(Dawn POV)

If you think that being a princess is all fun and games...

It's not.

I'm Dawn Dark, princess of the Dark Empire. And this Friday is October 31st, my 16th birthday. Usually this would be one of the most memorable moments in a girl's life.

Not mine.

"Dad! Mom! I don't want to get a fiancé!" I angrily protested.

Mom sighed. "I know honey, I know. But it's been a tradition for vampire royalty to choose their fiancé's at their 16th birthday. That's how your father and I met."

"It's not going to be like yours! Everybody's going to be some asshat who wants me either for my body or position!" I yelled.

I don't mean to be arrogant, but I would say I'm a great catch. A princess with black hair, tanned skin, and ruby red eyes. A lot of people call me beautiful.

Anyways, vampire families in the Dark Empire have been waiting for this, so that their sons could "seduce" me. As if someone could seduce me. Their true intentions are too obvious.

They're all greedy. I've seen the gazes. They lust for money, sex, and power.

It's disgusting. Men are disgusting.

...

Okay, let me restate that. Most men are disgusting, at least these vampires. My Dad is an amazing man.

But none of these suitors are any Prince Charming's. I want a man who wouldn't hesitate to put his life on the line for me. Maybe I'm being spoiled and picky, but being a princess is dangerous, even if you can protect yourself.

I want someone who will have my back.

"I'm sorry Dawn!" Silently cried Dad. "We both know I don't want this either. But hey, good news is that you'll be able to annul the engagement if he tries anything!"

"It's been a tradition since the beginnings of Vampire Royalty. The Empire will be up in arms if you don't follow the tradition." Sighed Mom.

"Damn it!" I screamed, irritated and frustrated, stomping away to my room. I intentionally made sure my parents could hear my angry footsteps.

I don't want to be a fiancé to some random guy! When I get a fiancé, it's going to be to the man I love!

It's a good thing I'll be able to annul it if he tries to force me, but I don't want to even allow him to try it.

The life of a princess isn't all fun and games.

I have the best family I could wish for. Loving and caring parents. I wouldn't trade them for the world. But these stupid traditions...

Maybe I should just run away...

But here would I even go? Ugh...

I pulled a cloak over my dress. Pulling up the hood, I made sure that it would cover my face. Can't let anyone see who I am.

I snuck out of the castle, before stealthily moving through the streets of the Dark Empire. I headed to the newly made train station which led to Hell Kingdom.

It was created to release tensions between our countries and help with peace talks.

I paid for a ticket using my allowance, boarding the train. Sitting down in a seat, I kept my head down as I waited for the train to start.

If you think I'm running away, I'm not. It would be stupid. I have nowhere to go.

I just need some time away from the Dark Empire for a moment. Take a breath of fresh air. I've been planning this small trip for a while now, especially since soon my freedom will be restricted by a stupid fiancé.

"Hey girlie? Whatcha doing alone?" I heard an annoying fly from above me.

Great...one of these guys...

Looking up I saw a vampire teenager with an arrogant grin. Bet he thinks he just found jackpot.

&"I could enterta-" He started to say.

I quickly grabbed his wrist tightly, standing up and glaring at him.

"Back off." I hissed, giving him a murderous glare. I made sure to make my deep voice enough that he wouldn't notice it was his princess.

He paled and nodded. Letting go of his wrist, he quickly scurried off with his tail between his legs.

Seriously, I don't understand why they approach girls like this. They must be stupid to think this kind would work.

I huffed, sitting back down in my seat. All bark and no bite.

It's moments like these I'm glad I trained so much. Despite not going to any fighting schools like Hell High or Aquator Academy, I would say if I enrolled I would rank as one the strongest ones there.

"Welcome to the Ghost Train! We're heading to Lilith, and will be arriving in a half hour! I hope you enjoy the ride!" The announcement rang out throughout the train.

The train heads to the capital of Hell, Lilith. Quite a bold move for Hell Kingdom to take, but it means they do truly want peace. Or they want to invade. Let's just hope those peace talks will be as peaceful as they are supposed to be.

I spent the thirty minutes of the ride watching the terrain fly by outside of the window. Dunes of desert transformed into pits of lava and plains of fire.

Eventually I was able to see Lilith in the distance. It wasn't much longer before we entered the city, the train skidding to a stop.

"Thank you for riding with Ghost Train! If your exit is at Lilith, please leave now! The next stop is Juniper!" The announcement rang out.

A lot of people stood up, including me. I shuffled through the crowd, exiting the train and the station. Breathing a sigh of relief, I looked at the city.

Wow...it really is as amazing as they said...it's been so long since the last time I've been out of the Dark Empire.

I felt something rare these days happen. A smile lifted my face. Walking around the city, I examined all of the different buildings and people I passed.

Lilith is known as the capital of Hell Kingdom, due to the giant castle which houses King Lucifer right in the center of the city.

But it's also known for it's stores. I've been saving up some money, and I want to get a souvenir. But what? I can't let Dad and Mom know I snuck here by myself...

Maybe something small? Maybe I could get a necklace or earring and say it was from one of my few friends? Well, according to my research there is a jewelry place called Diamond on the next street. I can go there.

Turning right I passed onto the street. There wasn't anybody on this street though, which was strange. Diamond is supposed to be a pretty popular place...

I'll keep that in the back of my mind.

Entering the store, I noticed there were only two people. One customer and a man standing behind the counter.

The customer was a man about my age. He had brown hair with heterochromia eyes, something you don't see often. One blue, and one amber. His eyes flicked over to me for a brief second with curiosity, before looking back to the jewelry.

Interesting. Or maybe it's only vampire teenagers that are sex fiends who only think with their bottom half.

I started looking through the jewelry, searching for something that would look good on me. They had a wide variety, from cheap to expensive, steel to gold.

I heard the other teenager in the shop groan. "I don't know what to get a girl..." He muttered to himself.

He's buying a gift for someone?

"Need some help?" I blurted out.

Crap! Why did I ask that?! There's no way-

"Sure. Thanks!" He replied, smiling brightly at me.

Oh...is he not fazed by the fact I look suspicious with this robe?

"Well, what are some things she likes?" I asked.

"She likes spiders, sweets, and the color blue. Same color as her eyes." He answered in a heartbeat.

"You know a lot about her." I commented.

"Yeah. I've known her for a long time." He said, smiling.

I looked through the jewelry, helping this random teenager find a gift for this girl. I don't know why I was helping him. Probably because it was refreshing having a teenage boy not trying to seduce me.

"What about this?" He suggested, pulling out a necklace. It was a blue jewel with spider legs wrapping around it from behind.

"I think she'll love it." I replied.

He smiled. "Thanks for helping me. You need any help? I could buy one for you to repay the favor."

"No, it's good." I responded. "I'll get my own."

"Alright then." He sighed. "Thanks again."

He walked over to the cashier, where he started to pay for the necklace he picked out. Helping him out was refreshing.

I started looking back through the jewelry, searching for one that I might like. After a little bit of searching, I found these earrings shaped like bats.

They're perfect.

Picking them, I was about to pay when the door to the store suddenly slammed open. I slightly jumped in surprise, before turning around. At the entrance where two men in robes, standing menacingly in front of the doors.

"Give us the girl and we'll spare your life, boy." The man hissed.

Is he talking about me?! Does he know I'm the princess?!

Turning around, I saw the other teenager standing nonchalantly, despite the gun pressed to the back of his head by the cashier behind him...

I shouldn't have snuck out, damn it...