Atlantis 1: Rise of a Princess

chapter 4

  Diablo had not yet seen how the great hall had been decorated for the ball that was to precede the tournament. Her father wanted it to be a surprize so he made her promise to stay away and not peek. The ball in secret to her was also a birthday party. It was not a common thing to celebrate one's birthday especially among the immortals but ever since Diablo had turned ten years old they had celebrated her birthday.

(Six years earlier.)

"Daddy why do you seem sad today?" Diablo asked. "Oh no my sweetheart. I am not sad. I just have memories that come to mind more often on this day sometimes." he responded kindly. "Like what kind of memories? Are they sad ones?" she asked. "Not at all. Actually they are memories that I am quite fond of." he said with a little bit of a chuckle. "Can you tell me or are they king stuff?" she asked anxiously climbing up on his knee. "Well you're full of questions today I see." he said with a grin. "Yes and you said I am the only one in the whole kingdom who can ask you anything so I'm asking." she said with an innocent child smile. "Alright. I was thinking of your mother and of ten years ago on this very day. Your mother brought into this world something more precious to me than all of Atlantis." he said in his best storytelling voice. "What was it? Was it your sword?" she asked eagerly. He laughed and said "Nope" "Was it um ooo I know. It was you kings cane right?" she said excitedly thinking she was correct. "Nope. Wrong again." He said with a grin. "Oh, I don't know then. I give up. You'll just have to tell me." she said frustratedly. "I'll tell you this once but from now on no matter what the task you must never give up on something you want or need. O.k?" he said somewhat sternly. "O.k. I will never give up again. I promise daddy." she said assertively.

(page 21)

Right then. It was the day your mother gave birth to you." he told her. "Oh, I don't remember that day." she said. "Well I do. I was waiting in the hall and the doctor and the midwife were both in your mother's bed chamber. All of a sudden I heard the little squeaky sounds of a baby crying. The next thing I knew the midwife came into the hall and placed the most beautiful baby I'd laid eyes on into my nervous arms. I asked the midwife If my wife had named him yet." he was saying "Him?" Diablo interupted. "Well like any king I had hoped for a boy first." he said laughing. "To my surprize though the midwife said her name is Princess Diablo. My heart melted, my mind raced and for a moment I thought I might faint. Then my pride went through the castle roof and I announced that I King Ranist had a daughter into the air." He said proudly. "If only your mother had been here to watch you grow but she only got to see two years with you before.." he stopped before he finished. "Well I think we should celebrate every year one has with their loved ones because you just never know when you won't get to anymore." Diablo said "You know what my precious I believe you are right. Starting today we shall have a party to celebrate 1 more year that I get to have with you. Hows that sound?" he said with a chipper tone. "A party that's all about me?" she asked excitedly. "Yes, A princess party." he responded. "I like it." she said climbing down. "And where are you off to?" he asked. "To get dressed for my party of course." she said as she skipped away. Ever since that day there had been a party of some sort to celebrate her birthday.

(Present day)

As they entered the great hall Diablo was wide eyed and amazed as she looked around. There were streamers and ribbons everywhere and a giant banner that read:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS DIABLO!!!

"Oh my goodness daddy. Did you do all this just for me?" she asked giggling. "I may have had a hand in it" he replied.

(page 22)

"Oh who are you kidding Ranist. You know you've been in here day and night over seeing every detail." came a sudden familiar voice from behind them. Diablo's eyes got wide then she turned around and all but screamed with excitement. "Aunt Jessa, You're here!" "Of course we are sweetheart. You couldn't have actually thought we would miss your big day now did you?" She responded. "But Carini thought.. Well she said.." "I know darling. She didn't know we were coming either. Your father was afraid she'd ruin the surprize." Jessa said in an attempt to calm the princesses confusion. "I just knew you would find a way to get Carini to stay here for the festivities so I figured your father's secret was safe." She said laughing. "Well I don't like being tricked but I suppose this once is acceptable because I'm really glad you're here." Diablo said