Rich Daddy

The sounds of shouting and crying filled my ears as I blinked away the blurriness of my vision.

"Kill her! Kill her!" I heard people begin to chant and my stomach dropped when my vision cleared and I saw my surroundings. I was on some sort of raised wooden platform, a crowd of people surrounding it, their faces angry as they shouted at me.

What… what was going on?

Someone suddenly grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head backwards so that I became face to face with a them.

The man had a regal appearance with his luxurious suit and golden hair and I knew instantly that this was the same character that was on the front cover of the novel that Seraphina was in.

He was the crown prince.

His golden honey eyes narrowed on mine and his lips curved into an evil grin.

"This is a fitting end for a villainess like you, isn't it?" He asked cruelly, yanking on my hair once more and I let out a cry.

"Alaric, please don't hurt her." Cried a gentle voice and a blonde haired girl came to stand beside the crown prince. She placed her arm in his and cuddled close. "Even though she tried to kill me, I don't want her to suffer so much."

I also knew from her appearance that this was Isolde, the main character of the novel I had read.

Even though her words were sweet, her blue gaze darkened as it fell on mine.

"My Isolde is so caring, even to a wench like Seraphina." Alaric said softly and as Isolde cuddled closer, she gave me a secretive grin.

"You-!" I spat angrily and a swift blinding pain blackened my vision as Alaric slapped me.

"Take her away." Alaric spat with a disgusted expression and I began to struggle against the knights that swarmed in. They pushed me forward and I realised what was happening.

A small wooden block lay in front of me and I fought fiercely as they tried to push me towards it.

"Seraphina!" I heard a familiar voice scream and I looked up to see Julien, Seraphinas father trying to push past the guards but they blocked his way. "Dammit! Stop this!" His face was pale and tear stricken as he fought against the guards. He was soon forced to kneel, a sword drawn to his neck as he continued to struggle.

"Hurry up!" Hissed Alaric and I was finally shoved downwards, my neck pressed tightly against the wooden block.

"Please stop!" I began to cry. "Daddy!"

"No!" I heard Julien scream, but it was too late. A hot white pain shot through my neck and everything turned dark.

"No!" I woke up with a gasp, bolting upright in bed.

"My dear, what's wrong?" Julien asked as he sat up beside her. "Did you have a bad dream?"

"Ah…" I looked around and realised I had woken up still in Seraphinas body. "Yes, a bad dream."

"It's all ok now, that's all it was in the end - just a bad dream." He gave me a dazzling smile and grabbed my hands. "This is real life, nothing bad will happen to you here."

"Ha… is that so?" I chuckled weakly and took another look around the unfamiliar bedroom. "I guess this is my life now."

Visions from the dream I just had sent shivers down my spine. Nothing bad will happen to me here? What a lie.

Wait.

Maybe nothing bad did have to happen to me here!

Sure I was in Seraphinas body, but that didn't mean that I was her. I didn't have to make the same choices as her - I didn't have to end up with the same fate as her.

I clenched my hands in determination, fully settled on what I needed to do.

I don't know why I'm here, or what has happened and I don't know if I'll be able to get back to my old life. But I wasn't going to worry about it, at least not yet.

I was going to change Seraphinas life and stay away from the cruel prince Alaric. Once I know there's no possibility of me having my neck sliced, I can look into how I got here and how I can go back.

"While you were resting, I thought of a great idea!" Julien said, breaking me from my thoughts. "Why don't I take you out on a daddy daughter date like we used to do?"

I held back a chuckle as I looked into his pleading eyes. It was almost like he was a big puppy and if I stared at him for too long I could almost see ears and a tail.

"But what about the Prince? Wasn't I meant to meet him today?" I asked, remembering what the maid had said this morning. I gulped at the thought of seeing him, but it was better to break off my engagement with him sooner rather than later.

"I'll send word that you are feeling under the weather," Julien smiled. "Today I'm going to keep you all to myself and spoil you rotten!"

Despite everything, I gave a small laugh. The motion making Juliens grin grow wider.

"Then I will be in your care today, father." I smiled and he pulled me in for a hug before getting up and calling for the maids once more.

"I'll go and send word to the prince whilst you get ready." Julien smiled and I nodded, waving at him as he left the room.

