Elian stood expressionless beside the chairs of Enrico's future wives, unable to believe he was really being treated as the seventh wife. Looking ahead, he saw Kai, Giulio, Thalen, and Roberto celebrating around Enrico, while the man himself drank a cup of juice, embarrassed.
"So, seventh, how's it going now that he's back?"
"You guys really enjoy trying to bother me, don't you?"
Liam had a playful smile at the back table, together with some other students from Class S like Alenya, Grakka, Klaus, and several others — quite a lot of them.
"Sorry to tell you this, but those kinds of jokes don't work on me anymore."
"They only don't work on us, but with Enrico yesterday…"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Liam's smile grew as he ate, but when he saw Elian looking down and burying his head in his arms, he paused. Kai, who was beside Enrico, seemed very excited, asking for some food.
"I'd like to congratulate you, Enrico, but I wish you had told me your birthday was today so I'd have more time to bring your present."
'I forgot it was my birthday too.'
Drinking his juice, he thought it was too much from their part to throw a full day of celebration. And to his surprise, both he and Saul shared the same birthday, which made him feel a bit uncomfortable.
[Seems you're not used to this.]
'Let's say that's true, because besides never telling anyone when my birthday was in my world, I always preferred to focus on studying or working.'
[…Why do you care so much about those things?]
'Because that's the life I'm used to.'
Watching his companions have fun, Enrico tried not to look uncomfortable. He knew they did all this to make his day good, so he had to repay the effort.
'Well, whatever, I'll try to enjoy the moment.'
[Now you're talking. After this, I'll give you a gift from the constellations for these two years — and you better be happy, or I'll take it away.]
'If it's useful, I'll be happy.'
Stopping for a moment, he started thinking about who could have revealed his birthday to his companions. As far as he knew, only the Solcren Ferreira family should know.
"Little brother, did you like the birthday party we prepared for you?"
"Big bro, I'm the one who told my sister."
'Okay, got it.'
Platina, now twenty years old, appeared with Taíra beside her. The older sister had an almost imperceptible smile, while the younger had a big one.
"Sorry about our parents and siblings. They wanted to come, but they had to deal with a war happening near home."
'I'm surprised they wanted to come.'
Deciding to talk with them for a while, he found out that his parents had reached the eighth circle, while she and Valério were in the seventh circle — exactly the level he originally was in the story, so he felt slightly relieved.
'Even so, they must be stronger, especially their percentages — mainly Valério and Platina.'
The good thing about them being at a level familiar to him was that, if they eventually became villains like in the original story, he could defeat them more easily since they were stronger than before.
'The only real anomaly is Taíra, whose percentage is much higher than in the story.'
She was indeed the only concern, but to be honest, he couldn't see her as a threat at the moment. Patting her head, he saw her smiling happily at the affection. It seemed that as her brother, he had to take care of her even if she tried going to the other side.
"Looks like my little brother and little sister are very close… I'm jealous."
Platina tried doing the same thing he was doing to Taíra, but with him — so he dodged immediately. They stared at each other, then she tried again.
"What, are you scared of your big sister?"
"It's not that, sister. I'm just not used to your affectionate gestures."
Dodging again, Enrico felt his back hit something soft. Turning around, he saw Elowyn holding her cup away from the path while holding his shoulder.
"Running from your sister? I think you need a collar."
She reached for his chin, and Taíra seemed ready to attack her, but Platina held her sister even with an annoyed expression toward the princess. Before either could respond, Enrico surprised Elowyn by leaning close to her ear.
"Looks like you need one too. Please don't forget that even if my family approves, I'm not someone easily controlled."
Turning away from her, Enrico walked toward his sisters. Elowyn drank her wine while a small smile appeared on her lips — their first interaction as a couple, and she found it quite amusing. Narisse, standing guard behind the princess, had a shocked expression at such audacity.
'This guy is unbelievable… I think I understand why the princess is starting to like him.'
She looked at Enrico's back, but when she saw her princess about to glance her way, Narisse stood straight again.
"So, Narisse, did you speak with the royal guard?"
"Yes, but are you sure about this? She—"
"It was a request from my future consort. Besides, she won't be able to do anything or threaten his life."
Elowyn had a serious expression with a trace of disdain as she remembered a certain person she disliked and didn't want as her subordinate anymore.
"Well, he can pick her up in three days. Still, I hope she doesn't mess up… but what if what he said is true?"
Virelle's eyes lost some of their disdain, though she didn't want to be wrong, because that would mean she made a decision she considered shameful for a future queen.
"Then I made a mistake, and I will forgive all her actions. I will also send her some things as an apology."
"Understood, Princess. I will prepare everything the way it should be."
"Good work, Narisse."
Both watched Enrico walking away while Valença, up the stairs, observed the other girls — Serenya, Rina, Aoi, Yumeha, and Seraphina — talking about his gift, which would be a permanent magic potion. She looked toward Danyana, who waved at her. Both had made a deal: if Danyana helped her without using a plan, she would have permission to join them.
'Today I won't let you escape.'