The King's Mandate: Anomalous System

Elena and Das went to the cafe.

This might be the first time Elena didn't order anything.

"What's wrong? Why don't you order some cakes and pastries like always."

Elena's face flushed a little as she looked down at the table and said, "I am on a diet."

"What was that?"

"I am on a diet."

Das froze and stared blankly at Elena before blinking a couple of times.

Das squinted his eyes and said, "Could it be that you are--"

"I am Elena."

Das chuckled and said, "I know that. I was asking if you are feeling sick or something."

Elena shook her head as she said, "I am not."

"Then why aren't you ordering anything."

"I told you I am on a diet."

"Come on, I know that's a lie. Go ahead and order whatever you want."

'Just watching her eat fills me up.'

"If…" Elena stuttered.

"Hmm?"

"If I order something, then you have to eat it too."

"Well," Das shrugged his shoulders and said, "Sure. I will just take a bite."

"No, you have to eat with me."

"..."

'I am not sure if I should eat too many sweets or not. But… if Elena wants then…'

"Okay"

"Really?!"

"Yeah. Go ahead and order whatever you want."

"Yay!"

'Judging by her reaction, I can say she was dying to eat.'

Das sighed, thinking, 'And here I was admiring her courage for being honest.'

"Say, Das," Elena closed some distance and brought her face close to Das' face, saying, "When is your birthday?"

Das frowned his eyes and said, "Why do you want to know?"

"I am just curious."

"..."

Das leaned back as he stared at Elena, who was waiting for his answer.

Das gave in as he sighed and said, "Fine."

Elena looked more excited than before.

"Tell, tell."

"It's on twenty-sixth June."

"I see. Twenty-sixth June, huh?"

"Yeah"

Elena looked satisfied.

'Here it comes.'

'One'

'Two'

'Three'

"What?! Twenty-sixth June!" Elena exclaimed.

"Yeah"

"But it's today!"

"Yeah"

"Today is your birthday?!"

"Yeah. And stop shouting."

"Why are you here if it's your birthday."

"What does it matter?"

"What do you mean by what does it matter? It's your birthday today?!"

"I know."

Elena stood up as she slammed her hands on the table and said, "Show some excitement!"

"You look more excited than me."

"Of course! Birthday is a very special day. Everyone should be excited!"

"It doesn't matter. Every day is the same for me."

"It does matter! Why didn't you tell me about it?!"

"Because you never asked?"

"You were supposed to tell me if it was your birthday today!"

"I did tell you, right?"

"That's when I asked. If I hadn't asked, you wouldn't have bothered telling me, right?"

"Well…" Das slowly averted his gaze and uttered, "I was going to tell you."

"Lies!" Elena slammed her hands on the table again and said, "Lies!"

'What the hell is going on? I thought she would wish me a happy birthday and tease me a little. But what the hell is this? She is angry.'

"Sit down. You are making a commotion."

"Huh?" Elena glanced around the cafe, and her face flushed as she sat down.

"Sorry," said Elena.

"It's okay."

"I wasn't saying that to you."

"..."

"I am still angry."

"Why?"

"It's your birthday, and you didn't tell me about it. Is that how little you think of me that you don't even want to invite me to your birthday party?"

'And I thought we were friends,' Elena thought as she clenched her fist.

"There is no birthday party."

"Don't lie. I know you just don't want to invite me."

"I am telling the truth. There is no party or any celebration."

"Why not?"

"As I said, it doesn't matter. Birthday is nothing special to me."

"It should be special. What is wrong with you?"

"..."

"Birthday only comes once a year, and you get a chance to get whatever you want from your parents. Your all friends come to your house and celebrate your birthday with you, and you get gifts too."

"I can get whatever I want anytime. I don't have friends, and I don't need gifts."

"..."

"And they only come to your house to celebrate because they want to have fun, not because of your birthday. I am sure most would go to any party as long as they get to have fun."

"What's wrong with that?"

'He said he doesn't have any friends; does that mean he doesn't count me as friends either?'

'What's with her. She is suddenly quiet all of a sudden.' Das thought.

'Did I say too much again?'

'Should I ask him what exactly is our relationship?' Elena questioned herself.

'I know what birthday means, and I do actually celebrate it with my parents, but my birthday is not exactly today. It's after forty days.'

'No one knows that, and I haven't told anyone about it because it's related to the Royal stuff.'

'Should I tell Elena?'

'But my identity as royal should be kept secret. If I told Elena, mom might get angry.'

"Hmm," Das grabbed the glass filled with water.

'But Elena already knows mom, and her parents and my parents know each other from childhood. Doesn't that mean Elena should know about me being Eden?'

'Maybe her parents are keeping it secret from her?'

'Should I ask her?'

'But how. I can't just say, 'Hey, do you know I am Eden?'. If she really doesn't know, then it would be bad.'

'More importantly, why do I want to tell Elena about me being an Eden?'

'Why do I want to tell her about my real birth date?'

'Why did I even bothered telling her about my birthday?'

'What's wrong with me?'

'When I am with Elena, I feel like I am alive.'

'I feel…. Happy'

'I want to be with her more.'

'I want to know more about her.'

'Now that I think of it, I don't know anything about her.'

'It's my fault. I never tried to know more about her. I don't even talk with her nicely.'

'I always act like a jerk and make her angry, and she still keeps being with me.'

'What exactly is our relationship?'