Chapter 2 Best Birthday

"Happy birthday dear Roy! Happy birthday to you!"

Roy chuckled as he heard everyone in the castle sing to him. Yes, he did mean EVERYONE. It wasn't just his siblings, Bowser, and Kamek who were singing to him, because there were servants and soldiers that had come by too. Looking upon all of them as he sat in front of his chocolate trifle (trifles were the best and Roy could not be convinced otherwise), Roy really did feel special. He felt as though he was being seen, that he was appreciated, and that everyone here loved and/or respected him.

"Okay, Roy!" Bowser said, smiling like a clown as he held a phone camera in front of his son. "Blow out your candles!"

Roy took one big inhale, and with the exhale, all seventeen candles sticking out of the trifle were extinguished. The lights came back on as everyone clapped. Roy smiled, the feelings had already been harboring in his heart continuing to grow. He looked at his cake. He looked at his family. He smiled upon seeing all of them, feeling as though everything was lining up in the best way possible.

"Thanks, guys," he said as Bowser got a big spoon out of his hammerspace and started dishing up the cake. "This day has been awesome."

Larry beamed as he went to stand beside his older brother. "Well, what did you expect? Awesome is our middle name!"

Wendy laughed. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, Larry."

Ludwig sniffed. "Would make a much better middle name than Vanessa, honestly…"

Roy chuckled as Bowser set the first serving of trifle in front of him. He took careful bites, which he would admit wasn't usually how he operated. Normally, he would be devouring this dish without using any utensils at all. But this was birthday cake! Neigh, HIS birthday cake. It wasn't every day that he got to eat HIS birthday cake. Sure, the birthday cakes his siblings weren't bad per se, but still. The fact that he was always the first person to be served when it was his birthday cake as opposed to the sixth (Bowser always went from youngest to oldest after serving the birthday boy/girl) was more than enough to make it skyrocket in terms of enjoyability.

"Mm mm MMM!" Roy licked his lips after taking the first bite of trifle. From the double chocolate chip cookies that added a crunch factor to the chocolate pudding that was just the right level of coldness, this cake couldn't be done justice with words. Anyone who didn't get a chance to eat it was sorely missing out. "This is SO much better than last year!" He turned to the chef that Bowser had hired not too long ago. "You might not have been employed very long, but already you left the best first impression."

The chef blushed while smiling. "Thank you, Master Roy. That is very sweet."

"It's very true is what it is!" Roy took another bite. "You need a raise! I don't care if Bowser isn't willing to give you one, you seriously need a raise!" He licked his lips before gesturing for the chef to step closer. "If you're willing, I can give you a few extra coins every week. I can put on a trench coat and meet you behind the castle."

The chef laughed. "Oh, that isn't necessary, Prince Roy!"

"You sure?" Roy asked with a blink. "Cause I got a trench coat as a gift this morning and I REALLY want to use it…"

"Oh no, it's perfectly fine." The chef gave him a warm look. "I don't need any extra money. The fact that I get to serve my royal family at all is enough to make me satisfied. And besides, the fact that I have lodging in the castle already takes the need for extra money away."

Roy smirked. "Wow. I can tell that you were never a CEO." The chef blinked at him, causing him to stumble over his words trying to explain. "Cause… you know, CEOs want extra money no matter what…" his face grew warm before he shook his head. "Never mind; the point is you're very nice and humble."

"Thank you, my prince." The chef was handed a bowl by Bowser, so they went back to the corner of the room. All the while, Roy just sat there feeling embarrassed. Seriously, that CEO thing had been so stupid. It made no sense whatsoever. Sure, it had in his head, but that was the thing. He should've known that it wouldn't make nearly as much sense when he said it out loud. He just turned seventeen; he had no excuse for acting this stupid.

"So, dear older brother," Iggy said, "would you qualify this birthday as a success?"

