Mated To A Vampire-Hunter Princess

Opening Song:  Castle by Hasley ***  This is the day my life changes forever. This is the day that my whole world turns upside down.    This should be the day that I find myself a husband. And unlike every other princess and young woman in all existence, I was not looking forward to it.    Not one bit.    "Be sure that you smile, Amber," my mother said with a hint of formality in her tone, something I knew would have emerged on such a day like this. "A princess must always look pleasant."    Yes, indeed, one of the many 'must do's' of being a princess.    I had been mouthing mockingly the words she spoke, having heard them so many times for the past five years. Don't get me wrong, I respected my title and lived up to it as best as possible. But there were times--times like this-- that I simply couldn't stand it.    Nonetheless, I sucked it up like I always do, smiled at my reflection in the mirror, and anticipated the wretched hold of the corset that would bound my waist all night.    "And remember to trod lightly. Your steps are far too heavy for a princess." She chuckled, though there was no humour behind it. "Heavens, imagine an eligible prince dancing with you and having you step on his feet! That would be disastrous. You attend your dance lessons, don't you, Amber?"    "I do, Mother," I simply replied, not really caring for minor insults disguised as small talk.    I chose the wrong moment to put an edge in my tone because just in that minute, she yanked on the corset strings around my waist as I took a sharp intake of breath which positioned my bosom perfectly upright where my mother wanted it to be.    Great.    "Good." She looked pleased as she adjusted a curl around my shoulder. "Finding yourself a husband is quite important tonight. You are of age now, Amber, and your father grows more ill by the day."    "Of course." I gulped as I put my own wants and desires aside and considered what she was telling me and what she had been telling me for the past month.    That much was true. My father, King Sebastian of Consok, hasn't been himself for years. Others might've thought his illness grew with age, but I knew it was grief that caused it.    It hurt me daily to see him like that, and all I could do was remember once upon a time when life was perfect, and I was the perfect princess with the perfect family, living the ideal life. My mom had been a mom back then, not the authoritative queen she is now. Yet, I respect her. When my dad grew ill, she took control of everything and did that for five years.    She remained strong. Even though her role eventually ate away at any motherly instinct she may have had, she was sure as hell a great queen.    And great queens held great balls. Just like the one she arranged downstairs, held for the sole purpose of finding me a husband.    Unlike most kingdoms, my parents didn't promise me to a prince at birth. I had no 'to be' husband in waiting. Instead, they thought it would be better to choose an eligible groom of my own when I come of age.    I had to give admiration where admiration is due in that much. My parents couldn't have done a better thing for my sake, as I'm very much ecstatic that I won't have an arranged marriage. Although choosing a groom in one night still isn't the most... realistic, it certainly gave me a sense of normalcy.    Besides, I can do my own critique after sharing a five-minute dance with each man, and when the time comes for them to propose marriage to my parents, as they would, I will already know who I want to be my groom. The only thing I regret is hosting this ball so soon. I obviously wasn't ready for marriage. Not quite yet. There was still a lot for me to do.   Having a husband will surely make my mission difficult, if not impossible.    "Chin up, Amber. And why do you look so flushed?" My thoughts were steered back to reality when callous fingers gripped my chin and jerked my head sideways so that I was face-to-face with Queen Livia herself. My mother huffed as she grabbed a brush again and furiously dabbed blush to my cheeks for the umpteenth time.    There were indeed maids whose jobs were to do this for me, but my mother would only see me perfect in her eyes when she did it herself.    Despite my striking resemblance to her, she would never entirely be happy with my appearance until I had a high chest, pale skin with pink cheeks, perfectly curled hair and an enormous trail on the most elegant of dresses behind me.   I didn't like it one bit, yet I wouldn't dare say so.    "I think that's quite enough," I said as I grabbed the brush from her. If she continued, I would've resembled a tomato on feet.       At last, she gave me one single glance over in approval as the clock struck 8 p.m. My mother offered me her perfectly manicured hand as she gestured for the door.    "Shall we?"    "We shall." I agreed, and I actually smiled as I placed my hand palm along hers. A small part of me was eager for this ball. It had been years since the last one, after all.    "Hold on," she mumbled just when I placed my hand in hers. I watched as she eyed my wrist in disapproval. "Why are you wearing that ugly bracelet? It doesn't even go with your dress, Amber."    My hand immediately flew over it in a makeshift shield, silently telling her it was out of bounds. "It's a beautiful bracelet, Mother. Please, I want to wear it." She looked sceptical for a bit, but eventually, she gave in.    It was moments like these that I knew my mother--the mother I knew before everything went downhill in our lives— was still present. She knew how much I cherished the gift. And so, despite her beliefs, she let me be.    "Very well then." She huffed but offered a perfectly plastic smile as she reconnected our hands. "Let's get going. It is already past eight."    With a deep breath, I slowly followed her out of the room and towards the grand ballroom.    Let's go find a groom.      Chapter 2