The introduction

(Y/n) POV

The next morning I was woken up by my father knocking on my door. Rising from my bed I yell out a small "come in". My father walks in with a content smile on his face as he reaches out his hands to me. Taking his hands in mine he gestures for us to sit on my bed. Doing so we both sit together.

"My dearest (y/n), I'm going to be honest with you. I've been thinking of this day for many years. When I first found you all those years ago I knew in my heart that I had to protect you! So I kept you hidden away from the public eye for fear of something happening to you. But slowly as you grew older I noticed how lonely you had become but I was too stubborn in my ways to do anything. I've made many mistakes in my life, most of Which I'm not proud of and I'm sure I'll make more in the future. And even though I'm not ready to let you be known, I know it's what's right for you and your life." He confesses as his hands give mine a gentle squeeze.

Immediately I hug him, wrapping my arms around his neck tightly as he slowly returns the hug. "Thank you father! You are the best father in the whole world!" I say quietly eminently I feel him tense causing me to pull back with a quizzical look "are you ok father?" I asked before he shook off whatever was bothering him.
"Why of course my little stardust, I've never been better." He says before there's a knock on the door. "Ah yes I almost forgot!" Father says cheerfully going to greet the mysterious figure at the door.

Standing in the doorway was a woman with pale skin and long straight black hair. She wore a simple elegant all black dress with a staff in hand. "(Y/n) this is Lilith clawthorn. I have chosen her to help you get ready for the ceremony. Lilith this is my daughter (y/n)" slowly I wave at the woman giving her a nervous but warm smile.

Belos POV

I smile constantly at my girl as she waves nicely to Lilith. "Now a word with you if you don't mind?" I ask, "oh yes of course your majesty." She stutters out as I guide her into the hall.

"You are one of the first people to know about my Precious little girl Lilith. Tell me do you have any children of your own?" I ask "oh I don't but Maybe someday!" She jumbles out before I move on. "Pitie, you don't understand the kinds of lengths a parent would go for their child Which leads me to this. If my little princess's day isn't perfect I would burn down the world for her. Do you understand?" A frightened Lilith nods rapidly in response.

After calming down I simply smile at her "good! Let the others know as well. Ooh it looks as if our time is up!" I say looking at my pocketwatch, placing it back into my pocket I turn away to leave. "Now move along, we want to make Sure her day is perfect after all." With that Lilith quickly runs to attend my little girl.

Lilith POV

I make my way towards the emperor's throne room with my summons in hand. I got a letter from the emperor this morning about him wanting to talk to me about something. One never overlooks a message from the king so I immediately started to get ready.

After I was done I made my way out of my room and down the maze of corridors that is the emperor's castle before finally finding the hallway. Sighing in relief I make my way to the throne room doors. Quickly I take a deep breath before knocking on the door.

"Come in." The beep croaky voice of the emperor says to me. Gently I open the large oak door entering the ginormous hall. Letting the door close behind me I stride to the front of the throne before kneeling down before the emperor. "You wished to see me, your highness?" I asked "rise child, I must share with you a secret that the rest of the coven shall know soon."

"Of course my lord! Whatever you need I shall gladly do." I sputter out nervously. "Sh child, there is a secret I have been keeping for over fourteen years." Looking at the emperor in shock I contain my shock as he carries on. "You see, I have a daughter. She is my light and my joy and I plan on introducing her to the coven this afternoon. And as much as I love her that does not mean that I am qualified enough to help her when it comes to things like outfits. So I am requesting your assistance in this situation.

I stood there in shock before quickly shaking it off. "This is quite the shock, your highness! If I may ask why hide her away?" I ask, confused. "She is my daughter. If I were to have made her known she would face the strain of always having a target on her back and from those who want to use her to get to me. So will you help me?"

"I-of course I will help just lead the way your highness." Slowly after a couple minutes we made it to the restricted part of the castle.  Emperor Belos takes his staff and slams it in the ground in front of the door causing it to open. As I look around in Amazement at the new part of the castle I notice a sort of sweet aura surrounding us as we walk down a dimly lit hallway.

Finally making it to a door at the end of the hallway made of a light aspin wood i stay back as the emperor moves swiftly towards the door before knocking after a brief moment i hear a small voice say  "Come in." Emperor Belos then enters the room before closing the door behind him.

Now being left alone in the hall, I notice the immaculate carvings that were carved into the walls and ceilings. As well as the beautiful murals and tapestries that reside here. Slowly as time passed it seemed as if that sweet aura began to spread. Spreading warmth throughout my body all the way to my fingertips. I felt happier and almost lighter and more powerful than usual. Slowly I stride to the door and give a slight knock on the door.

