The Banquet
1197 Words
“Olivia, did you hear?!”
My best friend Stacy rushed into my room, her phone in hand, her hair frazzled and a towel wrapped around her privates. For the past hour, she had been singing like a wailing hyena while soaking in the tub, what’s got her so excited that she rushed out dripping wet? Better yet, why on earth did she take the phone to the bathroom?
“You’re wetting the floor.” I pointed out. “You’ll be the same one to end up slipping and breaking a few bones later.”
She blatantly ignored my words and rushed over, shoving the phone in my face. “The King’s holding a banquet to welcome his son back from war!” I barely even got to take a good look at the photo before she withdrew the phone, hugging it to her chest whilst a creepy smile took form on her face. “He’s finally here, my prince!”
I cringed. “This isn’t the first banquet, is it? Why must you gush over that furry guy who doesn’t even know you exist? What’s worse, they’re the reason we live in this dump. You should be embarrassed.” I twisted on the creaking bed, turning away from her with disinterest. I hated hearing her gush over him, especially when, no matter how you look at it, he’d do more harm than good if she happened to marry him.
“I’m positive life in the palace will be much better than out here will ever be.” She rolled her eyes, her hand confidently resting on her hip. “Besides, I heard that he singlehandedly took down an army while defending our borders! If I can get him to marry me, I’d never have to even worry of getting killed in the crossfire!”
I frowned. The idea of marrying him for protection was stupid, but she was right about not getting caught up in the crossfire, I admit. It’s been years since wars began and up until now, it hasn’t ended. Both humans and we vampires, have absolutely nothing to do with a power strife between wolves yet most of our people have been killed in the midst. My mother was one of the unfortunates, but luckily, she’s still breathing…barely.
At the moment, the palace is the safest place around. If we were to get in there whether by job or selling our soul, we’d be very lucky…that’s if they don’t end up killing us for some trivial reason. But is it even right to seek refuge amongst the same people who ruined our lives in the first place?
Honestly, that’s repulsive. But if they offered to change our lives, I know I’d do anything they wanted in a heartbeat. That’s just me though.
“Whatever be the case, I’m not going anywhere to meet people I’m not interested in. But I do wish you luck.”
“Yeah, I totally feel your sincerity.” She smacked my arm. “But you don’t get a choice, my lady. Apparently, this time it’s mandatory for female vampires our age to attend. Though, it’s not like they’ll come searching our houses if we don’t go… Anyway, I heard the prince is in search of his mate! Whoever she turns out to be, I heard he’ll fall head over heels for her! It’s some sort of curse to love one woman til they die!” She wiggled her brows as her excitement skyrocketed once again.
My face twisted in confusion. I sat up, ears perking with newfound curiosity. “Mate? That soulmate thing people kept whispering about? I thought that was just talk?”
I heard some stuff about it some time ago, but it sounded like some sort of shitty fantasy so I didn’t believe much of it.
“It’s not, one of my cousins work as a gardener there.” She flopped down beside me. Her undried hair sent droplets flying in my direction when she sat down, and I had to do my best not to kick her off. I want to know the details first at least.
“All I know is that each werewolf has a soulmate who’s been destined to cross their path….like love at first sight! It’s the first I’ve heard of it but from what I’ve been told, there’s a teeny weeny chance that that soulmate could be a vampire like us…! Can you believe it?!”
Two people bound together since birth? The mate could be a vampire? In other words, a flimsy vampire could become Queen?!
Yeah, it sounds like nonsense, but if it’s true, then I gotta be honest…that is quite interesting…
“You said it’s mandatory, right? What time does this banquet start?”
A bright grin instantly spread across her face as she clasped our hands. Before I knew it, I was being whisked off towards the bathroom….
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Five hours later, I was standing at the palace gates and basically all eyes of passing women were on me. Like everyone else, I was wearing a dress, only it wasn’t as tight fitting as theirs. It didn’t hug my curves one bit, and not even the sleeves fitted me perfectly. I coupled that with the only heels I had, which happened to be sky blue in color and brushed my blond hair into a neat ponytail at the top then added a white headband before leaving the house.
My outfit was all random because I didn’t really care much to dress up but it seems I looked too ridiculous to not draw attention.
Stacy on the other hand, was wearing a really really tight dress that touched the floor. There was a pretty high up split at the side and the top was off shoulder style so her t**s were peeking out. I’m surprised she can even breath in that.
“Why did you decide to come if you were gonna wear these shitty clothing? And of all things, why your mother’s outdated dress? I was even nice enough to offer you that red dress I love so dearly. Tsk.” Stacy ran her eyes over my figure distastefully, giving me that same dirty look the other women were constantly throwing my way.
“You’re overdressed so you have no right to criticize.” I fired back, grinning when she glared.
“Whatever, let’s just go in.” She grabbed my hand and tugged for me to follow her. “Those greedy sluts up front are gobbling up the seats as we speak. I refuse to let the hours I spent on my outfit and makeup go to waste, I want to see him from the front row or not at all! Liv, walk faster!”
“I’m more worried about the food than seats. Just how much will they give us to eat?” I mumbled, barely managing to keep up with her pace.
Heels are definitely not my thing.
After a few checks here and there to confirm our age as well as search our belongings, we finally walked through the big gates and into the palace…
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- Writer
