Aselia had trouble sleeping that night, totally unaware that she had met the royal family she belonged to. Zohane and Aselia were from the same bloodline. Hildara, who was Zohane’s aunt, was also the person from whom Aselia’s ancestral roots originated.

And it was indeed Hildara who had been plaguing Aselia’s dreams, recently. Telling her to kill the Phantom and fulfil the prophecy she had made. Hildara kept popping up in her dreams and it made Aselia miserable.

She woke up in the morning with her phone ringing. She didn’t want to pick it up and covered her ears with a pillow, pushing it down to drown out the sound, but the caller was persistent.

Aselia groaned loudly and finally reached for her phone and received the call before lazily speaking:

"Hello!"

"Happy Birthday, Partner. How are you?" Yurian’s excited voice sounded through the phone. A small smile covered her sleepy face.

"Thanks, Yuri! I am good, just couldn’t sleep properly."

"Why? Did he say something? Or cause any trouble?" Yurian was instantly worried about her. Aselia hadn’t told him where she was or Jaguar’s real identity. She wanted to withhold that information until she went back.

"No! He has been amazing and so was his family. It’s just those nightmares and that woman with the hooded nose. She speaks in riddles so I don’t even understand what she wants from me," Aselia slowly sat up and rested her head along the headboard.

"I am sorry you are having a hard time sleeping. I wish there was someone we could talk to," Yurian was worried and it was reflected in his voice.

"Yes! I wish the same."

"Any birthday plans with him?" he asked, hoping to divert her attention.

"He doesn’t know it’s my birthday, today. I never told him," Aselia answered and Yurian suppressed a chuckle that was about to escape him.

"Oh! I see."

"How are Esma and Razian?" Aselia inquired, twirling a lock of hair on her index finger.

"They are good. They are planning a trip to go visit some relatives up the continent. It has been a long time so they want to go on a road trip."

"That sounds exciting," Aselia was happy they were still living their lives, having beautiful moments to share.

"They wanted to invite us both but we can’t have so many days off. It will take them two weeks. They are waiting for your return and will leave after meeting you," Yurian told her.

"I will be back by tomorrow afternoon and I already miss you guys. Give them my love, I should freshen up a bit now."

"Alright, once you come back we will have your birthday party. Take care."

"You too," the line went dead after that and Aselia went to the gigantic bathroom to take a bath and get changed.

She chose a long skirt and blouse in hues of peach and gold and a white jacket to go with them. She was almost ready when there was a slight knock on her door. She opened it and found Jaguar standing there with a birthday cake, it had a single gold candle on it and was decorated with chocolates and gold leaves.

"Happy Birthday!" he sang the words out putting a smile on Aselia’s face.

"Who told you?" she asked, accepting the cake from him so he could step inside her room.

"Yurian!" Jaguar answered with a cheeky smile.

"That sneaky idiot, I just spoke to him and he didn’t breathe a word that he told you," Aselia shook her head as they sat down. Jaguar adjusted his hair while still laughing.

"Cut the cake," Jaguar took out a pocket knife and handed it to her. She took it and blew out the candle, before cutting the cake. Jaguar clapped. She cut a piece and offered it to him and he gladly took it and said between mouthfuls:

"I am so glad that you are celebrating your birthday with me, here. I wish I could take you out but with the massive amount of vampires flocking in from all over the world, it won’t be a wise choice."

"It’s alright Jaguar, I understand."

They enjoyed the cake for a while and then there was a soft knock on the door. Jaguar went on to open it. Three maids stood there with different velvet boxes.

"Place them inside," he ordered, they bowed their heads and entered in a single file, they laid the boxes on the marble table and quietly exited the room.

"What’s in the boxes?" Aselia asked with a mouthful of chocolate cake. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Your dress and accessories for tonight," he picked up a black velvet box with a red ribbon tied to it and approached her.

Standing near her, he extended the box towards her.

"It’s your birthday gift. I personally picked it, so hoping you find it to your taste," Aselia was gawking at him, her hands covered in frosting and so were her lips. Jaguar laughed at how adorable she appeared.

"Sorry, let me clean up first," she grabbed a tissue and wiped her hands and face before accepting the box with gratitude.

"Thank you! You didn’t have to though. This looks too extravagant," she opened the box and was stunned to find a diamond necklace inside. The hundreds of exquisite white diamonds had been perfectly fit in it as they refracted the light from a sconce above and shimmered in tiny rainbows.

"Jaguar! This is too much. I can’t accept this," she was overwhelmed and stared at him wide-eyed while he beamed at her.

"Yes! You can, nothing is more precious than you are. And I want you to wear it tonight with your dress."

"Thank you!" She had never liked jewellery and this was an exhilarating experience for her.

"Mother arranged the dress for you and other accessories," he told her, pointing to the boxes.

"That’s very kind of her. I will extend my gratitude," he nodded in approval.

Jaguar’s cell phone began to ring and he answered it, while Aselia put away the diamond necklace.

After answering the call Jaguar said: "Sorry I have to run, Father needs me. I will leave you with my mother. She will love to have your company."

"Sure, let’s go," Aselia got up and both of them left the room, together.