Princess of the Underworld

Chapter 2 - Birthday

As Livana lay in her bed with eyes still closed, she heard a faint knock on her door. Livana's eyes shot wide open, and sat up from her bed, asking, "Who is it?" Livana stayed sitting on her bed, waiting for an answer. Then, a familiar French-accented voice was heard from the other side of the door, saying, "It's me Liv, your favourite vamp girl." Livana smiled and giggled before saying, " Ellerosé, you may enter." Suddenly, the door burst wide open, and a medium-height, slim-built vampire with long, wavy, pastel-coloured pink, blue, and purple hair walked in with a big smile on her face.

Ellerosé is Livana's close friend, who is very much like a sister to her. They have been friends since they were young, although Ellerosé is six years older than Livana, making her twenty-five.

Ellerosé walked over, and Livana stood up to give her a big hug. She excitedly exclaimed, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MOST AMAZING VAMPIRE PRINCESS EVER!" Livana laughed and replied with a simple "thanks." However, her voice turned sad halfway through, and Ellerosé noticed, pulling away with a frown and asking, "Why the sad tone?" Livana sighed and explained while walking to the window, "My father and mother want me to find a suitable suitor to rule with. They have invited all the royal male vampires and their wealthy families from far and wide. But I do not want any of that. I want to see and explore the world."

Ellerosé asked, "You haven't told your parents yet, have you?" Livana shook her head and replied, "No, they will just say 'it's too dangerous, etc., etc.'" Before Livana could say more, Ellerosé interrupted, "Liv, that's not what I mean. I mean the fact that you haven't told them that you're not interested in 'men-'" Livana quickly covered Ellerosé's mouth with her hands and whispered, "Shh, not so loud!." Ellerosé giggled softly, pushed Livana's hands away and reassured her, "Don't worry, Livana, no one is around except us. Besides, they are all busy preparing for your birthday blood feast."

Livana sighed in relief and said, "Yeah, but still have to be careful about what you say" Ellerosé smiled, "Don't worry, now let's get you ready" while holding up the most stunning dress ever. ", Ellerosé.." Livana began to say but then stopped as she was shocked at the dress Ellerosé held up. Livana went over and took the dress from her, feeling it; it was silky soft, and she just loved its colour, navy blue. Livana quickly went into her private bathroom to put it on. Once it was on, she walked out to show Ellerosé; Livana saw her eyes widen excitedly, saying, "OMG, Liv, it suits you so well!" Livana did a little twirl in it, and they both giggled before proceeding to get ready.

When they were almost ready, with just their hair left, Ellerosé brushed Livana's long black hair, ensuring it stayed in place and silky smooth. Then, they both heard a knock on the door and a small, quiet voice saying, "Your Highness, we are all ready whenever you are." Livana looked at Ellerosé, and both smiled at each other and said, "We are ready." Livana got up, placed her tiara on her head, and opened the door, walking out into the hall.

Ellerosé walked beside Livana as they approached the two big double doors that led to the grand ballroom "Ready?" Ellerosé said. Livana took a deep breath and nodded saying, "Ready as I'll ever be," with that, the big double doors opened, revealing the grand ballroom. Once the doors had opened, Livana saw that the grand ballroom was filled with so many wealthy citizens from the underworld, some of course were family relatives; as Ellerosé and Livana walked down the long flight of stairs, everyone clapped and cheered while saying, "Happy Birthday Princess Livana."

Livana held her head high and put on her best poker face while slightly bowing at everyone we passed. Livana's father walked up to her and took her hand to have the first dance with. Livana smiled and began dancing as soon as the music started. The dance they were doing was called the waltz. Livana had memorised every step, as she had practiced over the years.

Other guests began joining in the waltz before then, and one bold male vampire royal had stepped in to dance with the kings' daughter. Livana was hesitant and was about to say something, but her father allowed the young man to dance with her. Not wanting to disappoint her father, Livana kept quiet, smiled slightly, and bowed her head, proceeding with the dance.

Livana felt as if she was here and wasn't at the same time as her mind would always wander to what the outside world was like, but she stayed professional and kept dancing with the many young royal vampire men. To be completely honest, Ellerosé was right; Livana didn't like men at all; it just didn't feel suitable at all.

When the dance ended, Livana curtsied while the last male vampire she danced with bowed; everyone applauded. After the dance, Livana excused herself and walked to get a drink. Livana scanned the whole ballroom, trying to find where Ellerosé was. Once she saw Ellerosé, Livana saw that she was talking to some of her family members. Livana sighed, while her mother, Kamra, queen of the underworld, walked up and stood beside her while saying, "So many lovely young men we have here; surely one of them is the perfect suitor for you" Livana looked at her mother and gave a small smile and said, " yeah..if you say so."

Livana's mother looked at her and said in a calming tone, "Is everything ok, dear?" Livana sighed "How did you know Dad was the one for you?" Kamra Livana's mother laughed before then proceeding to say "You just know, everything around you just either stops or slows down, and you feel like your in the moment, and it is just the two of you in the room" After hearing those words, Livana's mother walked to find Livana's father Zadimus who was talking to one of the young male vampire men. How is Livana to tell them that men don't interest her one bit?

As the night proceeded, Livana looked at the double doors and slowly approached them to try and leave this place. But before she could reach them, her father Zadimus stopped her. "Livana!" Livana stopped when she heard him call her name. ' Shoot, ' she thought before turning around and smiling, saying "father" while walking toward him.

He then introduced Livana to the twentieth royal young male vampire she had danced with, "This is Demetri" Demetri took Livana's hand while saying, "It is an honour to meet you, Princess", and with that, he planted a kiss on the back of her hand. Livana kept a poker face on with a smile, but inside, she was puking and thinking, 'Eww' Livana then pulled her hand away and placed them behind her back, wiping the kiss off on her dress.

After talking to Demetri, Zadimus kept calling the other young royal vampire men over for Livana to meet. 'f**k' she thought to herself as she knew this would take forever, and Livana knew she would just be annoyed; Livana all her life just wanted to be free, she did not want any of this at all.

After only meeting and talking to a few young male royals, Livana then felt something inside her snap. Before she knew it, she had yelled, "ENOUGH I CAN'T f*****g DO THIS ANYMORE" Livana held her hands up to her head. Then the whole ballroom went from being noisy with chatter to dead silence and whispers, Livana then knew and felt everyone's eyes on her 's**t s**t s**t' she thought to herself, oh well guess it's now or never.