Every morning Nik woke before the princess and followed the maid carrying her breakfast into her bedroom. She took guarding the princess very seriously and only left while the princess slept. Nik's room was even just a couple doors down so she was near Saylia at all times. She had very quickly become a constant and comforting presence in Saylia's life.

"Goodmorning, Your Highness. I was informed that Lord Damien will be here shortly and that you are expected to eat lunch with him and the King." Nik explained as Saylia sat up to eat her breakfast in bed.

"Thank you, Nik."

Nik turned to stand outside Saylia's bedroom door. Though she is a woman herself, she never stayed while Saylia was bathed and dressed for the day. Nik once explained that she felt it was disrespectful and inappropriate for her to stay - especially because Saylia was aware of her sexuality.

After finishing her breakfast, the princess was whisked away to a luxurious bath. The human maids helping her dress today scrubbed every inch of her alabaster skin while she soaked in a rose scented bath. They washed and conditioned her long inky hair with imported products she was sure were too expensive for what they were actually worth. Saylia was never a fan of being pampered like this. She'd rather be washed and dressed quickly so she could spend more time in her study.

After being toweled off and her hair dried - the maids worked on styling the long hair. It was twisted and braided into a complicated style where half of her hair was pinned up and the rest was left hanging - silky and smooth. She had tendrils framing her face. The maids added some color to her lifeless cheeks and painted her lips red. Saylia looked in the mirror and saw a woman only valued for her looks when she wanted to be valued for her mind.

After the maids finished styling Saylia herself, they set out to pick out the dress, shoes, and other accessories she would be required to wear. Dressing was always something that took multiple hours. She had woken no later than 6 and at this point it was already nearing 10. By the time she was actually dressed and ready for lunch it would be well after 11.

The dress chosen for Saylia to wear today was a luxurious one the color of blood. Of course, the Princess of the Red Kingdom must wear red during important meals, meetings, and events. It was expected. The fabric of the dress shimmered as it had tiny diamonds spread throughout it. It gathered at the waist and spilled to her feet. The neckline scooped from shoulder to shoulder to showcase whatever large and heavy necklace she'd be wearing. It had long, fitted sleeves. A large necklace made of multiple rubies and diamonds was hung around Saylia's neck. Ruby earrings were added to her ears as well as a diamond belt wrapped around her waist.

Saylia sat and soft velvet slippers were slipped onto her feet. The maids had tried for years to get Saylia to wear more extravagant shoes but she refused. She would only wear comfortable footwear if she was going to be forced to wear heavy and uncomfortable dresses and jewelry. It was the only way she could rebel against the ridiculous standard of dressing set for the princess.

As a maid was putting Saylia's shoes on her, another went to retrieve Nik to let her know that the princess was just about ready. Nik stepped back into the room as Saylia stood and was dumbstruck with the beauty in front of her.

Nik could tell that Saylia was incredibly uncomfortable being dressed in this way. It wasn't hard to tell but Nik also knew that nobody cared for the princess's comfort. But still, Nik had never seen a more beautiful woman in her life. But the most beautiful thing about Saylia was by far her mind. Her thirst for knowledge and her curiosity constantly pulled Nik in.

By this time, Saylia needed to head towards the dining room for the dreaded lunch. Saylia had met Lord Damien before and wasn't a big fan of the man. He was just like the other noble sons - self-centered and insincere. She nodded at Nik and left the room, heading to what felt like her doom.

Damien was already bored by his conversations with King Luther. His father liked the old monarch but Damien felt the man was losing his touch. It was time for a younger generation to step in. And, if Damien played his cards right, the next ruler could be him.

Eldred, Damien's older brother, was an average man who would make an unremarkable duke. Damien had been plotting since he was a child how he could take his brother's place and become the next Duke of Carmine. But then a more attractive opportunity rose.

It wasn't long ago that King Luther started looking for a suitor for his only daughter, Saylia. And when Damien heard this from his father, he urged the Duke to push for a marriage between their two families. Saylia could never rule on her own and whoever married her would have complete control over the Red Kingdom. Thankfully, the Duke and the King were old friends and it wasn't hard to start the marriage talks.

It didn't hurt that Saylia was so damn beautiful. Damien had been with his fair share of women in the past - both human and vampire. But none held a candle to the beauty that was Princess Saylia. This was further proven when she walked into the dining room just after he and King Luther sat to eat. The vampire princess, wearing her beautiful red gown, looked good enough to eat.

Oh yes, Damien was going to enjoy having her as his wife.

"Daughter! Welcome. You remember Lord Damien, yes?" King Luther asked his daughter as she sat at the table. Her human knight stood just a few feet behind her. Surprisingly, the knight was a woman. The knight eyed Damien with a fierce gaze and he did his best to ignore the woman. She might be a problem after he marries Saylia.

"Hello Father. Yes, I remember Lord Damien. We last saw each other at your birthday ball three months ago."

Damien bowed his head. "It is very nice to see you again, Your Highness."

Saylia gave him a timid smile and looked back to her father. Damien couldn't wait until she was the one bowing to him.

"I was telling Lord Damien earlier about your more recent studies. You've been researching the current trade routes between us and the Silver Kingdom if I remember correctly."

"Yes, Father. I thank you again for the opportunity to look into this and give you a report." Their food was brought out by human servants. Their wine glasses were filled with a rich red wine laced with blood.

"Once you two are married, you will make this kingdom so much stronger. You're both brilliant vampires who will bring prosperity to this nation." The King smiled at both Saylia and Damien.

"Father, isn't it a little too early to be talking about marriage between the two of us? We barely know each other."

"With all due respect, Princess, the things we can do for this kingdom are more important than any feelings we have towards each other. I'm sure over time we'll grow to enjoy each other's company." Damien flashed his most convincing smile at Saylia. This woman was not going to ruin this chance for him.

"Damien is right, Saylia. A marriage between the royal family and the House of Carmine will do our kingdom well. We've talked about this."

Saylia looked down at her food and sighed. "Of course, Father."

Saylia hated every moment of this lunch. She focused on eating as Damien and her father discussed current events in the kingdom. There had been rumors of an uprising stirring on the continent in many kingdoms. It seemed to finally reach the Red Kingdom and was apparently led by both vampire and human.

"I have heard that the leaders of the Revolution are a married couple - a human wife and a vampire husband." Damien informed King Luther.

This topic actually intrigued Saylia. She hadn't heard much about the Revolution.

"That's absurd. No vampire would stoop down so low as to marry a human."

"What's so wrong with marrying a human?" Saylia heard herself asking.

King Luther and Damien both looked at Saylia - shocked that she actually spoke up.