Knock. Knock.
Another soft rap echoed through the door of Astra's room, a gentle intrusion into the moonlit silence.
Inside, Astra stirred, a soft groan escaping her lips as she was dragged from the depths of sleep.
The events of the evening—the journey to the familiar realm, the binding contract, and the subsequent exhaustion—still clung to her like a heavy cloak.
Astra: "Who…?"
Astra mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
Cassia's voice comes from the other side of the door.
Cassia: "Your Highness, it's us. We have something important to tell you. Could you please open the door?"
Astra's brow furrowed slightly. Important? At this hour? Still feeling sluggish and disoriented, she slowly pushed herself up from the bed.
The small, warm weight nestled beside her shifted, a soft purr rumbling in response to her movement.
She glanced down at the black cat, still deeply asleep, before her feet found the cool floor.
Dragging her feet slightly, Astra made her way to the door and unlatched it. As the doorknob swung inward, a chorus of voices erupted, bright and cheerful, cutting through the lingering remnants of her sleep.
"Happy birthday, Your Highness!"
Astra's eyes widened in surprise. Her sleep completely vanished, replaced by a sudden jolt of realization.
Today… today was her birthday.
A fact that had completely slipped her mind amidst the whirlwind of recent events.
Astra stared at the smiling faces before her, the cake, the unspoken joy that radiated from them.
They had been busy this evening, quietly preparing this surprise while she was lost in the ritual of summoning her familiar.
Lily, ever the most perceptive and cheerful of the group, noticed Astra's momentarily frozen expression. A playful smile danced on her lips.
Lily: "Did you forget your own birthday, Your Highness? Just like you forget everyone's names sometimes?"
Lily teased gently.
Cassia stepped forward, her gaze warm and reassuring.
Cassia: "Don't worry, Your Highness. We're here to remember it for you."
The others echoed her sentiment with nods and murmurs of agreement.
Seeing their enthusiasm, a soft chuckle escaped Astra's lips.
Astra: "Come in."
Astra said, stepping aside to allow them entry.
They filed into her room, the atmosphere instantly becoming warmer and more lively. Cassia carefully placed the cake on the small table beside the couch.
Lora's eyes sparkling with anticipation as she says,
Lora: "Come on, Your Highness, blow out the candles!"
Ella: "Melinda took a long time to make this cake. It's her special recipe!"
There was a hint of pride in her voice.
Astra glances at the cake, a genuine note of appreciation in her voice.
Astra: "Really? Thank you, Malinna."
A small giggle escapes Lily but was quickly suppressed.
Melinda didn't think much about the mispronunciation of her name; she just offered a polite smile at Astra.
Melinda: "It was my pleasure, Your Highness."
As Astra leaned forward to blow out the flickering flames, Lily stopped her.
Lily: "Wait, Your Highness! You have to make a wish first!"
They in unison: "That's right!"
Astra regards them with a touch of her usual languor.
Astra: "What's the need for a wish?"
Cassia places a hand on Astra's arm, her expression earnest.
Cassia: "There is! If you don't know what to wish for, then just wish for a new start for the new year."
Lily's eyes widened with childlike enthusiasm.
Lily: "Since you're still a child, you have so many wishes to make! Like growing up healthily, or…"
Ella: "Or you can wish for a big birthday party on your next birthday!"
Lora: "Or you can wish for…"
Astra holds up a hand to pause them, a small smile curving on her lips.
Astra: "Okay, okay, I'll just make a wish."
Astra closed her eyes, a fleeting thought crossing her mind.
Astra (Thoughts): "Just make my guardians a bit more mature. Otherwise, I'm going to have to become their guardian."
With that silent plea sent into the universe, she opened her eyes and blew out the candles.
A small puff of air extinguished the flames, and the room erupted in applause and a slightly off-key rendition of 'Happy Birthday To You.'
Astra cut the cake, and one by one, they all fed her a piece, their faces filled with genuine affection.
It was a simple gesture, yet it warmed her in a way she hadn't expected. After everyone had their share, Astra carefully cut another slice and placed it on a small plate.
Seeing that, Cassia's brow furrowed in gentle curiosity.
Cassia: "Who is that for, Your Highness?"
Astra: "It's for my guardian No. Zero"
They in unison: "Guardian No. Zero???"
A hint of amusement crosses Astra's eyes at their bewilderment.
Astra: "That's right. To put it simply: Cass's first – or guardian number one – then Gerald's second, Lily is third, 'Sora' is fourth, 'Melissa' is fifth, Claire is sixth, and Ella is seventh of my guardians. There. All in order."
A slight slip of the tongue betraying her usual struggle with names as she says.
Astra moved towards her bed, where the black cat still lay curled in peaceful slumber.
Carefully placing the plate of cake on the bedside table, she gently scooped up the sleeping cat in her arms and turned back to face her bewildered guardians.
Astra: "Everyone, meet my little familiar."
Astra announced, a soft smile gracing her lips, "Also my guardian number zero. "
The cat, disturbed by the movement and the sudden influx of voices, slowly blinked open its eyes. And instead of the blood-red Astra remembered, they were a striking, luminous blue.
Everyone: (a collective gasp)
Cassia: "Your Highness… you formed a contract with a familiar? When?"
Cassia's voice was filled with a mixture of surprise and awe.
Astra: "This evening."
Ella: "So... that's why you forbade anyone from disturbing you today!"
Astra: "Yes."
Lily's attention completely captivated by the creature in Astra's arms, she reaches out a tentative hand. She breathed, her gaze fixed on the cat's mesmerizing blue eyes.
Lily: "It's so cute, and its blue eyes… are so beautiful."