Chapter Eleven: The Six Girls

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IMPRESS.

Chapter Eleven: The Six Girls

PART 1

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I came out my bathroom humming an endless tune that I always seemed to have in my head whilst dancing crazily with a towel tied around my body.

Spinning past my bed, I stumbled towards the closed curtains of my balcony and opened them dramatically. The bright sun illuminated my room and caused my eyes to shut from the intensity of the light.

Today was the day the IMPRESS event began, I bet everyone was excited.

I had never lived to see what the impress event was like, but all the stories made it sound like it was most fantastic event ever created even though it was deadly.

Walking away from the tall-windowed doors of my balcony, I ran my hand across the top of my six-drawers dresser on the way to my wardrobe.

Continuing the same catchy tune in my head I had momentarily stopped humming, I made it to my wardrobe and slumped my shoulders as soon as my eyes came into contact with the many dresses and outfits in there.

Choosing something to wear from this overloaded, lengthy and large wardrobe is just going to get harder every day, I swear.

Scanning through the wardrobe outfit by outfit, dress by dress something suddenly caught my eye.

I arched my eyebrow when I noticed a random note on top of a folded long burgundy and black flowery dress.

Crouching down, I picked up the dress along with a note on top. Ok, now a little scared.

This definitely wasn't here yesterday, meaning someone must've come into my room without permission.

Shakily I unfolded the note and began to read the ink-written words:

Become a competitor in the IMPRESS event or else I expose you and your brother. If you wear the dress it means you will compete, if you don't then I will destroy everyone you love, Natalya.

What.

The.

Hell?

Who left this?

Oh, my- the person who betrayed my mother and killed both my parents is after me and Alaric and knows about our family abilities.

The person can't expose me, I have no ability but I know that the person will find a way to expose Alaric which could also get me killed and that frightens me.

I can't possibly compete in the IMPRESS event, the six girls have been chosen and plus, it is a deadly competition and since only one girl can survive, it would be hard for me to go against my cousin Ella.

I need to show this note to my brother and Lord Hil-

My thoughts were cut off by the note crippling in my hands and bursting into flames until the paper became black ashes that danced in the air.

What? How did that happen? Was that me or was a spell put on the note?

Well, either way, there goes my proof that someone threatened me although I am sure Alaric and Lord Hilbert will believe me hopefully.

I had to wear this dress, I had no chose. For all I know, the person threatening me could know Harrison, Todd and other people that I'd grown to like back in Icilia.

With speed, I removed the towel from my body and squeezed myself into the dress. It was a perfect size which was ten times scarier since this person must've either measured me or looked through the sizes of my other dresses whilst I was sleeping vulnerably.

I quickly looked in the mirror where my eyes grew at how my face had grown more defined overnight. The bones of my cheeks were becoming more visible and my skin complexion was on a new level.

The dress complimented my curved waist, hips and tanned skin. I looked gorgeous, but, how?The ability that my parents had guessed I'd have, which was the ability to possess such undefinable beauty was beginning to work its magic.







The ability that my parents had guessed I'd have, which was the ability to possess such undefinable beauty was beginning to work its magic.

Snapping out the daze my reflection had momentarily put me in, I proceeded on my journey to find my brother and Lord Hilbert.

If I remember precisely, Lord Hilbert's room is about two floors up.

***

"Lord Hilbert... Lord Hilbert... Lord Hilbert!" I raised my voice as I knocked on his door.

Thankfully, the door swung open and there appeared a relaxed Lord in his splendid garments with an expectant look on his face. I walked in brushing past the Lord.

"My lady you look ravishing, barely recognisable. What do I owe the pleasure?" Lord Hilbert had one hand to his stomach as he closed the door behind him.

I breathed in before spilling, "someone broke into my bedroom whilst I slept."

Lord Hilbert walked closer in curiosity as his eyes grew, "what, how? Are you hurt Natalya?"

I shook my head reassuringly, "no, I am fine for now. But, the person left me a note which burned into ashes as soon as I read it."

