The day before Arlienne's birthday, she walked through the royal capital with two maids, purchasing a few small things to prepare for a quiet celebration at home. She stopped in her tracks when she saw it—
Lanterns strung across entire streets.
Colorful flower garlands.
A freshly built wooden stage in the center of the plaza.
Vendors preparing festive food and drinks.
Her heart fluttered.
"A celebration…? For whom?" she whispered.
The maids kept straight faces.
"We're not sure, my lady," one lied smoothly.
Arlienne touched her chest.
*Is this… for the queen's birthday?*
That seemed logical. The queen's birthday was tomorrow, and perhaps the king had ordered the capital to be decorated.
She felt a faint ache—because for a moment, she had hoped…
she had hoped the decorations were for her.
*Aster and Astra won't be invited to the queen's celebration again… but that's fine. We have our little celebration at home.*
She forced a gentle smile and continued walking, unaware of the truth.
***
The queen, however, was fully aware.
When rumors reached her that the capital was preparing grand decorations, she smirked with satisfaction.
"Hmph. Of course. The people adore me," she said, fanning herself gracefully. "Such loyalty."
Her ladies-in-waiting bowed, though some exchanged uneasy glances.
The queen never even considered the possibility that the celebration might not be for her.
***
Only a handful of people knew the real purpose of the decorations.
Aster.
Astra.
The loyal Wynfall maids and guards.
And the dozens of townspeople who helped build the stage.
All of them kept the secret perfectly.
On the morning of the birthday, Arlienne awoke to what she believed would be another quiet celebration with her children.
She entered the dining room and blinked—
"Why are you two dressed so nicely?"
Aster was in a soft sky-blue suit.
Astra wore a pale ivory-blue dress.
Both looking far too prepared for a "simple" birthday at home.
"Just a special breakfast," Astra said unconvincingly.
"Yes," Aster agreed, avoiding eye contact.
Arlienne frowned slightly. "You two… are acting strange."
"Come, Mama," Astra said, taking her hand.
"Close your eyes," Aster added.
"What? Why?"
"No peeking," Astra insisted.
Aster gently tied a soft blindfold around her. With two maids quietly assisting, they guided her outside the mansion, down the street, and eventually toward the heart of the capital in a carriage.
Arlienne felt the temperature change, heard the distant murmurs of a crowd, and smelled the faint aroma of flowers and pastries.
"Aster? Astra? Where are we going?"
"You'll see," Aster said, voice trembling slightly with excitement.
***
The twins led their blindfolded mother onto the stage.
Aster took a deep breath.
He had spent all his saved allowance — every coin — renting **sound amplification magic stones** from the capital's mage shops. The townspeople chipped in too, eager to help the prince whose kindness had touched them for years.
The stones were arranged around the stage, forming a wide circle of shimmering blue light.
Half the capital was already gathered.
And more people were coming every minute.
"Are we ready?" Astra whispered.
Aster nodded. "Yes."
He untied the blindfold.
Arlienne blinked rapidly as sunlight flooded her vision—
And gasped.
Thousands of people stood before her, smiling, cheering, waving banners with her name.
The entire plaza was decorated in her favorite colors.
The stage beneath her was adorned with flowers and ribbons.
"M-Mama?" Aster said, stepping in front of her.
"Mama, happy birthday!" Astra added.
Arlienne covered her mouth with both hands as tears welled instantly.
"This… this is… for me?"
Aster smiled brightly. "Yes."
"For you," Astra said. "Only for you."
Arlienne's entire body trembled.
"You… you did all this?"
Aster shook his head. "Not just us. Everyone here helped."
A cheer rose from the crowd.
"Happy birthday, Lady Arlienne!"
"Long live the kindhearted mother of the twins!"
"We love you, my lady!"
Arlienne's knees nearly gave out.
The queen thought the people adored her.
But today…
the people were celebrating someone else entirely.
***
Aster stepped forward and raised his hand.
The magic stones activated.
Blue light pulsed.
Mana hummed.
And Aster's voice rang through the air—
Not loud, not aggressive, but clear and pure, resonating like a gentle breeze.
Astra joined him, their voices blending perfectly.
They sang an original song Aster had written—a melody built upon the tune of *"Beautiful Things"* from his old world, reimagined with new emotion and new words.
The lyrics spoke of:
A mother who worked endlessly for her children.
A woman who gave love without expecting anything in return.
A parent who smiled through hardship.
A heart more precious than any royal crown.
The melody was tender and nostalgic—
soft enough to warm hearts,
strong enough to carry across the entire plaza.
The amplification stones vibrated with power, spreading the sound far beyond the stage. The music floated across rooftops, through windows, into markets and quiet alleys.
By the time the second verse began,
**one-fourth of the capital**
could hear the song.
People stopped working.
Merchants paused mid-sale.
Guards froze at their posts.
Children looked up at the sky.
A mother's birthday song shook the entire city.
Arlienne wept uncontrollably.
Aster's voice cracked slightly with emotion—but he kept singing.
Astra reached for his hand mid-song, grounding him, their voices twining like threads of light.
When the final note faded, the plaza erupted.
Cheers. Applause. Tears.
Arlienne pulled her children into the tightest embrace of their lives.
"My beautiful children… how… how could you do something so precious for me?"
Aster buried his face into her shoulder.
"Because we love you, Mama."
Astra nodded, hugging her tightly. "You deserve the world."
***
After the crowd quieted, the townspeople carried forward a large cake decorated with blue flowers.
Aster stepped behind his mother and pushed her gently forward.
"Mama… make a wish."
Arlienne closed her eyes, trembling with joy.
*I could die happy this very moment.*
She made her wish, blew out the candles—
And the entire plaza celebrated together.
Aster looked at Astra, his silver eyes glowing.
Their mother was truly, genuinely happy.
And for them…
That was the greatest performance of their lives.