III

PRINCESS ROSHANNE

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By the second day the celebration of the King's return was still in full swing, people both of noble status and low have gathered, it was once in a lifetime experience that the king bestowed to his subjects and people, a moment to linger and mingle with everyone.

The great hall was full of people, there were music, entertainments, food and laughter, the king had hired circus performer to do tricks and shows in his castle. Exotic animals were brought to showcase and so some dragons who had just hatched from their eggs to be bid to the lower lords. Laughter could be heard all around the palace, yet a small figure stood out amongst them. She looks so out place, she was looking around with wide eye all the while remaining glued to the corner, no lady nor lord of both status dare venture close to her again, nor strike a conversation, her dress which was too revealing had earned her a glare and disgusting look from some people and lustrous remarks from some. She stood like a sore thumb, so out of place, especially with her hair so red and bright you'll mistake it for a torch light, some of the people had already given her a nickname. They were calling her the Bronze princess, or the Bronze cunt, some Loves to call her the red headed wench, or the blood witch.

"This is such a grand celebration your highness."Her attention was drawn back to the ladies that she is with. The wives of the high lords and some of her father's concubines had gathered with her in corner, with cups of wine and plates of cakes.

"Yes, the king made me plan of this ahead of time." She told them before taking a sip of her wine, t'was true, the king made her plan of this celebration, back then she ridiculed him for being so sure that he would return from the war alive, but it turns out he did return from the war... Though at the cost of a son.

"Really? It seems that the King had some premonition." Lady Maud spoke to her before taking a bite of her cake, lady Maud is a fat woman in her forties, she eats a lot and because of her weight she had a difficulty of standing and even walking, she also could not lay properly down the bed for her weight has made breathing hard for her, she's married to a lord in the Highfields, it is the Kingdom's number one exporter of foods. She dislikes lady Maud not because of her appearance, but because of her attitude, she's like a leech that's trying her best to get close to her by sending her gifts, she's overly bearing... And sensitive, she's rash to take action when people pointed her rather displeasing look, she also eats like a pig. She's messy and it made her lips curl.

"The king is no dreamer nor seer, he's just a man with confidence." Lady Clementine stated, she's one of the king's concubine, she looks displeased and in a foul mood since yesterday, the news of the arrival of the new girl had ire her. Lady Clementine doesn't like competition, she's a lithe woman, daughter of a lord from the neighboring kingdom, her hair is a color of sky blue, she came from the isle of Dragons, south of their kingdom, she has a lighter complexion than the new girl and has silver eyes... She had freckles on her small face, she was the king's favorite, well at least she used to be... And she revels in the attention that he showers on her, but now that a new girl has arrived, the king had barely cast her a glance. Earlier that day the king stick with the princess side, refusing to leave her alone, but when his council men invited him to their table he was forced to let her go.

"I agree on that. Who would thought that after hundred of years he would be the one to conquer the west." Roshanne hummed, there is no hundred years of trying to conquer the unconquered land, her ancestors simply does not see the worth of conquering a land that they could not benefit from, the west is a waste land filled with sands and dunes. Nothing more. But her father loves to believe that there is something more in that waste land.

" The land had been unconquered for many generations your highness, it is filled with barbarians... What do you suppose we do to apply our law in there?"Lady Meera asked her. Lady Meera Claws is the wife of Lord Claws, one of her father's advisor, lady Meera is a diplomat, and weather she likes it or not, she and lady Meera often does not see eye to eyes, the woman relish in embarrassing her in public, if she wasn't a good diplomat she would have had her head. But as much as Roshanne hates her she also admires her. Lady Meera is a woman of strong will and does not submit to men, she also defies the society... A rather unlikely lady.

"We haven't yet conquered this unconquered lands, we only manage to take over the Lysos kingdom which stood as it's protector. We yet know what their people are capable of. And applying our law may be closer to impossible... People would retaliate to follow rules they don't live up with. Liberating them would be a hard thing to do." Roshanne took a sip of her wine before casting a glance at lady Dae who remained standing in the corner, looking so afraid to move.

" But I would suggest sending scholars to study their culture first if the time that the king ever did successfully conquered the west." She returns her gaze to lady Meera who only raised her eyebrow

" We must understand them first in able for us to see how we can apply our law to them or if we ever need to change some of it to earn their total obedience, because believe it or not, the western people aren't as tame as the Bronze princess over there." She told them before pointing her hands towards the young girl who stood by the corner, some of the woman agreed to what she said, now that everyone's attention was on her, they began to converse about her. And Roshanne did not bother to talk, just listen while she looks at the young girl.

"I heard that she's only sixteen." She heard some of the ladies, this is the fastest way to get an information about that girl, Because the ladies of the court Loves to gossip and would do anything to gather information that they could trade.

" I heard some rumor about her. My son who's a knight stated that she's lock up in a tower all her life, and was used as political leverage. She's been trained to pop kids for the noble in exchange of power." Lady Mary stated before taking a sip of her wine. The princess took a sip of her own wine and kept on looking as she studied the way the girl moves, with the way she stood, and the way she moves, she knew that the girl hadn't received any proper training, she may know basic proper etiquettes but she does not practice it, for Roshanne could see that she could not execute it well.

