Sebastian

Chapter One

This chapter has 1188 words in it. Sorry for the long-ness, but I needed to make it long in order to hash out some details so the next few chapters won't be sluggish. Thanks for reading!

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The sunlight streaming in from the window turned my eyelids an orange-pink color, and I turned over, wanting to delay the inevitable for just a little longer. My cat, however, had different plans.

First, it came in the form of a tickle of whiskers on my cheek and I pulled my comforter over my face. Unsatisfied, the furry demon pounced on my face, claws grazing my forehead through the thick blanket, and I groaned. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and Elmer pranced happily around me, giving me head bonks every now and then as he circled me on the bed. I shuffled out of my cocoon, grabbing the little black cat and snuggling him under my chin. On my way to the tiny bathroom, I put him in my closet, where his bed and his food and water was.

Lake Village did not allow pets. Unless you were a farmer, nobody was allowed to keep any sort of animal. If you were caught with one, you were killed. The king was a vicious tyrant; he wasn't one of us. He feasted on our bodies, our blood, and felt no remorse. Every year, hundreds of men, women and children died because of him. 

And he didn't feel the need to compensate. So no pets.

The king held parties every year, where he'd order the best food, dresses, suits, and everything anyone could need. He decided what you wore to his dance, what you ate, how much fun you had. He controlled everything.

Every villager from age sixteen to age thirty was invited. If you were any older, your chances of dying instead of turning when bitten went up by a wide margin. That was the reason for these dances, the king's search for someone to rule beside him and provide companionship. If he liked what he saw, he'd dance with with you and hold a conversation. If he liked what he heard, he'd pull you away and talk to you individually. If that went well, he'd court you and, if things were great, propose. He'd turn you into what he was and you'd live with him forever with your family, and none of you would age.

He did not want children. An heir meant giving up power.

My family was good at staying under the radar. Until my dad got sick, we never caught his attention and therefore never got any of our family members taken from us. We were doing fine, and we even got away with keeping Elmer, as long as we only let him out in our small fenced yard at night and kept him in the house during the day. His black fur blended in perfectly with the night sky. My closet was his hiding spot, where we put him during the middle of the day, the time of the day where visitors were common. We made a makeshift paradise for him there, because we felt bad for keeping him locked in there so often. A soft bed, fatty meat scraps, water, and even toys we fashioned from boot laces and paper balls. My family was poor, but we were happy. 

Then my dad got sick. It started as a cough, and by the time the infamous dance rolled around, he was completely bedridden. Mom took up his work for him, and my brother found a job. They refused to let me work. I was seventeen, and I managed to dodge his dance the year before because I was ill and my family feared it was my dad all over again. But this time, there was no avoiding it. The king knew this, and his firm decision for me to go came in the form of two large boxes, one addressed to me and one addressed to Kaden. Inside my box was an icy blue ball gown, and inside Kaden's was a tuxedo, the same shade of blue as my dress. There was a notice in each box that read:

"You are required to attend King Sebastian's annual ball on Tuesday, February 23rd. This is not optional. A car will arrive at your residence an hour before the ball to escort you to the king's estate. Be ready before it arrives."

The dance was only a week away. Kaden looked at me, and I was positive my face reflected the same worry as his eyes did. My mother peeked over my shoulder and let out a small squeak.

"Elizabeth, do you realize what this means?" She asked me. I stared at her, not understanding why in the world there was hope in her voice, and she continued. "If you win him over, he'll turn us," she explained. I was still confused. How could she say that without grimacing? "He'll turn your father," she murmured, her voice soft. I thought about it, and it took me a few minutes to be properly outraged. What was she thinking?!

"Mother, you want me to go cater to the man who has enslaved every single one of us, who would kill us all if he found out we had one little kitten here, who eats kids? Are you out of your mind?!" I yelled. She glared at me and grabbed my box, closing it and placing it carefully on the table. She opened her mouth to say something, but Kaden interrupted her.

"She's right, mom," Kaden agreed. "The king is ruthless. What if she says the wrong thing? He would kill her and not even feel bad about it. Dad will be fine, he just needs rest." he concluded. Mom shook her head viciously, a wild hope in her eyes.

"Don't be selfish, Elizabeth. You don't work. You don't bring money in the-" 

"Because you won't let me!" I shouted, cutting her off. "Don't you dare say I don't contribute when I take care of Dad day in and day out. Don't accuse me of not making money when you refuse to allow it." I gritted. Kaden nodded. Mom looked angry.

"Elizabeth, all I'm asking is for you to try. Everyone is saying the king is really looking this year, and it could be our only chance to-" She was cut off by a series of coughs emanating from my dad's room, and I ran in to help, feeling mom's glare at my back.

He looked pitiful. The blue eyes he shared with me were no longer bright, and he had a little blood dribbling from his cracked, dehydrated lips as he coughed. I held him upright, patting his back, and I realized Mom was right. The only way to really help him was to try. But at the same time, the last thing I wanted to do was marry someone like the king. I felt my resolve harden, and leaned in close to whisper to my dad.

"Daddy, I'm sorry. I can't marry him, and it kills me. But I just can't. I love you," I murmured. I was still required to go, but I planned to keep as far away from him as I could.

And I swear I saw my dad give me small smile.