"What did the note say?" Lord Hibert asked eagerly.

I pointed to my dress, "this dress wasn't my choice, the person threatened to expose me and Alaric unless I compete in the century's impress event."

Lord Hilbert watched me as I paced back and forth. I sighed before adding, "the note said to wear the dress as confirmation that I'll do it or else the person will annihilate everyone I love."

"Oh my- Have you told your brother?" Lord Hilbert's voice sounding in my eyes made me stop pacing. I shook my head at his question, "not yet, but, I am going to now and I want you to come with me."

"Of course, we have twenty minutes until we all have to go to the throne room and wait for the six girls to arrive and get ready for the first stage of the game," Lord Hilbert said and notified me as we exited his office.

**

"Someone broke into your room? How could the guards possibly let that happen, you could have been raped." Alaric pinched the bridge of his nose and paced back and forth like I had done earlier.

I shrugged innocently.

We were currently in his bedroom, Alaric had been shocked too to see how my features had become more defined overnight.

Lord Hilbert gestured for me to get to the main bit of the story.

"The person left me a note on top of the dress I am wearing," I let out and watched Alaric spin on his heel, speed his way in front of me and open his palm.

He thought I had the note, "the note burst into flames in my hands and turned into ashes but, it said that if I didn't compete in the impress event, you and I would be exposed. And everyone I care about would be destroyed if I didn't wear this dress to confirm I would compet-"

Alaric ran his hand through his hair as a sign of frustration, "Lord Hilbert sorry I doubted you, someone is out to get rid of us, the same person who killed our parents."

Alaric had to take a seat to process what I had said again, "what are we going to do?" My brother looked up at me and Lord Hilbert.

I didn't know what to say so I turned to Lord Hilbert.

"You are the brains, my lord. What should we do?" I asked him with a small smile.

Lord Hilbert thought for a moment and the room fell silent for a short while.

"If you are exposed, there is no doubt that you both will be killed and anyone in any way related to you too," Lord Hilbert tapped at his chin and then looked at me in thought.

I had to admit I was very nauseous right now, something like this was bound to happen but, I didn't expect it to be this soon.

"You shall compete, we cannot risk it. There is a reason this person wants you to compete and if through this competition you are able to come face to face with this person, then I say take the risk," Lord Hilbert finally gave his input and I frowned.

Alaric stood straight to his feet, "she cannot compete, she is human, the impress event isn't just a game it is a deadly competition. My sister's life would be at risk even if she does compete."

I raised my hand to speak, "and how could I possibly compete? There are already six girls chosen to impress the prince."

Lord Hilbert shut his eyes briefly as if searching for a good enough comeback, "you haven't a choice, besides, you already know what the stages will be like Alaric, you will be able to notify us of what she'll be going up against before each stage."

I nodded with my bottom lip out.

"And we'll find a way to get you in the competition before the first stage, unless, the person who wrote that note has already handled that," Lord Hilbert answered my previous question.

Alaric's eyes softened as he stared at me, "I guess you are right Lord Hilbert, but, you know what this means Natalya. You would become a vampire queen and be married to Zac if you won and you could die if you lose?"

I gulped.

Being a vampire queen wouldn't be that bad, I guess. Although, I hate the thought of being turned into a bloodthirsty monster.

"The stages are difficult and deadly and you will be competing against others including Ella," Alaric added.

I let my eyes fall from Alaric and to the ground as I registered his words.

If I became a competitor of the event, I would be able to protect Ella but also, only one can survive at the end.

What would I do then?

But, I couldn't lose either. I'd have to figure out another way.

I accept the consequences, "it may not be my dream to be queen and I might be putting my life at risk but, I put family and friends before myself. I will compete to find out who betrayed mother and father and compete to save you and Harrison especially."

"I think there is a good chance of you winning. You are beautiful just like your mother, you won't even have to do anything to impress the prince as he'll most likely want to impress you," Lord Hilbert complimented and warmly smiled at me.

