Sunset Legend

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I stood above the world, looking down at the thousands of people that live in my lands. It was like looking down at the ocean, mixed with so many different shades of blue and white. My father was saying something next to me as we stood on the balcony over our people. The party was to begin in an hour. This was just tradition to show what we were wearing before the party and my father gave a speech. My mother looked wonderful with her black hair braided carefully down her back. Her dress was a dark blue with diamonds dancing throughout it. My father wore his famous white suit that matched our white hair.
"So let the Winter Solstice festivities begin!" He shouted with authority next to me. The crowd below us erupted with the sound of clapping and cheering. I bowed my head slightly, exiting first.
"I still can't get over how beautiful my baby looks!" My father said, wrapping me into another hug after he joined me back in the room.
"Hue, I swear if you mess up her hair." My mother grumbled as she pulled me back and touched my head carefully. My dad rolled his eyes at my mother which made me laugh.
"How do you feel?" My mother asked, searching my eyes for an answer I didn't have.
"Old?" I tried. My dad laughed next to me as my mom shot us both a look. He coughed once before turning on his heel and leaving us alone as he headed down to the ballroom for the party.
"Solstice. You are going to be doing so much more for this kingdom now. You know I love a good laugh, but you need to be more serious. You look like a powerful, beautiful young lady. Please act like it tonight." My mom grabbed my hand in between hers. She seemed deadly pale against her black hair, but that was just her skin color. It always has been. I seemed to be just a little tanner than most of the royalty. I didn't look like I was out in the sun every day by any means, but I was not so pale.
"Yes, mother." She smiled, adjusting her all diamond crown on her head as she gave me the smallest of hugs.
"Let's go enjoy your party."
The ballroom was packed with people idly chatting with one another at the tables set up along the walls, leaving the dance floor open. The chatter died down a little as my mother and I stood at the obnoxiously grand staircase that lead down to the ballroom. All eyes were on us with our arms linked through the others, our dresses trialing behind us on the steps as we made our way down.
"You know, darling. At your age now is when I met your father-"
"Mom. Don't even try to set me up with anyone tonight." I pleaded as we cascaded down the curve. Her pale blue eyes lit with the challenge. It took everything in me not to roll my eyes as we set foot on the dance floor. The noise level had increased once again as we made our way to our table in the center of the back wall.
It was excessive like the rest of the castle, but I loved it. It was a pale blue table long enough to sit three with three white studded chairs behind it shaped like hearts. My mother and I joined our father who sat in the middle. Dinner was first, then the dancing would begin for the rest of the night.
I noticed the men dressed in black who stood on each side of our table. Scanning the room, I spotted six more in corners and in plain sight. I never understood why they made our bodyguards so obvious to everyone in night black tuxedos that they wore.
I made eye contact with one who stood in the corner next to me. His hair was a bleach blond, his eyes almost clear. He was your expected bodyguard, tall and fit. He was also the youngest one my family had haired at the age of twenty four. Rumor had it he was the biggest flirt in the kingdom, but also the sneakiest. My parents never once suspected him of such things, which is good because he would be banned by my father.
He pretended to shield his eyes from the light that was no doubt reflecting off the many gems I was wearing tonight. I raised an eyebrow in question which in return I earned a wink.
"Solstice?" I turned back to my family. I haven't even noticed the food that was placed on the table in front of me until now. It smelled divine.
"Can I eat?" I asked, never really sure when I was allowed to do certain things like that at events. My dad answered my question as he handed me the fork.

As the dancing began an hour later, I was in awe of the beauty of the dresses the women wore tonight. They were elaborate, honoring our Winter lands. The king and queen were making their rounds around the room, talking to every guest they could.
"Would you like to dance?" I looked up to see who the low voice belonged to and couldn't help the laugh that escaped. I stared into his clear eyes that were no longer accompanied by the black tuxedo but rather a white one that would easily hide him in the crowd of dancing people.
"And what happens when the king and queen notice a bodyguard missing?" I challenged, not accepting the hand that was reached out for me.
"Count them," Mas said, with a twinkle in his eyes. I did. There were eight total as there were before. I looked over at the one that was in his spot and almost laughed again. It looked like he was standing there, bright blond hair and all. "A little magic never hurt anyone, right?"
I accepted his hand. With a grin on his face he pulled me out of my large seat and lead me onto the dance floor.
"Do you always glamour people to look like you or are you actually there doing your job?" I asked as one hand slid onto my hip as the other still held my hand that was now in the air.
"I couldn't miss the chance to be the first to dance with the princess," he said as I placed my arm on his shoulder before we began to twirl around.
