A/N: Had a writer's block when doing this chapter but I gladly overcame it :D. Enjoy!

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Maids were busily preparing everything for the Crown Prince's birthday. Food was being prepared and decorations were further improved by the planner.

It was the day where people would come to celebrate Asher Lumiere's birthday.

Everything was smoothly going.

"Are the preparations done, Asher?" The King asked and Asher nodded his head.

"Yes, father" Asher curtly replied.

The king hummed while sitting on the throne as he turned to look at the busy people running.

"The time for you to become the king is getting nearer, Asher" the king said and Asher nodded his head.

"I know, father. I still have a lot to learn but when that time comes, I will make sure I am prepared" The king nodded in satisfaction with Asher's words.

Henry knew that Asher was a responsible son. He was excellent in different areas and he fulfilled his duties as a prince well. However, he also knew Asher's immature side where the prince would rather let his emotions take over than rationality.

But his son feels slightly different now. He did not know the reason but he found Asher to be slightly mature ever since he had came back from the Boundary. It was his instinct as a king that told him that something was new to his son.

"Tell me, my son, did something happen back at the boundary?" The king asked and Asher had a slightly surprised look on his face.

He thought about what he should answer.

"About that, we found out that the mayor of the boundary had been embezzling funds from the boundary's treasury" Asher said and the king nodded his head.

"I see, then I'm guessing the rumors about Pier playing a huge part in discovering the crime was true?" Asher nodded his head.

"Yes, father. Pier was the one who thought about investigating the mayor's office and he was also the one notified by the perpetrators who murdered the attendant about the incident" The king's eyebrows raised in awe at the statement.

It took him a full minute to process what Pier had done before he chuckled.

"That kid sure is full of surprises" Asher turned to look at his father. The king had a small smile on his face when he talked about Pier.

"Do you not want Pier for me anymore, father?" Asher asked and the king stopped for a second.

"May I know the reason for such question?"

"I am simply asking out of curiosity, father" Asher replied and the king turned to look at his son who had gotten most of his features back when he was young.

"I do want him for you, but it is up to Pier if he wants to do the same anymore" the king replied and Asher was silent at the statement.

"Why, do you want him to be with you?" The king asked and Asher remained quiet for a minute. He was thinking about the question the king asked him.

"I am also confused about what I want, father"

---

Night had fallen upon the distant sky. The setting of the sun was the mark of the Crown Prince's birthday celebration. It wasn't just at the palace where the celebration was being held. All across the kingdom, people were doing their own celebration for the Crown Prince's birthday.

Sigh

Pier said as he turned to look at the mirror.

He did not want to go to the Crown Prince's birthday party for specific reasons.

'I feel bad'

He was feeling bad because he remembered something.

And that something was making him lose motivation.

"Young Master, the Headmaster along the Headmistress and your two stepbrothers have gone on their way towards the Royal Palace. It will be time for us to depart soon as well" Martha reminded Pier outside his bedroom door.

The young master nodded his head but did not bother replying. He looked at his appearance once more.

'Even the gods would be jealous if I continue to retain this beauty until my fifties' He chuckled at the thought.

He wore a white-cream colored three-piece suit that had its undershirt as black to match the color outside. He also wore a red-colored necktie which complimented the black shirt he wore.

To say Pier looked dazzling was an understatement. His black hair was combed back and his blue eyes did not disappoint as it made everything perfect.

It was even better than the last suit that he wore in social gatherings like the Royal Banquet.

He adjusted the collar on his neck as his unwillingness to participate in any events became more evident.

Sigh

He sighed again. It took him nearly two hours to finish his preparations. Pier looked outside the window. There was a violet sky and soon, it will turn dark.

"I should get going" He whispered before he took one final glance at the mirror and turned his body. Pier started to walk towards his door, but when he passed his bedside table, his family crest caught his eye.

"Yeah, I'll need this too" Pier took the crest and wore it, completing the suit's appearance. When Pier walked out from his room, Martha was there waiting for him.

"Pardon for my boldness, but you are extremely good looking, young master" Martha commented and Pier smiled at his head maid.

"No, I rather like the compliment. Thanks" Pier said as he lightly laughed. His eyes turning into crescent shapes.

"The pleasure is all mine, young master" Martha replied and Pier nodded his head before they both started to walk outside the mansion.

When they reached the door, Pier took a huge breath as he calmed his pacing heart. He did not know the reason why but he was nervous. It was his first time being nervous about such things.

"Open the doors!" Martha announced and the door leading outside started to depart from each other. The violet sky had already started to fade and the moon was starting to appear.

Once the doors were fully opened, Pier saw the scenario outside.

Maids and butlers from all around the house lined up in front of the mansion doors. They made a way for the young master as they all bowed and greeted him as he passed.

Pier smiled and thanked all of the maids and servants who had served him well for the past months.

They were all stunned with the young master's appearance. Pier's white-cream colored suit matched his perfectly combed black hair and the black shirt and red tie under his vest added to the extravagance he gave off.

Pier was perfection himself.

"We greet the young master of the Belmiunde Household" The Captain of the Knights from the House of Masters greeted Pier along with his subordinate knights.

