It was common news that the only daughter of rich business tycoon, John Rochefort got what she wanted. She had her own butler, her own chaffeur and a collection of colored limosines to go with her different outfits. And of course, she had the largest bedroom in the mansion with an en-suite dressing room, bathroom and "relaxation" room, which just happened to have its own heart-shaped hot tub.

She had clothes that the average teenage girl could only dream of and an assortment of different animals that suited her own personal tastes. As the only child of her extremely wealthy father, she was his heart and soul and he was hers. He would never want to do anything that could possibly hurt his daughter. He would rather kill himself.

So when Emily "Lili" Rochefort requested a large party for her seventeenth birthday in a month's time, John didn't hesitate to agree. If that was what his little girl wanted, then that was what she would get.

Lili was excited and immediately planned the guest list. She had made friends while she was in the King of Iron Fist Tournament 5, as well as a few rivals. But by the end of the day, and with help from her English butler, Sebastian, she had written a list of all the people she wanted to invite to her suareé. The list looked a little long at first glance but she was sure her father wouldn't mind. And after all, there was lots of space in their family mansion for everyone. Since she had left the KOIFT5, she had missed all the friends that she had made and her only way of getting in touch with most of them was by e-mail. But now, this party was the perfect way to get everyone together again!

When she handed the elongated guest list to her father the next morning, he raised his robust eyebrows in shock. Or pleasant surprise, Lili preferred to think.

"Wow sugarplum, this guest list is... rather long isn't it?" he told her, his voice remaining sugar sweet, like it usually did when he was talking to his beloved daughter.

Lili grinned. "Of course, daddy" she told him matter-of-factly. "Since I made many friends while I was away figh... while I was around, I figured it would be nice to let them all come to my party, since I haven't seen them for ever so long". She blinked her huge baby blue eyes at her father. "I didn't think you would mind. You don't, do you daddy?"

Her father gave a sigh and unconsciously rubbed the spot between his eyes. "No darling, of course I don't mind. I'm just glad you've made so many friends that you can invite. And I only want you to be happy, Lili. It is your seventeenth birthday after all". His eyes suddenly teared up and he took a handkerchief out of his pocket to dab them. "My little girl, growing up so fast" he whispered in dismay.

Lili gave her dad a hug. She hated to see him upset. And seeing him cry was worst of all. "Oh daddy, me growing up is a good thing!" she convinced him, stroking his graying hair tenderly. "Because then I can look after you just as well as you looked after me!"

John nodded, trying to put a smile onto his face although his eyes were still red. "I know baby, I know" he told her, kissing her powdered, sweetly fragranced cheek. "But just promise me one thing. No matter how old you grow up to be, you'll always be my little girl won't you?"

"Oh daddy, of course I will!" Lili giggled. "You needn't ask a question like that! I'll be your little girl even if I live to be two-hundred!"

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Lili watched as her chaffeur posted the last envelope into the mailbox. Lili squirmed in her seat excitedly. She couldn't wait to get the replies from the people she had invited. And hopefully all of them could come. She would be so happy to see the familiar faces of the people she had met. God, she just hoped they could make it.

As her chaffeur got back into the driver's seat of the limo, he turned to face Lili, who was in the back.

"I've delivered all the invitations for you, Miss Rochefort" he told her with a smile.

"Thank you, Sid" she told him with a smile, tilting her head girlishly to one side.

It had been almost a week since she had asked her father about the party and in that time, she had managed to get the addresses of her invitees and post her invitations off to them (she had written all the invites on Brambly Hedge notepaper with the matching envelopes, which she was sure everyone would appreciate. She had immediately been drawn to them when she was looking for a design in the card shop. All those cute woodland deers and bunnies were just so irresistable!)

The day before she had also e-mailed all her friends to warn them of her upcoming invites and to ask them if they were free for the date of her party. She hadn't checked her e-mails this morning, since she had been so busy with envelopes but she hoped that at least someone would reply.

As they made their way back to the Rochefort mansion, Lili imagined what the party could be like if everything went according to plan. She was due to pick her birthday cake tomorrow so the maids could order it to be made. She would go shopping to buy the ultimate "Princess Lili" dress. Their would be food and drink in the bountiful so everyone would have choice. Her father was planning to hire a famous band to play live music. That would be awesome! She couldn't imagine anyone being unhappy at this party.

Her father had been very mysterious over the past couple of days about presents. He had told Lili that he already knew what he was going to get her but he wouldn't say any more than that, no matter how hard she tried to get him to open up. He had also had quite a few phone conversations lately and she had heard her name come up a few times. She had heard him same the words "dark horse" quite a few times. Maybe he was getting her another pony! That would be wonderful!!! Well that must be the surprise that he wanted to keep from her. She'd have to act completely normal even though she now knew her father's secret. She couldn't wait until her party!