"Happy birthday, big brother!" He hasn't even gotten a single step out of his room when a dark blur smashed against his torso.
Thankfully, it's daylight, so Henry didn't budge, not even an inch. He hugged her back, "Hey little bud. Where were you yesterday? I didn't see you."
Lily lifted her face and then pouted after confirming that Henry was looking at her, which is quite cute, "Mom made me stay at the Academy longer than usual, she said I've been falling behind so she made the teachers stay behind too to teach me personally! It was so horrifying! It was late at night when we finally finished and then, and then…"
Hearing her explain while sobbing at the same time, Henry couldn't help but smile. He just stood there with Lily now being carried in his arms. When she finally finished, she was out of breath and he took that opportunity.
"Well, how about this? I'll clear up some time so I can teach you myself, that way you don't have to stay at the academy until night. I'll talk to mom about it, okay?" His words sparked an excited grin from the little princess.
"You will? Yeheyyyy! Big brother, you're the best!"
"Now now. Let's head to the dining room for breakfast. After that, we have all the time in the world to play around."
"Umu!"
———
As he made his way to the dining hall. He was surprised to sense that there was no one inside it yet.
'That's weird. Where the hell is everybody then?' He frowned and casually opened the door. That's when a yell of unison followed by glitter, exploded right in front of his face, surprising him greatly.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!"
The dining hall was crowded. Several familiar faces occupy the hall. First were his parents, then Sir Liam with his wife and kids. Then Samantha, though her smile was lackluster which is to be expected. There's also Flynn and Isabella, standing side by side—though Flynn looks like a kid with Isabella beside him.
The servants and usual knight patrols in the castle were there too. Ariel and her sisters with their father standing behind them with a strained smile on his face, Henry guessed that the man didn't want to join initially but was forced by Ariel.
To his another surprise, there was also Doctor Dolittle and his new wife included in the crowd but that's not what actually caught his attention, rather it was Polynesia and her gang of animal friends, even Chee-Chee the gorilla was sitting on the back.
Lastly, he found the possible perpetrator of this surprise. His master, Master Elias was also there with the tip of his wooden staff glowing, which is probably the reason why Henry's senses failed to detect anyone in the room.
'Right. Birthdays weren't always like this back then…' Henry allowed himself to smile as he reminisced about the old days. Back then, birthdays weren't celebrated with surprises or anything like that.
Instead, the birthday person gets notified ahead of time about when and where they will be greeted by other people before starting the party, most of the time it's just a party.
And Henry, who was accustomed to his past life birthday celebrations, introduced birthday surprises when he surprised his parents and Lily on their birthdays every single time, and since then, they adopted his style and have been doing it on the birthdays of everyone they know.
Henry also heard that other nobles and the common people also adopted the birthday surprise tradition which isn't a surprise, though only the former can afford the party celebrations.
"You guys…" Henry sighed in defeat and then smiled. He should've expected something like this. His past few birthdays were also celebrated with a flashy surprise. The only difference back then was that he used to be a normal human, no magical senses or anything.
Perhaps because he relied on his magical senses, he was caught off guard and had completely forgotten that they were going to surprise him.
"The ballroom is already set, Henry. Have your breakfast here, but don't eat too much. Your birthday celebration will start this afternoon." His mom was the first one to approach him, hugging him while including Lily, whom she snatched away soon after.
Then there was his father, "Happy birthday, Henry. I can't believe you're already 18. You know, you used to be this small." he said while measuring his height when he was still a little boy. Honestly, even Henry was nostalgic about his childhood days.
Before he left, the man whispered to him, "Meet me later in my office. I want to talk to you alone." Which Henry guessed is about his trip to Ironmere Kingdom. With his intelligence network, he probably heard the surface news on everything that happened.
Following him was Samantha, "Happy birthday brother." That was it. No hugs or any other intimacy between siblings. Quite expected already, not gonna lie.
The next ones were Sir Liam with his family, "Prince Henry, it is an absolute honor to join your Birthday Surprise. And please let me introduce my wife and kids. This is Odette, and these two brats are Lancelot and Guinevere."
Henry accepted their bows while taking note of their appearances. Odette was a beautiful middle-aged woman. Soft features and Auburn hair. On the other hand, he was surprised by the names of Lancelot and Guinevere. They were the famous names from the Arthurian Legend.
'But I have never heard of King Arthur and his Kingdom of Britain…in this continent at least. There are four other continents and we never bothered to explore those areas, not when the other Great Kingdoms were at one another's necks.' Henry frowned slightly. Perhaps he should ask Master Elias about it later.
