Chapter 1:
"Gabriel!" I snap out of my daze and look at my younger brothers. Michael and Samuel are identical thirteen year-old twins and look exactly like me when I was that age, with black hair, pale white skin, and full lips. The only difference between us is our eyes. While they inherited my father's gold eyes, I inherited my mother's silver ones. They are both dressed in identical tunics, in the royal colors of blue and silver with the royal crest placed right over their hearts, and identical silver crowns that showed while they were not in direct line for the throne, they were still in high standing.
"What?"
"Father want to see you." Says Michael. "Something about getting ready for the ball tonight." Samuel says with a smirk. I groan. "And where is he now?"
"Where do you think he is? The throne room." I sigh and start to walk towards my impending doom. Father is waiting for me at the side of his throne. "You asked for me, Father?"
He looks up at me and seems almost surprised by my presence. "Ah, Gabriel, I didn't hear you come in. But, yes, I did wish to speak to you about tonight." I accidentally groan again.
King Jareth, ruler of the Labyrinth, the largest kingdom of the Underground, decided to host a ball, where every eligible prince of the Seven Kingdoms was to attend, in hopes of winning the hand of his daughter, the Princess Laurel.
Normally, I would jump at the chance, if it were not for the fact that King Jareth was also the Goblin King and no one knew anything about his kingdom. I personally did not want to court a little goblin wearing a pretty dress and tiara. But, as my duty as Crown Prince of the Fallen Angels, I had to go to this ball.
"Gabriel, I know it is tough courting a princess that you hardly know anything about, but think of your people. This is your last chance, otherwise your uncle will inherit the kingdom. Please I am begging you to go." That last part he says with regret and sorrow tainting his voice, making me outwardly cringe. "Alright, I'll do it. But don't expect me to enjoy it."
A slight smile graces his lips. "Thank you. Your mother would be proud." I my heart aches a little when he says that last part, but I nod to him and turn on my heel out the door. On my way out I spot Michael and Samuel waiting outside the door.
"So, Gabriel, excited for tonight? After all, it's not everyday you get to court a goblin princess." Michael continues with, "And we also hear that your competing for the creature's hand. Against five other princes too!"
"Shut up." I growl to them. The back off and head down the hallway with identical smirks on their identical faces. Shaking my head and sighing, I stalk off to my room to get dressed and ready for tonight.
...
"Ouch! Please, Maria, for the love of mercy, stop pulling my hair out!" The plump maid who has attended to me since birth gives me a look. "Well, if you would hold still, it wouldn't hurt as much. And I have to brush it or else it will become all matted." I shut up and stay still until she's done.
"There, that should do it. Now if you could produce your wings." I sigh and extend my wings. Every angel's wings are different. Mine are a stunning bluish silver with razor sharp feathers that could cut someone if they weren't careful. My brothers had a variation of my wings, but they weren't exactly the same as mine.
Maria runs a specially created brush over my wings, sharpening the dull feathers as it goes. She finishes, and I retract my wings. Maria takes one more looks at me, then places my crown on my head. The crown is silver, just like my brothers', but is less thin and almost looks like a ring of feathers and iron.
"Oh" Maria says wiping away a tear.
"Just look at you, those other princes don't stand a chance against you."
"Thank you, but don't forget that I'm trying to beat five other men for the chance to marry a goblin."
She raises an eyebrow at me and gives me a look that says, 'Don't you think I know that already? Now stop spoiling my moment.' "Okay, okay, I surrender." I says with a grin, laughing an putting my hands up. I lean in and kiss her cheek. "Thank you. I'll try to win her heart for you." She smiles warmly at me. "Oh, I don't care if you win or you lose. Just try your best and I'll be proud. Now go on, before you're late."
I bid Maria goodbye and hurry outside the castle to where the carriage that currently holds my father awaits. I step into the silver and blue carraige and sit across from my father. He nods to the carriage driver and we're off.