NOVEL NEXT Chapter 505: 'Cakes & Pastries.'
"Prince Florian, happy birthday!"
The cheerful voices rang across the royal gardens, carried on the soft breeze that rustled through hedges of roses and the faint spray of the fountains.
After a morning of rest and relaxation—courtesy of Drizelous and Cashew—Drizelous had slipped away to check on Heinz's outfit for the ball.
Cashew, meanwhile, had eagerly guided Florian to the gardens where he usually took tea with Athena and Scarlett.
The moment they stepped into the clearing, Florian saw them: Athena, serene with her long brown hair tied neatly back, her gown soft, and beside her Scarlett, radiant in a swirl of red curls, practically glowing with excitement.
Their smiles widened at once when they spotted him.
"They also wanted to give you a gift, Your Highness. I'll be leaving you with them," Cashew said dutifully, carefully lifting Azure from his arms and settling the little dragon onto Florian's shoulders.
Azure, scales gleaming like polished sapphire, stretched his wings before curling comfortably against Florian's neck. "I still need to do a final check for the ball and prepare with the maids."
'He's really matured these past few days.' Florian thought, warmth tugging at his chest as he rested a hand gently on Cashew's head.
"You're working hard," Florian told him, his tone soft but approving.
Cashew's smile brightened. "His Majesty said I've done a great job taking care of you—and helping the maids too. I'm glad I can keep being useful."
'I'm surprised Heinz entrusted him with such a role… but I'm relieved Cashew is flourishing.'
"I'll see you later then," Florian said with a smile.
"See you later, Your Highness." Cashew bowed once more before retreating, leaving Florian with Azure.
The dragon tilted his head, emerald eyes glinting mischievously.
"Grraah?" Azure chirped, his voice a cross between a trill and a growl.
Florian chuckled, brushing a finger under Azure's chin. "Let's go have some tea?"
The dragon gave a quick flap of his wings in approval, sending a playful breeze against Florian's hair, before perching neatly on his shoulder again.
Together, they crossed the garden's stone path. Ahead, Athena raised a hand in greeting, her calm smile radiant under the golden light, while Scarlett nearly bounced on her heels, her fiery curls dancing around her face as she waved both hands enthusiastically.
"Prince Florian!" Scarlett called, voice bubbling with joy.
"Happy birthday, Prince Florian," Athena said warmly, her tone more composed, though her eyes were just as bright.
Florian's heart swelled at the sight. His own smile stretched wider, lighter than it had all morning.
"Oh, and Azure!" Athena gasped suddenly, clasping her hands. "It's been so long since we've seen him with you!"
Azure stretched his wings wide in response, giving a low, proud rumble as if announcing his presence. The sunlight shimmered across his small, blue scales, and Scarlett laughed with delight.
"I'm quite surprised to be seeing you both as well," Florian admitted, a small smile tugging at his lips as he glanced between the two princesses. "I assumed you would spend the whole day preparing, especially since you'll also be seeing your families."
Scarlett gave a playful huff, crossing her arms over her chest, her fiery curls bouncing with the motion.
"Well, we still have hours before we need to get ready. But since it's your birthday, we were very sure we wouldn't see much of you once the ball starts."
Athena nodded in agreement, her brown hair slipping gently over her shoulder as she spoke with her usual soft composure. "We really wanted to do something for you before the evening."
Florian's smile warmed further. "You both really didn't have to. You've already helped me so much with planning the ball—most of the credit belongs to the two of you."
As he stepped closer to their usual tea table, his words trailed off, his eyes widening.
"Oh."
Spread across the table were plates of cookies, small cakes, and pastries. But there was… something unusual about them.
Some cookies were unevenly shaped, the cakes slightly lopsided, and a few pastries bore a suspiciously darker crust—as though they'd lost a battle with the oven.
Scarlett appeared behind him, puffing her chest out proudly.
"Ta-da! Athena and I, with the permission of His Majesty and the royal chef, decided to try out the kitchen ourselves and bake your favorite desserts!"
Athena's cheeks colored faintly, her gaze dropping as she confessed in a soft murmur, "Though… we might have burnt a few."
Azure, perched comfortably on Florian's shoulder, gave a low kraa and promptly buried his head into Florian's hair. Florian bit back a laugh.
'Yes… they look terrifying. But—'
"This is… amazing," Florian said instead, stepping closer to the table. He leaned down, inspecting the treats more carefully.
The cookies might have been misshapen, but he caught the sweet scent of butter and honey.
The cakes might have been uneven, but he could smell chocolate and fruit beneath the faint char.
'They look strange, but they smell good at least.'
When he turned back, the sight that greeted him made him pause. Both Athena and Scarlett were watching him expectantly, their smiles tinged with nerves.
Their gowns were dusted lightly with flour, Scarlett's bright curls flecked with powdered sugar, and Athena still had a faint streak of dough near her wrist.
Even the faint smell of butter and vanilla clung to them like perfume.
"You two…" Florian said softly, his chest tightening at the effort they must have gone through. The sight of them dusted with flour, standing so expectantly before him, stirred something warm and unshakable inside.
"Yes?" Athena asked, tilting her head slightly, her brown hair catching the sunlight as it slipped forward over her shoulder.
"Mhm?" Scarlett hummed, trying to act casual, though her bright red curls practically bounced with how restless she was. Her foot tapped against the grass as if she couldn't stand the suspense of his reaction.
Florian exhaled a breath that came out more like a laugh, shaking his head lightly. The fond smile tugging harder at his lips betrayed him as he stepped forward. In one smooth motion, he opened his arms and drew them both into a firm embrace, catching them off guard.
For a brief moment, neither girl moved, stunned by the sudden closeness. Then, Florian chuckled low in his chest, deliberately tightening his hold on them.
"Are you both trying to poison me?" he asked, teasingly, his voice warm with laughter.
Scarlett gasped at the accusation, then burst into laughter herself. "What?! Never!" she protested, her voice almost squeaking from surprise.
"Never," Athena echoed at the same time, but her tone was calmer, more gentle—though her arms betrayed her composure as they slipped around his shoulders, clinging with quiet sincerity.