Roy stayed silent for a little bit before realizing Iggy was talking to him. "Oh!" He chuckled as his face grew warm. "Yeah! Yeah, I would say it was!" Now being able to smile genuinely as opposed to being embarrassed, he reached into his hammerspace and pulled out a plushie version of him. Grinning, he observed this mini-me made out of cotton and fabric. "You guys really outdid yourselves with the gifts this year. Isn't that right, Little Roy?" He did a squeaky voice as he pretended to be the plushie. "Oh yes! Anyone who gives me as a gift has amazing taste!"

Lemmy giggled. "Thanks, Roy! When I found out about those plushies, I knew I had to get you one!" He turned to the rest of his siblings, grinning as he did. "In fact, why stop at Roy? I want to get all of us little plushies of ourselves! That would be bound to start at least a few conversations, am I right?"

Morton smirked. "It would be pretty funny. I think a mini-Morton would look pretty weird in my room though."

"Not much weirder than how regular Morton looks in his room," Iggy said. He turned back to Roy. "Still, I am BEYOND happy for you, Roy." His eyes glittered. "Especially since… this is your last birthday before you become an adult!"

"Oh God, you had to remind me of that, didn't you?" Roy shook his head before putting on a cheeky expression. "Let me enjoy my childhood while I still can, Iggy. Everyone knows that what happens after that stinks!"

"Oh come on!" Iggy exclaimed. "That's more than a little pessimistic, don't you think? Adulthood is a very pleasant experience!"

"Easy for you to say," Ludwig said. "YOU still have TWO years until you become an adult."

Iggy waved his hands. "Technicalities, technicalities." He went back to eating his trifle.

Roy chortled, starting to reflect on his day as he resumed eating his trifle. Yeah, today had been a good day. It hadn't been perfect, but when was a day ever perfect? This was definitely a good day; an S tier day. He didn't even know how it could get any better.

"Master Roy?"

Roy blinked and looked up at one of the koopa troopa guards. "Hey, Georgie." He smiled. "Want some cake? We've got plenty."

"Oh, I would love some, Your Highness, but I actually came here to tell you that you have a visitor." Roy blinked and shifted positions in his chair. "A young woman named Celia Patch is currently outside the castle."

Roy gasped. "Oh… my God." He pushed his chair back, still staring at Georgie with a stunned expression. "You… are you serious?" When Georgie nodded, Roy smiled and put his hand on his heart. "I haven't seen her in forever."

"Whatcha two talking about, Roy Boy?" Larry asked, stepping away from talking to Shelldon and Tortuga.

Roy looked over at him. "Celia's outside the castle!"

"Celia?" Larry looked confused. "Celia… where have I heard that name before…" he gasped. "Wait." He lifted his head. "Is she that crazy human koopa hybrid that thought Bowser was her father?"

"She's not crazy!" Roy said, giving Larry a glare. "She is actually a very well-put-together young woman." Larry laughed, causing Roy's face to grow warm. "She is!"

"Oh, I believe you." Larry smirked. "I mean… holding onto a lie your mother told you into your adulthood is what ALL well-put-together people do, right?"

Roy opened his mouth to scold Larry before stopping himself and sighing. "You know what? I don't want to argue with you, today." He turned back to Georgie. "Can I see Celia?"

"Of course, Master Roy!"

Roy smiled. He got up from the table and followed Georgie toward the front door. As he walked, he thought about how incredible this was. Celia was here! On his birthday, no less! When they parted ways, he had legitimately hoped that things would go well for her. Helping her out when it came to finding her father as well as seeing what she had been doing through a memory sphere… yeah, she had been a blip on Roy's radar ever since. Sure, he didn't think about her every second of every day, but… he had always hoped that she would have a good life. And hey, maybe talking with her today would be the perfect way to find out if she did!

