"King Ivan! Are you awake?"
"Hmmmmmm... Am I?"
"Uh, you sound awake."
"Whooooo is this?"
"T-Toris! You know... One of your butlers?"
"Oh! Toris! Yes... Aha... Don't worry. I am totally awake and will not fall asleep again in 5 seconds!"
"Good, because it's your- ... K-KING IVAN!"
"No need to yell, I said I wouldn't fall asleep again!"
"You just did. You started snoring."
"Don't mind that... What is it?"
"Your sister Natalya... It's her 19th birthday. You need to get ready for her party, it starts at 2."
"Oh, right! I'll get dressed right away!"
Ivan jumps out of bed and tosses off his PJs, they land on a chair near a desk. He opens up his wardrobe and pulls out a red and white outfit.
There's white pants with golden-brown lines to the sides of the leg that go down to the bottom of the pants. Matching boots cover up the fact that the pants are a little bit short. The shirt gets tucked into the pants, and is buttoned up by heart-shaped buttons tilted to the side. Thankfully, these manage to match with his scarf. But that's not enough. It's a plain red coat that doesn't button up and reaches down to the knees. To top it off, he puts a small crown on his head; the crown is in the style of a red dome being pinned down by gold bars. You know the ones...
"Ah, I say I look good! I wonder if Toris thinks to too." Ivan opens his door, Toris is still standing outside.
"What you think? Good, da?"
"O-of course! Every time you wear that you look lovely!" Toris compliments with a weak smile.
"Mmmm, glad you think so! Does anything else need to be done before we open up the gates for the guests?" Ivan asks.
"Oh, not much. Dinner tables just need to be set." Toris explains.
"Is that all? How can I help?" Ivan asks.
"E-eh? You want to... Help? Are you sure? You are king after a-" Toris is cut off.
"It's fine. I like helping! Lead the way!" Ivan insists.
"O-of course sire." Toris says, ready to walk off.
"Ivan... How many times have I said to call me Ivan?" Ivan slightly sighs, following Toris.
"Princess Irunya! Are you up yet?"
"I'm very much awake, thank you Eduard!"
"Breakfast is ready when you're ready to come out."
"Thank you. I'd expect as much, considering it's 10am."
"Yes... I'm surprised you three didn't get up on your own this morning actually."
"Really? All three of us? Aha! I'll be out in a sec!"
"Are you dressed though? I don't recommend lazily going out to get breakfast in your Pyjamas today..."
"I'm in my casual wear, yes."
"But, milady... You're supposed to be in formal attire today."
"... OH! Yes yes, now I remember! No need to tell me why. I'll change right away. Don't move!"
Irunya walks into her closet, and pulls out a creamy white dress that goes down to her ankles and has two red stripes that go around the brim of the dress. Around the waist is where a big, black ribbon must be tied up. The dress makes it so cleavage isn't revealed, instead around the neck is some frilly red material. The sleeves are short and puffy and have a similar red frilly material around the edges. For shoe wear, she wears read heels. Accessories include a red head band and a necklace made of thick red string and it holds a ruby.
"I'm ready now!" Irunya opens the door and walks out of her bedroom.
"You look beautiful milady!" Eduard compliments with a smile.
"It has been a while since I've pulled out this dress... Glad it still looks good on me!" Irunya replies with a smile.
"Aha, just about everything looks good on you!" Eduard compliments.
"You are too kind Eduard. Now, what are we having for breakfast?" Irunya asks, beginning to walk down the hallway.
"Oh, nothing too special today, just some eggs and toast. All the good stuff if being saved for the party." Eduard answers.
"Of course." Irunya giggles. "Care to eat with me?"
"U-uh... Sure! I'd be honoured milady!" Eduard gratefully accepts.
"Just Irunya is fine." Irunya comments.
"Princess Natalya! Happy birthday!"
"... Thanks. Who's there?"
"Y-your butler... Raivis."
"Oh."
"Are you dressed for today Princess?"
"... I guess I have to get dressed, don't I?"
"O-of course! It's not really your birthday party with you, is it?"
"I supposed you're right... I'll be out in a second. Wait there for me."
Natalya gets up and grabs her dress that was hanging on the doorknob of the closet. The dress is the iconic purple one that is complimented with a white waist apron, striped ribbon for the waist and black bow on the chest. A white shirt goes underneath the dress. The footwear are some black Mary Janes that go along with some black-grey stockings. A white ribbon also goes on her head.
