As I walked down the stairs, entering the great hall, my heart began to pace faster. I was nervous. It was my birthday. Tonight, the process of finding my future husband started. There was only one problem; I hadn't met my options yet.
'Darling! You look absolutely stunning. The maids really did a great job with your hair today.'
I smiled at my dad, the king. 'Thank you, father. Actually, I did this hairstyle--'
'Are you excited about tonight's ball?'
Among us elves, it was a normal thing for royalty to get married at eighteen. But, the men I'd be meeting tonight, would all be around nineteen or twenty.
As much as I wanted to tell the truth, I didn't want to hurt my father's feelings. He's been looking forward to this moment for years, I couldn't ruin it.
'I am. I really hope the men are going to be cute, though.'
We both laughed. 'You shouldn't be worried about their looks, darling. It's the money you're going for.' 'Father!' 'I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Just make sure he treats you well.'
I didn't want a husband. I didn't want to be married. I was wise and strong enough to rule this kingdom by myself, and my father knew that. And if I didn't make it, my little brother would take over. He's already old enough anyway.
But my father didn't care about that. He only cared about money and power. The moment I got married to that other prince, I'd become a queen. Our kingdoms would merge and we'd have the most power one has ever had.
Maybe it's not only the feeling of power my father needed.
It's also fear. Fear for our enemies, the vampires. We used to live in harmony together, but one vampire messed up by breaking a great promise. It's a long story, every elf hears it in school. I was very young when it happened, I don't remember anything from it.
'Princess Hyacinth, you need to eat something before the ball starts.'
My eyes shot up at one of the maidens and nodded. 'Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts for a moment.' I quietly said. He smiled and walked out of the room. I looked in front of me. There was a long table, with some simple snacks on it. I grabbed some and started eating, slowly getting lost in my thoughts once again.
The ball was about to start. As all princes started entering the hall, my heart went faster and faster. Everyone felt the tension between them, but they kept their smiles and perfect laughs, hoping I would choose them to be my husband.
It was somewhat flattering, the fact that they all wanted me.
When everyone was inside, my father stood up from his throne.
'Attention, please! Tonight, my daughter Hyacinth Ravenwoods, will choose 10 men. Those men will fight for her hand in marriage!'
This was my call. I stood up and went to stand next to my dad. Every guy gave me his best smile. This is what my father liked. He wanted them to fight for me. For him. For our kingdom.
'But for now, you all have to have fun!' my father yelled excitedly. As soft music started playing, everyone started talking to each other. My father looked at me and patted me on my head.
'Good luck, darling. Go look for the cute ones.' I softly grinned and nodded.
I was talking to a maiden when someone tapped on my shoulder. I turned around to look at a man. He gave me a smirk. 'Hi there, princess,' he grabbed my hand and gave me a soft kiss on it, 'my name is prince Julius Paxton. It's an honor to meet you.' he grinned. Awkwardly I took my hand back. 'Uh, you too, prince Julius.' I knew him. Well, I heard stories about him. Apparently, he's an asshole-- but I wanted to figure that out myself. We talked for about ten minutes before I wanted to go away.
'Ah, don't go away already! I still have to get to know so much about you!'
I chuckled softly, not knowing what to say. 'Sorry, prince. I have quite a few other people I have to talk to.' 'It's okay. I'll ask the other things once you've chosen me as your husband.' he winked. I turned my head and rolled my eyes. So full of himself. I heard someone chuckling.
'It looks like you're already done with tonight.' I looked at a man, about one foot taller than me. I chuckled and shook my head.
'No, no. I'm just wondering how I'm gonna choose between all of you-- I probably won't even have the chance to talk to everyone!'
He smiled. 'It's okay. Let's just hope your soulmate isn't one of the people you're not gonna talk to.' 'My soulmate? I don't think he's here if I'm honest.'
'Why do you think that?'
'What kind of coincidence would that be?'
'A great one, for sure.'
I giggled and nodded.
After three hours or so, the men began to get on my nerves. Every single one seemed like they weren't really interested in me. They all talked to me like they were at a job interview, trying to get the new job-- being my husband and king. Eventually, it got so bad that I actually couldn't take it anymore. I said goodbye to the person I was talking to, but he grabbed me by the arm.
'No, where are you going?' he said, kind of disappointed. 'I'm going outside, I need some fresh air.' Someone else started talking. 'A princess shouldn't be going out by herself, I'll take you.'
'No! I want to be alone right now.' I angrily said, before running off to the royal garden.
Quietly, I was damning all the guys at the ball. Angrily, I picked up a stick from the ground and threw it in the darkness.
'Hey, that hurt!'
My heart dropped when I heard the female voice.
'Wha- who are you?' I softly asked. I heard a chuckle. 'Oh! It's you. What are you doing outside at this time, princess?'
I saw someone appear in front of me. When I saw the woman's features, I gasped.
Her long, pitch-black hair, her sharp teeth, and on top of all that-- her blood-red eyes. She was a vampire.
'Get away from me, right now!'
She chuckled. 'Why? Because I'm a vampire?' she came closer.
'I swear to god, I'm gonna call the guards on you! How did you even get here?!'
'Easy, I flew. And don't even bother-- they can't hear you from over here.'
I wanted to scream, but something about her made me not want to snitch on her. Maybe that was one of her powers.
'Now, tell me why you're outside. Shouldn't you be looking for a husband?'
I kept quiet and slowly started walking back again. I felt my hands trembling. The vampire noticed and chuckled. 'You elves are so pathetic. You can't even look in my eyes without getting scared...' suddenly, she came close and grabbed my chin, '... can you?' my eyes grew big as I pulled myself out of her grip. My flower crown fell off my head, right in front of the taller woman. She picked it up and looked at it. 'How cute. I believe it's yours, tho.'
As she tried to put it back on my head, I stole it from her hands and put it on my head.
'If I ever see you here again, I will call someone and they will execute you. For now, I'll stay silent about our meeting.' I said with a shaky voice. She laughed.
'Whatever you say, princess. Good luck with finding your husband.'
She winked and transformed into a bat. With that, she disappeared in the darkness-- as if she had never been there in the first place.
