Finally dressed in my sleeping gown, I take the letter that was laid down on my desk. I've told the staff that any letters I receive, that they place it on my desk for me to read at the end of the day. This is part of the day that I most enjoy. The letter from Rogan. He sends me one at least once a week.
'Dear little Rose.'
I roll my eyes.
'I am currently recovering from an injury with my recent encounter with a striga. Do not worry, it is not fatal and the creature died. It was not easy. A striga is a vampiric witch. Despite them being a type of vampire, they're not appealing in terms of appearance. They have sharp teeth, the front poking just out of the mouth, designed to help hold the victim as they drink, I think. Their limbs are unnaturally long with nails that act like claws. Thanks to my sharp instincts, I avoided every deathly blow. During the day, they avoid the sun when they can. But they disguise themselves as plain women. Which is smart. Helps them blend in. To identify a striga during the day is difficult. But from experience, all of them have bright amber eyes. Which they hide either by their hair, or a hood. And all of them are female.
The striga gave me a deep scratch along my arm. Luckily I had drunk a potion to resist the poison pf a striga. Still hurts though.
I found her lurking in the marshes, just outside the village, snacking on a recent victim. One of the servant's son. I had met him the other day. Handsome lad. Perhaps that's why she chose him.
I was patrolling the village, trying to find signs of the striga in her true form. Then I heard the lad's scream. So I rushed, only to find his left forearm on the ground. Leaving a trail of blood. Which led to the marshes.
Rose, when in times of danger, rely on your instincts. A majority of the time they are better than your brain. Because you don't need time to think your next move. At least in these situations. Our family has a history of good instincts and sharp reflexes.
But we can never compare how quick our mother was in battle. But then again, we only heard stories. William and I were too young, and you were not born. Before your birth, came peace. But peace will never last. We all know that.
With love,
Your elder brother,
Rogan'
I smile at the letter. His letters were always exciting to read. Her window outside the peaceful city and into the real world. If only he added more detail in his stories. Perhaps because I'm "too young" to cope with it. But what he doesn't understand, neither brothers, is I want to see the world with my own eyes. To experience a life similar to that of our mother. I like the idea of saving lives, serving justice, and fighting. If only I were allowed to fight. If they only let me, I can show them how capable I am. That I can live and lead my own life.
With these desires, I go to sleep. And I dream of that life.
Two days later a ball was being held. I'm looking forward to it. I absolutely love to dance. I didn't care what the maids dressed me in. So long as I can dance in it. And they mercifully leave the jewelry to a minimum. They did my hair in a waterfall braided bun, with a few sapphire pins to help decorate it. They put light blue eye-shadow with some glitter. Lipstick, a light shade of pink, just to make my lips stand out a bit. And of course, a nice, glamorous blue dress with white ruffles down the front like a triangle. With blue shoes of course. The maids seem to think I look great in blue. Even though I have brown hair and green eyes. It's like my name Rose.
As soon as they finish dressing me I rush to the entry to the ballroom. I was the first of my family to arrive. I only have to wait a few minutes for King William and Queen Celia. They arrive arm in arm. Celia dressed in gold and white. William in royal blue suit with golden shoulder pads with tassels, a red sash from his left should to his hip on the other side. It's held by one of his medals. With black boots to match.
"You are really excited, aren't you?" William smiles.
I smile brightly and shrug my shoulders in response.
"It's the one upper-class event you like."
"Yeah, tea parties bore me."
"And dinner parties." Celia pipes in.
"And all the other things, that I can't think of at the top of my head." William adds.
"So," I clap my hands together in anticipation. "Can we go in now?"
William nods. I take my place behind them, hands folded in front of me.
Two servants with white gloves grab hold of the doorknobs to the ballroom. They open it forward, revealing a massive crowd of talking glamorous people.
"Please bow before King William, Queen Celia, and Princess Rose!" The announcer's voice booms over the crowd, instantly silencing them.
By command, the men bow, and the women curtsy.
William and Ceilia are immediately greeted by the aristocrats, earning a teasing smile from me. While they're put up with idle chatter, several men approach me and ask for the first dance. Now this is where all the ladies get jealous and glare at me. As if I were stealing their men and loving the attention they give me. But I do NOT care. They can get jealous all they want. I'm just here to dance.
The first song starts playing and I accept a random guy's hand as he leads me to the dance floor.
After the first song is finished, I was yet again asked for another dance. For the next half hour I danced with 11 different men... who's names escape me. But they're merely dance partners. So who cares.
After the 11th dance, I retire to the large spread of food layed out along the walls opposite the windows. It's there Vivienne and Veronica approach me.
"Greetings, My Lady." They say in unison and curtsy. Two servants pass and they both grab a glass, Vivienne grabbing an extra, and hands it to me.
