Anticipation

Everything was going smoothly. The new order within the knights had been created, though it only had a handful of members. There were no major issues in the kingdom as a whole, though a bit of murmuring against the new state of things.

But nothing too serious, at least Heron didn't think so. The majority of people seemed content with his new regulations.

Heron was excited though. Hazel would be coming home soon. He was looking forward to it with great anticipation. It had been so long since he had seen his beloved little sister!

But it was still a few weeks away.

Today however was Heron's birthday. He was finally turning eighteen. He would probably be rather uncaring if it wasn't for Elswyth.

She was more excited than he was.

His friend was obviously looking forward to him being of age. He was honestly a bit concerned about what she might have planned.

He was well-wished a lot today, and the entire nation was celebrating his birth – a tradition in Amriel for the people on their king's birthdays was to have a festival. It was a weird feeling that his birthday was now a national holiday.

Strangely enough, he had barely seen Elswyth since that morning when she had greeted him first thing as he emerged from his room with a "So you're an adult now?"

They had briefly chatted and she had walked off, beaming from ear to ear. He hadn't seen her since.

He had to give a speech today. It was traditional for the king to do so on their birthday and thank the people and promise to spend the next year being a good king.

Heron kept it fairly short, before retiring to his study. He was a bit burned out. It was rather stressful having a whole lot of strangers celebrating him. He much preferred his birthday to be a more intimate sort of celebration.

The door of his study opened and he looked up as Elswyth entered. She came over and sat on the arm of his chair. "You look tired. Again."

"It's been a long day." He answered quietly.

"Well, I got some of the knights and we set up a celebration for you in their training room. Come along and let us celebrate your birthday."

He smiled. A sense of warmth spread through his chest and nodded. "Thanks."

He let her take him there.

It did feel more comfortable. He knew all of their names at least, and was quite familiar with several of the knights. The three knights from the new order were there, two of them together, and Luth was with the twins – as usual.

Oh, that was something else Heron had found out rather recently. Luth wasn't a man. She was just flat-chested enough she could pass herself off as one with only a bit of chest binding. After the new order had started up though, she had stopped concealing her gender as females were actually allowed in the new order.

Heron had been shocked by the news. He had had no idea – though he had thought her looks were a bit feminine. But apparently the twins had been helping her to not get caught. Heron had turned a blind eye to it. Honestly, he didn't care. He had just not expected it.

And he was pretty sure there was something between her and Aklane. Not that he had asked. Bit after finding out she was a girl, he had been questioning some of their interactions that he had seen.

As the celebration winded down, Heron left with Elswyth. Well, she took his hand and he followed.

They went out into the gardens. Elswyth's hand was warm in his own, and he felt a bit self-conscious.

She suddenly turned to him. "Since you're fully an adult now, I can kiss you right?"

Heron hesitated a bit, as he felt his cheeks burn. "…Sure."

He closed his eyes as she stepped up close to him and pressed her lips to his. It was more innocent than he had been expecting and he was somewhat relieved. He wasn't yet mentally ready for too much more than that.

"Well, good night." She whispered softly before walking away.

Heron pressed his hands to his cheeks for a bit and then sighed to himself. He would have liked to talk more with her. But well, they would have the rest of their lives right?

He felt his cheeks burn even more at the thought.