Raven woke up to find the world both inside and outside the carriage dark. She pulled her black shawl tighter around her shoulders, turned up the heat and turned on the lights.

The inside of the carriage was beautiful, with two cushioned seats lined along the front and back walls with beautiful blue and gold throw pillows thrown here and there. Birds were painted across the ceiling and forest scene was painted onto the walls. It was a weird design since Raven and nature didn't really get along well, but she loved to look at it.

"Almost there, M'lady!" She heard Alfonz's voice blare through the carriages speakers. The Goth shuffled over to the window and smiled when a white marble palace behind high white walls came into view. They stopped in front of a white painted steel gate, twice the height of the carriage and a guard with tan skin and dark hair, dressed in blue and silver armour came to check the coach.

The door swung open and the guard's helmeted head popped in. "Sorry for the inconvenience, you highness, just routine."

Raven shook her head and smiled warmly. "It's alright Jason, it's nice to see you."

Jason bowed his head. "It is nice to see you again as well, you highness, the whole castle has missed you."

"And I have missed them."

"If I may ask," said Jason. "His majesty doesn't know you are here, does he, M'lady?"

Raven giggled. "No."

"Very well, I believe I have kept you long enough." Raven nodded and the guard closed the door. Alfonz set off again, guiding the carriage through the pathway that had been made through the palace gardens. Even in the dark of night the garden was lit by colour changing lights that lined the path. The carriage made it's way through to the main entrance of the palace, gargantuan pillars held up the roofing that covered the massive double doors of the entrance.

At the top of the steps that led to the entrance, was a tall man dressed in fine blue and gold robes with an ornate gold crown on his head. He had short locks of grey hair that matched his beard. His face was weary but at the same time strong, and it held a gentle smile. When her ride stopped, Raven flung open the door and ran as fast as her legs could take her up the steps.

"Raven." The man said and went to meet her halfway, arms wide open.

"Dad!" Raven cried, running into her father's open arms and buried her face in his chest.

"What a surprise, dear daughter, I did not expect this." Said her father as he stroked her hair.

"Like I would forget about you on your birthday." Said Raven and looked up from her father's chest to meet his sky blue eyes.

"A card would have been fine, dear." He chuckled.

"Yeah, but I wasn't here last year and I wanted to be here this year, is that so bad?"

"No, of course not, sweetest daughter." Her father spoke. "We are just lucky that it is the start of the weekend, I wouldn't want you missing school."

Raven nodded. "So . . . good surprise?"

Her father laughed. "Yes, a very good surprise."

"Your majesty, Good King, and your royal highness, Princess Raven." A maid said meekly from the entrance, and shuffled around on the spot. "Your quarters have been cleaned, and people have been sent to grab your belongings."

"Thank you, Monica." Raven replied to the shy maid. "Speaking of belongings." Raven raced back down the steps to her ride and retrieved the box from the coach and bid a fair well to the jolly footman. She came back to her father and he linked an arm with hers.

"Come now dear, you must be staving." Said the Good King when as the walked through the front doors.

"Just a little peckish, Dad." Raven responded.

"Alright, you can tell me all about school over tea then."