I was raised in the Dutch Royal Palace in The Hague, where I was surrounded by respect and admiration from everyone in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Young girls dreamed of being like me, and my nieces envied me.
My mother was especially proud of me, often saying, "Creating you in the laboratory was the best decision your father ever made. You are the most beautiful, intelligent, and talented girl to ever walk the earth. Our kingdom has a bright future because of you. Your reign will be remembered not just by the Dutch, but by the entire world."
I also learned that many boys were drawn to me. They admired my beauty and elegance, but I was uninterested in those beneath me.
I was waiting for the one who would make me look up to him, rather than down. And I met him at my 18th birthday party in 2030.
I stood beside Avaritia as we chatted during the lively celebration in the palace.
"Can't believe you're 18 already," she remarked. "Time sure flies."
"Life is so boring, though," I replied.
"Is it?"
"Yes. Because I'm perfect, my life is perfect. There's nothing I need to worry about. I don't have to work hard for anything; it all comes so easily."
"You have nothing to worry about?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Have you forgotten about Lilith?"
"Meh," I said dismissively. "I think she's just making empty threats."
"You think?"
"Yes. What can she really do? She can't harm me, especially with all the royal protection I have. You and the others, though..." I trailed off, my gaze shifting toward the other guests.
At that moment, my niece Eleanor, who was around my age, approached us in a stunning dress. "Happy birthday, Maeve!" she said with a bright smile.
"Thank you!" I beamed, pulling her into a hug.
Avaritia, or Eliza, had seen my niece before. Eleanor stood out from the rest of the Dutch Royal Family with her tawny skin and curly reddish-brown hair.
"It's been a while, Eleanor!" Eliza said, wrapping her arms around her as well. "How have you been?"
"I've been good! What about you?" Eleanor replied, her smile as warm as ever.
"Same!" Eliza answered, her voice light and cheerful.
The exchange was effortless, but beneath it all, I couldn't shake the feeling that the relationships within the family, however cordial, were not as simple as they seemed.
Zipporah, dressed in an elegant, fashionable dress, walked over to us with her husband, who was sharply dressed in a suit. "Happy birthday and congratulations, Maeve," she said with a warm smile.
"Zipporah!" Eliza and I exclaimed in unison, genuinely happy to see her.
"Have you two been enjoying winter break so far?" she asked, her expression full of warmth.
"Yes!" we answered in unison. "What about you?"
"Definitely," Zipporah smiled, clearly content. "So, what birthday present do you have for me?" I teased.
"What could I possibly gift a princess?" she replied with a playful laugh.
"Your presence alone is more than enough of a gift," I chuckled.
"It's good to see you both again," Yeshaya, her husband, added with a friendly smile.
"Likewise!" we replied, sharing the sentiment.
Just then, a young man wearing glasses approached us, accompanied by a girl who had her arms wrapped around his. Both of them were strikingly beautiful and, like the rest of the crowd, seemed perfectly Dutch.
"Happy birthday, Princess Maeve," the young man said with an air of confidence.
"Thank you," I responded, intrigued by the aura he exuded.
He carried himself with such poise, his presence commanding respect, while the girl beside him was more reserved, though equally captivating.
"It's nice to meet you," he continued. "I'm Maurits Adelman, and this is my twin sister, Zephyrine."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," I replied, a sense of curiosity growing within me. "Are the two of you..."
"Yes," he answered, his smile never wavering. "We are the children of the Dutch Prime Minister and his wife."
"I thought the surname 'Adelman' sounded familiar!" I exclaimed, impressed.
Maurits was, quite simply, perfect—smart, handsome, tall, well-built, and the son of the Prime Minister.
"I've heard a lot of great things about you, Maurits," I said with admiration. "Your academic and athletic achievements are unmatched."
"Same goes for you, Princess," he replied, clearly sincere.
"You two finally met..." Zipporah, Eliza, and I turned in surprise. The voice belonged to none other than Lilith. She had arrived in an exquisite dress, looking stunning for my birthday celebration.
"How did you get in..." was all I could manage to say at first, my confusion evident.
"I'm your sister, dummy," she chuckled, her tone lighthearted. "Obviously, they're going to let me in. Happy birthday!"
There was an uncomfortable silence as we all stared at her. Well, all of us except Eleanor, Maurits, Zephyrine, and Yeshaya, who seemed unfazed by Lilith's sudden appearance. They were unaware of her true nature.
"Why the silence?" Lilith asked, feigning innocence. "Am I not welcome here?"
"Of course you're welcome here," Maurits responded, flashing her a polite smile. "Aren't you Maria Badila? The daughter of Kanda Badila, Patriarch of the Badila Family?"
"Correct!" Lilith beamed. "And aren't you Maurits Adelman, the son of Hans Adelman, Prime Minister of the Netherlands?"
"I am. It's nice to meet you," Maurits said, extending a hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too!" Lilith responded cheerfully. "A lot of people have gathered for this special occasion, Maeve. Aren't you pleased?"
Despite her bright smile, I couldn't shake the unease that had settled within me.
Benesha approached us, flanked by two men who also appeared to be Badilites. Her presence exuded the same confident, commanding energy that had always been her hallmark.
"It's been a while," she said, her gaze moving between us. "Maeve, Eliza, Adanna." She used Eleanor's first name, which was only used outside the Dutch Royal House and its circles.
"Benesha!" Eliza exclaimed with delight, rushing forward to embrace her warmly.
"Kindergarten classmates?" one of the men accompanying Benesha asked, raising a curious brow.
"Yeah," Benesha replied with a soft smile as she hugged Eliza back.
"Happy birthday, Maeve," she said, turning to me.
"Thank you," I replied graciously. "And who are the gentlemen you've brought with you?"
"This is Tshikuta, my fiancé," she said with a hint of pride. "And this is Sansula, my younger brother."
"It's nice to meet you, Princess!" Tshikuta said with a polite smile.
"The pleasure is mine," I said, returning the gesture. "It's wonderful to meet you both."
Maria—no, Lilith—watched the interaction with feigned disinterest, though her eyes glimmered with some hidden calculation.
"Maria was adopted by my parents, by the way," Benesha added with a sigh, her tone carrying a subtle note of disapproval.
"So I've heard," Eliza replied, keeping her voice neutral.
Zipporah, however, wasn't one to hold back. "Don't try anything funny tonight, Maria," she said sharply, her eyes narrowing as she stared Lilith down.
Lilith responded with an innocent smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm just here to celebrate my sister's birthday," she said lightly, her words dripping with false sincerity.
The tension was palpable, but the festive atmosphere of the party refused to falter.