Ethereal Inferno

Chapter 1: Gold Day

Monday, 18th July, 2021
Past

Erica's POV:
It was my Golden birthday.. I'm turning 18 on the 18th of July. I woke up to tons of people wishing me happy birthday in my socials and in the news. The throne would be handed over to me not long now. Five years ago, I would've fainted at the thought of taking over.

But now, after what I've seen, this kingdom slowly dying and my parents behind it all, I'm slowly changing. The leadership mind was kicking in and now, I'm determined to fix the cracks my parents and the wicked people of this land made.

*beep*
It was a notification from my phone. Harriet texted me.

Harry Potter🥴
Hmmm..... I wonder who's birthday is today🤔.
I think it's someone I know but I can't quite remember 😞

You
Hm...
Im wondering too🤔🤔

Harry Potter🥴
Alright cut the crap. Happy Birthday Erica💓I'm really excited for you today and I'll say so much more later. For now, all the best for the last day of exams!! Love.

You
Thank you so much Harri. I'm excited too and yes, we will catch up later. All the best for your exams too!

What wrong did I do in my past life to deserve the fate of having my golden birthday on a Monday. That too, on an academic exam day. Well, atleast it's the last one and I don't have to worry about it after it's over. But then my Royal etiquette and dancing classes will still be taken. But then again, at LEAST it's the final year.

I sighed sarcastically as my hand maiden barged in the room. "Good morning princess! Oh my. I can't believe it's THE birthday. You're finally legal!" Frankie said as I let out a small chuckle. "Thank you, Frankie. I can't believe I'm going to get crowned anytime soon now. You know.. Since mother and father are getting old."

I said. "Welcome dear! I think you'll be a wonderful queen and a wise leader." I smiled at her as I went in for a hug. After taking a shower, I dressed up, let my hair loose, and headed to the dining hall for breakfast. I was showered with birthday wishes on my way to breakfast that I'm really blessed and grateful for.

I sat on the chair as the maids served a plate of scrambled eggs, two pieces of bacon, two pieces of sausage with a cup of vanilla coffee. My parents sat far from me, facing each other. Father was reading the newspaper while my mother was making a fuss about the food just because the maid scrambled the eggs instead of cooking it sunny side up. She annoys me so much. I rolled my eyes at her as I take a sip of my coffee.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are really lonely. It's only the three of us. No talking, no discussion, no smiles, no laughter. Just miserable silence. Except when mother doesn't throw a tantrum about the silliest things. I've always wanted a time, just for once, a satisfying and warm lunch or dinner or breakfast with my family. But that has never once occured.

I finished my breakfast so I stood up and went to hand my dishes to the butler then father spoke, "The preparations for the ball is almost done and I want you to behave well and perfect. It'll be best for our reputation." I nodded hesitantly not having any words to say any more.

I got a thousand wishes from my people and the staffs but they weren't fulfilling. It felt like something was missing. All I've wanted was a happy family filled with love and not hatred. They didn't even wish me good for the final exams. A heck of a parents they are.

They only care about money, power and reputation even though it's already crappy. They don't see the public as their people too. They only see them as objects or experiments. As subjects. I bet father only remembered my birthday only because of the news or because it's my 18th one. And mother, all she cares about is her wrinkles and body and blames me for ruining it while she could've just closed her legs.

I would trade my Royal status just to be loved correctly for once.

                                  ###

"Finals are finally over. I can't wait to sleep!" Harriet said as she rolled her eyes. I let out a soft laugh. Finals were FINALLY over, so I invited Harriet over for a sleepover. She and Bliss were the only ones who were allowed to be this close to me as we were all childhood friends.

"Even though finals are over, we still have to go through the ball." I replied, annoyed. It's not that I didn't like balls. It's that I had to behave picture perfect and happy just because reputation meant so much to my parents and I didn't mean anything to them. It reminded me of their disgusting selves.

Maybe if my parents never existed,I would actually like balls. "Well. Atleast we'll wear pretty gowns and dance in a fairytale. With nice looking guys I guess." Said Harriet. I sighed, "I guess."

                                ###

It was time to get ready. Four hand maidens were already in my room as I came out of the bathroom. Two were working on Harriet and two were going to be working on me. One of them was Frankie.

Harriet's gown was gorgeous just like her. It was a shade of emerald green with gold lines in the dress. It wasn't puffy or big but a long silky emerald dress with long sleeves and a low neckline. Her haidl was half up half down with an emerald bow behind her hair holding the perfection in place. She paired it with a gold necklace and green heels.

Mine was a big dark red off shoulder ball gown with long puffed sleeves and a straight neckline. It showed my cleavage a bit since I was wearing a corset inside. The ball gown was beautiful. I loved dresses. My hair was rather plain straight and tucked behind my ears. It was long so it covered my bare back behind and some parts in front. I finished my look with red heels and a ruby bejewelled crown.

Our makeup was professionally done by the handmaidens. Harriet's eyelids were lined with back liquid, cheeks were shining after the highlighting, and lips were orange-brown. My hair was glittered, cheeks light red, and lips a rosy colour. I sprayed on a perfume.

I sighed. I wish Bliss was here.

After we finished, we mentally prepared ourselves for the paparazzi as my birthday venue was in one of our villas. We went out to the main door as the butlers opened the it for us.