That afternoon, the Queen summoned Fang to her private chambers. Fang entered with quiet grace and bowed respectfully.
The Queen smiled warmly. "Come, sit beside me."
Fang obeyed, sitting gently at her side. The Queen took her hand with affection. "You and Syaoran… finally together. That makes me happier than you know."
Blushing, Fang nodded. "I'm happy too, Your Majesty."
The Queen leaned in with a soft sigh. "But that's not the only reason I called you." Her eyes twinkled. "Tomorrow… is Syaoran's birthday."
Fang's eyes widened. "His birthday?"
The Queen sighed again. "Yes. Every year, I try to celebrate it, but he refuses. That's why I need you. Persuade him. He won't listen to me, but… he listens to you."
Fang tilted her head in confusion. "But… why doesn't His Majesty want to celebrate?"
The Queen sighed dramatically. "Because he's convinced celebrating will make him 'age faster.'" She rolled her eyes. "He once said, 'The more you celebrate, the more you grow old.' Childish, isn't it?"
Fang burst into laughter. "He actually said that?"
The Queen chuckled. "What can I do with him? No one would believe the mighty King of the Lycans refuses cake because he fears wrinkles."
Fang grinned. "Then let me handle it."
She leaned closer and whispered her plan.
The Queen's expression lit up with amusement. "Perfect."
As Fang bowed and turned to leave, the Queen watched her fondly. "That girl… clever indeed."
---
That Night – Operation Birthday Cake
Long after everyone had gone to sleep, the Queen, Taio, and Fang snuck into the royal kitchen like a trio of mischievous thieves.
Fang rolled up her sleeves. "Alright. I need rice flour, sugar, a pinch of salt, and vanilla essence."
Taio blinked. "I know the first three, but… what's vanilla essence?"
The Queen mirrored his confusion. "Yes, what is that, exactly?"
Fang coughed awkwardly. "It's like… a rose, but sweeter. A flower that smells like cake dreams."
"Ah," they both said, clearly still confused.
"If you have any dried or fresh roses, that'll work too," she added.
Taio quickly fetched the ingredients while Fang got to work. She whisked, folded, and stirred with focus. "Taio, fire?"
With a dramatic gesture, Taio lit the hearth with his power.
"Nice," Fang said with a grin. "You're good for something after all."
Taio gave a theatrical bow.
Soon the kitchen was filled with the warm, sweet scent of freshly baked cake.
When it was done, Fang asked, "Can someone cool it?"
Before Taio could respond, the Queen raised her hand and conjured a perfect block of ice beneath the tray. Frosty mist danced around the cake.
Fang gasped. "Your Majesty! That was amazing!"
The Queen smirked. "I still remember a few tricks."
Once the cake had cooled, Fang sliced small pieces for them to taste.
The Queen took one bite and smiled. "Fang, this is wonderful. So soft… and sweet."
Taio was already munching happily. He gave two enthusiastic thumbs-ups.
Fang beamed and began icing the cake. The others leaned in curiously as she piped a design on top.
The Queen squinted. "What… is that supposed to be?"
"It's a wolf!" Fang said proudly.
There was silence. Then the Queen burst out laughing, patting her shoulder. "It's adorable."
"I'm heading to bed," she added. "Wake me when it's time for decorations."
After the Queen left, Fang turned to Taio with a raised brow. "Well? It does look like a wolf… right?"
Taio stared at the cake, then at her. He hummed dramatically. "Hmmm~~"
And walked away, laughing.
Fang glared at his back and pouted. "Hmph. No one can bake like me. If cake could win wars, I'd be the general."
She sighed theatrically, hands on hips, then looked down at her cake with a proud smile.