I turn off the shower, open the glass door, step out, and dry off. I slide into my robe and brush my long black, silk like hair. " Anastasia, your Father requests that you be at dinner in an hour." Says Mary, my personal maid. I reply and dismiss her. I leave the restroom and walk to my bedroom.
Tonight, three of my suitors, will be coming to dinner, so I can continue to assess them. The first is Prince Tanner, ruler of the Tamarian Archipelago, he is five years older than me. Then there is Prince Reece, first in line to the throne of Bersne, a mountainous region that makes its majority of profits off mining. Finally, there is Cobalt, King of the High Court of Mainia, one of the largest regions in the world. Cobalt is about fifteen years older than me. To be honest, Tanner is a self centered brat, Reece is overly attached to everything, and Cobalt is selfish and cruel. Tonight, they will each bring a gift, tonight I must choose my groom.
       I look at the clothes that Mary and her assistants have chosen. A red silk dress, it makes me look even more slender than I already am. The other dress is baby blue, long, and it hangs off my body. I choose the blue one, braid my hair, and roll it up into a braid bun. I choose my leather flats, and a string of black and white pearls. I inhale deeply and step out into the ball room, where the three men are awaiting. Tonight is the biggest night of my life.
We dance for about fifteen minutes, and then are called for appetizers, Calamari/pineapple/tomato kabobs. I raise my kabob to my mouth but my Mother shakes her head no. I roll my eyes but obey her requests. The men get two kabobs each. My mouth waters when Tanner picks up a third. We continue to dance, and I continue to switch men. Out of all of them, my mother wants me to pick Tanner, my father wants me to pick Cobalt, and I want to pick Reece, if I had too, which I will. The main course is hustled out by the male butlers, and they make a show while at it. For the main course we are having rosemary braised lamb shanks with a side of garden salad and fresh bread. The men get wine, and I order water. Father gives a toast " Tonight, is my daughters last night single, and tonight you each must give her a gift. I hope, for each one of you, your gift will strike her heart. Now, enjoy your meal!" They clap, and I blush, embarrassed by the short speech. We all dig into our lamb and salad.
Dinner ends, and dessert will be hosted after ceremonial gift giving. I panic, and run to my room. Waiting there for me is my real, true love, Christopher. Sadly, he is not in any Royal family, matter of fact, he is my personal handy man. I fall into his arms and start to sob. He caresses my hair, and I look into his deep big brown eyes. His short blonde hair charms me, however it has not been washed in a while. I get up, kiss his cheek, and leave. I walk into the ball room, where my suitors await. "Here we go..." I whisper.
The first to give a gift is Prince Reece, whom gives me a necklace with an A engraved into ruby, diamond, and emerald. I am shocked at the beautiful piece, and I place it on my neck. I am stunned when Reece comes up and says " If you don't pick me can I have it back, my mom is named Ariana..." Next is Tanner, and his gift makes the words leave my mouth. Sitting there in four different cages are eight exotic animals, two of each. The first animal duo are brightly colored birds, that are rather big. The birds keep saying " Marry Me" and "Anastasia plus Tanner equals love". The next cage holds two massive tigers , one paces and the other sleeps. After that are two small lizards that do not seem very expressive, until they change colors. Finally is the most amazing thing I have seen so far. In that cage are two vibrantly colored peacocks, strutting about, as if showing off their feathers to woo me. So far, Tanners gift has been the best. I will have to buy a zoo for these magnificent creatures. Last, and least, is King Cobalt. His present if the most beautiful harp I have ever seen. It is gold, silver, and my name is embedded in cobalt letters. I rush over to the harp and run my hand across the strings. "Wow, this is beautiful.." I mumble under my breath. He smirks at the two princes. I start to say " Wow, you guys are amazing, but my favorite gift is probably..." Then Christopher bursts in yelling " I HAVE A GIFT FOR THE PRINCESS!" I stand there shocked at his arrival. He walks up to me, bends down on his knee and says " will you marry me?" My eyes water as I see the thin golden band with a small, but real, diamond inlaid in it. " yes, yes, yes!" I say. King Cobalt's face turns bright red, and he yells, " soldiers IN!" Around one hundred men rush in, and gather around us. King Cobalt glares at Christopher and says " seize him, he stole my bride." I shake my head, and Cobalt lifts me off my feet. My Mother and Father are screaming at the enemy guards to let them go, but they ignore. The small lizard cage has been placed on the marble flooring, and a man with an axe strides in. Then I realized, he is here to execute Christopher.
King Cobalt makes me watch. Christopher's head is laid down, and the axe man raises the axe above his head. It swings down, making a clean slicing slick noise. The rooms gunfire promptly stops. I pass out. My family's guards finally rush in, but they are too late. When I wake up, my mother and father lie spread apart, only their hands touching, not moving. I stifle a cry, as one of the guards charges forward, and shoots his gun. It pierces Cobalts heart, and exits his body, and hits my throat, where I lie draped over his body. Last thing I manage to whisper is " I am coming, family." The harp falls over, and shatters into pieces, this makes me smile, as I slowly painfully perish.

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So? Did you like the first short story in the long line of stories, thanks for reading! Follows, Comments, and Votes are always welcome!
-❤️Janebook0

(Ps: are your feels hurt)