Chapter 183: Chapter 183 Luna and Vlad Jr.’s Gift Preparations
Meanwhile, Luna was still pacing on her little bed, claws scratching at the blankets in frustration, her tail twitching wildly before she finally shifted into her human form with an annoyed little pout. Her small hands clenched into fists as she muttered, "What should I give him!???? Everyone will laugh if I give meat... it will rot away... ugh!!" She flopped onto her pillow dramatically, glaring up at the ceiling as though it had answers.
Her mother, Queen Serafina, who had been brushing her long hair nearby, noticed Luna’s struggles. She tilted her head and smiled softly. "What’s wrong, little pup?" she asked, her voice calm but amused.
Luna immediately sat up, her golden-brown eyes sparkling like she had finally spotted a savior. "Mom!!" she cried. "You remember I told you about Lucien’s birthday, right??"
"Yes, Sweetie, I remember," Serafina said, chuckling as she adjusted her daughter’s messy hair, trying to tame it.
"But I don’t know what to gift him!!" Luna huffed, balling her tiny fists until her knuckles showed. "Everyone else already has something cool... Kelpie has shiny gems, Rocky has pebbles, Felix probably has peaches!! And if I don’t bring anything, Lucien will think I’m a bad friend!!" Her voice cracked at the end, and the words tumbled out in a rush.
Her mother quietly sat down beside her, and the moment Luna felt the familiar warmth, she groaned and flopped into her lap, burying her face against her mother’s dress.
Serafina stroked her back gently, smiling down at her. "Luna, gifts don’t have to be grand. They just have to be from the heart. Why don’t you give him something you made yourself? Something only you can give."
"Something I made...?" Luna blinked up at her, tilting her head.
"Yes," Serafina said warmly. "You’re clever, my little wolf. Maybe you can draw him a picture, or make something with your paws. Handmade gifts always carry the most love."
Luna’s face lit up slowly. "Draw something? Like... a picture of me and him? Or... or me, him, and teacher??" She gasped. "I can even add Daddy and mummy too!!" She suddenly jumped off her mother’s lap and bounced on her toes with excitement. "That’s it!! I’m going to make the BEST picture ever!! He’ll love it!!"
Serafina laughed softly as she watched her daughter spin around in joy. "Yes, that’s my Luna. Just remember—what matters most is your feelings, not how shiny or expensive the gift is."
But Luna was already running off to gather her crayons, tail wagging furiously in her wolf form. "Lucien is going to LOVE it!!" she howled happily, and Serafina shook her head with a smile.
***
Vlad Jr. sat at his little desk with the most serious expression in the world. A single candle flickered beside him, making his pale skin glow, while he leaned over a velvet pouch filled with trinkets.
"Lucien’s birthday..." he muttered gravely, tapping his chin like a seasoned noble. "As his best friend, it is my duty to present him with something worthy of a prince." He opened the pouch and took out a shiny ruby ring, far too large for Lucien’s tiny hand. "Hmm... no, too flashy." He placed it aside. Then he picked up a jeweled comb. "No, too girly. Absolutely not."
He sighed deeply, resting his chin on his palm. "If I give something too common, it will tarnish the dignity of House Vlad. If I give something too rare, it will look like I am trying too hard..." He stood dramatically, his cape fluttering and looked at the moon through the tall window.
"Lady Mona!" he suddenly declared, his young voice carrying far more authority than his small frame. The vampire maid nearly dropped her duster as she turned, startled to be addressed so formally by the little prince.
"Yes, young master?" she asked, bowing her head slightly.
"Please prepare the family treasure chest," Vlad Jr. said with solemn respect, his tiny hand resting over his chest the way he had seen adults do. "I must inspect it for a fitting gift."
The poor maid mona bowed. "Y-Yes, young master."
When the chest was brought out, Vlad Jr. crouched before it like a tiny king surveying his riches. He sifted through gold coins, goblets, and precious gems until his eyes landed on a delicate silver brooch shaped like a bat. His crimson eyes sparkled. "Yes... this is perfect! Elegant. Noble. Symbol of my lineage! Lucien shall wear this with pride, and the world will know of our eternal friendship!"
He held the brooch high above his head as though presenting it to the heavens.
He already imagined Lucien looking regal with the bat brooch pinned to his little jacket. His tiny fangs poked out as he smiled with satisfaction. "Yes. The gift of House Vlad will bind our bond forever!"
****
While all the babies were scattered about, fussing over gifts and clothes for Lucien birthday Party, Alina sat peacefully by the bed, her heart at ease knowing she had already chosen her present with Dante. She held her phone close, speaking softly into it.
"Aunt Lyla, how is Mother doing? The doctor checked her today, didn’t he?" Alina asked, her voice carrying quiet concern.
On the other end, Lyla’s warm voice answered, "Yes, dear, I was there. The doctor said her condition is steady for now and we’ll continue the medicines dose. Don’t worry too much."
Alina exhaled gently, her shoulders relaxing. "I see... thank you, Aunt. I just wish I could be there more often."
"You’re doing enough," Lyla reassured kindly. "Your mother will feel better just knowing you’re thinking of her."
Alina lowered her gaze, "I just... I wish I could be with her more often. Every time I think of her lying in bed without me there, it makes me feel guilty."
"Nonsense," Lyla said firmly, her voice soft but steady. "You’re doing what she wants most—building a life for yourself. When she was awake, she used to tell me every single day how proud she was of you. If you gave up your work just to sit at her side, she’d scold you until you cried."
A quiet laugh escaped Alina at that, and for a moment her eyes softened. "That does sound like her. She always wants me to keep going forward."