I could feel Aidan's arms carefully holding me up as they started to run: making sure I didn't fall.

The cool breeze was nice against my face but didn't last long when they suddenly stop, slowing down back into walking. There were voices that were talking quietly for a few moments before going silent.

Aidan's and Nadia's footsteps echoed a little on stone before he puts me down on something soft.

"Aidan?" I started to reach up to untie the cloth around my eyes.

"Oh! Wait Princess!" His hands cover mine for a moment. "Wait for just a few more seconds okay?"

I lower my hands while sounds of shuffling and movement came from in front of me. My hands clenched together as a pit in my stomach slowly appears; I wasn't sure what was going on- but waiting seemed to make it worse since my eyes were still covered.

"Are you ready Princess?" Nadia's voice comes from behind me, her tone a little excited.

"R-ready..?" I half answered and questioned as the cloth fell from my eyes.

I peeked a little before opening them wide as I saw Papa, Grandpa, Dr. Strom, Mimi and the other people I have seen around the castle standing before me with happy and excited expressions.

"SURPRISE!" They all say, causing me to jump a little.

I took in my surroundings as they waited for a response; seeing the table before me with fancy plates and flowers on a purple table cloth. A larger table was set off to the side with all sorts of food and snacks covering every inch. Smaller tables were spaced out that were a little taller than the table I was sitting at.

A large tree with purple leaves and a black trunk stood over the area with magic lights floating and lighting up everyone.

"S-surprise?" I couldn't help but stammer a little, the pit disappearing like it was never there.

"This is your celebration for becoming my daughter." Papa moves around the table and pats me on the head. "I do apologize that it is a bit late though."

I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't form the words, no one has ever celebrated me before; not here or back there.

I met each person's eyes who all looked like they were holding their breath as they waited for me and I couldn't believe it.

Tears formed and started falling from my eyes while the bubbling feeling reappeared. Papa pulls me into his arms as I cried, his familiar pats comforting me.

"T-thank you..." I tried to stop the tears from falling as my lips lifted. "Thank y-you so m-much!"

"You do not have to thank us child." Grandpa chuckles, covering my hand with his and stopping me from rubbing my face. "This is something that should be obvious that we should do."

"I know that your exact date of birth is unknown." Papa adds in as he gently puts me back on the chair. "But you are now Soraya de Rirgonath Gecaea; Princess of the Demon Kingdom."

His eyes meet mine.

"You no longer have to be shackled to your past. Your place is here."

Everyone knelt before me before lifting their heads up with serious looks on their faces.

"We vow to serve you with all our might Princess! Please accept our vow!"

I look at Papa and Grandpa who nod their head with smiles.

"I-i." I stop before clearing my throat, pushing down the small lump that appeared. "I will accept your vows."

I surprised even myself for not stuttering as they bowed once more before standing.

"Let the celebration begin!" Papa raises his hand as everyone cheers before either rushing for the table with food or talking amongst themselves.

"Would you like to eat first or open presents, Dear?" Mimi smile was the widest I've ever seen.

"P-presents?"

"Well of course!" Mimi steps off to the side to reveal a second large table full of presents. "We all wanted to make sure you had something to open on such a happy occasion."

My stomach suddenly growls, making the decision for me.

"Here Princess!" Multiple people suddenly appear, each holding a plate with a different type of food. "Please try these!"

Papa and Grandpa walked away a little as I started tasting the delicious food. Each dish tasted very yummy and eventually I became full.

Mimi waves towards the table with presents- causing it to lift up into the air as it moved next to my chair.

"As per tradition:" Mimi straightens up a little as she spoke. "The lowest ranked Demon shall present their present first."

A small little person with long ears and nose steps up, looking nervous before bowing and offering me a present wrapped in brown paper.

After glancing at Mimi for moment, I took the present and open it- revealing a flower surrounded in a shiny stone.

"For you Princess." His voice was deep. "To enjoy a flower that will never fade with time."

"Thank y-you." I smiled at him and saw his yellow skin turn orange around his face. "I will be happy to a-accept this."

"T-t-thank you P-p-princess!!" He bows once more before quickly running away as another took his place.

I opened many presents and made sure to thank every one who all had the same reaction as the first. Grandpa steps forward towards the end, presenting a drawing set with paint that changed colors when I said to before he steps to the side.

"This is the last present." Mimi suddenly speaks as Papa appears. "His royal Majesty will now present his gift."

"My daughter." Papa smiles, seeming to be glowing with happiness. "You deserve these gifts and many more that will come in the future."

He kneels before me, reaching up to touch my face. I leaned into his warm hand as he continued to speak.

"These many be physical manifestations of love, but do know that love is also heard and felt... As long as you allow yourself to feel them. I love you, Soraya. Happy Birthday."

Papa snaps his fingers, causing purple smoke to appear in my lap as something warm and heavy lays on my dress.

A black kitty with purple flames around it's neck and the tip of it's tail appeared, glancing over at me with similar eyes to Papa before yawning and nuzzling my hand.

"This is a Demon Panther." Papa says as I start to pet it's soft fur. "It is a special creature that will protect you for life once you have bonded."

"Bonded?" I asked as it started to purr.

"If it tells you it's name, then it means that it accepts you."

I started to open my mouth to ask another question when it suddenly nips my finger; the world around me suddenly disappearing, leaving me in darkness.

"Papa?" I could feel that I was still sitting in the chair, but I couldn't hear or see Papa.

"So you want to be bonded to me?" A child-like voice appears from my lap, causing me to look down in surprise. "Why should I accept you?"

The cat sits up in my lap, its purple eyes staring into mine.

"I-i-i..." I didn't know what to say. "I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"I don't know what I c-could say." My eyes refused to move. "It's b-been like a dream... I eat yummy food, s-sleep in a warm and fluffy bed, I get to r-read, d-don't have to clean or work..."

"Do I really deserve this?" The cat says at the same time as I got the feeling that it somehow knew everything.

We sit in silence for a few moments before the cat sighs.

"You do."

"W-what?"

"Deserve this." The cat rubs it's face against mine. "Though those bad things happened- it doesn't mean that they will keep happening. You deserve to be happy more than anyone."

It sits back. "Nova."

"Nova?"

"My name. It's Nova." Nova gives me a small lick. "I get the feeling you need a little help with expecting good things; so I will make sure to teach you... What's your name?"

I stare at the kitty as the darkness faded; Papa and everyone else returning.

"Soraya. Soraya de Rirgonath Gecaea."

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Holy freaking crap! It's finally the end of the year! I made sure to make this nice and long for all of ya to start off your new year!🤯🥳

Its been unbelievable year and I'm really glad that you all kept coming back! Please look forward to more chapters of the 'Demon King said to call him Papa'!🥰😘

😍🤩