"That doesn't answer my question." He winked at me, throwing me away from his body before twirling me back in. I was closer to his body now, his hand tighter around my waist.
"I'm always around when you're around." I laughed at his way of avoiding my question.
"Your secret is safe with me," I said as he twirled me again. My ballgown was gracing the floor as I turned, glowing under the lights.
I stared at Mas since this was the first time we had actually talked since he's been hired nearly a year ago. I never talked to any of the bodyguards directly.
"What else can you do?" I asked. It was his turn to raise an eyebrow in question. "With your magic." I noticed the fast glance he did as he checked to see if anyone around us heard me. When he was satisfied that no one did, he simply shrugged a shoulder.
"Can you do anything?" The question seemed simple, but his eyes poured into mine with too much force for it to mean nothing.
"One time I looked at a rat and it died," I said. The confusion that twisted his face made me lean back and laugh so loudly the couple next to us gave me a look before realizing who I was.
"Did-"
"I'm kidding." I cut him off quickly. His smile made my stomach do a flip as he shook his head, his hair standing perfectly still in the peaked hairstyle he had.
"I like you, Solstice. Let's chat more, yes?" He gave me another twirl before I could answer. When I turned around, I found myself alone in the middle of the dance floor.
"What are you doing out here alone?" I almost tripped over my own feet as I spun around too fast. Bells stood there in a beautiful white silk gown. She had brunette hair and blue eyes, only a few more years older than I was. She was the closest thing I had to a friend and was one of the few people who worked in the castle who were allowed to attend events.
I put my hand on my chest, hearing my heart pound in my ears. Bells chuckled at my reaction, gaining the attention of a few men nearby.
"Well. I was dancing with a man, but he wondered off," I admitted. Bells face showed that she didn't believe me as one of men from the group began to move towards us. I smiled, flashing a look in his direction. She noticed and turned around to see what I was looking at. She looked back at me, a light pink on her cheeks as she blushed. "I'm supposed to be the one finding a man," I teased. Her eyes widened as I turned to walk away.
"Ma'am? Would you like to dance?" I was smiling to myself as I heard her say yes as I walked back towards my table.
A hand grabbed my wrist, spinning me around so fast I crashed into the body. I was ready to cause a scene as I looked up at the cocky prince that lived on the other side of our Winter lands. We guarded the North side as his family guarded the South. He was so obsessed with the idea that we would marry and rule the entire lands ourself. However, nobody cared for his South side. He was cruel to many who didn't deserve it.
"Princess Solstice. How are you doing?" He asked, grinning that showed off his oddly pointed teeth. I pushed myself off him, only to be restricted by his arms that were locked around my waist. His deep blue eyes were glowing with amusement as I grunted.
"I was doing good. Then you showed up," I said, impatiently. His laugh was wicked and sent chills down my spine.
"You mean you didn't send the invite?" His voice was laced with danger. I rolled my eyes.
"You wish." He his tongue clicked against his teeth as he shook his head.
"If only your mother would hear how you are talking right now. I know she was the one who invited me. She wants us together just as much as I do."
"Oh, please. She just doesn't want you going crazy and starting a war." The evil danced in his eyes as he twirled me much rougher than Mas did.
"But wouldn't that be fun?" I was locked rigid against his body. I was looking around for any of the bodyguards but couldn't see over the people who danced around us. I felt the panic rush through me as his eyes locked on mine, daring me to keep the conversation going.
"Princess Solstice. The king and queen wish to speak to you," I heard his voice before I saw the undeniable hair pop up behind the prince of the south. The prince let go of me as Mas stood up straight, eyeing him as I caught my breath.
"I expect a dance later tonight," the prince said as he stared at me.
"I don't think so." Was all Mas said before he looped my arm through his and started towards my table. His black suit seemed even darker up close, like a new shade of the night.
"Thank you," I whispered, smiling at a couple who were acknowledging me as we walked.
"I told you I was always around." Then with a wink, he vanished again.
Hours passed as I danced with men and talked with the women. I had been congratulated too many times to count. Everyone was excited to see how I would handle my lands. They had so much respect for me.
It was nearly three in the morning by the time I made it to my room and Bells had finally gotten all the diamonds out of my hair. I sat in front of my vanity in a simple pink silk night gown. My hair was brushed out, ready for sleep. I sighed as I opened the draw that held my contacts case. This was one of the few things in the house that wasn't dazzling with gems or the colors of Winter. It was black. I stared at myself in the mirror again, looking at the blue eyes that seemed so real to everyone. It was only my mother and I knew that they were a lie. I popped out both blue colored contacts, placing them in the black container before hiding it back in my desk.
I looked back into the mirror that now watched me back with eyes that look like melted gold.