Knowing that old man, he'd probably traveled the entire world already.
"They look cute, Sir Liam. I'm guessing little Lancelot here wants to be a knight too?" He asked because the boy was carrying a small wooden toy sword.
"Yes, he does. He wants to become one of the Royal Knights someday…"
Suddenly, Lancelot quipped, "Not just a Royal Knight, I want to be the best knight! Greater than father!"
Henry laughs heartily and crouches down to meet him on his eye level, "Well, if that's what you want then you have a long way to go, Lancelot."
Lancelot seemed excited that his dream was addressed by the crown Prince, he gave him a flimsy knight salute and replied, "I will, Prince Henry! I'm making sure to eat my veggies and drink milk!"
"Of course you do, I can see that." Henry patted the boy's shoulder. He turned his attention to Guinevere, "How about you, little lass. Anything you want for your life?"
"I want to be rich!" Her answer momentarily surprised him.
'Well, that was unexpected.' He chuckled, "Well, if that's your wish, you gotta work hard and study in the Academ—"
However, he was interrupted by the little girl, "That sounds so lame! I'm going to marry a rich husband instead!"
"Pfft! Guinevere! What do you think you're saying!? In front of the Crown Prince of all people!" Their mother, Odette, was quick to pull her daughter away before apologizing to Henry and dragging her away.
Sir Liam also did the same before following suit, "I'm sorry about that, Prince Henry. She's probably read too many books in the library."
"Henry dear! It's your birthday! Happy birthday!" Polynesia flew in the air before perching on his shoulder.
"Thanks, Poly."
"Henry! I can't believe humans celebrate their birthdays. If only I could remember the day I was born, I'm going to celebrate my birthday too!" Gub-Gub the pig came striding in with her usual bubble of energy.
"Happy Birthday Henry! When's dinner?" Jip the dog was salivating already after asking the question.
Henry bent down and patted the Gray Wolfhound on the head, "Just stick close to John, alright? He knows what to do."
The other animal friends also greeted him, even Too-Too the owl wished him a happy birthday, though he also pointed out how there are no gifts for him since Henry was already rich enough as he is, so he didn't mind.
The next few ones were the servants and knights. Some even give him their gifts in advance. Henry can tell they did it out of embarrassment. Their gifts would definitely look mediocre compared to the ones he would receive from the invited nobles once the celebration starts.
And finally, the last one who saved himself up as the best for the last, Master Elias, "I assume you like the surprise?"
"Like? I was just surprised. I didn't take into account that you'll use your magic to cloud my senses."
Master Elias chuckled, "This is my first time attending your birthday, so of course I have to make it memorable."
"Well, you indeed made it one, so thank you, I guess? By the way, are you still going to attend the celebration later or are you leaving before that?"
Shaking his head, Master Elias sighed and replied, "Unfortunately I can't." Before Henry could react in disappointment, he continued, "But I have a gift for you, I left it to your father, and he said he'll give it to you later."
"Can't you give it now? I think I'm going to be very busy later…" Henry shifted uncomfortably. He's not lying. He just actually remembered that Elsa is going to attend his birthday soon, he's not sure when but definitely soon.
With Ariel here and Elsa coming, while Rapunzel's attendance is still unknown but knowing her, she'll definitely go.
Master Elias noticed the look on his face and released a booming laugh, "Hahahaha! Good think you finally remembered." He stretched his hand and patted him on the shoulder, his aged face turned slightly serious, "Good luck, my boy. I mean it."
And just like that, he gave him a peace sign and faded away after, slowing down his teleportation process on purpose for dramatic effects.
Henry wasn't even given the time to think about his life choices when it was Ariel and her sisters' turn to greet him.
"Happy birthday, Henry!" Ariel excitedly said, her face looking more like she's more excited than he, the birthday guy.
"Happy birthday to you, handsome." Her eldest sister, Aquatta was the next to greet him but in an obvious flirty way, to which he ignored and acted normal. He's a loyal man and he's for sure not gonna fall for such tricks!
Since there were only a few hours left before the afternoon celebration arrives, Henry decided to use the remaining time to spend some time with his family.
But first, he's going to his father's office. It's time to tell the man the truth that his only remaining son is Henry himself.
However, before he could leave the dining hall, an uninvited knight arrived striding towards him with a hurried pace, "Prince Henry!"
And amidst everyone's curious looks, the said knight went close to Henry and whispered something inaudible to his ear.
The only thing they saw and heard next was Henry's eyes widening and a single word, "Shit!"