"Are you going to accompany me to the Palace, Captain?" Pier asked but the Captain shook his head.

"I would love to, young master, but there is someone who is more suitable to accompany the young master in the Royal Palace" the Captain said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Confused, Pier turned to look behind the Captain and all the knights avoided his gaze.

"Then who will accompany me?" He asked.

"I will, young master!"

Pier turned to look at the voice who spoke.

"Gideon" the young master's knight scratched the back of his head as if he was ashamed.

"Yes, may I accompany the young master to the Royal Palace in place of the Captain?" He asked.

Ever since they had gotten back from the boundary, Pier had immediately recommended Gideon to train in their household as a knight. Luckily, the headmaster did not even make it hard for Pier and accepted Gideon right away.

They were even surprised to know Pier had gotten himself a knight when he was the one who told them that the prince would be his protector and that he did not need any knight.

'I'd rather have someone fight for me, you know' Pier thought about that time where his family was questioning where he had gotten his knight from.

"Of course you can, you're my knight" Gideon blushed at the words Pier spoke and he immediately nodded his head.

"You look good in that red cape by the way" Pier commented and Gideon bowed his head in embarrassment. He was not used in getting compliments from the young master.

Gideon still wore the usual uniform for the knights but this time, he had a red cape and a more refined sword as a recognition of him becoming Pier's knight.

"It's my pleasure to be complimented by the young master" Gideon said and Pier laughed at the funny expression Gideon was giving off.

"Then let's depart, my knight" Pier said as Gideon assisted him to get on his carriage. The carriage he was riding on was not tied on two black horses, but this time, only Snow carried it.

Another thing that surprised everyone was Pier riding a horse back from their journey in the boundary. He personally asked the king to give the horse to him as a present and the king did not even bat an eye.

King Henry immediately passed the ownership of the horse to Pier.

That was the reason why Pier became the most talked about person in the kingdom for the past week. He had shown a completely new side. From horseback riding to getting a knight, it was a news worthy of being talked about by everyone.

Snow neighed when she saw Pier get on the carriage. Pier stopped for a moment as he waved at the horse.

"Snow, you even look more and more beautiful!" The horse neighed in response and Pier laughed at it. He was having fun talking with Snow because of the human like characteristics the horse was showing.

"Make a grand entrance for me, okay?" he told and the horse replied by scratching its hooves on the ground. Gideon, the Captain of the Knights, and the subordinate knights from the House of Masters only stared at the interaction between Pier and his horse.

The famous untamable horse was happily replying to its owner. Some showed awe and some were secretly jealous of the young master because he was able to tame the horse the prince did not even manage to.

Pier fully got on the carriage and as the doors closed, the other knights also mounted their respective horses.

The carriage that contained Pier Belmiunde then embarked on its way towards the Royal Palace.

---

Raphael paced nervously inside the palace halls. He was waiting for Pier to arrive just like last time, but he was already inside the event place because he had to watch over Gage who also attended the Crown Prince's birthday celebration.

"Older brother, why do you look nervous?" Gage asked as he clung on Raphael's neck.

"Do I look nervous?" Raphael asked as he stared down at his younger brother who had the same auburn hair as him.

"Yes! Older brother kept on looking outside!" Raphael chuckled at his brother's antics.

"I'm waiting for the young master to arrive" It had almost been two weeks since Raphael had not seen Pier ever since the young master went to the boundary with the prince. He dearly missed the noble whom he had taken a liking to.

"Is the young master the good brother?" Gage asked and Raphael nodded his head.

"Yes, you're correct. You can call him young master too" Raphael told the young child and Gage nodded his head, amazed at the title Pier has.

"Young master sounds so cool, just like good brother!" Raphael ruffled Gage's hair and the child pouted because his hair got ruined.

"Yes, so you better learn the piano quickly to play with the young master" Ever since Pier had been seen by the entire kingdom play, many were inspired by the beautiful performance.

One of those was Raphael's younger brother. Gage had been practicing constantly to improve his skills in playing the Piano because of the reason 'he wanted to play with the young master'.

"Yes, I will!" Gage happily said, his pout disappearing at the mention of the piano and Pier.

'Pier's family arrived first as usual. He's not going to be late, right?' Raphael was anxious because it had already been quite some time since the Headmaster and the Headmistress along with their children except for Pier had arrived.

They made the usual eye-catching appearance and every noble who did not have any disputes with them immediately crowded the family. Every gathering was not complete without a representative from the House of Masters and seeing them all gathered at the palace was the perfect addition for the celebration.

"Sir Raphael!" Raphael turned to look at the person who called him.

"Lady Elena" Elena had her hair tied in a bun and she was wearing a navy colored dress. It matched her copper colored hair well and she stood out like a real princess from the other ladies that attended the gathering.

Beside her was the star of the night. Asher Lumiere, the Crown Prince.

Raphael turned to look at Asher. The Crown Prince was wearing a black suit with golden embroideries.

"Greetings your highness, I am glad we can celebrate the date of your birth this evening!" Raphael said and Asher smiled at the words his close confidant had said.

