A/N: I'll upload the first two chapters of this story and will continue based on how much feed back I get. And unlike Blood of My Blood, I haven't finished this one yet. I'm working on Chapter 5 at home. This story is set in an AU and of course, centered on Kadaj's romances with another one of my OCs. I have no idea why this kind of plot came to mind, but it did. It actually came to me in the middle of writing Blood of My Blood, and I have resolved to write the story after I have finished the former, which I already have. So here it is.

Chapter 1: Domain of Ceres

Natalie awoke to the sound of birds' chirping right outside her window. If she wasn't mistaken, it would be near seven-thirty in the morning. She had established for herself, a body clock and so was used to waking up at that particular time. Her mother—the queen—had made sure of that.

All of a sudden, the doors to her grandiose bed room opened, and in walked four of her ladies-in-waiting, and along with them, Queen Adriana. One look at the state her daughter was in—disheveled and very clearly had just awoke from her sleep—made her scowl slightly. The queen's hair was visibly cascading over her shoulders, a magnificent chestnut waterfall.

"Come now, dear princess. We mustn't be tardy to greet the glorious day of which summer is appraised for."

Natalie twisted under her covers and stared at her happy mother who could've been flitting around the room like the birds hopping on her balcony. And before anyone could say a single word, the traditional sound of the trumpet—announcing that they had a guest of the aristocratic status—rang out from across the palace walls.

"Oh dear. Who could come here so early?" The queen mused to herself. "Tis a day of celebration after all, I shouldn't be surprised. Get up my dear Natalie! We have much to do!"

The fifteen-year old princess could've rolled her eyes, but decided against it. Her mother would never tolerate such insolent behaviour, and she would remind her time and time again that she must never act like any of their uncivilized subjects who dressed in skimpy fashion statements and dated whomever. Her mother had so strictly pointed out when she was twelve that every lady should be much obliged to let her parents pick the right man for her. Parents knew what was best for their children after all.

But that always had Natalie wondering what it would be like to live a life without other people making your choices for you—as if she didn't have a say in anything at all. But this was how she had been living; taking heed of her parents' orders, obeying every decree they imposed, and as such was their wish, never went beyond the palace walls. Her mother had explained that every princess in their royal lineage was allowed in the outside world at the age of eighteen.

"What is in store for me today, dear mother?" Natalie asked curiously as one of the ladies-in-waiting brought over a tray of her breakfast and set it upon the bed.

"Unexpected things, I know not. But I think you are fully aware that, there is a party to be held tonight, and we mustn't waste time in getting you ready to meet your future husband," her mother explained.

Of course... She should've guessed that thought the moment she woke up. A few days ago, her father—King Frederick Auguste—had carefully discussed with her the focal points of her future engagement to Lord Sephiroth—the heir to the unoccupied throne of the Kingdom of Nyx. Sephiroth was the ruler of the kingdom, but wouldn't proclaim himself king until he was properly married to a suitable princess. Such was the custom of theirs that Sephiroth agreed to it out of his respect for his deceased Mother.

Reared up in nobility, and filial respect, Natalie had consented to the future engagement. Yes, she heard of Sephiroth and his three younger brothers who were no doubt princes in the Kingdom of Nyx, but she'd never actually met them in person. Each of the monarchs had their respective reputations. And Natalie was quite wary of Sephiroth's ways as she heard he was a dictator—very well-disciplined and highly educated. But who was she to oppose the match. She was going to meet him tonight at the party.

Quietly, the princess of the Domain of Ceres finished her breakfast and was ushered without a word to the bathroom by a maid.

vVvVv

Hours later, Natalie found herself standing in the middle of her room. The tailors were the guests who had come in early in the morning, and they were right to be early. They carefully brought in twelve elegant dresses from which the princess might choose one that matched her taste. The dresses have been made to her specific body measurements, and the young monarch had to choose one from twelve.

Natalie carefully chose the first in line to see how it fit her. The dress had long sleeves, form fitting and hosted a modest neckline. It was just too modest. How was she supposed to attract her future husband, looking like that? Of course, modesty was a given to a lady of high birth like her, but seriously? Couldn't she have a little fun tonight?

"May I ask what is wrong with the first dress, milady?" One of the tailors asked, looking sheepish.

"Too closed. I think I won't be able to breathe in such a fine dress," Natalie lied, and it was a good thing the man had bought her reasons.

He clapped his hands several times in the air, and ushered the servants to dispose of the unwanted dress. Natalie examined the second one in line, and decided to give the dress a worthy try. Minutes later, she stepped out of the changing area.

"What do you think?" She asked, presenting herself with much confidence while her personal attendant admired her.

"You look splendid, your highness," the attendant nodded politely upon receiving a questioning gaze from the princess.

