The voice was neutral, making it impossible for Glen to discern the creature’s gender.

  “Also attending?” Glen caught the phrasing instantly, his brow arching in mild surprise.

  He had assumed the Raven’s wife had invited only him, but perhaps that wasn’t the case. After all, who said she could only have one friend?

  “You’re a friend of the Raven as well?” Glen asked the dragon-shaped being.

  The creature gave no answer. Instead, it turned its head slightly, speaking in the same cold, imperious tone.

  “If not for the fact that you are a friend of Regila’s, you—a filthy werewolf—would have already been reduced to ashes for daring to speak to me.”

  Without another word, it ignored Glen entirely, pushed open the Raven’s door without knocking, and stepped inside.

  The moment the door opened, a bright light spilled outward.

  “Mr. Glen! That thing was so rude!” Tia exclaimed indignantly.

  Glen merely chuckled. “I’ve met plenty of arrogant types like that. Still, today’s a birthday—let’s not ruin it. I just hope it doesn’t provoke me later, or I might be tempted to teach it a lesson.”

  Tia nodded in fierce agreement.

  Together they approached the door. Glen rapped twice, lightly.

  “Come in,” came a man’s unfamiliar voice from within.

  Glen hesitated for an instant, then pushed the door open.

  A flood of light spilled forth, forcing them both to shield their eyes.

  When their vision finally adjusted, they froze in astonishment.

  Inside the house stretched a vast blue sky, soft white clouds, and a lush green meadow—a serene, dreamlike scene filled with guests and creatures of all kinds, gathered in gentle celebration.

  A breeze of fresh air brushed their faces. Glen glanced back at the worn, gray exterior of the house, then again at the idyllic world beyond the door. The contrast was absurd enough to make him laugh.

  “Mr. Glen…” Tia’s voice trembled with excitement, her cheeks flushed. “This is… incredible!”

  Glen gave a low chuckle. “Indeed it is.”

  They stepped forward. The door closed behind them on its own.

  When Glen turned to look, only a solitary door stood quietly in the middle of the meadow.

  Everything around them felt real—rolling hills in the distance, trees scattered sparsely across the plains.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Pulling their gaze from the scenery, they turned their attention to the gathering.

  Elegant tables and chairs were arranged in perfect order, adorned with lovely decorations.

  Guests of every kind mingled—humans, beastfolk, dwarves, witches, black-robed warriors, and staff-wielding mages. Some chatted in small groups, others simply stood observing.

  A few cast glances toward Glen and Tia, but none seemed interested enough to approach.

  “We’re doomed,” Glen muttered suddenly, his expression darkening.

  “What’s wrong, Mr. Glen?” Tia asked, startled.

  “The cake’s too small,” he groaned, slapping his forehead.

  Tia fell silent.

  Following the familiar scent, Glen led her through the crowd until they found the Raven and his wife.

  The couple were speaking with a long-bearded wizard in a pointed hat and a middle-aged woman who looked to be his wife.

  The Raven’s wife sat on the bed, her lower body covered by a quilt, revealing only from her neck to her abdomen—where her form appeared strangely distorted.

  He hadn’t seen her face clearly the last time, not because of darkness—his werewolf eyes could handle that—but because her hair had hidden most of her features.

  Now, in the bright light, with her hair carefully pinned up, her true face was revealed.

  Her skin was deathly pale—an unhealthy shade. Her lips were dry, her cheeks sunken, her eyes shadowed and hollow.

  At first glance, she was far from beautiful.

  Tia instinctively wanted to gasp, but remembering Glen’s warning, she stiffened, forcing her expression into composure.

  As they drew near, the woman turned her head toward them and smiled.

  That single smile erased all her flaws. It wasn’t magic—it was simply… human warmth.

  Guests surrounded the bed, conversing softly. When Glen and Tia approached, the group noticed them and fell silent.

  “Happy birthday, madam,” Glen said warmly, placing the boxed cake on a nearby table.

  Both the Raven and his wife smiled in acknowledgment.

  “Regila, who might these two be?” the long-bearded wizard asked, frowning slightly.

  Regila—so that was her name—smiled gently and said, “This is our friend from the town, Mr. Glen, and…”

  “This is my friend Tia,” Glen added quickly. “She wished to join the celebration—please don’t mind.”

  “Good day, madam,” Tia said, curtsying nervously.

  “It’s quite alright,” Regila replied with a soft shake of her head.

  Then she turned to the wizard and the woman beside him. “This is Daov and his wife, Meco.”

  “A pleasure to meet you both,” Daov said with a polite bow, echoed by his wife.

  “The pleasure’s ours,” Glen replied, bowing slightly with Tia following his lead.

  “My apologies, madam,” Glen said, glancing at the cake box. “I hadn’t expected so many guests—the cake may be too small.”

  Before Regila could respond, the Raven spoke. “That’s no problem. Leave it to Daov.”

  Glen looked curiously at the wizard.

  Daov chuckled. “No trouble at all. May I see the cake you’ve made for Regila?”

  “Of course.”

  With Glen’s consent, Daov lifted his staff and waved it lightly. The box stirred, as if alive, and opened on its own.

  All eyes turned toward the cake.

  When the exquisite two-tiered confection came into view, several guests gasped in admiration.

  “To craft such beauty by hand, without magic—that’s truly remarkable,” Daov said, stroking his beard.

  Others, who had never seen such a cake before, nodded in agreement.

  Glen couldn’t help but feel a flicker of pride, and Tia’s face glowed with shared satisfaction.

  “Still, it is rather small,” Daov mused. Then, with a lazy flick of his staff, he drew a circle in the air.

  Glen felt a subtle tremor in the atmosphere—and before his eyes, the cake began to grow.

  “Wow!” Tia clasped her hands together, staring wide-eyed as the dessert swelled larger and larger.

  When it finally stood nearly as tall as a man, Daov stopped his spell, clearly satisfied.

  A richer, sweeter aroma filled the air, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

  Conversations halted. Laughter faded. Guests began to gather around the enormous cake.

  “This is the most beautiful birthday cake I’ve ever seen!”

  “That cream—it smells heavenly! We’re in for a treat, haha!”

  “I adore such lovely creations…”

  Their delighted chatter filled the air, a harmony of warmth and cheer that even the Raven and his wife hadn’t felt in years.