"This was my birthday present from big brother last year... I love this dress, I wish I could wear it more often." Natalya compliments the dress before walking out of the room.
"Ah! You look really pretty!" Raivis compliments.
"My brother does have surprisingly good fashion sense after all..." Natalya lets out a smile.
"You're twice as pretty when you smile Natalya!" Raivis further compliments.
"You think so? Hm... I'll try doing that more." Natalya says.
"Why not keep a smile on all day today? It's your birthday after all!" Raivis suggests.
"I'll make an attempt... I promise." Natalya says.
"Good! Anyway, you ready for breakfast?" Raivis asks.
"I suppose I am. Let's go." Natalya begins walking, Raivis follows.
"Big brother! Looking handsome as ever!" Natalya compliments, sparkles in her eyes.
"Hahaha! Thank you Natalya. A king should look his best on his little sister's birthday after all. Now It's time to open up the gates!" Ivan then signals the guards and the gate slowly swings open, people begin rushing in.
"Happy Birthday Princess!"
"You all look lovely today!"
"Where do I put the present?"
Irunya smiles. "Everyone looks happy to be here! I hope we did a good job!"
"I hope they like how the tables were set out!" Ivan adds.
A guilty looking and now older Gilbert dressed in a fancy purple jacket with a plain white shirt underneath with black pants being followed by a slightly taller blonde man in a similar attire - with the difference being that the white shirt and purple jacket have swapped colours - walk up to the trio. Gilbert is holding two presents.
"Go on, give it to them." Urges the blonde one.
Gilbert holds out the presents. One for Natalya and the other for Ivan.
"Oh, what's this?" Ivan asks, happily accepting the present.
"I... I've meant to say sorry for a while for all those times I hurt you, Ivan. I was a foolish child that picked on people that had it better than me." Gilbert admits.
Ivan pulls Gilbert in and gives him a good, strong hug.
"Ludwig, help." Gilbert begs, looking back at the blonde man.
"Hugs are tighter than you were expecting, huh bro?" Ludwig chuckles.
Eventually, Ivan lets go of Gilbert. "Enjoy the party my new friends. Save your appetites for dinner though, okay?" Ivan suggests.
"W-will do, your majesty!" Ludwig says.
"Call me Ivan, just Ivan." Ivan urges before the two walk off.
Quickly after, A short man that looks around the age of 40, dressed in a fancy red coat with sleeves too long for him with a black shirt and black pants underneath and brown hair styled in a ponytail walks up to Ivan and his sisters.
"Happy birthday Princess Natalya!" He greets.
A slightly shorter man in his mid 20's dressed in a similar attire - with red being replaced by white - and short black hair holds out a gift and bows. "We hope you like it."
"I made it!" A somewhat taller man yet looking younger says, he's wearing a white coat in similar fashion to the other men and his hair colour is a mesh of theirs. His forehead is clearly visible since his hair looks pushed to the sides, and he also has a funny looking girl."
"No you didn't Im!" A now shorter man exclaims from behind all three of them. His hair is a dark brown and is short and looks nicely brushed and smooth. His jacket is a darker red when compared to the other red.
"Ah! There you boys are. You almost lost me!" A short girl with long brown hair in a jacket like theirs and pink in colour - accompanied by a black shirt and black skirt instead of pants - runs up to them.
"So you managed to bring the entire family this time, did you Yao?" Ivan rhetorically asks.
"Haha yep! You should have seen how hard it was to get this one into his outfit." Yao says, pointing to Im.
"Now... Let's see if I remember your names... There's Kiku, as previously stated Im, Li and Lin. Am I correct?"
"Yes. All the names are correct." Kiku says.
"Ah, you can pronounce L's at last!" Irunya happily claps.
"Y-yes... Took me a while." Kiku blushes a little bit.
"Well, you can all go off and enjoy the party now! And your matching outfits are adorable!" Irunya compliments before allowing them to walk off.
Just one more guest decides to greet the three face-to-face. A man in an elegant green jacket that's simply thrown over his shoulders and buttoned around his neck. There's a plain white shirt and green pants that match... Stuffed into some brown boots. His blonde hair is shoulder-length and can likely be mistaken for a girl from behind.
