Chapter One
I slowly awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside my open window. My eyes fluttered open and I stretched out in my bed, yawning loudly. I could hear footsteps pattering around outside my door and I knew my servant would come knocking soon. I relaxed back against my bed, closing my eyes and listening to the singing birds. They were the only normal thing about this special day. I smiled softly at myself. Today was the mark of an exciting week.
I sat up in my bed and stretched out, yawning again as I heard a soft knock on the door. It quietly swung open to show my servant, Gilbert, standing in the doorway. He looked at me in surprise and quickly bowed his head.
"Sorry, your Highness. I didn't realize you were up already." He quickly said, his blonde hair hiding his soft blush from me. I grinned at him and dismissed the bow with a wave of my hand.
"It's alright, Gilbert. I just woke up." I told him. He nodded before proceeding into my room, walking around and opening the curtains to the windows. I blinked rapidly for a moment as I got used to the sunlight. He stood by the edge of my bed when he finished, folding back my bed sheets.
"I presume you know what day it is, your Highness?" He asked me. I nodded as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up.
"Yes, I do. Today is the start of my coming-of-age ceremony." I could feel a grin from ear to ear when I thought about. Five nights, five different princes. It gave me a shiver just thinking about it.
I stepped away from my bed so Gilbert could make it. Walking over to the window, I looked out at the gardens that my room overlooked, letting out a soft sigh. I couldn't believe that it had been fifteen years since I played down in those gardens. I was only five back then and I was allowed to do that, but now that I've turned twenty, it isn't very prince-like. Any more than it is to talk and eat at the same time.
I turned away from the window and briskly walked over to my wardrobe, opening up its wooden doors. Looking over its contents, I glanced back at Gilbert. His backside was towards me and I couldn't help but stare at his rear. It was so round and cute; it was hard not to stare. Or do anything else to it for that matter.
"Gil, what should I wear today?" I asked him, turning my head back to my closet. I knew he shrugged without looking back at him.
"I'm not sure, my Prince. I would suggest something extravagant but not too flashy. You want to look like a royal but nothing too gaudy." He suggested to me as he finished up with my bed. I nodded at his suggestion and pulled out a tight pair of black trousers along with dark blue linen shirt. It opened up in the front but I would keep it laced up for the day.
I stripped off my pajamas and got dressed with Gilbert's help. He was always so gentle and helpful. It was nice to have him around; he was useful with more than just dressing. After pulling on some black mid-calf leather boots, I stood in front of my full length mirror, looking over my body.
"How do I look, Gil?" I looked at him in the mirror for a response. "Is it nice enough for my suitors?" He grinned and nodded politely.
"Yes, your Highness. I think your suitors will be most pleased once they see you." He told me. I smiled back at him in the mirror before turning and walking over to the door. It was time to meet the princes.
Chapter Two
I made my way to the Throne Room of the palace, Gilbert trotting at my side to keep up. The guards bowed and stepped out of my way as I pushed the doors open and stepped into the room. Mother and Father were already seated in their thrones, their eyes turning to me. I bowed at both of them before quickly taking my seat at my own throne. Gilbert stood off to the side against the wall with the other servants. Our thrones faced two large oak doors, hiding my future behind them.
"Gilbert, please let in our first guest." My father told him. Gil quickly nodded before briskly walking over to the oak doors and pulling them open. A moment later, a tall, slender man stepped into the room.
The man had fair hair and a chiseled face. His eyes were a fierce green and his lips were full and pink. His skin was a tanned brown color and his body had a good build to it. He bowed before us, his bright green outfit practically glowing. It gave a sense of calm and serenity.
"May your kingdom be full and bountiful." He said to my father. His voice was deep and loud, but it had a softness to it that surprised me. He looked up at me and gave me a toothy grin. "And may you always find happiness no matter the circumstances." I gave him an acknowledging nod as he stood up.
"My name is Prince Octavius Ollivander, and I hail from the planet Nublar. I have a gift for the prince from my home. If I may?" He looked to my Father for permission, who nodded his head in response. Octavius smiled his bright smile again as he stepped forward and drew a bouquet of exotic flowers from the inside of his green jacket. I grinned as I took them from him, my fingers brushing against his tanned ones. With a wink, he stepped back and bowed again.
"Thank you, your Majesties." Octavius turned and walked to the side of the room, sitting in one of five chairs that sat empty against the wall. I watched him from the corner of my eye as Gilbert ushered in the next prince.
This man was completely different from Octavius. He had no hair at all and his eyes were a cold black color. His skin was pale and translucent, and his muscles were way too large for my taste. His ears were pointed and tilted far backward. The man wore thin black robes that did little to cover his long body. With a low bow of his head, he spoke in a harsh whisper.
"May your enemies tremble at your armada." His cold eyes glanced over to me. "And may you always be a true warrior." I nodded at him as he stood up straight and pulled out a metal box from his robes. "A gift, from Prince Allus to Prince Darrel." He said, looking at my father. My Father nodded his permission at the man who took three long steps towards me. Stretching out his thick arm, he handed me the box. I reluctantly took it from him, my fingers brushed against his surprisingly warm ones. I opened the box, smiling when soft music quietly floated out of the opening. I looked at Allus and nodded my thanks to him. He nodded back before bowing again at my parents and moving to sit beside Octavius.
Three seats left. I closed the box and chewed my lip softly. If he was weird, I could only imagine how weird the others would be. Gilbert opened the door for the next prince, allowing him to step into the room. With him came the delicate smell of flowers and earthy things. I smiled softly as he stepped into the light and bowed.
The man was of shorter stature and a light build. His hair was dark brown, almost like chocolate. His skin was yellowed and looked tough to the touch. The eyes were bright yellow and they seemed to have difficulties looking away from me. His robes were a mix of oranges, reds and yellows, with living flowers intertwined into the cloth. He gave me a wide smile as he bowed to my parents.
"May your lands be fruitful and your lives grand." He told them before looking at me. "And may your youth be lush and vivid." I smiled and felt a light blush rise in my cheeks. I looked away from him for a moment before looking back at him as he straightened up. "I am Prince Flores Erolf and I would like to present a gift to the Prince." My Father nodded at Flores, who quickly stepped towards me and produced a crown of flowers from under his cloak. I grinned as he placed it on my head, nodding at him as he stepped back and bowed again to my parents. Flores then stepped away and took a seat by the other two princes. I took a deep breath and stared at the door.
Two more to go.
Gilbert opened the doors again and the next prince stepped in. I held back a gasp as he stepped into the light. He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. He had sandy brown hair that covered his pointed ears. His eyes were an earthy brown that mesmerized me to the core. His skin was a lighter shade and his body had the perfect build to it. He wore a dazzling outfit that was a bright red with a dark red cloak tied around his neck. He gave a deep bow as he stood before my father.
"May your life be fulfilling and all your troubles be abolished with flames." He turned to me, flashing a wide toothy grin. "And may your love be fiery like the sun." I felt my cheeks flush a deep red, but I only nodded and smiled sheepishly at him. He stood up straight and fixed his cloak before continuing. "My name is Prince Sol Lancet from planet Siring. I would like to give Prince Darrel a gift, your Majesty." He said confidently, looking to my Father for permission. He nodded at Sol, who strode forward and held out a metallic sphere to me. I took it from him, his hands soft and warm against mine as the sphere slid into my palms. It immediately glowed and its surface showed an aerial view of the galaxy. I grinned and nodded my thanks to him. He smiled back and bowed to my parents before sitting next to Flores. I set the orb on my lap before looking at the doors.
The last prince.