"We're friends, remember. You should know I don't like... such behavior with friends." I resisted the urge to say 'that kind of stuff'. Not elegant.
Vivienne shrugs with a polite smile. "Cannot be helped. You are royalty."
"Only first generation."
"Still counts."
"That is true."
"So, Princess Rose. Has any of the men you danced with caught your fancy?" Veronica pipes in with an eager smile.
"Nope." Then I clicked. Not elegant. "Unfortunately none has interested me other than in dancing."
Much better. My tutor would scold me if she found out that I said the word 'nope'.
"Well, maybe you can find someone of better match than Lord Howard." Vivienne says.
"Yes. He is rather... dull." Veronica responds.
"Are you trying to be polite, dear Veronica?" I smirk.
"Well. I suppose I am. How would you describe him?"
Oh, there are so many. "Let's just say, they're not something a lady should say."
"Oh, come on. Do tell." Vivienne begs.
"Nit-wit."
The two women almost drop their glasses with an o-face.
I smile proudly. "You did ask."
"I suppose we did." Veronica awkwardly laughs.
It's then I sense a presence. Not a mysterious one, but of a type of strength. Someone with a sense of familiarity, while at the same time, not. I turn around and lock eyes with a tall handsome man with dark hair. He's a fair distance away, but I know he's looking at me. His eyes a deep green. A shade darker than mine. I know my expression reveals my curiosity. As he takes it as permission to begin approaching me.
Vivienne and Veronica notice this. "Well. If you excuse us. We're going to find ourselves some dance partners."
I don't know which of them said it. But they got the hint. Of which I'm thankful for.
As the handsome man comes closer, I notice experience in his eyes. What type of experience, I don't know.
Before I knew it, he was in front of me. He bowed, placing his right hand over his heart.
So, he's right-handed.
"Princess. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Hmm, hmm." Was all that I could get out.
"I noticed from afar that you weren't comfortable speaking with the two."
"How could you tell?" I look at him curiously, with suspicion.
"I am excellent at reading people."
"Really?" I don't believe him. "I doubt that."
"Heh. For instance, I know you don't like formal speaking." He grins. "So I'll talk more casually."
"If that's true, then you would be just teasing me."
"Yes."
Well, he's blunt.
"You want to go out on the terrace? Less people." He nods his head outside.
"Yep."
He doesn't escort me their with an arm. Which I like.
We come out to the terrace and there's only a couple standing there, looking up at the stars. But they're not close enough to hear our conversation.
"So. I'm taking it you're not a noble."
"No." He shakes his head, then he stops as if he were thinking about something. "Well, sort of. I'm a bastard."
"Wow. That's one way of describing yourself."
"I'm an enlightenment son of a noble, who wants to remain nameless."
I squint my eyes at him in suspicion.
"You're definitely not part of the high society. Now I know why."
"And you're not a fan of said high society. You merely put up with it. And those girls you were speaking with before, you can't be yourself with them."
I guess he can read people.
"And you obviously like dancing. So much so that you don't remember a single man you dance with. You know you could be perceived as a flirtatious princess for that."
"I don't care." I shrug.
"You don't seem to."
I giggle.
"Can I ask you a personal question?"
And my guards up. "Depends on how personal."
"Why did your mother name you Rose?" The handsome stranger asks.
"I was named after my aunt."
"She must have really loved her sister."
"I suppose. She passed away when she was only a child."
"Doesn't mean that such a love fades away." Mr. Handsome smirks.
I smile. "And what do you know of love? As far as I know, not many bastard children are loved by the parent with the affair."
"If I had a sister, and she died in front of me. I would not forget her. In a sense, that's love."
"No." My voice becomes soft. "It's just a memory. Whether it be good or bad."
It was a bad one for my mother. But he is right. She did love her sister. So much so she sought vengeance and got it. She didn't give up. And when she gave birth to me, she named me after her. In remembrance. You don't do that if you didn't love that person.
"Wow. This is getting really deep." I laugh.
"Yeah."
"So, because you know my name... obviously. I think it's fair that you tell me yours."
"Alexander."
He doesn't seem to want to give me his surname.
"I'm 19, nearing 20." He pauses. "In the next 8 months."
I laugh. "That's too much of a distance! Hahaha! You shouldn't say 'nearing' anyway."
"Got you to laugh."
"I don't think that was your intention."
"How do you know that?" He grins.
"Because you wanted to sound mature."
"You can read people as well, then."
"You flatter me, good sir." I mock.
He holds out his arm. "I'm only doing this to ask a question. Would you like to dance with me?"
I smile brightly. It felt natural when it came to him. I respond by taking his arm. "Let's dance."
I thought this night a fun night. Dancing with someone I will actually remember. I didn't know that this was the night of my adventure.