Natalie turned to the full-body mirror in her large room and looked at herself. The dress dipped low enough to flash a little cleavage, and the dress stopped four inches above her knees. It had criss-crossing straps at the back and the front. It was the color of hot pink. She really resisted the urge to even think her attendant meant sexy. It was too skimpy.

After going through five more dresses of her disliking, she finally came upon one she was curious and intrigued to try. She fingered the material of pure satin. The dress was midnight black in color with a silver sash across the waist. The silvery material was tied into a square knot and a brooch in the form of a black rose, its petals' edges lined with silver was pinned beautifully on the sash. It was strapless and it wasn't skimpy or overly conservative. It was just right. Natalie smiled.

"Is it to your liking, your highness?" The tailor asked.

"Yes it is. I'll take that." She nodded once.

"It comes with an accessory." The tailor casually presented a pair of elbow-length black gloves that went well with the dress.

It was some hours later after the tailor had departed did Natalie decide to try the dress on. Carefully, she unhooked it from the hanger it was resting on when a three consecutive knocks were heard at the large brass doors that held the entrance to her room.

"Come in," she called nonchalantly, expecting the visitor to be her mother.

"Hey Nat!" A cheery voice rang from across the room. Only two people would dare to address her like that.

The princess whirled around to find her best friends—Tifa and Aerith—standing near the doorway with smiles on their welcome faces. It was Tifa who called to her of course. Aerith was grinning happily in her pink dress.

"Hi!" Natalie beamed with delight and made her way to them.

Aerith instantly engulfed her in a hug which she eagerly returned, and then Tifa did the same thing. These two were her only friends since she had never been outside the palace walls, and Tifa and Aerith were daughters of noblemen that served in the king's court. Natalie silently envied them for their freedom.

"I think you've been meaning to try on a dress before we so blatantly intervened," Tifa remarked, smiling as they followed the princess.

"No worries. You know you're always welcome here." Natalie took the dress and carefully held it out in front of her to show her friends.

"Is that what you're wearing tonight?" Tifa inquired, maroon eyes shining with glee.

"Yes. I think it is. I like it. What do you think?"

"I want to see you try it on..." Aerith remarked happily.

"It's supposed to be a surprise," Natalie replied, still holding the dress.

"Really?" Aerith cocked her head to the side, the beautiful smile coaxing the young princess to sigh heavily.

"No fair. Why do you have to use that look on me?" Natalie pouted, knowing full well how Aerith's sweet nature could influence anybody.

"It's us you're talking to," Tifa smiled brightly. "C'mon. Get inside that changing room and show us how damn good you look in that thing," she cheered.

"Hey, don't curse," Natalie chastised her friend. "You know full well how mother gets worked up when she hears such words."

"Oops," Tifa giggled quietly.

Natalie rolled her eyes, not even bothering to think that she wasn't supposed to be doing that. "You have to stop hanging out with Cloud. I think he's beginning to influence you with his way of talking," she teased good-naturedly.

Tifa blushed fiercely, and Aerith laughed as the older girl shoved the young princess towards the direction of the changing room.

"Just put it on, Nat..."

vVvVv

"Now that is sure to hook up Sephiroth with one glance," Tifa smirked, admiring how the dress was extremely form-fitting on her princess.

Aerith circled around Natalie, admiring how well she looked in her chosen attire. "Maybe not just Sephiroth, but almost every other guy present at the party tonight."

Tifa grinned at Aerith's comment. Natalie would've slugged them if she could and if it was appropriate. These two were definitely ganging up on her. Well, their compliments were pretty astounding and she was flattered to the extreme, but they weren't necessary at all. She decided to change the subject.

"You two are going to be there tonight, right?" Natalie asked hopefully.

"I think so. King Frederick invited every noblemen and his family in his court to the party, so I guess it's a given that Aerith and I will be present tonight." Tifa explained, digging thorough her shoulder bag for something.

"That means, Cloud's present too," Natalie really couldn't pass up the chance to tease Tifa over her growing relationship with the blonde nobleman.

"Be quiet, Nat! My mother doesn't even know. At least I wasn't so worked up when I heard that Zack was coming home." Tifa interjected, hitting on Aerith this time.

The brunette just blushed furiously and tried to ignore the playful jibes from both of her friends as they teased her. It was then that another loud knock echoed across her room.

"Come in," Natalie called, and her personal attendant had made her presence known.

"Your highness," the young woman bowed. "The queen has requested an audience for your father, the king."

"Tell my mother, I'm on my way."

"Of course, your highness." The door closed as the attendant briskly exited the princess' room

"I guess that officially means Aerith and I have to go. We'll see you later, Nat," Tifa said, and Natalie could only nod in agreement as she hurried off to change into her normal clothes.