Nadine - The Beginning

6. Ball

A few months later my dad is making some grand announcement. He's putting a stage in the ballroom and inviting all the vampires.

"Wow Mary I didn't even know you own a dress like that. It's such a pretty green."

"Your father got all the servants a dress like this for the ball. You know your father."

"If you don't look good, I don't look good." We both say it at the same time and laugh.

"But the white belt and lace add on are just for my dress. Since I'm not a palace servant he wanted me to be a little fancier." She does a little spin.

"Well you look beautiful."

"Thank you princess. Let's get you dressed now."

"Ugh. Why do I have to wear this dress? It weighs so much."

"It's what your father wants little miss. He wants all of you to look your best for the ball today."

"It's not even a ball. He's just making some announcement."

"But there will be live music and food. I believe that makes it a ball."

"Ugh. Mary. This is like my least favorite dress. Do you think anyone would notice if we switch it out?"

"Well your other black one is almost the exact same shade. It might work."

"Yes please. That one is so much more comfortable."

"Ok princess. But if we get caught, I know nothing about this." She looks at me and we both laugh.

She helps me into the more comfortable dress and pins down the matching shroud.

"I like the veils more. They are easier to see through. I can't see anything with this on."

"Yes. But they wanted the matching colors. It'll only be a few hours princess. Then we can make our escape."

"What will you be doing for the ball Mary?"

"I will be sitting behind you. I'll kind of be at an angle but if you need anything, I will be right there. I can also keep an eye on the pins this way."

I nod. "Will you be eating too?"

"No miss. It's against the rules for this. Servants will eat later."

"Ok I'll grab some extra food so I know there's enough for you. If you need a break you can always come to my room and eat any of the snacks on my food table."

"Thank you princess. You are always so kind."

Clay comes busting in the door. "Guess what?"

"I'll check back later and we can get the finishing touches done. I want to make sure your chair for the ball is clean."

I nod at Mary. "What?"

Clay waits on Mary to shut the door. "I heard mom and dad talking."

"Of course you did."

"I heard him say if we think the blood pets aren't here, we won't go looking for them."

"So he's just going to tell us they're not here?"

"I guess. But they are going to be here still."

"Well you really didn't hear much of this conversation Clay."

"I know. I guess he's going to make some kind of announcement at the ball. But the blood pets will still be here."

"They have had that place locked up for weeks. It's not like we can get down there anyways."

He smiles. "I found a secret staircase behind one of the office bookshelves."

"You will get in so much trouble. We aren't supposed to be there."

"I know. I just wanted to look."

"Did they give the pets bedding and clean clothes at least?"

"I didn't see any bedding. I don't think they get much food either. They don't look very good."

I am immediately mad. "He promised."

"You can't tell anyone we know sister."

"You're right." I think for a minute. "You'll just have to show me where that staircase is. I will take them bedding and food myself."

"Ok but not today. The entire place is on high alert. We'll have to wait."

I nod and he runs out the door. Why would daddy lie to me about giving them bedding?

"Everything is ready for your entrance little miss. We just need the final sign off from your mother." She raises her eyebrows and helps me stand up.

My mother meets us in the hall. "Is this the dress I picked out? I thought I picked out a poofier one?"

"This is the one that was laid out momma. I can go change quick if you would like. I do have another black one."

"No it's fine Nadine. I'm just not paying much attention today, everything is needing tending too for the guests. You look beautiful in either one anyways." She gives me a hug.

"Thank you momma."

She smiles at me. "You're growing up so fast... Ok servant"

"Yes ma'am." Mary answers immediately.

"Will you please assist Nadine to her seat. You may sit behind her for the ball."

"Yes ma'am and thank you."

Mary and I walk away holding hands. As soon as we get in the hallway we both start laughing.

"I can't believe that worked."

"I know child. I thought for sure we were caught."

Clay comes running up from behind us with another servant.

"Clay you look so nice in your black outfit."

"Thanks." He looks at me. "Can you even see through that thing? It's so dark."

"It's a challenge but I can make it work. Not like I have a choice anyways."

"Guess what I heard?"

"Mom and dad talking?"

"No."

"What then?"

"I heard someone wants to ask you to dance tonight."

I just stare at him for a minute. "Who?"

"His name starts with T."

"He was getting dads permission to ask you earlier. I don't know if dad gave it though. I got kicked out." He looks at the ground. "But hey, he wants to ask you anyways."

"Dad's not going to give him permission. He'll just say we're both to young."

Mary puts her arm around me.

I whisper in her ear. "But it's nice that he wants to dance with me."

Mary gets a big smile and turns to say something to me.

The guards pull the big doors open.

"Announcing Princess Hypatia Nadine Sandu and Prince Nicladie Andos Sandu. Children of the Vampire King and Queen Miculai and Aurelia Sandu."

Everyone starts clapping and we walk straight in. I trip on something and Clay balances me immediately. He whispers to me "No one noticed. Just hold my arm sister, I will help you get there."

"Thank you brother."

I make it to my chair with the help of Clay and Mary. Everyone stops clapping when we sit down.

