nobles to give him guidance so he could form an ideal perspective and wisdom to lead this country. Andromeda hid half of her face with a glamorous fan, but sharp eyes could still see hatred in her gaze as the speech went by. 

Last but not least, the maid brought the birthday cake with the trolley in. As a formality, Cain closed his eyes, made his wish then blew the candle. 

The party then officially began. Lumi and Cain had to have their dance first, followed by another young couple. Estelle  danced with a tall guy dressed in a navy colored suit. The guy was tall and good looking but Estelle did not seem fond of him at all. She didn't even bother to cover her emotions. 

Rigel realized that Alan stood near him and then asked in a low voice. 

“You can not dance?”

“I can.”

“? But why??”

Alan answered with a smile. Rigel felt bad for asking such things. He thought that he had been friends with Alan but then he realized they were not that close for him to ask about his personal life. 

“I’m sorry. It was rude for me to pry into your personal life.”

“Oh it’s okay.” Alan said calmly. “Please, just enjoy the party.”

One of the noble daughters then came their way. Boldly, she asked for Alan’s companionship. 

“Would you give me the honor to have your first dance tonight?” The pretty brunette asked, her cheek blushing red and her voice trembling despite her effort to keep calm. 

Cute, Rigel thought. But Alan politely rejected her, saying that it was his duty to watch over the party from the sidelines. 

“Really? She’s cute.” Alan asked in a playful tone once the girl smiled awkwardly and went away to her noble friends. 

“The outcome would be unpleasant to see  if I dare to fulfill her request.” 

“Oh.”

Rigel didn’t think Estelle was a petty woman who would bully another girl who liked Alan. But maybe that’s because he didn’t know her well enough. 

“Sir…” 

A feminine voice called. Both Alan and Rigel turned their heads to the owner of that melodious voice. 

“May I have this dance?” She asked for Rigel’s hand in the same manner a gentleman would ask a lady. 

To be honest, she was gorgeous. She’s obviously not so young anymore but her delicate face and slim body made Rigel gape in awe. She’s a rare beauty even in this room where all the noble ladies gathered. 

“Me?” Rigel pointed to himself in disbelief. Sure he knew he looked good. But everyone in this room knew what his status was. No one dared to get near him. 

“Yes.” She smiled. “I believe you are not cruel enough to reject me?”

Alan tapped his shoulder and nodded at him, giving approval.

“Oh… sure.” 

He was like being hypnotized. Thankfully the next song was slow waltz. Rigel did not have to embarrass himself. 

“You are tall. It must be hard for you to match Lumi if you dance with her…”

Her low laugh sounded motherly.

“Do you know Missy, Madam?”

“Well…” She chuckled but did not give Rigel an explanation. They moved smoothly on the dance floor. Rigel could sense that toward the end of the song, this woman led him to move toward the balcony. And when the sound of the last note vanished into the air, Rigel was hugged warmly. 

“Thank you for watching over my son.”