I smiled back, "thank you but I highly doubt it, Prince Zachary hates humans, has quite the temper and a dark personality."

Alaric walked to my side and planted his hand on my shoulder, "all of that is true but something I know about Zac... He likes girls that are beautiful, challenging and can share the same dark nature as him. You are capable of them all."

I nodded confidently trying to believe that I could be all of those things, "I can do this," I said more to myself than to my brother and Lord Hilbert.

"So, tell me, who did this?" Alaric asked seriously whilst pointing at the bite mark on my neck.

I shook my head swatting his hand away, "no one, it's nothing."

I found myself not wanting to tell the truth but to lie for the prince, "tell me now, Natalya."

Alaric was waiting impatiently for me to answer him, so I did, without honesty, "a boy named Ralph at an inn on the way to the castle."

Alaric's eyes darkened and his fangs sharpened, "I know him... I will kill that bastard when I next see his face. He must've hurt you badly if the bite hasn't fully healed yet. Does it hur-"

"-I am fine Alaric, don't worry about me," I combed my hands through my hair, bringing some strands forward to hide the bite mark.

Alaric frowned.

"Like mother like daughter, resilient," Lord Hilbert proudly gave me a smile of approval, "before we go to the courtroom, inform us on what the first stage of the event will be like Alaric?"

My brother cleared his throat.

"The first stage is where you will be placed into a fake world by the black witch, you six girls will be allocated in different parts of that world and individually have to fight your way out. The last girl to exit the world dies for good."

Wow.

"Sounds easy," I waved my hand at my brother.

My brother shook his head, "it sounds easy but, there'll be random obstacles that'll try prevent you from exiting the world and they will be almost impossible to get past."

"What do you advise I do?" I asked.

"The exact opposite of what you would do. For example, if you'd pick a weapon up naturally then don't, you'll just create more obstacles by going with your instinct," Alaric advised and I vigorously nodded.

I put my thumbs up assuringly, "got it."

"Come, you two it is time," Lord Hilbert motioned for us to follow him and so we did.

***

"Introducing the six girls of the 69th IMPRESS event! In the year 1750!"

We were stood in the throne room. The King was seated in his large, red-velvet cushioned chair looking powerful with his fingers stroking his bearded chin.

King Creon's main guard Roger who had been the one to pick me from Icilia, stood protectively just five steps down from the throne chair next to my brother and the princess.

Queen Melisandre sat in her chair at the right, a seat which was slightly smaller than the King's chair wearing a bored look on her face. Every now and then her judgemental and nasty glare would land on me, making me want to crawl into a cave and hide.

Prince Zachary had yet to make an entrance but, maybe he was to enter after the six girls.

The thrones room was nearly the same size as the castle ballroom so it fit an insane amount of vampires. I was stood on the right side of the throne room in front of over forty people and beside Lord Hilbert.

The left side was just as packed, both sides left a huge gap from the entrance to the King's seat.

Alexander was near the front opposite me in a mixed crowd of nobles and just people from the five regions who had been invited to watch the IMPRESS event.

I had caught the attention of many since entering the room, and I was certain the dress and my appearance had something to do with it.

Alexander spotted me and for a second, he squinted his eyes as if he was unable to recognise me from afar and then widened his eyes clearly spellbound by how beautiful I had grown overnight.

I sent him a small smile and then shyly turned my head to the entrance of the throne room to see the first girl entering through the doors.

The girl was beautiful and elegant.

The way she walked in graciously with her head held high and flowing golden locks which mirrored the sun rays coming from the arched windows of the throne room falling behind her back.

Her eyes were a sparkling green, similar to the emerald gem on my necklace.

The girl was trying her best not to smile too hard as she picked up her creme-brown dress and curtsied when she reached the end. I could see Alexander from the corner of my eye not focusing on the girl but on me instead, and that made me very nervous.

However, I didn't show the nerves, I just ignored his gazing. I felt like he was reading me like a book, waiting in anticipation for me to do something I was supposed to do. But, I knew he had no idea what I was going to do.

