Chapter 8:

"A party?" I whispered slightly surprised.

Shadow nodded holding the letter to me. "Your friend wanted to do it for you I guess." He stated crossing his arms.

Skimming over the letter, it was indeed Juliet's handwriting explaining that there would be a party and ball held to celebrate my birthday…That would mean-

"Shadow! Are my parents going to be there?" I asked perking up suddenly, hoping this would mean that they had returned.

Shadow stood there for a second before slowly shaking his head watching me intently. I felt the world drop again and I looked away. "Then why even bother having a stupid party anyway. They told me they would be there." I mumbled leaning my head on the wall.

Shadow was silent for a moment as I sulked.

"You'll be there right?" I whispered looking at him.

Shadow turned to look at me almost surprised by the question. "I have no choice; I am still your guardian for the time being."

I couldn't help but frown slightly. "But if you had a choice, would you still come?"

Shadow blinked as I looked at him sorrowfully.

"I am not one for festivities, but in your case…I suppose I would." He said it like it was painful to get out.

I wasn't sure if he was saying that out of honesty or just pity, but it still made me smile. "That's nice to hear…when I was growing up I didn't have a lot of friends, besides my staff at least." I chuckled.

Shadow looked back over to me as I continued. "Being deprived of relationships with people…just makes you empty inside. I guess that is why I get so paranoid about it." I mumbled looking away as I sat comfortably in a chair I began to favor in the small study.

Shadow's ears flattened to the side almost but he quickly cleared his throat and crossed his arms. "I prefer solitude over friends. That's just how I am." He replied dryly.

I somewhat shuttered at the thought of being alone, especially at home for instance all the time. How lonely I would certainly become.

"You will need to be ready to go in a few hours."

I inwardly sighed.

"What about the restrictions?"

Shadow leaned back against the wall seemingly to be bored. "There will be extra precautions made. No one will be able to get in, and no one will be able to get out once the party has begun. They do not want you to be seen by everyone though on the way, so we will have to take a different route."

"What route is that?"

Shadow smirked at me, almost in a too friendly manner.

X

Shadow's P.O.V.

"Ugh! I do NOT want to do that again!" Scarlett gasped as she grabbed the side of the rail at the top of the stairs.

I had just teleported us to the castle, and it was not a very pleasant experience…for her at least. Scarlett had cleaned up but was leaving the fitting and whatever princesses do to her staff.

"Princess Scarlett!"

I turned my head to see one of the guards coming by, giving a quick bow to her and returning to his position. Scarlett sighed, but smiled despite what she was feeling about having this party.

"Good afternoon James, it's a pleasure to see you." Scarlett noted with a smile. He returned the greeting and began to escort her down the hall.

"Oh, Shadow! Make yourself comfortable, if you need anything just ask someone!" She called turning her head slightly towards me.

I somewhat frowned realizing I would not only be stuck at a stuffy castle…but now I had to wait it out until the party even began, which wasn't for another two hours…then the party would begin, and who knows how long it's going to be…

"Humph…like I need anything from a place like this…" I mumbled walking down the opposite way that we came.

As I walked down the hall, I took note of the various paintings that were hung on the wall. Many of which looked to be of past rulers perhaps, but a lot were just of scenery or knights on horses and such.

One in particular caught my eye though.

A family portrait of Scarlett and her parents I presumed. She looked honestly happy in the photo. Her mother looked like her, a little older and green eyes though…her father had blue eyes and brown hair.

"Sir Shadow?" a deep voice interrupted my train of thought and I turned to see an older gentleman who looked similar to the one in the photo.

"Are you Scarlett's father?" I asked referencing to the photo.

He took a step to me and then smiled shaking his head. "I am afraid you are confusing me with my brother, we are twins. Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Neivloe II, Scarlett's uncle."

I paused in mid-reach to shake his hand, but pulled back greatly confused. "The second? What happened to the first?" I whispered taken aback.

He frowned and looked down the hall to where Scarlett had gone and put his hands behind his back, gesturing me to follow him.

Scarlett's P.O.V.

"Oh wow, that is-(gasp)-really t-tight!" I said feeling the corset being tightened around my small frame.

"I greatly ask you to forgive me, Miss Scarlett! Your size is two sizes smaller than this corset that has been prepared for you. I have to shorten the ribbon and string patterns to make up for it." The maid whispered as she tightened it another notch.