"The pleasure is all mine, young duke. I am also glad that you were able to come" Raphael laughed as he nodded his head.

"Of course, when did I ever miss any of celebrations of your birthdate, your highness? Even though I had a full schedule with the Dutchy, I would still go" The two friends talked with each other. They shared all the things that happened while Asher was away in the boundary.

"Who is the young duke waiting for?" Elena asked as she was getting out of placed with the two men's topics.

"Ah, I'm waiting for the young master to arrive, my lady" Raphael replied curtly and Elena's elegant smile immediately faded before she plastered it on back her face again.

"The young master?" Asher asked and Raphael nodded his head again.

"Yes, I wanted to accompany the young master for this evening" He said with a huge smile on his face. Raphael had been thinking about the things he needed to do this day. He had thought about it for days and he finally came to a conclusion.

Both the Prince and the Marquis' daughter froze at the words Raphael had just said.

"Is there something wrong?" Raphael asked and Elena smiled before replying.

"Of course not, Sir Raphael. However, I'm pretty sure that the young duke could accompany someone else like Lady Arda since it seems like the young master is going to be late" Elena said and Raphael's smile faltered for a second.

"Pardon?" He was caught off guard with the Elena's words.

Why would she try to encourage Raphael to accompany someone else when he had already expressed his desires to go with the young master?

"Surely the lady is only making playful jokes but I have already made up my resolution to accompany the young master" Raphael said, ignoring the fact that Elena tried to tie him with Arda for the evening.

Asher only watched the two interact with each other. His mind was on other things.

He had a grim look on his face when Raphael said he wanted to accompany the young master for the evening.

'Raphael...' He thought about his friend since they were children.

'Does that mean he actually likes the young master?' Asher was pondering over the thought.

If Pier and Raphael did get together, it would mean...

'Pier won't get to stay by my side' He thought as his grim expression worsened.

"Raph-"

"The young master from the Belmiunde Household has arrived!" The announcement had cut off Asher's call towards the young duke.

(Play the video I attached in the media for better reading experience! :D)

Everyone's eyes turned towards the entrance door of the Royal Palace.

It slowly started to open and people were anticipating the entrance of the young master.

Would he make another grand entrance like he did back at the Royal Banquet?

Asher and Raphael held their breaths as they waited for Pier's entrance.

Soon enough, a person walked inside the Royal Palace, but it was not Pier.

"A knight?" Raphael asked as he saw the red caped knight with a shiny looking sword enter the palace halls. The knight walked with dignity and pride as his posture did not waver from all of the stares he got from the people inside.

The knight's steps were valiant and profound.

However, everyone's attention was directed at the person that followed the knight.

Step!

When the person stepped inside, he was fully revealed towards everyone. Both Raphael and Asher had their mouths agape as they watched the person walk in the red carpeted floor.

There stood the young master of the Belmiunde Household.

He had a white colored suit with a red necktie and on his chest was their family's crest. An ancient bird with its wings opened.

Pier's combed black hair glistened against the light. He had a soft smile on his face as he started to walk inside the grand hall.

People stopped doing things and completely stared at the young master who had a god-like appearance. Small light orbs floated around Pier as they accompanied the young master inside.

The moonlight from outside shone as Pier walked in. It gave the young master a more dazzling appearance as each of his steps exuded beauty and elegance. Each time he took a step forward, the two men held their breaths.

Pier was the perfect combination of handsomeness and beauty. He was the epitome of charm and the prince of allure.

The music continued to play as Pier walked inside the grand hall. No one could take their eyes off the young master. Pier was laughing at how the light orbs were following him inside the grand hall and everyone who saw Pier laugh felt their hearts tighten for unknown reasons.

The knight completely stopped walking and stepped aside. Gideon held his hand out when he was on the side and Pier reached his position.

"May I hold my master's hand as we walk inside?" Gideon asked and Pier smiled at his knight. His eyes forming into crescent shapes and it made the light orbs falter for a moment for having seen such a majestic sight.

"You may, My knight" Pier responded and Gideon also smiled at his young master.

The young master gladly took his knight's hand and the knight gently led his master inside.

People were shocked to see the view. They had only heard rumors about the personal knight the young master had gotten but now they had seen it with their own eyes.

It was just like in the books, novels, and stories shared by everyone.

A prince so beautiful that a god would definitely curse him out of jealousy being accompanied by a valiant knight who would defeat even the gods just to protect his master.

It was perfection.

When Pier had finally entered the hall where the guests were located, Gideon stopped allowed his master to go inside.

He kneeled in front of Pier and held the young master's hands firmly. Gideon looked up at Pier who still had a soft smile on his face.

"Have fun this evening, young master" Gideon said as he placed his forehead on the back of Pier's hands.

People were swayed by the knight's actions. It was a perfect display of courtesy a knight could do for his master.

"Thank you, Gideon" Pier said as Gideon let go of Pier's hands.

The two departed as they made the grandest entrance everyone had seen in their whole lives.

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A/N: GIDEON MARRY ME NOW PLS. GIDEOOOOOON!!