A Princess' Guide to Surviving An Apocalyptic World

Chapter 1: A Terrible Birthday Surprise

"Congratulations on your sixteenth birthday, your highness." That was the twentieth time someone came up to her and said that. Well, that was to be expected. The nobleman bowed down, his hand on his chest. "May you be gifted with life's biggest joys and never-ending bliss," he continued.

Smiling politely, Athanasia curtsied. "Thank you for your birthday wishes, Sir Forge," she replied. Thank goodness she managed to remember the names of every person who attended her birthday party and its faces the names belonged to. Well, to call it a birthday party would be a bit of an understatement since the party was taking place in the large and spacious royal ballroom that was only used for special celebrations.

She glanced around the room when the marquess in front of her continued to talk about how grateful he was to be able to meet the future heir of the Obelian Empire's throne. Guests were socialising with one another, laughing out loud when somebody made a joke. The elegant chandeliers hanging from the tall ceiling illuminated the ballroom with bright light. Waltz music was being played by the group of musicians in one of the ballroom's corners as the dancers waltzed away with their dance partners without a care in the world.

It was like an image from a dream she used to have as a little girl, hoping her knight in shining armour would save her from the orphanage so they would dance together in the centre of the dancefloor until midnight.

What a naive child she was.

As Athanasia waved the marquess goodbye, she turned on her heel, hoping she would be able to escape from the next crowd of guests who would say the same things over and over again. Ugh. As much as she loved her life as a princess, she really wished she could have her own private time.

"Your Highness!"

Athanasia froze and forced herself to smile again. Her cheeks hurt from smiling ever since the party started. "A-Ah, yes?"

Damn. This imperial princess would never have her free time if everyone kept crowding around her. She prayed quietly that someone could save her from this predicament.

The perfumes the ladies wore as well as the cologne the gentlemen used made Athanasia's nose tingle. Felix... Lily... Claude... Where were they? Were they staring at her from afar, thinking that she was having the time of her life entertaining the guests when she was supposed to be the birthday girl? As soon as the party was over, all she wanted was a nice long bubble bath.

"Your highness, happy birthday!" she heard one of them say and she actually knew the person. Wasn't she a child from the house of Irain? "This party is fantastic, by the way."

"Why, I'm glad that you all are enjoying your time here," Athanasia said. What else was there to say, really?

Another nobleman walked forward. "Princess, my family would like to congratulate you for your sixteenth birthday," he said with a polite smile on his face. "Would you like me to introduce you to my daughters and son? By the way, would you like me to introduce you to my son?"

"Uh..."

Now that she was a year older, it was obvious that she would start receiving invitations from noble houses to meet their sons. Now, was she really interested in being escorted by anyone at the moment? To put it simply, not really.

"Athanasia," she heard someone call out her name. Weird. The voice sounded like it belonged to her father. And it sounded like it came from directly behind her.

And why was everyone in the crowd circle stopped talking?

... Oh.

Claude was behind her, wasn't he?

Turning her head around, she found her father, Claude de Alger Obelia, the current emperor of the Obelian Empire. With his blond hair styled exactly as the way it was on her debutante, intense jewel blue eyes that were the trademark of the imperial family and his devilishly handsome looks, it would not be surprising people would be intimidated by him. He was wearing formal royal attire, something he would only wear for special occasions.