We hadn't heard anything from the Eternal Night Kingdom since father's message had been sent out, and RSVP's were coming in everyday.

Father was so happy from having had the last laugh, that he hadn't stopped smiling since the couriers had gone off with the letters.

"Daughter, I'll be sure to make sure that this is the most extravagant engagement party in the history of engagement parties," Father said, as he patted my head.

"My one and only princess is getting engaged. There won't be any expenses spared." He looked at me with such loving eyes, that I had to look away from the burden of love I felt coming from his stare.

I understood that Cronia was in the top 5 of the wealthiest Kingdoms, and that father could more than afford to throw the most extravagant party he wanted, but I would have much rather preferred a simple dinner together. 

After all, these parties were more for the sake of the Kingdoms than for the people being celebrated. Everyone knew that.

"Father, I-"

"-And, we'll make you the most beautiful princess out there. So radiant, and glowing that you blind that stupid Crown Prince with your beauty. Of course, not that you're not already that beautiful, sweetheart. Why, in a few years you'll be the most beautiful woman in all the realms." My father continued beaming at me, and I couldn't help but think how delusional he was.

I was used to my father's exaggerations about my beauty. I let him be because, I figured that every parent saw their child to be the most this or the most that. My father, despite being king, was no exception. 

My mother, on the other hand, didn't subscribe to viewing me with such misplaced delusion. Instead, she encouraged hope for my aesthetic future by saying not to worry, that I would grow into my frizzy red hair and puffy lips. 

"Maids! Make sure to let the dress maker know that I want the most beautiful gown for the Princess. Tell them this is a matter of life or death."

"Yes, your majesty."

                                                            *********

The day of the engagement party was upon us, and I couldn't help but be nervous. I hated having to present myself in front of so many people. The feeling of so many eyes on me was never something I felt at ease with. And today, I would be meeting my future husband for the first time as well. I wondered what the crown prince would look like, if he was as hideous as the rumors said.

The ball gown that the dress makers had sent in this morning was truly a masterpiece. The material was made out of what felt like pure silk, the color light pink like the first blush of a newborn babe, and to top it off hundreds of tiny jewels had been sewn into the fabric so that under the light the dress sparkled nonstop. 

The maids had also somehow teased my hair enough to have it lay in smooth, shiny curls, and then they blew glitter on top of my head for "extra sparkle". 

Despite wanting to think it dumb, when I looked in the mirror I couldn't help but think it really did look good. My dress and hair seemed to sparkle with every twist and turn. Anyone who liked shiny things would have loved me at first sight.

"Princess Sunny," Jordin, my maid who had raised me since birth, sniffled. "You just look so beautiful tonight." She wiped away what seemed to be tears on the corner of her sleeve.

"I never thought I lived to see the day where you stay still long enough for me to dress up like this, and brush your hair like that. I'm just so proud I could cry." Her sniffles got louder.

"Jordin, enough of that." The party was just hours away now and the vampire family had yet to arrive. "Do you think they might just not show up?" I asked.

Jordin looked horrified at that idea. "Of course, they'll show up princess! If they don't the Majesty would certainly take that as a breaking of engagement, and why that's just asking for war."

                                                          *******

The three seats meant for the royal family of Eltenmar were still empty by the time my father had arrived, and my heart was sinking lower and lower with each passing moment. The crowd was starting to get restless now.

"Are they not coming?"

"Why isn't the Royal Family of Eltenmar here yet?"

"Do you think they're not getting engaged?"

If I could hear these comments, I was sure the King and Queen could hear them too. I glanced at my father through the corner of my eye and sure enough his face was hard enough to mistake for a stone.

"May I present the Royal Family of Eltenmar,"  came the cry from  the Herald and as if on cue, every head in the room turned towards the double doors of the throne room as it slowly opened.