Blood in the Water

Gladice woke me up at exactly five. Her grey hair was pulled back into a bun, her eyes stern as she took in my mess for hair. The dinner my parents had arranged would start in an hour, just enough time to make myself presentable. With another look my way, Gladice sauntered into my walk-in closet and quickly came back out with a modest, but beautiful, olive green cocktail dress.

The dinner was supposed to be the demarcation of the start of my coming out ceremony. After today, I knew dad would want to postpone the coming out ball, but mom would press for it now more than ever. I was ready to face the world, not as a warrior but as a princess. I had lived in the shadows far too long and claiming my title after years of learning how to handle myself, it almost felt like my prize.

Shuffling to the end of my bed, I let my feet dangle over the edge. My hair fell around my face, tangles clear as crystal. Gladice arranged my jewelry and diadem on the dressing table, a brush and pins beside it all. Kitten heels in gold were placed beside my dresser and Gladice turned to look at me. There was a slight smile on her lips, silver gently lining her eyes.

"Go take a shower, I refilled your lavender soap and jasmine shampoo. Nothing but the best for the occasion." Gladice informed me and tried to sneak a wipe to her eyes. I padded towards her, my own smile tugging at my lips.

"It is finally happening, Gladice. We have reached our end." I murmured and tugged her into a small hug. She went stiff, but relaxed a moment later. Hugging her was something she never expected me to do.

"You have grown so much, your Highness," she whispered back and then pushed me away. The stern look warped her face again and I giggled in response. "A princess is never late, but you will be if you don't go shower immediately." Her words echoed through my ear drums and I giggled again, but turned towards the bathroom.

An hour later and I was dressed from head to toe. The diadem was small, with emeralds at the top and gold weaving the bottom. Emerald earrings dangled from my ears and a golden bracelet circled my wrist. Gladice stood back from me once I stood, giving me the once over.

"You look radiant. Remember to cross your ankles when you are sitting. Rigid back and chin high. Look down at everyone, but never let them look down on you."

"It is just going to be a few people, Gladice. Don't worry. I can handle this."

"I don't doubt that for a second, but the last time you handled your family, Giselle ended up with pumpkin pie in her hair." I smiled at the memory and grabbed for her hand.

"Tell Miranda that I will be seeing her later tonight. After an eventful evening, I need some mind-stilling before bed." Gladice nodded and shooed me out of the room, but I caught that proud smile of hers again. Nothing made her happier than to see me finally becoming the woman she knew I could be.

Everyone was sitting by the time I got to the dining room. Luciana sat at the end of the table, Caspian to her right. Julian sat at the other side of the table, Mikaela to his right. Everyone else fell into the space between them. Princess Khauhelo of Africa and her husband, Duke Karabo, sat towards the middle, Prince Jean-Pierre of Europe and his whore of the hour trying to make small talk with Karabo. Prince Arjun of Asia sat more towards Julian, whilst his wife, Duchess Amelia hovered more towards Luciana. The Valkyrie had fallen into the places left open, whilst my older siblings grouped somewhere in the middle. Paislee and Max wouldn't be here tonight. It was a night filled with politics and debate, no place for small children. By my guess, Bennett and Braelynn had convinced Mikaela to let them in tonight.

North America, South America and Oceania would only be attending the ball, along with various other lesser houses. This was to ensure that the dinner was more of a planning than an actual party. Khauhelo and Karabo had grown to be mother's favorite Princess and Duke. Amelia was a close second, but after their history, the two had decided to not see each other as often. Caspian hadn't taken well to Amelia being around, especially seeing as Amelia still had feelings for my mother. Arjun had refused a divorce when Amelia had asked, saying that they still needed an heir. As if that would happen any time soon.

"All rise." An announcer boomed across the room. All eyes turned towards me in the doorway. I fidgeted a second longer before catching Giselle's eyes. They were wide and her head shook slightly. Fidgeting with your clothes was not lady like. I straightened, my shoulders tugging back. Everyone in the room stood, except for all my parents.

A trumpet played loudly across the room but stopped when I stepped just in front of the table. Smiles greeted me with open arms but my eyes flashed towards my mother. She started clapping slowly, her head nodding once.

"I am proud to present, your future Princess and heir, Katharine Archenbow, of house Valentine."

***

Murmurs echoed across the room, everyone enthralled by their own conversations. Arjun had taken up speaking with my dad about some trade agreement, whilst Mikaela spoke to Giselle about her new line of clothing. I was seated on my mother's left side, Caspian in deep conversation with Karabo. The two were almost one and the same person. Both had taken to powerful women, but kept their playful sides intact. Khauhelo was expecting her first child, but it was a well kept secret.

"Do you want to know the gender?" I asked the woman, champagne glass to my lips. Her eyes lit up with excitement, a hand drifting down to her stomach.

"I thought we wouldn't know for at least another month. Karabo hopes it is a son, but I have a feeling it is a girl. Goddess knows, I don't need more antics from another male." Khauhelo laughed, her eyes going bright. Karabo bumped into her shoulder, a smirk plastered to his face.

"I am sorry to tell you this, then, but it is triplets. Two boys and a girl." I mused and drank from my glass again. Khauhelo's face drained of all color, her delicate brown skin looking fragile as she looked at Karabo. There was fear in his eyes, genuine and unrelenting. For good reason. Khauhelo was ready to murder him.

"You put three babies inside of me?" Her voice was quiet, but venomous all the same. Luciana smiled deeply, pleased with Khauhelo's reaction. "My body won't recover from one, now I have three? I don't even have three arms to hold all of them!"

"At least you know that you have strong sperm." Caspian chimed in, looking at Karabo and Khauhelo shot Caspian a dirty look. Luciana burst out laughing as Caspian recoiled away from the princess.

"You must be thrilled about your coming out ball, Katharine. Any colors in mind?" Amelia quickly changed the subject, just as Karabo tried to explain himself in a low whisper. There was no explaining himself, he couldn't have helped it even if he had known. But seeing Khauhelo so worked up was a reprieve from the normal gossip.

"Green and gold. Green is the color of my magic and gold is the color of kings, so I thought it fitting. My seamstress is coming in tomorrow so that we can choose a dress and have it made." I explained. Amelia cocked her head to the side, resting her chin on the palm of her hand.

"I am sure it will be a grand affair. We have all been waiting far too long for you to take your place. It is a pity your father wanted nothing more than to postpone it all. Hell, by the sounds of it, he wanted to put an end to it all together." Luciana stiffened at Amelia's words, her eyes darting towards Caspian, then Julian across the table. Julian had looked up as well, surprise lingering in his eyes.

"Don't think we will postpone our eldest daughter's coming out ball. Her father simply wants her to remain his little girl. He thinks that she won't grow up if there is no one else to witness it." Luciana casually intervened and I saw my father's shoulders relaxing. Their eyes met across the table and he mouthed her a thank you, but I knew the truth as to why he wanted to postpone my ball.

"Nevertheless, it will be stunning, I just know it." Amelia sang, her eyes turning to slits as she took me in. These were royals, family or not. They could scent blood in the water from miles away and my father's hesitation regarding my ball was more than just blood. He didn't think I was ready yet and I understood, but people were going to whisper as to why he was hesitant.

Why my own father didn't think me ready yet.