Opening the door I look to see a girl who looks to be about fourteen standing in a straight posture. She has (s/c) colored skin as well as (h/t) hair that hangs beautifully from the top of her head. "Ah yes I almost forgot!" the emperor cheerfully says, going to greet me at the door. "(Y/n) this is Lilith clawthorn. I have chosen her to help you get ready for the ceremony. Lilith this is my daughter (y/n)" slowly the girl waves at me giving me a nervous but warm smile.

"Now a word with you if you don't mind?" the emperor asked, "oh yes of course your majesty." I stutter out as he guides me into the hall. "You are one of the first people to know about my Precious little girl Lilith. Tell me do you have any children of your own?" he asks "oh I don't but Maybe someday!" I jumble out before he moves on. "Pitie, you don't understand the kinds of lengths a parent would go for their child Which leads me to this. If my little princess's day isn't perfect I would burn down the world for her. Do you understand?" suddenly that sweetness from earlier melts away turning into pure fear. Quickly nodding in response to the emperor's statement he calms down. "good! Let the others know as well. Ooh it looks as if our time is up!" he says looking at his golden pocket watch, placing it back into his pocket he turns away to leave. "Now move along, we want to make Sure her day is perfect after all." he gives me a piercing glance from over his shoulder.  I quickly ran to attend to the girl.

***

Third person POV

After the emperor left to 'talk' with lilith. (y/n) went to her vanity and began to brush out her hair. Humming a song to herself making her aura glow bright. Getting so lost in her music she didn't even notice Lilith rushing back into her room. Catching her breath she looked around the room to see it was glowing a faint (f/c). A wave of calmness and love suddenly crashed over her making her sigh out in relief at the thought of finally being safe. Bringing her focus back to the girl she smiles fondly as the girl hums, placing herself behind her she gently takes the brush from her hand and begins brushing out her hair. Together they sit in content as they get ready for the ceremony.

Hunter on the other hand was stressed about that night's events. Even though he had trained relentlessly day and night he still felt inadequate to be fighting for your hand. He paced back and forth for who knows how long before the bell tower bells chimed signaling to everyone in the castle that it was time.

***

Slowly the coven counsel room filled with coven members of all kinds. All speaking in hushed tones and whispers about what could be so important. Then the coven heads appeared taking their seats as well anxiously waiting awaiting  the emperor's arrival. After everyone had found their seats the grand doors opened revealing the emperor in his white and gold attire.

Music played in welcome as people cheered. His eyes glowed an icy blue as he strode his way to his seat.  Greeting the coven heads along the way before he sat. The seat in question was grand not only in size but in the way it was made. It looked as if a fountain was shooting gold and jewels from a spigot. With a wave of his hand all went quiet as all awaited his next move and slowly he stood up.

"My friends! Thank you for meeting with me this evening. Now I know what you're all thinking, why call a last minute meeting. I have created the coven system as a way to harness wild magic. I have created order and peace to our land. Many think I lie about my intentions. But I can assure you I only speak the truth. But there has been one secret I have kept from all of you." immediately murmurs and whispers ripple through the audience as well as the coven leaders.

"Now don't be alarmed my friends, this has been my own personal secret for fourteen years. But i fell the time has come to introduce her to you.'' Suddenly soldiers enter the room. Theas soldiers have been hand picked by myself to compete for the hand of  my daughter!"

The room then exploded in astonishment at the announcement including the soldiers down below. Some of the soldiers in that moment instantly did not feel worthy while others got cocky at the fact they were chosen to compete. Hunter felt afraid but not for the same reason as everyone else, no he was afraid that he wouldn't be enough and that if he failed he would lose you forever.

"Everyone, I'm proud to introduce my daughter. Princesses (y/n) Yvaine Belmont!" He gestures to the doors as they open. Immediately the room is filled with a bright peaceful aura. As a beautiful figure walks in, almost as if she's floating off the ground. Her (h/c) was styled in (y/f/h). Her electric (e/c) eyes glowed with a strange warmth as she covered the rest of her face with a delicate fan. She wore a beautiful dark blue silk gown with an overlay of chiphon that glittered as if they had cut out a piece of the night sky.

Hunter stared at her in awe as she glided toward him then past but not before tugging slightly on her ear. Slowly he pretends to adjust his glove making her lips turn up in a slight smile. It was their discrete signal they gave to one another as a say of 'good luck'. She makes her way to her seat right next to her father. As she walks passed the coven heads she greeted them each with a curtsy, each in wonderment at the girl in front of them. Each feeling feels an immense feeling of belovedness. Finally there she hugs her father as he hugs back. She then sits next to her father as those around her look at her in adoration making her warm aura grow ten times more.

Everyone cheers at the introduction of the princess before Belos speaks again in a fierce voice. "These young men have been handpicked by myself to compete for the chance to become the princess's royal guard. Everyone shall battle and at the end of the competition the princess shall select the winner and he shall receive the most gratuitous honor of protecting the princess.
Now let the games begin!"