"Are you… are you feeling better, my lady?" The maid from before, my father had called her Emilia, came back in the room. Her kind eyes focused on me as if she was scared I was going to go crazy again.

"Yes, I think so." I smiled and stood up. "I'm going out with my father today, can you help me dress?"

I had some idea of how the ladies from this novel dressed, but being used to wearing jeans and jumpers, I figured I would need some help.

"Of course, my lady! You needn't ask." Emilia grinned and called for the other maids to come in.

I was suddenly whisked to the adjoining bathing room where I was scrubbed, polished and perfumed. They then dried my hair with some sort of magical device and then styled it in soft curls that fell around my face. They applied some makeup, a soft rogue to liven up my skin, some mascara to frame my eyes and some lipstick to enhance my lips.

"Now for the dresses." Emilia smiled as she motioned some of the maids forward. Sevral gowns were held up in front of me and I was in awe. Each of the gowns were gorgeous! They had bouncy skirts with layers of ruffle and tulle - thousands of gems were sewn into the bodices.

"These are all very nice dresses," I breathed as I ran my hand over one of the skirts. "But do you have something a little simpler? More casual?" The dresses were stunning but I knew that I would feel uncomfortable wearing them as soon as I left the manor.

Emilia looked at me as if I was speaking another language. The me in the novel was said to have expensive taste and only wore the most gaudiest dresses.

"Something… simpler?" Emilia repeated and then slowly nodded her head. "Bring in some more modest gowns!" She ordered and the maids left the room, returning a while later with less puffy dresses. Again they were all gorgeous, but the soft burgundy one to the left caught my attention. It was made from a soft silk and had delicate little roses embroidered all over its skirts. Delicate lace made up the sleeves and several little red gemstones were scattered amongst the fabric, twinkling and glittering in the light.

"I think we'll go with this one." I said and Emilia smiled and nodded. They began to help me into the dress and it seemed to hug my curves perfectly.

When they were finished, I made my way to stand in front of the floor length mirror. My eyes widened as I took in my reflection.

I knew Seraphina was beautiful, it was described in the story that she was one of the most beautiful ladies in the kingdom. But seeing her beauty in real life was completely different.

"The Count is waiting at the carriage down stairs, my lady." A maid said from the door and I gave a nod.

I followed the maids as they lead me through the grand hallways of my new home and I couldn't hide my surprise as I took everything in.

"My dear you look simply stunning." The Counts voice broke me out of my daze and I glanced over at my father. He looked even more handsome than this morning and I noticed that he wore a tie the same colour as my dress. I couldn't help but smile when I thought about how much effort he was making.

"Thank you, father." I grinned and he held out a hand to help me up and into the carriage that was waiting. He got in after and closed the door, signalling to the coach driver to move on.

"So where are we going?" I asked as the coach began to make its way down the long driveway of the manor. I was nervous to see the capital, but I also needed to start learning as much about this place as I could if I wanted to survive.

"First I'm going to take you shopping and let you buy anything you want, then I'm going to rent out your favourite restaurant and have dinner with my beautiful daughter." Julien smiled and crossed his legs, looking rather proud of himself.

"That sounds wonderful, father." I smiled and looked out the window, watching in wonder at the strange scenery that passed by.

"You know…" Julien began to talk and I turned my gaze back to him. "If there's anything going on, or if there's anything you're unsure of - you can tell me."

I pondered for a moment but after seeing how earnestly he was looking at me, I decided to say what was on my mind.

"I wish to cancel my engagement with the prince." I said, adrenaline coursing through my blood as the words left my lips. Was he going to be angry? This marriage carried a lot of favour for him and his business, perhaps-

"That's fine." Julien shrugged and I was stumped.

"Is it really fine?" I asked incredulously. "This is the crown prince we're talking about."

"So what? If you don't wish to marry him then you don't have to." Julien smiled and reached over to pat my leg. Then he stilled. "Wait a moment - did he do something to you? Is it him who made you this sad today? When I get my hands on him-!"

"No, father." I chuckled and held his hand. "He has done nothing, I just simply don't love him anymore."

"Then that's fine my dear," Julien smiled, back to his puppy like state. "Do you want me to send notice?"

