"Mom, I hate that I have to do this."
"I don't like it either," she sighed, "but I'd rather not argue with your grandmother."
I hate everything about this. Why can't Grandma understand that I'm not interested in finding anyone? I'm only twenty-one. I have time.
"Lyra, my beautiful granddaughter!"
"Hi Grandma." I forced a smile and hugged her. Too late to throw a pillow at her?
"Sit, darling. The men will arrive shortly."
I sat down, glaring at the doors. "I'm saying no to every single one," Dad muttered.
I smirked. "Don't worry, dad. I'm not interested in anyone."
"Nicholas! Your daughter is an adult. She's not a little girl anymore."
"Doesn't matter," he whispered. "She's still my daughter. Any boy will have to go through me first."
"You're embarrassing yourself," Grandma scolded him.
I grinned. "I'm not interested in giving myself away in my twenties. Unlike you two."
The room went silent.
"L-Lyra," Dad blushed. "I hope these boys run away in fear."
Changing the subject, classic.
"Your majesty, they're here," a guard announced.
Grandma clapped. "Let them in!"
The doors opened. Hundreds literally hundreds of men filled the throne room.
"Grandma?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"How many?"
She titled her head. "Two hundred and one."
WHAT!?
I dropped to my knees. "GRANDMA WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"
"Lyra, up." Mom hissed.
I flopped back onto the throne. The murmurs started immediately.
"She's so cute!"
"Gorgeous!"
"I want her as my bride!"
"No, she's mine!"
I felt like I was back in high school.
"Single file," I snapped. "State your name, age, and job."
The first man stepped forward. "Landon, 23 years old. I farm. You're gorgeous, my lady."
"Thanks." I said flatly. "Why marry me?"
"Well, you're pretty. And you'd make lots of babies."
My fist clenched. "Next!"
Another stepped up. "Darren, 20. College student."
Dad leaned forward. "Boy, your intentions?"
Darren smiled . "Become king."
"Nope."
"Yo, yo, yo-"
"Next!"
"I wonder how many babies she will make?"
"I heard that. Leave."
He stammered, "I didn't even-"
"All vampires have super-hearing. Next!"
Typical. Power. Babies. Sex. Over and over. We were only fifty men in.
Then came a shy voice. "H-H-Hello. M-My n-n-name is L-Luke."
I softened. "Hello, Luke. Nice to meet you."
"W-Wow. Y-You're k-kind."
"Thank you. You're sweet too."
People behind him laughed. My anger boiled.
"Excuse me?" I stood. "You think mocking someone's stutter is funny? Those who laughed leave."
A chunk of the line disappeared.
I hugged Luke. "Don't let them get to you. Keep your head up. The right girl will come."
"A-Are y-you s-sure?"
I nodded. He smiled, waved, and left.
I slumped back onto my throne. Still fifty left. Next, a muscular man with flowing hair kissed his biceps.
"Age?"
"I already got the looks."
I facepalmed. "If by looks you mean 'makes me want to vomit,' then yes, you do."
"Well that's rude."
"Next."
"Hello, my name is Ezekiel. I'm 42."
My jaw dropped. "Too old. Leave."
"Ezekiel!" A woman stormed in, yanking him by the ear. "I'm your wife! How dare you!" They disappeared down the hall, his screams echoing.
"Married. Twice my age. Nauseating," I muttered.
I scanned the room. "Is that it?"
"All done," Grandma said.
"Grandpa?" I blinked as he entered. "Where were you? You missed everything!"
"Important work," he said vaguely.
"It's not important," I said quickly.
"It is too." Grandma glared.
"Has Lyra found anyone?" Grandpa asked.
"No," I snapped.
"That's okay. I can always call a new line of boys-"
"That won't be necessary." I cut in.
"Everyone leave except Mom. I need girl talk."
Grandma and Grandpa left. Dad kissed my forehead. "You did great, sweetie." Then he left too.
I turned to Mom. "When you met dad, how did you know?"
"He respected me. Stood by me. Didn't want me for lust. He never gave up."
"When you give yourself fully to someone… is it worth it?"
"Yes," she squeezed my hand, "Because it gave me you."
"I'm scared," I admitted. "That once I give myself fully, he'll leave because he got what he wanted. You saw those men."
"When someone loves you, they'll care for you far more than sex. When you give yourself fully, it will be special. Worth it. Don't be afraid."
"Mom, why do you never show emotions? You always seem so serious."
"That's a story I'm not ready to share yet."
She released my hand and left. The throne room felt empty. I sat alone, lost in thought.