A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE
918 Words
The morning sun poured gently through the windows of the dormitory apartment.
Octavia slowly opened her eyes.
For a brief moment...
She simply lay there, listening to the birds singing outside.
A small smile touched her lips.
Today...
...was her birthday.
She wasn't someone who expected grand celebrations.
Back home, birthdays were simple.
A homemade meal.
A warm embrace.
A heartfelt prayer from her parents.
That alone had always been enough.
She sat up quietly before whispering to herself,
"Happy birthday, Octavia."
Just then—
A pillow struck her face.
"Happy Birthday!"
Aurora shouted, bursting into laughter.
Arina rushed in carrying a small bouquet of fresh white lilies.
Both girls hugged her so tightly that Octavia could barely breathe.
"You two..."
She laughed.
"I can't believe you remembered."
Aurora gasped dramatically.
"Remembered?"
"How could we forget the birthday of the most beautiful girl in our dormitory?"
Arina nodded proudly.
"Exactly."
The three friends laughed together.
---
The day passed peacefully.
Classes ended earlier than usual.
Students wished Octavia a happy birthday as they crossed paths with her.
Even Professor Hawthorne smiled warmly.
"May this year bring you wisdom and happiness, Miss Ashford."
"Thank you, Professor."
Yet...
As the afternoon slowly disappeared...
Someone hadn't appeared.
Lincoln.
Octavia glanced toward the university gate more than once.
Nothing.
She smiled to herself.
"He's probably busy."
Even so...
A tiny part of her heart felt disappointed.
Aurora noticed.
But said nothing.
---
As sunset painted the sky in brilliant shades of orange and rose...
A magnificent black royal carriage rolled quietly through the university gates.
Students stepped aside.
The carriage stopped before Octavia.
The door opened.
Lincoln stepped down.
Dressed in a midnight-black royal coat embroidered with silver, he looked every bit the Crown Prince of Eldoria.
His gaze found hers immediately.
He walked toward her.
"Miss Ashford."
He offered his hand.
"Would you honor me by accompanying me this evening?"
Octavia smiled softly.
"I'd be delighted."
She placed her hand in his.
Neither noticed Aurora secretly giving Damien a thumbs-up.
Everything was going exactly according to plan.
---
The carriage traveled far beyond Eldoria.
Past forests.
Past rolling hills.
Until finally...
The sea came into view.
The beach was quiet.
Empty.
Golden waves rolled gently onto the shore.
Octavia looked around curiously.
"I thought..."
Lincoln smiled.
"Close your eyes."
She laughed.
"Why?"
"Trust me."
Without hesitation...
She closed them.
Lincoln gently took her hand.
He led her several steps forward.
"Ready?"
She nodded.
"You may open them."
Slowly...
Octavia opened her eyes.
She froze.
Hundreds of glowing lanterns floated into the evening sky.
Thousands of fairy lights decorated the beach.
Flowers lined a beautiful wooden pathway across the sand.
Music filled the cool evening air.
Then—
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OCTAVIA!"
Aurora.
Arina.
Damien.
Their classmates.
Several lecturers.
Everyone stepped out smiling.
Tears instantly filled Octavia's eyes.
"You..."
"You did all this..."
Lincoln looked at her gently.
"You deserve a birthday you'll never forget."
Before she knew it...
Aurora had already pulled her into a hug.
Arina joined next.
Even Damien smiled warmly.
"This was all His Highness's idea."
Octavia slowly turned toward Lincoln.
He looked almost embarrassed by the attention.
"I only wanted to see you smile."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"You've made me happier than I ever imagined."
---
The evening became one of laughter.
Music echoed along the shoreline.
Students danced barefoot across the cool sand.
Bonfires crackled warmly.
Fireworks burst across the night sky in dazzling colors.
Lincoln noticed every small detail.
Before Octavia could feel cold...
A warm shawl was already resting around her shoulders.
When she grew thirsty...
Her favorite fruit drink was waiting.
When she admired the sea...
He quietly stood beside her without interrupting the moment.
He never tried to impress her.
He simply cared for her.
And somehow...
That meant more than anything else.
---
Later that night...
When most of the guests had begun leaving...
Lincoln walked toward Octavia.
"There is..."
"One last surprise."
She smiled.
"There's more?"
He nodded.
"If you'll come with me."
The royal carriage waited nearby.
Curious...
She climbed inside beside him.
The carriage disappeared into the moonlit night.
Hours later...
The magnificent gates of Nightfall Palace slowly opened.
Silver fountains shimmered beneath the moon.
Marble statues stood proudly along the grand pathway.
The palace glowed like something from a dream.
Octavia looked through the carriage window in complete amazement.
"It's..."
"I've never seen anything so beautiful, like this palace."
Lincoln looked at her instead of the palace.
"I'm glad you're here."
The carriage stopped.
The great palace doors opened.
Inside...
King Alexza sat upon his throne with quiet dignity.
Queen Hazel stood beside him, smiling warmly.
Queen Mirabel waited gracefully.
Princess Arina had already arrived ahead of them.
Hazel walked forward first.
Without hesitation...
She embraced Octavia.
"Welcome home my dear."
"You've been expected."
Octavia was too surprised to speak.
King Alexza slowly rose from his throne.
The entire hall became silent.
He descended the steps with calm authority.
Standing before Octavia, he studied her for a long moment.
Then...
A faint smile appeared.
"Welcome."
"Our home is open to those who bring peace to my son's heart."
Lincoln lowered his eyes respectfully.
Even he hadn't expected those words.
Octavia felt tears sting her eyes once again.
For the first time in her life...
She felt welcomed into a place she never imagined she would enter.
And she had no idea...
That before another sunrise...
Everything she believed about the world was about to change.
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