"Happy birthday Princess." He says, before glaring at Ivan. "You're taking good care of Toris aren't you? Are his wounds healing? When is he allowed to come home?!"
"Slow down Feliks. He's fine..." Ivan responds with a smile. "Those injuries of his are getting a lot better after years of treatment, but I don't think the marks will ever go away, much like mine." He gently taps his scarf.
"Ah, right... Can I see him?" Feliks asks.
"Sure!" Ivan clears his throat. "TORIS!"
Toris comes running, he's in the same outfit he was in earlier - a fancy black and white butler outfit with white gloves and black shoes. "You called?"
Ivan simple points at Feliks.
"Feliks!" Toris runs toward him and gives him a kiss on the cheek and a hug.
"You're making me feel so lonely by myself at home... Can't you move back in?" Feliks whines.
"Don't worry, I promise I'll stop by more often during my breaks. Aš tave myliu!" Toris replies.
Ivan smiles. "Toris. You can have a break until 4."
"R-really?!" Toris says in disbelief.
"I think Feliks wants to spend some time with you. Just make sure you're in that uniform when it's time to get back on duty, da?" Ivan adds.
"T-Thank you Ivan!" Toris thanks. The pair then happily walk off together.
"Mmm... Can't wait for the day where I can love someone like that..." Ivan happily comments.
Natalya looks up at him. "How about me?"
Ivan chuckles. "Silly sister for suggesting such things."
Natalya folds her arm and doesn't respond, looking a little bit upset.
The time is now 7pm at night. Ivan repeatedly taps on a glass cup with a spoon until everyone is paying attention and is silent.
"Now, as you all know it is my sister's 19th birthday today!" Ivan starts off.
Everyone claps and cheers before Ivan continues speaking.
"Now, turning 19 is a big thing! You've almost shaken off all that teen angst - as everyone is calling it - and you're just about an adult!" Ivan then lets Irunya start speaking.
"Yes. She's no longer a little girl, but a woman!" Irunya says.
Natalya says nothing... At the moment.
After the short speech that was a combine effort of Ivan and Irunya, they pass the speech over to Natalya.
"Yeah I have something to say about your little speech... It sucked and it's full of lies."
Everyone gasps, shocked. Especially her siblings.
"To both of you, I haven't grown up! You both think I'm silly when I express my love to either of you and treat me as if I'm still a child learning about the world! I know more about this kingdom than the both you!" She lashes out, stomping her foot down and causing a small patch of the floor to be coated with a thin layer of ice. The more she talks, the angrier she gets. "Am I a child or woman? I can't be both!" The room temperature drops, some start to shiver. "AND DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I HAVE GONE WITHOUT HEARING 'I LOVE YOU NATALYA'? TEN YEARS!" The ice from the patch begins to spread. "AND UNTIL YOU'RE READY TO SAY THAT, DON'T BOTHER COMING TO RETRIEVE ME FROM MY ROOM!"
She sharply turns around, two ice beams are fired at her siblings with the flick of her arm. Irunya gets trapped in a block of ice but Ivan is unaffected. Stalagmites rise from the ground, splitting the crowd into groups. The crowd lets out screams of terror and Natalya turns around to see what she's done. It doesn't help that the stalagmites are making their way outside into the courtyard where more people are, and beyond that the town. Natalya runs after her mess in an attempt to stop it, with Ivan following, obviously out of concern.
Natalya forms a thick icicle in her hands to see if using it to break the stalagmites will get them to stop forming, but it just makes it worse. People back away from her in fear.
"SISTER!" Ivan calls out.
Natalya runs away from the sound of her brother's voice. Out of the courtyard, through the town and to the docks. The water looks untouched. She quickly looks back, Ivan is getting closer. She decides to run forward. As she touches the surface of the water, it begins freezing over, and eventually she's made her way into the forest. The forest starts getting frosty too, with rocks, grass and twigs freezing instantly.
Ivan stops before the frozen water, watching his sister run off into the distance. He looks up.
"Snow..." He comments. "She's the one that brought back winter all those years ago..." He realises, dusting some snowflakes off his sleeve. "If she can make it go away every spring, she can do it now too... It's the middle of summer." He runs back to the castle, most people are shaken with fear.
"What WAS that?" Toris asks as Ivan returns.
"That was Natalya..." Ivan answers. "And I'm gonna have to bring her back home."