"No," I shook my head. "I'll meet with him tomorrow in person and formally request it."

"Alright, if that's what you want." Julien smiled. "Now enough about the Prince, today is all about you!"

I smiled as he began to ramble about his work and other things that had been happening in the kingdom. It was nice listening to him as it was such a normal father and daughter thing to do. For a moment, I forgot who and where I was, simply losing myself in his voice.

That was until the carriage stopped. The doors opened and chatter immediately began to float in, bringing me back down to reality.

"Isn't that the counts carriage?" I heard someone ask.

"I wonder if it's the Count! Gosh he's so handsome!" Another person exclaimed.

Julien got down from the carriage and extended a hand out for me. His warm smile calmed my nerves and i put my hand into his.

"Whaa! The count is so handsome! I'm glad we came here today!" Someone exclaimed.

"Look! It's Seraphina!" Someone exclaimed. "She's so beautiful! My eyes have been blessed today!"

I felt my cheeks heat as the crowd grew around us and I looked down towards the ground whilst squeezing Juliens hand. Is this what celebrities must have felt like? 

Julien squeezed my hand and guided me through the crowds and into a large building we were headed to. As the doors closed behind us, I felt a sigh of relief escape my lips.

"Welcome, my Lord." A pleasant woman greeted us as we entered and it was then where I looked around at where we were. Mannequins dressed in various gowns lined the sides of the entrance room we were stood in.

"This is one of the newer boutiques I've opened recently, I've wanted to bring you here for a while but we've both been so busy." Julien chuckled and placed my hand in his arm as we followed one of the staff into one of the private rooms at the back.

We sat down on one of the plush sofas and were given a fancy looking catalogue. I began to flick through the pages and was stunned at the detailed and complex drawings of dresses and accessories.

"They're all so beautiful." I commented as I scanned over a stunning white ballgown, its bodice covered in tiny pearls that seemed to shine even from the page.

"My drawing skills have improved since I first started, haven't they?" Julien chuckled shyly and my eyes widened as I looked up at him.

"You drew these?!" I exclaimed. I remember reading that Seraphinas father owned a boutique chain, but I didn't know he actually designed the dresses himself.

"Yes of course I did." He smiled but looked slightly confused. "I used to design all your mother's dresses - I think that's why she fell for me in the beginning." He then leaned over and flicked a few pages forward. "I actually designed this dress with you in mind recently."

I looked down at the pale pink dress on the page and smiled. It was simple in shape and had a twirling design of cherry blossoms embroidered on it.

"It's beautiful." I said as I lifted the book higher to my face so I could see the details more clearly. "My father is very talented."

"Ha! You're only realising that now?" Julien teased. "Well, enough of me showing off. Why don't you pick out some dresses and then we go to the jewellers and find some matching accessories to go with them."

I looked down at the page and then at the large price written under the dress and gulped. In my previous life I was a student living off of cup noodles and washing my clothes every couple of days at my mother's place. The currency here was in gold but I knew enough from reading the novel that the amount for this dress was about two year's rent for my student accommodation.

"Ah… perhaps there is something a little cheaper?" I asked and Julien froze. "It's just that I don't want to put a strain on father as I currently don't have any money myself."

"My dear what are you talking about?" Julien closed the book and grabbed both of my hands. "Not to sound too arrogant, but I'm one of the most wealthy men in this kingdom. You never have to worry about the price of anything, do you understand?"

My heart began to thunder in my chest as I looked at Juliens serious expression. All my life I've had to work and save just to feed myself. I've never been able to afford the cute outfits I liked or the latest makeup or handbags.

But this man is telling me I can get whatever I wanted?

"Ok father," I grinned and picked up the book. "In that case, i want you to choose which dresses I should get. Knowing that you picked them will make them even more special."

Julien seemed taken aback for a moment before he smiled brightly and nodded.

"I would love to." He said and began to point out all the dresses he thought would suit me. He began to give orders to the staff members and I couldn't help but feel elated.

At first I just wanted to make sure I didn't die like the original Seraphina did, but now that I've had a taste of what life could be like for me, I feel as if I've grown greedy.

If I'm never able to get back home… spending this new life with my loving father and never having to worry about money? Maybe this wasn't a nightmare after all. Maybe this was an opportunity.