Chapter 186: Chapter 186 Lucien birthday (2)
Boo had somehow managed to land upside down, his legs sticking straight into the air as he groaned, "Boooo is dying!! The evil floor defeated Boo!!" He spun slowly before flipping upright again with a dramatic sigh.
Kelpie was still dripping water in nervous splashes, mumbling, "I think the floor ate me for a second..." while Rocky sat frozen like an actual rock, trying to pretend nothing happened.
Meanwhile, Vlad Jr. straightened his crumpled collar with as much dignity as possible and declared, "How disgraceful... I do not fall. I... was only testing the marble."
Alina knelt down, helping Sable up. "There, sweetheart," she said softly, brushing his hair from his eyes. Then she gave a quick smile to Felix, who was sitting cross-legged, clutching his gift box protectively as though the floor might steal it.
"Alright, everyone up now!" Alina clapped her hands, her lips twitching from holding back laughter. "The floor didn’t defeat anyone—you just need to get used to portals."
"Teacher, then why did you not fall??" Luna asked suspiciously, still dusting herself off.
Alina froze for half a second before chuckling awkwardly. "Because... teacher has more practice walking straight," she teased, though her gaze flickered toward Dante for a moment.
The babies all grumbled in disbelief, but with Alina guiding them one by one, they finally stood properly, their little faces red but full of excitement as they looked around the grand, decorated hall.
The grand hall was decorated luxuriously and a feast table that looked endless, filled with shiny fruits, sparkling juices, and cakes so tall the babies had to tilt their heads all the way back to see the top.
"Woooooaaahhh!!" Drake’s jaw dropped, his little wings twitching in pure excitement. "Teacher!! Teacher!! Are we... in a royal castle??" He tugged on her skirt like she might pinch him awake any moment.
"Of course we are!!" Boo declared, floating high above them with his chest puffed. He raised his hands like an announcer. "Welcome, peasants, to Boo’s new palace!!!"
"Nooo, Boo!!" Luna barked in her wolf form, glaring. "This isn’t yours!! This is Lucien’s castle!!" She then puffed up her cheeks proudly, as if she were the official protector of truth.
Sable tugged on Vlad Jr.’s sleeve nervously, whispering, "It’s too big... What if I get lost?"
Vlad Jr. Smiled, adjusting his tiny collar dramatically. "Hmph. A true vampire prince never gets lost. Stay close to me, and you’ll be fine." His voice was steady, but his wide eyes gave away that he was just as overwhelmed as the rest.
Felix, meanwhile, stood very still, clutching his gift box. "...If my mom was here, she’d probably try to steal that chandelier," he muttered seriously, making Alina choke on her laugh.
Rocky rolled toward the feast table, transforming halfway into his stone form just to sniff the mountain of cakes. "Teacher... is this all... for Lucien??"
Alina bent down and smiled at them, her eyes soft. "Yes, sweetheart. It’s all for Lucien. Today is his special day."
Lucien, who had been quiet all this time, finally looked up at her, his crimson eyes glinting. For once, he wasn’t quite and shy. He gave a small, proud smile as if he wanted to say—this is my world, and I’m happy you’re here to see it.
Dante, watching silently from the side, caught that moment. His gaze flickered between Lucien’s shining eyes and Alina’s gentle smile, something unreadable settling in his chest.
Dante’s deep voice rolled through the hall like thunder, steady and commanding, yet oddly gentle. "There is a feast prepared... music... and even play rooms ready for you all."
The babies froze for a heartbeat, then their excitement exploded like fireworks.
"Yaaayyyyy!!!!" Drake’s voice rose above the chaos, his hair bouncing as he flapped his tiny wings so hard he almost crashed into Vlad Jr. "Let’s celebrate Lucien’s birthday first!!! Then we alllll eat cake, then we play play play~~!" His round cheeks glowed with joy, and his plan was met with enthusiastic squeals.
"Yes!!! Cake first!!!" Boo shouted, spinning in dizzying circles. "Boo is hungry for sugar!! Boo will eat cake with both hands!!"
"No!!" Vlad Jr. immediately snapped, his sharp little fangs flashing as he crossed his arms. "There’s a proper order—first the birthday song, then the presents, then the cake. Do you barbarians have no class?" He sniffed dramatically, though his ears had gone a little red.
"Song??" Luna eyes lit up. "Luna sings howlllll style!! My daddy says it’s very powerful!!"
"Please don’t howl near the cake..." Felix muttered, clutching his gift box tighter. His serious little face made Alina bite back a laugh.
"I... I can’t wait to show my gift," Sable whispered to Rocky.
Rocky nodded solemnly and patted his stone box of pebbles. "Lucien will like mine too... because rocks are forever."
Alina clapped her hands gently to calm their rising squeals. "Alright, alright, my little stars! Drake’s plan sounds good, but let’s remember—this is Lucien’s day. He will decide the order, okay?"
Everyone turned to look at Lucien, who stood quietly beside Dante, his crimson eyes flickering nervously but also shining with pride. For a moment, his lips curved into the tiniest smile as he whispered, "...Cake."
The entire class exploded.
"CAKEEEE!!!" they all screamed in unison, even Vlad Jr., who betrayed himself with a guilty little grin.
Alina laughed softly, her heart melting at their joy.
Everyone gathered near the table, their little faces glowing with excitement. Each baby had been given a tiny birthday cap—Boo’s kept slipping down over his eyes so he pushed it up dramatically every two seconds, while Luna tugged on Lucien’s shiny colorful cape proudly, as if she was the one who put it on him. Vlad Jr. stood very straight, as if this was some royal ceremony, while Drake was already bouncing on his toes, waiting for cake time.
In the middle of the table sat the cake on a small stool, perfectly their level. The round cake was frosted in white cream with chocolate swirls and tiny sugar stars that sparkled in the light. Lucien stood in front of it, looking both serious and excited, his crimson eyes bright.
"Happy birthday Lucien!!" all the babies sang together at the top of their lungs.