Chapter Twenty-Three
A Quiet Birthday
Daniel woke earlier than usual.
For a moment, he forgot where he was.
France.
Not the palace.
Not the grand halls of Europe.
Just a quiet villa with morning light slipping through soft curtains.
He sat up slowly.
It was his birthday.
In his kingdom, this day would have begun with royal greetings, ceremonial announcements, and structured celebrations.
But here—
It was silent.
Peaceful.
Almost ordinary.
He smiled faintly.
Maybe he preferred it this way.
On the small wooden table near his bed, several parcels had already been delivered from Europe. Letters sealed with the royal crest. A box of carefully packed delicacies from his homeland. Roasted coffee beans. Dark chocolate. Dried fruits.
Jack had placed them there before leaving for school.
Daniel didn't go to university that day.
For once, he allowed himself a pause.
He opened the letters slowly.
His father's words were firm yet warm.
His mother's handwriting softer, asking him to eat well and not overwork.
Even little Elza had drawn something inside one of the envelopes — crooked flowers and a stick figure that looked vaguely like him.
He laughed quietly.
"Still dramatic," he muttered.
By noon, he walked around the villa alone.
It didn't feel lonely.
Just reflective.
Then—
Near the window.
Something caught his attention.
A bouquet.
Fresh.
Carefully wrapped.
Vanilla flowers.
His breath stilled.
He walked closer.
There was no note.
There didn't need to be.
His fingers brushed the petals gently.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
"She still remembers," he whispered.
He didn't ask Jack.
He didn't need to.
He knew exactly where it came from.
And somehow—
That meant more than the royal parcels.
Evening arrived quietly.
Jack insisted Daniel come over.
"Just dinner," he said casually.
Daniel suspected nothing.
When he entered—
The lights suddenly brightened.
"Surprise!"
Clare stood near the table, smiling nervously.
Noah waved cheerfully.
Xavier stood slightly behind them, calm as always.
Aunt Laura clapped her hands happily.
Emma Nehemiah brought out warm dishes from the kitchen.
Jack crossed his arms proudly. "You thought we'd let you celebrate alone?"
Daniel looked around slowly.
This wasn't royal.
It wasn't grand.
There were no banners or guards.
Just laughter.
Friends.
Warm food.
And candlelight.
He felt something tighten in his chest.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Clare avoided his eyes slightly.
Noah nudged her.
"Your gift worked," she whispered.
Clare pretended not to hear.
They ate together.
Jack teased Daniel about becoming "old."
Noah and Clare argued over who prepared which dish better.
Xavier quietly observed everything with a small smile.
At one point, Daniel noticed something.
Alice wasn't there.
"She was invited," Noah said lightly when he asked.
"She said she had something to do," Jack added.
The mood shifted for a brief second—
But Daniel gently raised his cup.
"To new beginnings," he said.
Everyone lifted theirs.
The laughter returned.
Later that night, when most had left—
Daniel stepped outside for air.
The night sky above France looked different from Europe.
But the stars were the same.
Clare stepped out quietly.
"You liked it?" she asked softly.
He nodded.
"The bouquet was my favorite."
She looked down shyly.
"I wasn't sure if you'd see it."
"I always notice what matters."
Her heartbeat quickened slightly.
But the moment stayed simple.
Innocent.
Soft.
Just two childhood friends under a quiet sky.
No titles.
No distance.
No misunderstandings.
Inside, Jack and Noah were laughing again like nothing had happened.
The trio was whole.
Peaceful.
For now.
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