Aster stepped forward, the mana lanterns reflecting softly in his silver eyes.
In his hand, he held a crystalline, rune-etched object—
*the Voice Amplification Stone shaped like a microphone.*
A device he designed.
A symbol of everything he had built with innovation, determination, and the help of the engineers who believed in him.
The hall buzzed with anticipation.
Foreign nobles leaned forward.
Children whispered excitedly.
Even the king looked nervous.
Only the queen stared with barely concealed irritation.
Aster lifted the crystal mic.
A faint hum vibrated through the hall as the magic activated.
He spoke.
"Before anything else… I want to tell you all something important."
Hundreds of eyes fixed on him.
Astra held her breath.
Arlienne watched anxiously from below the stage.
Aster continued, voice steady and sincere:
"Today… is my mother's birthday."
A shocked ripple moved through the hall.
Even the foreign dignitaries looked taken aback.
Aster's voice echoed warmly:
"She raised us alone.
She supported us when we had nothing.
And earlier today, at Snowflake Mansion…
we were celebrating her birthday."
He didn't accuse anyone.
He didn't insult the queen.
He stated only the truth.
But the truth was heavy.
Very heavy.
Because everyone in the hall immediately realized—
They dragged the Snowflake children away
*from their own mother's birthday celebration.*
The queen's expression cracked for a split second.
Her fingers tightened on her scepter.
But before she could speak—
A noble woman stepped forward.
"Lady Arlienne… I didn't know! Happy birthday!"
A foreign ambassador joined her.
"Yes! Many happy returns! Please forgive our ignorance!"
Then a ripple of voices spread:
"Happy birthday, Lady Arlienne!"
"Blessings to you!"
"May your year be filled with joy!"
Aster's mother bowed in surprise, eyes shimmering.
She wasn't used to receiving affection from nobles.
She wasn't used to being acknowledged at all.
Aster saw the faint smile on her face…
And he knew he had done the right thing.
The queen's nails dug into her palm until the skin whitened.
This was *her* birthday.
And yet—
Tonight, Arlienne Snowflake was the one being celebrated.
***
After a few minutes, the applause and greetings died down.
Aster glanced at Astra.
Astra nodded with a bright smile.
"Time to sing," she whispered.
They stepped forward together.
The hall quieted immediately.
Mana lights dimmed slightly, focusing the glow on the twins.
Aster raised the mic.
Astra took a breath.
And the music began.
**Three melody songs.**
Soft, soothing harmonies filled the palace.
Pure, gentle tones that wrapped around the hall like warm night air.
A magical aura shimmered each time Astra sang a high note.
Aster's deep harmony layered perfectly beneath hers.
Children swayed.
Adults closed their eyes.
Foreign nobles whispered awe.
"Amazing…"
"This is the Snowflakes…!"
"No wonder their fame crossed borders…"
Even the king looked moved.
The queen, however, forced a polite smile that looked painfully strained.
After the third song ended, the hall erupted into applause.
Thunderous.
Unanimous.
Filled with admiration.
Astra giggled softly. "They liked it…"
Aster smiled. "Of course they did."
They bowed gracefully.
Then turned to step off the stage—
When someone shouted:
"Snowflakes! We want a rap!"
Immediately others joined in:
"Yes! Please!"
"Just one!"
"From your album!"
"Sing *Spark of Dawn*!"
"No! Sing *Rhythm of Life*!"
Aster stiffened.
He shook his head slightly.
"No… We came here for a short performance. That's enough."
He didn't *want* to rap here.
Not in the queen's hall.
Not under her cold gaze.
Not on the night that should belong to Arlienne.
But Astra tugged his sleeve gently.
"Aster… just one," she whispered.
"Everyone is waiting… and it won't hurt."
Aster looked at her.
Her hopeful eyes.
Her innocent smile.
He sighed.
"…Fine. One rap."
The hall roared with excitement.
The queen gripped her throne harder.
Aster stepped back to the center of the stage.
The mana around him shifted.
A deeper beat pulsed through the hall—
powerful, rhythmic, unmistakably **Snowflake style**.
Astra stepped beside him, ready to sing the chorus.
And together—
They performed a rap from their second album.
Aster delivered sharp, clean lines with perfect flow.
Mana vibrated with each word.
His voice resonated like rolling thunder.
Astra's silvery harmonies wrapped around his rap like stardust.
The audience was stunned.
Children jumped in place, shouting.
Foreign nobles clapped off beat, trying to follow.
Even some stiff nobles couldn't hide their amazement.
When the final beat dropped—
The hall exploded with applause loud enough to shake the crystal lanterns.
Aster lowered the mic, breathing lightly.
Astra beamed proudly.
And Arlienne watched her children with shining eyes.
But behind them…
The queen's expression was no longer simply annoyed or jealous.
It was something else entirely.
A storm.
A growing fury.
A calculation.
Because tonight—
The Snowflakes didn't just perform.
They stole the entire palace's attention.
And the queen would not forgive that.