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.
"Who…?" Astra mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
Cassia's voice comes from the other side of the door.
"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.
It 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.
"Did you forget your own birthday, Your Highness? Just like you forget everyone's names sometimes?" she teased, a twinkle in her eyes.
Cassia stepped forward, her gaze warm and reassuring. "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, Astra's lips curved into a soft chuckle. "Come in," she said, stepping aside.
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, "Come on, Your Highness, blow out the candles!"
Ella added, pride threading her voice, "Melinda took a long time to make this cake. It's her special recipe!"
Astra glanced at the cake, genuine appreciation softening her usual calm demeanor. "Really? Thank you, Malinna."
A small giggle escaped Lily, quickly stifled, while Melinda merely offered a polite smile, unfazed by the mispronunciation.
"It was my pleasure, Your Highness," she said softly.
As Astra leaned forward, preparing to blow out the flickering flames, Lily interjected with excitement.
"Wait, Your Highness! You have to make a wish first!"
"That's right!" they prompted, bright and insistent.
Astra regarded them with a touch of her usual languor. "What's the need for a wish?"
Cassia places a hand on Astra's arm, her expression earnest.
"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. "Since you're still a child, you have so many wishes to make! Like growing up healthily, or…"
Ella chimed in, "Or you can wish for a big birthday party on your next birthday!"
Lora added, "Or you can wish for…"
Astra raised her hand, smiling faintly to pause the flurry of suggestions. "Okay, okay, I'll just make a wish."
Astra closed her eyes, a fleeting thought crossing her mind.
Just make my guardians a bit more mature… otherwise, I'll have to become their guardian myself.
With that silent plea sent into the universe, she opened her eyes and blew out the candles.
A small puff of air snuffed the flames, and the room immediately erupted into applause, accompanied by a slightly off-key but heartfelt 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.
"Who is that for, Your Highness?" she asked, her voice curious.
Astra's lips curved into a small, amused smile. "It's for my Guardian No. Zero."
The room fell silent for a heartbeat before the group echoed, bewildered:
"Guardian No. Zero???"
A hint of amusement crosses Astra's eyes at their bewilderment.
"That's right," she continued, her tone calm. "To put it simply: Cass is first—or guardian number one— then Gerald is second, Lily is third, 'Sora' is fourth, 'Melissa' is fifth, Claire is sixth, and Ella is seventh. There. All in order."
A slight slip of the tongue betrayed her usual struggle with names, but it only added a certain charm to her explanation.
She 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.
Turning back to her guardians, she announced softly, "Everyone, meet my little familiar." 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.
A collective gasp filled the room.
Cassia's eyes widened, a mixture of awe and surprise in her voice. "Your Highness… you formed a contract with a familiar? When?"
"This evening," Astra replied calmly.
Ella's realised something. "So… that's why you forbade anyone from disturbing you today!"
"Yes," Astra confirmed simply.
Lily, completely captivated by the small creature cradled in Astra's arms, reached out a tentative hand. Her eyes were fixed on the cat's mesmerizing blue gaze.
"It's so cute… and its blue eyes… they're so beautiful," she whispered, breathless.
The little cat blinked once, serene and dignified, yet there was an undeniable spark of intelligence in its gaze, as if it already understood the weight of the bond it now shared with Astra.
The cat purred lazily, its small chest rising and falling with deliberate slowness, as if observing a room full of bumbling idiots.
Its luminous blue eyes swept over the guardians with a faint air of haughty judgment, tail flicking with quiet disdain.