Elias wrapped a warm arm securely around my waist, guiding me forward into the glowing courtyard as the gentle warmth of the floating lanterns bathed the tear-stained cobblestones.
Maribel and Liora broke away from the crowd first, practically sprinting across the garden to throw their arms around me in a tight, breathless group hug. "Happy birthday, Seraphina!" they cheered in unison, their faces glowing with sheer delight.
A wet chuckle escaped my throat as I pulled back, wiping my damp cheeks with the back of my hand. "So that is why all of you were acting so utterly bizarre today," I murmured, a soft smile breaking across my face as the pieces finally clicked together. "The secretive glances, the tense whispering, the awkward excuses... I genuinely thought the entire palace was on the brink of an imminent revolt!"
Maribel giggled mischievously, nudging my shoulder while Liora beamed, both of them delighted that their elaborate scheme had succeeded so spectacularly.
