Chapter 185: Chapter 185 Lucien birthday (1)
"Everyone take your seats!" Alina said brightly, her voice carrying the cheerful authority the babies were used to. She quickly began taking attendance, her eyes scanning the lively little faces one by one. Everyone was present today, which warmed her heart.
As she went down the line, her gaze caught on Felix—who was sitting neatly in his place, dressed in a stylish light-pink outfit. It was soft but elegant, with little golden buttons that shimmered faintly under the sunlight spilling through the windows. He looked almost like a little prince, his tail swishing proudly behind him.
Alina couldn’t help but smile. "Felix, you look very handsome today," she said gently. His cheeks pinked, and he ducked his head, clearly pleased by the compliment.
With attendance finished, she guided them through literature class. But it was obvious the babies were far too excited for the party to focus. Their eyes kept darting to their bags, where carefully chosen gifts waited. Alina decided not to push too hard—she only revised what they had learned before. Math was no different; she went over the basics again, but no one could sit still for long. Every little hand twitched, every pair of eyes sparkled with secret anticipation.
By the time the clock neared break, the classroom was buzzing like a beehive. And then the door opened.
Dante entered.
"Good morning, sir!" all the babies chorused in unison, their voices high-pitched and full of excitement.
Dante gave them a small nod, his deep crimson eyes scanning the room before settling on Alina for the briefest second. "Good morning," he replied, his voice smooth yet authoritative.
Then he looked at the children. "Today," he said, "we will not take break here. I will be taking you all through the portal to celebrate Lucien’s birthday."
Lucien’s eyes lit up instantly, his whole face breaking into the widest smile. He sat up straighter, clutching his bag as if it were treasure.
"Yahhhhyy!!" the classroom erupted in squeals and cheers. Chairs screeched as the babies bounced in their seats. One by one, they grabbed their precious gift they had thought so hard about the night before.
Boo floated up with his paper crown nearly slipping off, hugging his little bouquet of glowing ghost-flowers. "Boo ready!!" he squealed.
Drake clutched his shiny gift box with both arms, his chubby cheeks puffed with excitement. "Let’s goooo!!"
Even Vlad Jr., usually so composed, had a faint flush of excitement as he carefully adjusted the ribbon on his neatly wrapped gift.
Alina chuckled softly, her heart melting at their joy. She clapped her hands. "Everyone, grab your bags and line up properly!"
"Bags??" Boo gasped dramatically, floating up and hugging his little flower bouquet. "Teacher, Boo already packed Boo’s entire treasure chest! Don’t tell Boo it’s not enough!!"
"Boo, that’s a flower, not a treasure chest," Vlad Jr. muttered with his usual disdain, adjusting his ribbon.
"Banana crown is treasure too!" Boo retorted proudly, pointing to the crooked paper crown on his head.
Drake bounced in place, clutching his shiny little box. "Teacher, do we get cake??? There has to be cake, right??"
"Lucien, will there be cake??" Luna growled, her eyes bright with excitement.
Lucien flushed but nodded shyly. "Yes... there’s cake."
That was all it took—Drake screamed, "CAKE!!!" and spun around with his little wings flapping, almost knocking into Rocky.
"Careful!!" Alina said quickly, steadying him. Then she smiled, shouldering her own bag. "Alright, everyone’s ready? Stay in line. We’re going together."
The babies scrambled into a wobbly line. Boo floated above them, twirling proudly like a parade leader, while Luna kept growling at Drake to stop him from drooling on her dress. Kelpie splashed little droplets everywhere in his excitement, and Rocky stumbled once because he was carrying his gift with such serious care.
Then Dante lifted his hand. A dark shimmer opened in the air, twisting and swirling into a vast black-and-red portal.
"Waaaaaahhhh!!!" the babies squealed in unison.
"It’s a giant hole!!!" Drake shouted.
"Noooo it’s a door to other world!!" Boo countered, spinning upside down.
"Scary..." Sable whispered.
"Quiet," Dante’s deep voice rumbled, and at once they all shuffled nervously.
"One by one," Alina said warmly, patting Luna’s back to calm her. "Don’t push, everyone goes inside safely."
And so they did—though not very gracefully. Boo shot through first like a comet, shrieking, "Wheeeeeeeeee!" Drake stumbled after him, yelling "WAIT FOR ME!!" Luna dashed, Vlad Jr. walked with his aristocratic air, Kelpie splashed in excitement, Rocky rolled once by accident, and Felix marched like a soldier carrying his box.
Lucien walked calmly, the only one who looked composed.
Finally, Alina followed with her bag clutched to her side. The moment her foot touched the portal, her head spun, the world tilting in dizzying colors. She gasped, her knees giving out.
But before she could fall—Dante’s strong hand caught hers.
Her heart skipped, breath stolen, as the dizziness faded and she found herself stepping out into a vast hall.
It was dark and grand, red banners flowing from the high ceiling, chandeliers glowing like bloody jewels. Black roses twined across the walls, and a long crimson carpet led toward an enormous table piled with food.
The babies—who had all ended up sprawled across the marble floor thanks to the portal’s effect—groaned, rubbing their heads.
"Ughh teacher!! The floor attacked Boo!!" Boo wailed, face squished against the ground.
"My wings... my poor wings!!" Drake moaned dramatically.
"Ridiculous..." Vlad Jr. muttered, though he too was flat on his back.
Only Lucien was standing calmly. Alina too was steady, though only because Dante’s hand was still holding hers firmly.
She blinked, looking down at their joined hands—warm, protective, steady. Her cheeks warmed as she whispered, "T-thank you, sir..."
"Hmm," Dante only gave a curt nod, releasing her hand as if nothing had happened.
Alina quickly turned away, her cheeks still warm, and went to the little ones. Most of them were scattered like fallen dolls on the polished floor, and it took all her strength not to burst into laughter at the sight.
Drake was flapping his little wings hopelessly, his tail twitching as he whined, "Teacher... the ground is mean!! It hit me first!!"