"Vampire, Rose Clarke, daughter of Lord and Lady Clarke and born in Miriadan," the royal announcer presented the elegant vampire to King Creon, Queen Melisandre and every other person in the room.

Queen Melisandre wasn't impressed but, King Creon, on the other hand, was giving Rose Clarke the slow nod of approval.

The next girl who followed after wasn't Ella but, she was drop-dead gorgeous. The way she stood at the entrance and grinned, showing off her straight blinding white teeth to us really made her shine.

The girl who started walking down the aisle had wavy, dark brown hair like mine but a little shorter, she had high and prominent cheekbones which really made her look like an art form. I turned to see Alexander's reaction at how gorgeous the girl was and his mouth was ajar.

I just knew he thought the girl was more appealing than I and that made me a little jealous.

I don't know why.

To top off the girl's fine beauty, she had glossy and glistening brown eyes that were surrounded by thick, dark brown, long volume lashes.

"Vampire, Cassandra Pierce, your majesties. Daughter of the lady and lord Pierce and born in the region Weimos," the announcer revealed as the girl wearing a classy purple gown bent her knees in front of the King and Queen and earned an accepting smile from the queen who was stunned by her beauty.

The queen looked at my face briefly and probably saw the jealousy shining out my eyes. I didn't mean to look jealous but that made Queen Melisandre smirk. Why does she dislike me? Why was jealousy making her happy?

King Creon nodded approvingly again and gestured for the next girl.

That was when Ella made her mindblowing entrance with her waves of golden hair that fell behind her back. Ella had big and piercing icy blue eyes like Alaric and perfectly arched eyebrows that followed the slight curve of her eyes.

Ella's signature blue ball gown had a lengthy train that trailed behind her as she walked down the aisle with dignity. She didn't notice me as her eyes were fixed on the King and Queen.

I really wanted to clap for how great she looked but, that would've been inappropriate.

A good amount of people opposite me were nodding at each other with their lips pursed, approving of Ella's beauty. Alexander included.

Alaric gave Ella a small nod and she did one back to him. Princess Cathryn who stood beside my brother rose an eyebrow confused at the silent communication between the two.

"Vampire, Ella Bourne. Daughter of Lord and Lady Bourne of the region Icilia," the announcer spoke and Ella smoothly curtsied and hung her head low as she did so.

I couldn't tell if the Queen was impressed but, King Creon and Princess Cathryn certainly were.

Ella then went to stand next to the other two girls.

Three more girls to go, when do I ask to compete?

Lord Hilbert noticed that I was stuck in my own conflicting thoughts and with one hand, indicated that I should be patient and wait until the time was right. I nodded at him and exhaled.

The fourth girl appeared at the doors.

She was definitely human, you could tell by how petite and delicate she looked compared to the other girls. However, this girl had a natural, sun-kissed complexion which was complimented very well by her jet black layered hair that hung straight down into angular cut at her jaw.

The brown in her eyes really did glow as she walked down the aisle in a gorgeous electric blue gown.

The girl's fingers were trembling but she was doing a good job at hiding how uncomfortable she was in a room full of vampires.

Well, a better job than me.

"Human, Meredith Dyer, daughter of Sir Dyer and the late Lady Dyer, born in Agriassi," the announcer presented the girl who clumsily curtsied earning laughter from the crowd. The Queen rudely laughed at the girl and shook her head unimpressed.

The King was clear that he didn't like humans and just kept his lips in a flat line, "next," he said demandingly.

The fifth girl who came in wasn't as stunning as the rest, she had a scrawny little frame which showed that she did not come from wealth. Nothing about her really shone, but, she was not ugly. Just lifeless.

Her curly, orange-coloured hair had not seen a brush and could've easily been mistaken for rat fur. The way it sat on top of her head like a huge frizz ball did not appeal to the eye.

I felt bad.

The girl's eyes were pale grey, the only feature that made her stand out.

Some pretentious nobles down the aisle were coughing out

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