CHAPTER 19: A CROWN FOR A PRINCE

Everyone thought they had enough shocks for the day when the guests began to give rather normal gifts, but all eyes turned towards the stairs when the Elves climbed up.

Aegon gave a side glance to Xiu, who had pocketed all the gifts, and asked, "I don’t understand what they are, so will you explain to me? I do feel like they’re rather precious."

"They are precious," Xiu nodded. "Just remember the faces of everyone here. Whenever you have a problem in the future, you can go to any of them, and they’ll help you out."

Aegon hummed, though he didn’t take her words too seriously. He had read enough literature to know about humans’ vile nature, so he wouldn’t trust them too much.

Or at least that’s what his inner reader told him.

"Baby El, why don’t you give the gift to Aegon?"

They heard the pleasant voice of Aurelia and turned towards the Elf family. They wished him again, and then all eyes turned towards the little girl standing between Theon and Aurelia.

Elara looked up at Aegon and said, "Get down!"

"That’s not how you give gifts," Aurelia scolded her daughter while Xiu snickered on the side.

"Xiu, let me down. I can walk!" Aegon said.

Xiu was reluctant, but as always, she gave in to his cute puppy eyes. She scolded herself mentally for being so weak against his cuteness.

’Still, I wanna squish those cheeks. He looks extra cute today!’

Aegon straightened up after fixing his clothes properly and looked up at Elara. She was already taller than most girls of her age, and now that she stood before him, she seemed like a giant to him.

She took out a crown made from dry brown wood and placed it on Aegon’s head with a small smile, "Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks!" Aegon said, while wondering what the crown was, but he wouldn’t be surprised if it was just a wooden crown. It came from a little girl after all.

Still, it made him smile as he asked for a mirror from Xiu and looked at his reflection. It was such a simple design, yet it made him look regal. He was like a little king meant to govern his own realm.

How could a crown made from twigs make him feel like that?

As he was admiring his appearance, he missed the stars shining in Elara’s eyes. Her gaze was fixated on him as she smiled to herself, ’Cute!’

On the other hand, the guests were puzzled, as they couldn’t understand why the Elves would give such a simple present. There must be something hidden in the crown, they concluded.

Only Xiu was beaming in joy in her usual self. She gave a thumbs up to the elf couple and said, "You, my friends, have secured a place in my heart with this."

"I didn’t have it before?" Aurelia gasped in shock. "How could you do this to me?"

Theon shook his head at his wife’s antics and said, "It’s something we had been contemplating for a while. He’s someone you’re raising and is also a Valeria, so this is something he should have already."

Xiu smiled in response.

Unlike the others, she knew what this small twig represented. It came from the World Tree of Elves, and anyone who had this could roam around in Sylvana freely.

As Elves were known for their beauty, charm, and high affinity to magic, they were sought after by many races as slaves, so only Elves were permitted inside Sylvana.

Any and all appearances of other races in Sylvana were prohibited, and there were even orders to kill on sight if the situation escalated.

The Elves weren’t much better than Valerian in terms of reproduction, so they also had a lower population. It made them value every single member of their race a lot.

The fact that Aurelia and Theon were willing to give such an important item to Aegon showed their trust in Xiu and in him.

It could be said that it was one of the best gifts Aegon received on his first birthday. He became one of the only people allowed to step in Sylvana legally.

Meanwhile, Aegon was done admiring his looks and turned towards Elara, who stared at him intently. He raised an eyebrow, seeing her eyes, and seemed to understand her despite no words being spoken.

He contemplated for a moment and then said, "You can touch them... for a second."

Elara’s eyes brightened up, and her hands slowly went for his chubby cheeks. She hesitated for a moment before gently touching them, as if she was afraid her touch would ruin them.

"So soft!" she whispered to herself. "Can I continue?"

"When we do our part of the deal," Aegon stated.

"Then, do it," Xiu spoke from the sides. "The ceremony is done, so you can roam around with the kids and have some fun."

’Huh? She gave me permission so easily? Well, good for me. I also wanna move around a little,’ Aegon smiled at her and asked, "Can I show them the garden?"

"As long as you don’t let them destroy the flowers," Xiu crouched near him and kissed his cheeks. "Take care of yourself and also of Elara."

"I will!"

"Aunt, I’m the elder one here, so I’ll protect him," Elara said, pouting in dissatisfaction.

"Aiyah! Just protect each other." Aurelia patted her daughter’s head and said. "Now go along. Have some fun instead of staying here with us depressing adults."

Before Aegon could even say anything, Elara held his hand and said, "Do you want me to carry you? I am strong. I can do it!"

"No, I can walk, but thanks for the offer," Aegon replied politely.

His behaviour yet again surprised the crowd. They really forgot for a moment that they were looking at a one year old baby.

Aegon really didn’t like people carrying him around, so others were also mindful of it... except one certain aunt of his who never took his words seriously.

Elara tilted her head sideways, making her blonde strands shift to her forehead, as she said, "Then, let’s visit your garden. We’ll go through our deal there."

With that, Aegon and Elara climbed down the stairs, though it certainly was a problem for Aegon, but Elara patiently accompanied him without any complaints.

At the bottom, Aegon noticed King Bailish and his children, so he asked, "Can I play with them, Granduncle?"

"As you wish," King Bailish smiled and urged his children. "You wanted to play with the cute baby, right? Now go along. But remember that you’re the elders, so you need to take care of him."

"Yes, Father!"

Just like that, the birthday boy left his own birthday banquet to play with his new friends... friends whom he would come to cherish dearly.

’It’s my first time playing with others! I’m so excited!’