"Perhaps another corset then?" I gasped.

"All the others had been sent to seamstress in town, since the party was planned she sent this one in early just for it." Juliet noted watching me critically as I was fitted.

I gasped and clutched my lower stomach feeling the pressure secure.

"Okay, I am done. Are you alright?" the maid whispered coming around to see my face.

I nodded slightly. "J-just a bit rung out of air, but I am sure it will be fine. May I see the dress I will be wearing?"

"But of course Miss Scarlett, it's quite lovely." The maid chirped dashing over to the dresser.

Pulling out a light powered blue dress with white underlining silk and mid-elbow sleeves with a beautiful outline, I held my breath in awe of it.

"Oh, breathe!" Juliet gasped shaking my arm slightly.

I inhaled nodding while laughing slightly. "Oh it is absolutely beautiful! It's…it's honestly the prettiest dress I have ever seen." I noted walking up and delicately stroking the fabric.

Juliet smiled and took it off the hooks and motioned for me to raise my hands.

Careful not to mess up my hair or makeup, they slipped the dress on and adjusted the torso and the under fabric that was caught on my hip, and evened it out.

I turned carefully in the mirror and smiled big seeing it on me.

"You make it look even better, Lettie." Juliet sighed slowly circling me.

I couldn't take my eyes off the dress or I, my makeup was flawless and was elegantly pulled up into a rounded bun, which then was embedded with small diamonds.

"Here, put this on…and this….careful, okay…done!"

Shoes on, crown placed carefully on my head and jewelry adjusted, I was finished.

X

"It is my honor to announce the entrance of Princess Scarlett Theamore Neivloe of Vermilea!" the man introduced as I entered the ball room.

Thousands of people "awed" and "oohed" and quickly bowed before clapping excitedly. I smiled and waved kindly to be polite, but kept my gaze hopeful for a certain hedgehog.

"Lettie!" A man's voice boomed cheerfully.

I didn't hesitate to turn and smile broadly at my uncle who held his left arm out in a hug and in his right hand a glass of white wine.

"Uncle Victor!" I cheerfully called back greeting him in a hug. "I didn't know you were going to be here!" I gasped still smiling ear to ear.

"And Miss my favorite Princesses birthday? Of course not!" I smiled but couldn't help but think back to my father and mothers absence.

"Well it is wonderful to see you. Have you met Shadow?" I causally asked while being offered a drink (don't worry, it's not alcohol).

His eyes flickered slightly but he nodded with a smile. "Yes I did, you are lucky to have such a willing lad to keep a look out for you. Where is that boy anyway?" he mumbled, his thick accent cutting through.

"I am sure he is just-" I stopped in mid-sentence when a young gentleman a little taller than myself stepped over and bowed.

"Excuse me for intruding on your conversation my lord and lady." The young man noted looking to Victor.

"Oh, Leroy! Just the man I was looking for!" my uncle laughed grabbing the young man by his shoulders and giving a manly pat.

"Scarlett, this here is King Leroy of Neloir! A fine young man he is!"

I couldn't help but be taken aback at him already having such a title. "Well it's and honor to meet you your majesty, forgive my lack of recognition for your coming." I noted feeling surprised to have another individual of royalty pop up.

"Fear not my lady; I came without notification of my arrival. It should be I who should be apologizing-"

"Now enough of that! I told you to come when you were able and here you are!" Victor interrupted the young king with spirit.

I couldn't help but wish to face palm myself…just like his brother, my father, Uncle Victor didn't know when to turn it down a notch.

"What brings you here to Vermilea, King Leroy?" I asked returning my attention to my guest.

"Please, Leroy is fine." He said with a smile. "I actually have arrived to-"

"He is going to be your suitor Lettie!"

"My what?!"

Scarlett: I. HATE. YOU.

Me: Awe, don't say that!

Scarlett: Oh, but I do…sooo much.

Victor: Has anyone seen Shadow?

*silence*

Me: Well that's odd *smiles looking away*

Scarlett: …..Please leave a review!

Leroy: The KING DEMANDS A REVIEW-

Me: *slaps* Get a hold of yourself!

Victor: HA-HA! That's the spirit!

Scarlett: …Thanks guys!