Blood Princess

The pitch black sky turned the whole Kingdom dim and shadowy, the mass numbered stars doing nothing to illuminate the darkness. Flowers sleep in the dark as the galloping of a dark horse treading encoded through the place I call home. The men guarding me carried swords and shields of steel and iron.

It all began about a week ago. My father, the king, called a meeting between the other kingdoms, I was becoming of age. He needed to speak about the matters of the ball and what will happen. Being 15 was my horrid reality . The dream of my mother was for me to find love myself, since she is now gone, my father refuses, saying "You have to find someone who is royal, its what all kingdoms do, and if you don't find someone soon, no one will want to marry you. Its just how life is. Sorry."

"What if I ended up with a bad man? He could make me a slave and treat me bad. Is that a chance you want to take, father? Or would you rather have me marry someone who you and I both know is a gentleman, that may bear you wonderful, happy grandchild?" I started to play with my hands in fear of what he might say.

"The answer is no Adaria! I don't care what your mother had said, she’s gone now, it doesn't matter anymore!" He got close, his face red with anger. I wondered why he got so mad. "Dear I know you miss your mom, but since she’s gone we have no money. You need to marry rich so we can live here and take care of our kingdom." His once red face turned back to his original skin color.

I bowed, "My dear apologies father, I understand. Permission to resign to the chambers?" Crossing my hands in-front of me, I lifted my head.

"Permission granted." I walked to my bedroom. I noticed that my father said we are poor and need money for us and the kingdom, yet most of the stuff we own is made of gold. Why can't we sell all of it to get the money we need? I pondered on this for a moment then retired to bed. My vision grew dim as I closed my eyes lulling off to sleep.

"Honey wake up, its your big day." I awake from my slumber, only to find my mother. "Hurry up we have to get you ready for the ball. It would be bad for the princess to miss her own birthday party." I can't believe it, today's my 13th birthday.

"Yes mother I'll hurry. Please have May bring me my gown." May is my personal servant.

"Will do, now make sure you practice your speech." She exited the room, and closed the door gently behind her.

I sat at my desk looking in the mirror. My face, pale like I have been dead for a while. I got lost in my dreams of becoming in love with a kind man who will take care of everyone before himself.

The door creaked open. "Miss you asked for your gown?"

Oh its just May. "Yes thank you." I smiled. "Would you mind helping me get ready? I want to look stunning and I can't do it myself."

"Of course I will help you!" She clenched her hands in excitement. "Just sit there and don't move, I will make you look like the sky."

"Why the sky?" It is very odd that she would say sky instead of a future queen.

"Well you see the sky is bright and happy in the morning, but at night dark with some light. It is always beautiful to see that something so dark can still have a little light in it. The night sky reminds me of people who passed, spirits, always living on watching over us." I was at a lost for words. " We’re done here. Want a look before we do your hair?" I nod. She pulls me closer her way and spins the chair. That lady wasn't lying, I look like the sky. The colors she used complemented my hazel eyes. The dress was perfect with my long blond hair. I was speechless. "Do you like it my lady?"

"Of course! You are amazing, thank you!" She blushed then started on my hair. Taking a cluster of hair from the left side of my head, she parted it into three. One over the other, she braided it and pinned it to the side of my head, it looked like a half made crown.

She smiled. "You're all set."

"Thank yo-"

My dream was interrupted by a scream. I thought nothing of it, until I heard more. "No! Please stop, I don't want to! I have a husband and children! What will they think of me?" It was coming from down stairs. "Don't touch me! L-let go of me!" I knew I had to do something. Running down stairs I froze. May was naked on the ground, in tears. "Please s-stop I beg you." The once shadow figure came into the light, it was my father. He had a look of a demon. It was so horrifying, I almost didn't recognize him.

In a deep distorted demon like voice he said, "What’s the matter deary? You’re only here for my pleasure."

"Sir I understand that you love and miss your wife, but you can't be doing this."

"Does it look like I care! I own you, you are mine!"

"I am not your property! I am only a worker, not a slave!"

I couldn't stand it anymore. The type of men I was afraid of marrying; my dad is one of them. What has gotten into me. Running down the opposite staircase, I walk into the kitchen. I had to protect her. Looking around, I found a knife. I snatched it and tip toed to the dinning room where my dad stands. Infused with anger, I jumped on top of my dad still holding the knife. "Leave her alone!"

"What in gods name do you think your doing! This is unladylike! Would your mother approve of this!" He slapped me across the face.

"No. But would she approve of you taking advantage of someone! The answer is no!" I put my other hand on the knife pointing it straight at my fathers chest. A smirk grew across his face "You think I won't do it?" I yelled.

"You won't! If you do, you would be tried for treason, and I don't think you would want that. Huh, dear?"

Without hesitation, I put the knife right in the middle of his chest. "Sorry father, but you deserve this. I don't care about what happens to me, as long as I saved someone’s dignity."

Now that's the story of how I got here. These men chasing me, they’re my guard's. With no questions asked, they started to run after me. So I took Verbatim, a horse, and ran. Now all I'm left with is to escape and go somewhere far away, hopefully one place has people who don't know who I am.

Definition

Adaria- meaning powerful and complete in Greek.

Verbatim- meaning demon in Latin.