VenatIO (Book I Of The IO Series)

III

ROYAL EVENT

1925 HOURS

LOCATION: NEPTUNE, AQUAIN, THE ROYAL PALACE

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I looked back into the mirror, shortening my dress a tenth fold to show a bit more of my tanned legs.

"Sapphire," Nina said coming into the room, "I am certain, her highness will disapprove of your dress code."

"Really," I said clicking my tongue, "then I think I achieved what I was going for." Nina shook her head and walked away as I bent down to tie my silver trainers.

"I think these might compliment the look," Nina said, trying to keep a stern expression. I looked at the hoops in her hand and grinned.

"You know what, I think those will work."

'Whatever you're doing it is a bad idea,' Ty's voice came into my head.

'That is exactly what makes it the best,' I responded as I walked out of my room. Amanadiel and Canli appeared, like always from nowhere, flagging my behind.

The Queen had ordered my presence for a dinner party with some officials and high-ranking men. Normally as a princess, I'd be kept away from the public eye till I graduated but everyone in this room had been cleared. Meaning their status was so high, it didn't matter if they knew my identity.

I sauntered up to the two doors and grinned at the guard, whispering my name and title. Impressively he didn't bat an eye at my appearance.

The doors opened and my name rang out. A few people looked up, but I ignored them, instead walking down the stairs with the most arrogant smirk I possessed.

The room was stunning, fit for that of a royal host and within all the tuxedos and elegant evening gowns, I most certainly felt out of place. But that was exactly what I was going for. From the far end of the room, I caught sight of her royal majesty walking up to me, a calm looks on her face.

"Sapphire," she hissed, "what are you wearing."

"Oh, umm I think Leonardo Van Couver dress and Wyouin shoes, I'm not sure about the neck-," I said innocently, all the whilst enjoying her anger.

"Change, right this instance," she said. I looked at her and feigned shock.

"Here," I asked. I got a glare as a response, but it did not faze me at all, and I sighed.

"But why, I love this dress." She opened her mouth to argue but her assistant came up to her with a piece of paper. The Queen opened it, and giving me a long look, walked away. I grinned at her back before surveying the room before me.

I was going to be so bored, I thought as I surveyed the room. I grabbed the first glass of champagne I saw, winking at the man who held it. He looked shocked and turned away instantly. I grinned.

"You must be the princess," a man said walking up to me. I had no clue who he was, but I smiled anyway.

"Yes," I said, "and you are."

"Jamesion Ravel, I am an acquaintance of the palace."

"How splendid," I said, taking in his appearance, "I think then, in all matters pertaining to this conversation, it would be a delight not to work with you in the future."

And before he had fully understood what I had said I walked off.

"Well, isn't this the princess, everyone had been hiding," another man said, walking to me. This one I recognized immediately, "I heard what you said to Jamesion."