#4: Party fit for a Princess

I got up, I turned 118. An adult. The maids were a bit more careful with me, Because ten years back, when, Zane turned 118, his powers went rampant when the butler woke him up, and that blast kind of killed the butler.

"Princess, Happy birthday, Congratulations on turning 118.", Said my head maid.

" Yea Yea Thanks. ", I replied as I went and brushed my fangs.

Me turning 118 had a big effect on my fangs, them growing sharp enough to pierce my finger as I went to touch them. After I was forced into a bath with perfumes and bath salts, I finally smelled like a princess.

That was not all, next was a tiring process, The dress was comfy and fine enough, I could walk and move freely, but it was too princess.. and was white with a bit of peach....I always wore black!!!I was cringing seeing my own reflection.

"Princess you look so pretty!!!! ", A few junior maids squealed.

Yea.. they would squeal.. I was wearing the most trendy dress on the Fashion weekly. Designed by hand, filled with handmade stitches yada yada. It was cool though, comfortable to wear and move I guarantee I could fight in this If I needed to and the dress wouldn't hinder my movement though its hella long. It was strange that it was this comfy...

"Did the dress have any alterations?", I asked.

"Uh.. only the ones his highness, Prince Nyxus asked.", the head maid said.

"Nyxus? why was I not informed of it?", I asked.

"I.. am sorry Princess.", she knelt before me and begged.

"It's fine. Just leave it.", I said. I didn't have any time to bother about this, though Nyxus is gonna have it when we meet.

I usually kept a bun or a ponytail, but this time maids tried out all hairdos, some even suggested I dye my hair. But I just chose a hairstyle which I felt would be better and faster done.

I went out, The party preparations were going on, it was like my palace had a makeover done. The curtains were changed into exquisite but classy design. The boring chandelier changed into a more designed and bigger one. The glass panes too were changed.

All for a single birthday party. I just went over to the garden out in the back, since all are busy no one would come to the lake and the garden, So I went and stayed there.

The lake was a kind of my strength. I always came here when I felt weak or sad. Now I need more strength than ever. I am going to take a big decision.

I will run away.

Not a joke, if that's what you think. I have to. I want to feel something. Not live lifelessly or like psychos where we only get enjoyment by sarcasm and pain of others.

How does true happiness feel like? Nanny always told, the ones ever to achieve true happiness were humans and no other clan.

I will go to the human world. Once I am wedded I can't go anywhere without being watched. I would never be able live like that.

I already have my papers written. I already signed the papers which would let me give up my right to throne and title making me a commoner.

Till now my title and blood was the only thing that saved me from being killed for fun or throne. Once I received the title of heir, I am surely the first target.

I dug up a small box which I had buried when I turned 100. I dug it up carefully with magic so that none of the dirt would spoil my dress. The box was fine, in it were the papers.

I made the decision long back, If anything, I will just give this box to brother or father and escape somewhere.

I held the box for a while staring at the lake.

"Isn't the birthday girl supposed to be at the venue?", I heard an annoying tone ringing behind me.

" Yea.. I wonder what the guy who is supposed to out torturing people doing in my garden? ", I said holding the box firmly and turned.

"I forgot to get you a present yesterday so... thought should give it to you. ", Nyxus said.

" A present? A chain? Shackles? A broken arm of someone? ", I asked.

" what? Are you interested in them? I never knew... we had similar tastes... ".. he came and sat beside me. He was dressed completely in formal attire and I could see he was irritated of it as in formal attire he couldn't remove the first three buttons.

" Should I just get a guillotined head for you? What do you prefer... human? elf? giant? wolf? ", He said sitting quite relaxed.

" Neither please. So I guess you brought something else? ", I said.

" Yea, A travel journal of a human, It had pretty pictures and some crazy stories. ", He handed me a badly gift wrapped book.

" Where did you get it? " I asked,

"It was on the spy I killed yesterday. Seemed nice. Anyway your birthday is here so.. ", He said looking intently at the gift.

" So.. it's kind of like a spoil of war? " I said

"hmm, not war per se. But yea.", he said.

"What was a human doing here?", I asked.

"The dragons are appointing human spies, to disguise themselves as Vampires and execute their bad plots.", He said.

"I see.", I said

I opened it, The letters were a bit foreign in each page, but most of it written in English. It was like a diary, but filled with stories of Adventure. The pictures taped to it were way awesome!

"Brother, I love it. ", I said and hugged him. This was the best gift though he didn't actually mean it.

And this could be the last time I see him. So, I guess a hug is okay.

" Hmm.. I could get used to this.", He said hugging back.

"You won't get anymore. Its weird to hug you. ", I said.

"Hmm.. Your loss, Ladies say I am quite a good hugger. ", He said.

"Ughh.. disgusting.", I said and smiled at him.

