Sixteen. She was turning, sweet sixteen. Though the girl was hardly sweet, and wanted to pretend to be a lot older than she mentally was. Valia, the youngest daughter to Duke Harold of Highheart, was tapping her foot impatiently inside her room as her corset was fastened as tight as it could possibly be, giving her the smallest waist in all the land, and enhancing her ever growing 'assets'.
But she had quite the temper, and her cheeks was flushing as pink as her dress, which flowed about her body in lacy layers, like a cake. She finally stopped tapping her foot and turned towards her maid.
"Are you done yet?" she snapped. The young maid was taken back. Valia had been on her third new servant that week, and her patience was growing thin. It seemed she might be going on her fourth new recruit soon if this maid didn't pick up the pace. "One thousand brush strokes should not take this long! Now, where are my earrings? Hurry up and fetch them."s he prodded, pinching the maids arm angrily as the maid simply was staring at her in fear. "I said hurry!" The maid rushed off, stumbling through the jewelry drawers while Valia grew angrier.
"They're the gold ones! The ones with the pearls ad pink diamonds tiering down from them- REALLY!" she huffed and whirled around, yanking open the bottom drawer of her jewelry box and snatching them out, dropping a few other earrings carelessly along the way. "Here!" she shoved the earrings into the woman's hand, then dropped herself into the vanity chair and lifted up her hair to expose her ears. "Now, hurry! I don't have all day!"
As the maid stumbled to get the earrings in, Valia glared at her through their reflection in the mirror. It was taking too damn long, and when the woman went to hang the matching necklace and accidently dropped the thing about four million times, Valia had enough and slapped her hard across the girl's face.
"Can't you do anything right? Get out of my sight right now before I have you hanged for your insolence!"
The maid, terrified, flew out of the room in tears. Huffing, Valia picked up the necklace and rushed to her doors and thrust them open-
"DADDY!"s he wailed, her voice echoing across the massive gilded hallways. "DADDY! I NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!!" she screamed, stomping her foot.
Today was meant to be perfect. It was her sixteenth birthday party, but so far, it was nothing but trouble. She knew the guests would be arriving shortly, and as she stormed across the hall, she peered over the railing of the grand staircase, her eyes coming across the draping leis of light pink flowers that hung down from the ceiling and the pink rose petals splashed across the floor. The entire place was glittering, the normal gold accents of the room adding a romantic quality to her family's castle. And despite it being gorgeous, she looked well past it and screamed out again, "DADDY!" her voice echoing down the staircase.
Where was he!? Why wasn't he coming at her call? Would she have to wear out her lungs well before her party to get to him? No matter, perhaps she'd have to handle this herself as she snatched onto her skirts and rushed down the long, curling broad pair of stairs, following along the rightward path. The servants were just finishing lighting the candles on the chandeliers, and lacing them with the same light pink leis and strings of pearls. One was pulling at the rope, hoisting up, up and away as the room was quickly cast in it's golden glow. Valia was only irritated by this, pushing her way through the servants and screaming again once she realized her father was not there.
"DADDY!" she screamed again, then when she noticed a pair of servants look her way, then over towards the balcony window, she stormed over towards it in a rage.
"L-Lady Valia! Please, do not go out-"
But she wasn't about to listen as she thrust the doors open, storming outside and looked down over the gardens to see- with a gasp, the most beautiful white horse she had ever seen- and the father standing right beside it, leading it towards the stable. Some of the hair on the horse had been died a soft pink color and pink ribbons adorned it's mane. But Valia hardly cared for the horse, nor the details as she screamed out his name again-
"DADDY!"s he wailed, and her father turned towards hr, giving her a lop sided grin.
"Why, Valia! This is a surprise! It looks like you've caught me red handed!"
Valia angrily held her breath, chewing on the inside of her mouth as her father pressed on. "You seemed to have found out one of your birthday surprises. How do you like him? He's quite the beautiful animal, is he not? And he's all yours, Valia. Happy Birthday, my dear!"
Valia had done just about enough chewing on her cheek as she screamed out, "DADDY! I DO NOT CARE ABOUT A HORSE! THE NEW MAID I GOT IS A FOOL AND I'VE SENT HER AWAY! OH, DADDY!" she wailed, flying don the balcony side steps and over to him. "It was horrible, simply horrible! She could barely get my earrings in and my necklace!" she held it out angrily in her hands. "She couldn't even get my necklace on as her foolish hands were so shaky! I demand another maid at once! How am I to prepare for this evening if I'm not even fully dressed?"
Her father, taken back, but quickly smiled at his daughter and pulled her into a partial hug as his other hands held onto the reigns of her horse.
"Now, now, my dear. We will get you a proper maid, do not fret. I'm sorry that Annabelle did not work out for you. But say, chin up, my girl. You already look stunning. But please, do take a look at your new horse! It's a champion breed, the finest in all of he land!"
Valia, only somewhat sated by her father's compliments, held another hot breath as she glared over at the horse.
"I guess it is pretty, but what am I to do with it? You know I'm not a fan of riding. Will it be one for my carriage?"
"Landsakes! NO! We shall teach you to ride more proper. I know you've never taken as well to horses as your sister-"
"That's because I'm NOT my sister!" Valia snapped. Her father went silent a moment and slowly nodded.
"Well, there are more gifts to be had. Come on in, my little love bug. I've got more things to show you. But first, let's see to that maid of yours, hrm?"
Valia rolled her eyes, but obliged. After all ,there was the incentive her father had mentioned she'd be getting more gifts. And these gifts better damn well be more handsome than that horse. A HORSE! Of all of the damned things to get her for her birthday! If anything, her father should be working at hunting down a husband for her, not some animal!
But soon all of the preparations were in order and the carriages began to arrive. Valia, at her mother's judgement, wore her hair up that evening, which was quite a feat in itself, considering how long her flowing golden locks were. But she looked much older and wiser beyond her years, something even Valia appreciate din the moment. She had to wonder how many handsome knights or dukes might be at the event. After all, she couldn't stand the idea her sister was to marry one of the wealthiest dukes in the land. She would have to score one for herself, or, at least find one who was twice as handsome- though she would have liked to settle for a man that was twice as rich, as well. Though it would be hard pressed. After all, her sister was engaged to none other than Duke Calent himself. And she couldn't help but become anxious and worry over if her sister was to attend this event or not..
After all, the last letter she received did not have her making any promise. It always seemed there were always reasons in getting in the way. This Duke Calent she was to marry was already consuming so much of her life, and the two weren't even married as of yet! Sighing, Valia pushed herself across the crowd and stole a drink. She knew the guests would be arriving soon, but a little bit of champagne never hurt,a nd after downing nearly the entire glass, her mind was a bit bubbly, a little more than tipsy, and she felt more able to handle the rush of people that were soon to come. Taking her place beside her mother, the massive doors were opened as the first set of guests began to arrive.
The party had begun.