Mary sits behind me at an angle. She leans forward and whispers. "You did good princess. Now we just have to sit for a couple hours. Let me know if you need anything."

I just nod.

"Announcing The Vampire King Miculai Sandu and The Vampire Queen Aurelia Sandu."

I stand and clap my hands as they walk in. As soon as everyone stops clapping I sit back down. I don't want to chance falling.

People start making toasts to my father immediately. I can see that all of the advisors are here. There's actually a lot of people here. My father thanks everyone and invites them to eat. The servants bring a bunch of food out. I look at it and reach a couple bites under the shroud. But it's really hard to eat like that. I really don't want to dump the plate in my lap either. I'll just wait.

One of the servants serving the food comes up and kneels down by me.

"Is the food ok princess?"

"Yes it's just hard to eat with this on my head. Can you wrap me up 2 meals and put them in my room please? I can eat later."

She gives me a weird look.

"I'm sure I'll be super hungry by then."

She smiles. "Of course. I'll have them sent to your room right away ma'am."

My mother walks over next. "Is everything ok Nadine?"

"Yes it's just hard to eat with this." I flip the shroud. "I asked the servant to put the food in my room for later."

She smiles. "Yes that is quite dark. I'll send extra desserts for you. You are doing so good."

"Thanks mom."

My mom takes her seat and my dad stands up.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. Our numbers are growing so fast. There are so many of us now. It's amazing when I look out at all of you."

The audience claps.

"We have decided to make some changes. There is a human village 4 hours from here by horse. The advisors have already spoken with their leaders. They will be giving us blood. All of them. We will all be able to have fresh human blood when we need it."

The audience starts cheering this time.

"They do however ask that we keep them safe from outside sources. So we will be building a second palace right beside their village. Our walls will go around their village. We will keep them safe and they will give their blood. This is extremely good news. Our guards will guard them. Our servants will be able to shop in their village. Our people will be able to walk with humans."

A massive amount of cheers erupt.

"This is great for our kind. The people will be donating their blood through a medical building they have. No one will have to get bit. This will keep their fear of us low. We will be able to store the blood so we always have human blood."

More cheers erupt and my dad signals for the band to start playing.

"For tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow the building starts."

He walks to my mother and offers his hand for a dance. She smiles and takes it. They walk to the center of the dance floor and start the first dance. The advisors all join in with their mates or dates.

I just sit there lost in thought. So dad wants us to think that they won't need blood pets here anymore because of the village. Limitless amounts of blood from them. This way we won't go looking for the pets anymore. But they are still here. For the other things the men are doing to them.

I know mom said men have urges. But why keep them hidden and in such bad shape?

"Can I have a dance princess?"

Oh wow he really snuck up on me.

I reach up and take his hand out of reaction. The second I do Mary and the servant sitting behind my brother both stand up. I wonder if they're going to come too? That might be weird.

Mary steps close to Tre and whispers. "She can't see well sir. Please be careful."

With that they both help me stand up. I wrap my arm through Tre's and he helps me down the steps onto the dance floor.

I can hear people talking as we walk by.

"That's the future king and queen right there."

"Those 2 will be mates someday."

They are trying to be quiet but it's not working.

I feel Tre put his hands on my hips and pull me a little closer. I wrap my arms around his neck. I feel so tense, I know everyone is looking at us.

He looks at me and smiles. "Calm down princess. Don't worry about what anyone says. It's just 1 dance."

I smile. I do like being in his arms. I rest my head on his shoulder. "I can barely see Tre."

He lays his head on mine. "I wish I could rip that stupid thing off you right now."

I chuckle. "Oh my parents would be so mad."

"Yea they would. I think I would have to run out of here." He looks at me and smiles. "But at least you would be able to see princess."

He starts looking around.

"What are you looking for?"

He whispers. "Trying to see where the nearest exit is. In case I need it."

I start to laugh and mess up the footing.

He laughs and grabs my waist again. "I only got permission for 1 dance and I don't want to miss a second of it. I want you in my arms for all of it princess."

"Is everyone still staring at us?"

"No. Just your dad. And he's really only staring at me. I think I might need that exit after all."

As soon as the song ends he bows to me and I curtsey. Then I give him a hug. "Thank you for making me feel better again Tre."

"Any time princess. Let's get you back to your seat. You dad still staring at me and he's starting to get up."

I laugh and hold his arm as he walks me back to Mary.

"Thank you for the dance sir."

He bows again. "My pleasure princess. Have a wonderful night."

A couple hours later me and Mary manage to get away out a side door. We go to my room and relax finally.

"Oh I'm so glad they brought all this food. I thought I was going to starve sitting there."

"Me too. I was about to eat the shroud." I say laughing.

Mary laughs. "So... Tell me about the dance."

I swallow the piece of fruit I just stuck in my mouth. "He said he wished he could rip off the stupid thing right then so I could see and he said he only got 1 dance with me. He didn't want to waste it. He wanted me in his arms."

"Oh he just sounds so sweet."

"Do you think he would make a good king, Mary?"

"I think he would. But you're both still young yet. Don't forget that."

I smile thinking of being in his arms. "I won't."

"Ok let's get you ready for bed princess."