A week flew by quickly and the day of the party loomed over Morgiannas head.
She wondered if calling in sick was a viable excuse for not attending or of that would only bring the ax closer to her neck. She knew that some if not all of the capture targets would be there, which did not bode well for her plan of avoiding them.
"Morgianna did you hear what I said?" Turning her head towards the voice she was met with Fafnirs piercing gaze. How long had he been standing there?
"I will take that vacant look as a no. I said that we have to leave in 20 minutes do you need anything before we depart?" He shook his head in exasperation. He had been by her side the past couple years and while sometimes she acted as if she were adult there were days like today that made him feel like those days must be a fluke.
"No, I am fine." Though the word fine could be a loose translation for having a panic attack and wanting to crawl into the nearest beasts stomach.
Fafnir was not convinced by her words and could see the sweat beading at her temple. "How can a girl who basically kills guys on the weekend be so worried about a birthday party for a little boy?"
She shot him a look full of venom. She wasn't scared of the birthday party. She was worried she would come face to face with the capture targets. She knew they each knew about the marriage proposal, would they try to use tonight to gain favor with her?
She shuddered at the thought of a bunch of children trying to flirt. She knew each of them would grow up to be handsome in their own way but she was not interested in little boys so for now they need to stay away. She caught that thought mid-flight and quickly stomped it down. No, they need to stay away forever.
"I am ready to leave now, see if Felix needs anything." She hated using that as an excuse to send him away, but really she just needed a moment to relax. It was true that on the weekends they spent hours hunting down the world's scum and ending their life without her even flinching. She can take on these boys, she is strong and independent and she doesn't need any man. This time her thoughts made her giggle thinking of movies and memes from back home.
Looking at herself in the mirror one last time she admired the dress she wore. By now everyone was aware of her infatuation with the color red so everything had been redone in her room to match her taste. Her current dress fitting in perfectly.

It was red, the color of freshly drawn blood with a small heart-shaped bodice. The neckline is very modest. The sleeves were short and puffy as if someone had stuck two red clouds to her shoulders with tiny black bows on top. The dress itself reached the floor and did that swish motion when she walked. She was half tempted to do a twirl just once. It had a. Black undershirt that peeked from under the ruffled edges of the red that matched the black bows that went around the bottom as if they had pinned up the red. She finished it all off with a black choker that was neither tight nor loose but fit her just right.
She felt like the dress was a vampire princess's dream all wrapped up in a cute package and made the night slightly less horrible.
Her long black hair had been braided down her back with red roses weaved throughout it. It made her feel like a funeral had puked on her head.
She gave herself a thumbs up in the mirror and then left her room quickly to go hide in the carriage. She knew Felix and Fafnir would be along any minute and she did not want them to ask any unnecessary questions.
She had barely settled in her seat when Felix and Fafnir joined her. They both gave her looks full of questions but did not dare to ask in the other's presence. That was the only good thing about having them both around. Neither would ask her too many questions when around the other because they did not know what the other knew or did not know. Fafnir knew of her secret life and powers, and Felix saw Fafnir as a guard and nothing else.
The ride took almost 2 hours, mostly because the driver was trying to make it a "relaxing" journey for his noble passengers. Morgianna could not wait to escape to 4 walls that confined her. No matter how many times she rode in a carriage she would never get used to it. She missed cars.
Arriving at the gate of the King's castle she felt a cold chill sweep up her spine. As if eyes were already on her when she hadn't even taken a step outside of the carriage.
Steeling her spine she moved to the door with her head held high. If someone is watching she won't be the monkey in their show. Fafnir exited first and moved to the side to keep a lookout for any threats. A steward stood at the ready to offer assistance should she need it to disembark. Knowing it is the ladylike thing to do she took his hand and allowed him to pull her gently back to solid ground. A ground she was so happy to see she would have kissed it.. except that's gross and people are around.
Morgianna stood the side with Fafnir waiting for Felix to clamber out of the carriage as he was too proud to accept the assistance offered. A small smile played her lips as she watched her brother. Pride truly is a dangerous thing.
Once Felix had gotten both feet firmly planted on the ground they began their walk that would bring them to the castle entrance. A red carpet lined the walkway and everything was so dazzling you would think the event was the Oscar's or Grammys not some child's birthday party.
Once they reached the door they each handed their invitations. Minus Fafnir who came as a guard.
Morgianna could feel her hands getting clammy as the guard at the door glanced at the invitations and back towards her and Felix. They could tell that his eyes lingered slightly longer when looking at her.
Morgianna knew it was probably due to her gender, but she couldn't help but feel put out.
"Is there something wrong sir?" She turned her head slightly and batted her eyes. She did not have all day to stand on the steps while he scrutinized the piece of paper with her name on it as if staring at it would make it change.
The guard's whole face turned a deep scarlet as if his airflow had been cut off. "No ma'am, I mean miss everything is fine. Please head inside." She could feel each guard looking at her as if she was one of the wonders of the world.
She knew this wasn't a large event, but was being female really that big of a deal?
As she walked through the halls with Felix and Fafnir she noticed there were few guards and maids present. It was almost a ghost town.
"Felix, you have come to his parties before. Where is everyone?" She felt as if this whole scenario was wrong, yet Felix acted as if there wasn't anything even the slightest bit off.
"The prince does not like large groups so the party is held in his own private gardens. There are usually only a few people other than the guests to actually serve the food and provide entertainment. Everything is fine." He reached out and pat her on the head which startled her out of her thoughts. A blush crept up her skin and those present could not help but think that her reaction is cute. Some guards and maids hiding nose bleeds as they passed.
Once they arrived at the garden entrance a guard stopped them from entering eyeing Morgianna as if she was an assassin or a bug. Either way the disdain he showed was so heavy that if it was a physical thing she doubted Fafnir could even lift it with his superior strength.
"Excuse us, we have been invited to attend his highness the Prince's birthday party. Shall you announce our arrival?" Though her voice was like thinking bells and sounded pleasant the guard only frowned more.
"You are female."
Morgianna wanted to facepalm for the simple sentence the guard uttered. "Yes, I am Morgianna Bloodmoon, daughter of Duke and Duchess Bloodmoon." She tried to keep a pleasant smile on her face but this guard was trying every last nerve of hers. "This is my brother Felix Bloodmoon and my guard Fafnir"
The guard did not even look in Felix or Fafnir's direction when she introduced them. His eyes solely on Morgianna. "Guests can only come by invitation, nobody is allowed to bring more than one guard."
By now Felix could see his sister getting upset. "We both showed our invitations to the guard at the entrance and we only brought one guard to share."
The guard was just about to retort when the room became cold. "Edgar, are you holding up my guests? I was kept waiting, and I do not like to be kept waiting." The large guard in front of them visibly paled at the voice coming from behind him. From where Morgianna stood she could only see a partially opened door but not who the voice belonged to
"I am sorry your highness, forgive this guard. I shall send them in right away!" The guard, Edgar was shaking in his armor, eyes darting about frantically as if he expected a blow to be coming.
"See that you do." With that the door once again closed leaving Edgar weak in the knees.
Morgianna, Felix, and Fafnir looked at the guard while he got his bearings. "Excuse me for my insolence ma'am and sirs. Please have a wonderful time at the party." Edgar would not meet their eyes and only stood to the side to allow them to go through the door.