"Brother, I have something to give you. ", I said.

"What? ", he asked.

" This box. Keep it and don't open it till tomorrow this time. Promise it! ". I said.

" I am curious, but okay. ".He said.

I kept a magic on the box which would prevent it from being opened before 24hours complete, and even if it was opened it would just show an empty box, only Zane could open it, but I am sure Zane is going to his human girl's place the moment the party's over.

"Well, See you at the party. ", He said and went back holding the box.

" Princess! The Emperor has asked to you to finish the required formalities.", a maid came running over to inform me. But I mostly think it was to look at Nyxus.

The formalities were to greet my elders and ancestors. It was just a sort of formality where I have to bow down in front of my great grandfather, grandparents and the founder of Rune.

It took a while for the formalities to be done. I soon was led to the main Hall. It was totally filled with Vampires, Dragons, Witches, Warlocks, Giants and Elves and Dwarves.

I was called to the Dias, but I noticed something felt strange, all Vampires wore pastel colored dresses? The decorations were pretty and extravagant more than any of my siblings not even brother Nyxus got this treatment nor Bella.

In the middle, there was Father and Mother in their formal attire, but father who usually just wears a black suit with formal setting, wore a formal setting with his medals on display.

They both adorned their crowns, I came and they wished me happy birthday, I knelt down on one leg, to receive my middle name.

"Our 7th child, Amber Rune, the most kind and lovable of all, you have now come of age, I shall now bestow upon you the title of the honorary Archduchess of Nearville, the capital of our Empire. This is in addition to your title as the fourth Royal Highness of the Rune Empire's 13th Generation,

You are to look after the place as you would your child. ", said my father which left a shock in everyone and murmurs started.

Nearville was the capital of industries and business, the most well developed area with security and richness of quality, and the title of Archduchess meant I held a lot of power.

" My dear Amber, I shall now bestow your middle name, You from now shall be called, Amber Mae Rune, the fearless and virtuous, the fourth Royal highness and the Seventh heir to the mighty Empire.

May you live a fulfilling life. ", Said Mother.

As she said those words, soft mist came and kind of circled around me, as it did I could feel the slight change in my magic.

But... Mae??? Not Bellatrix... What happened to prim and proper???...

But I couldn't believe it!?! Did they finally think about my wishes? Should I have not actually given up being their daughter?...

"Now I call the bride and groom upon the dais. ", said the priest who suddenly appeared from behind my parents.

Hm... Was there a marriage? I didn't know...

From the middle of crowd, A tall Elf, Blond and green-eyed, no... silver?... no, green eyed, and well built came in a suit that fit him perfectly. I checked him out, He had a good height and looked pretty. His shirt was tight and that led to many ladies being unable to breathe.

Who's the bride though... I kept on staring at the crowd but no girl came forward.. wow... did the bride ditch this guy... I giggled a bit slightly so that no one would notice.

My father looked at me and took my hand and we started walking towards the groom.. Like what???...Why are we going there?...

"Um.. Father? Where are we going? ", I asked. My father's had firmly catching mine.

" It's your engagement with Silas Leo. ", He said.

" My what????? But wasn't it to be in three months?", I asked trying not to scream and embarrass my father.

"Leo has to soon go on a field mission to the werewolves. He wanted to stay with you as a couple before that as it may or may not guarantee his life. ", He said.

" But I am not ready.... you can't do this... it's my birthday can't it just wait a bit more... three months is not that long! ", I tried to go away. Me being engaged would ruin my plans! I can't! No one gets married at their 118th birthday anymore!!!

We reached the dais before I could get a reply. I looked at Silas, he was smiling? smirking? I couldn't understand. His eyes had a silver-ish glint but I couldn't see it clearly.

" This is a permanent engagement vow connecting two souls and with no consideration of race as we are all but the creation of the First.

Come forward my children. ", Said the Elf Priest, he was way more holier than I thought. He gave off an aura of father more than my own biological one.

The kindness in his voice was so mesmerizing that I came front without a complaint or protest.

"Leo Silas, Do you take the Vampire Princess, Amber Mae Rune as your fiancee with wishes to wed before this year's end? "

"Yes, I guarantee that within a year of now, we might even have a heir, a girl or boy vampire with the last name Silas. ", He said making all squeal and say some crazy whispers.

" Do you my princess, your Royal highness, agree to be in this marriage arrangement for life? ", asked the Vampire priest.

All eyes we're fixated on me, all of them expecting me to say yes. Some filled with jealousy but still expectant of my answer... I stumbled and couldn't speak..

" My child, be honest and speak your mind, as the vow cast now by me is that of life, and only death can separate you. You can't cheat nor look at others again. So think about it carefully...

If you disagree, just say no. ", The elf priest said.

" um... I... "