Eventually, he and Georgie got to the front entrance. The second the door was opened Roy felt his heart melt. There she was. Her fiery hair, with red, orange, and yellow in it, was as stunning as ever. Her ruby-red eyes filled Roy with excitement. And… did she grow an inch since they had last talked? That would make sense, considering it's been over a year since they officially interacted. Honestly, that year had been really kind to her. Roy was back on that journey to the forest of illusion, back with her as they tried to do the impossible.

"Hey, Celia." Honestly, Roy was impressed that he was able to sound so smooth. He stepped forward, reaching out his arms as if to hug his friend. He stopped himself though, second-guessing himself and realizing that might not be the best move. "Uh… um… it's been so long since we…"

Before he could say anymore, Celia reached forward and pulled him into a hug. All at once feeling relief overcome him, Roy smiled. He hugged Celia back, his heart welling with a warm and fuzzy feeling. He closed his eyes, drinking in the warmth of this experience.

Eventually, Celia let go and looked Roy right in the eye. "Hey, Roy. How have you been?"

"I've been great!" Roy beamed. "I don't know if you know, but today's actually my birthday."

Celia gasped. "Wait, really?" When Roy nodded, her face lit up. "Oh, awesome! Happy birthday, Roy!"

"Thanks." Roy laughed. "It's been a pretty good day so far."

"That's great to hear!" Celia curled a lock of hair over her ear. "I'm glad I got to see you, if that's the case." She paused as her face fell. "I… I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to get in touch sooner. Life has been crazy, with everything happening and stuff…"

"That's perfectly fine." Roy stepped forward. "You getting along with Singe?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I am." Celia chuckled. "And my Mom is too. They're back together, and… they're actually getting married in three months."

Roy's eyes grew wide. "Woah, really?" He had known about Ruby and Singe getting back together, but hadn't been expecting them to be getting married. "That's awesome!"

"Yeah, it is." Celia reached into the pocket of her red hoodie (huh, was that new?). Out of it she pulled a letter. "In fact…" She handed the letter to the Koopaling. "I came here to give you this."

Blinking, Roy took the envelope. Ripping it open, he was surprised to see a piece of fancy-looking paper. It had a lavender border, and the handwriting was so loopy that it was hard to read. Despite that, Roy was going to do his best. "You are officially invited to the wedding of Ruby Patch and Singe Marksmite…" Roy gasped. He looked up at Celia with a dropped jaw. "You… you serious?"

"Yeah." Celia stuffed her hands in her pockets. "I mean… you are the reason why my parents are back together at all. I figured that you at least deserved the option of attending the wedding."

Roy looked down at the invitation. "That's so sweet, Celia!" He looked back at her. "You can bet your butt that I'm gonna attend the wedding!" He gasped. "Ooh, can my siblings come too?"

Celia did a double-take before smiling. "Sure! That would work out well, actually; that would mean that we'd have seven guests as opposed to… none." Celia chuckled, the sound twinged with nervousness.

That sound made Roy's stomach churn. "I.. I see." He put the invitation in his hammerspace before putting his smile back on. "Thank you, Celia. I would be more than honored to attend the wedding."

"Thanks," Celia said, her golden face turning vermillion.

Roy beamed. "Well… I should probably get back to the party. I'll see you later!" He turned back around, reveling at how amazing this whole thing was. Ruby and Singe were getting married, and he was going to watch! He had never been invited to a wedding before! Attending one with his siblings would probably be great! This whole thing was…

"Roy, wait!" Blinking, Roy turned back around, seeing Celia hesitating when he did. "Uh… would you like to meet up some time?" She twiddled her thumbs. "I just want the chance to catch up with you. It doesn't have to be today, but… I was wondering if you'd like to go to a restaurant with me or something?"

Roy considered this before grinning. "I think I can do you one better." He reached out and grabbed her hand, much to her surprise. "I'm going to go to a restaurant with you, let you stay for the rest of my party, AND I'm gonna give you a chance to stay overnight in a really nice bedroom!" He laughed as he tugged her forward. "Come on!"