"They have been rumors circulating lately that girl is of Sakrans heritage." Now this caught her attention, Sakran people are the nomadic people in the west, born with darker complexion and bright red hair, they are the first people of Gaia, but because of their look they were shunned. That must have explained the princess complexion and the color of her hair. But that's not the only problem, Sakran are known as pagan worshipers and practices black magic. If this is true... Then the princess must be special.

"If its true then that must be the reason why the king of Lysos hides her, but I must admit that her father is doing a fine job using her as a political leverage, when her daughter clearly lacks talent and grace to hold a court's attention, she's only good with her looks, and it can hold a man's attention but not for long, for beauty aren't an immortal thing, it passes as times fly. In the next fifty years where does she think she's going? With no talent or idea of political things." Lady Clementine spoke with a sneer, her clear distaste for the girl is on display.

" A good cunt will hold a man's attention far longer." She heard Marchioness Eufreme spoke getting everyone's attention. She was idly swirling the wine in her cup while looking at the girl. Marchioness Eufreme is an influential woman, she was called as the iron widow, the widow of Marques Iren. She's considered as the third most powerful person in the Kingdom, she commands the hundred black hood, a group of knights who undergoes brutal, strict and excessive training and who holds absolute loyalty to the one who holds the whip, and that is the Marchioness. The woman was lucky she thought, she got married to the family of Iren when she was fourteen, during that time the marquis was already in his sixties, she bore him a child once before he died, but that child soon come after his father when the red plague arrives in their kingdom. Ever since then she did not remarried and hold the position as head of the Iren family despite the Marquis having brothers, as far as she knows she's already training the Marquis only daughter to his first marriage to be the next head of the family.

"That girl may look stupid, but my dear cousin has a weakness when it comes to young, tight cunt, he'll do everything to please that savage as long as she would open her legs." She's also a cousin to the king, yet the Marchioness bear no golden hair like she does, instead she has a dull greyish hair and a lilac pair of eyes.

" And what's a more powerful weapon than the thing we had between our legs?" She asked them making some of the lady shift in their seat. Marchioness Eufreme is a woman who spoke with wisdom and venom, she loves making everyone uncomfortable.

"Don't you agree your highness?" She looks at her for a moment before smiling.

"If you don't have a brain then a cunt is still useless." She replied shortly, her lips twisting in a tight smile, the Marchioness did not dare utter another word and just humm as if she somehow agreed on what she was saying. Her gaze went back to the girl, this time she saw her approaching one of her knight, she watched as he talks to him, and wonders what's she's telling him. The knight was young, Roshanne knew that he is new, for he does not wear the badge of a senior knight.

"Enough talk about that savage." Lady Lara spoke getting everyone's attention, she stood tall beside the Marchioness, whom she's very close with, Lady Lara is a daughter of a lord with high standing in her husband's court. A woman who's influence matches her own.

"I hope that you are all well aware of the news about the division of the four dragonkins." Her eyes landed on her, Lady Lara is a dragon rider, her mother was a member of the family of Vermontia, the dragon riders, who owns the smallest of the dragon kind. The land of Gaia had been dominated by dragon, yet only those who lives in Solvira did ever manage to tame the winged one she herself is a dragon lord, she owns the red fury, a dragon that matches her own husband.

"There is a silent war brewing within the Kingdom your highness. The families continue to be divided, if we don't take quick action, there might be a rebellion bre-" Roshanne raised her hand to stop lady Lara from speaking, she is well aware of the problem that the realm is facing. For centuries the kingdom of Solvira stood in the center of the realm, as a beacon of peace, they are the one entrusted by the gods to keep peace within his descendants, but with their current king... Peace is impossible.

" It's such a pressing matter to be discussed in a day of Celebration lady Lara, as much as I wanted to offer solution to you I cannot, for a Sainte cannot interfere in the business of court... But I will make sure that king, my father shall receive this concern." she gave her a small smile and looked back to the direction of lady Dae who still stood in the corner watching everything with wide eyes. The women in her circle continued their conversation, she barely listen as she kept on watching the girl. She watched her body language, her hand was busy fiddling with her dress, she stood at the corner awkwardly, she looks lost and for some reason, she was reminded of herself when she first set foot inside the sunspear Castle. She looks at the palace the same way the girl did.

"There are news of new eggs from the dragon dome your highness, princess Gaela's dragon Vexar have laid another batch of hatchlings. Perhaps the princess would like to claim another Dragon, after all, we have enough Dragons but not enough riders." Princess Roshanne's attention was caught by the offer of lady Joseline Rosemare

"Or you could claim my daughter's already hatched ones, Nemaxis eggs already hatched, three male dragons. Still unclaimed." Lady Selise offered too, she's one of her father's few living concubines. She just smile and shakes her head. Though inside she seethes, they were unaware of the dwindling numbers of dragons, though the dragon of lady Joseline's daughter did lay eggs, chances are none of those would hatch, the same happened to the first batch.

"It's a generous offer, but I must decline, I have already claimed a dragon, one is enough." It wasn't unheard before of a dragon rider claiming two dragons, her mother, Princess Rosanne claimed two. Her cousin, princess Victoria owns two... But handling a large dragon as red fury is not easy.

" Dragons have been laying more eggs than before, I think it would be a problem if they become too many for us to handle." Roshanne took a deep breath, disappointed at the confirmation that indeed the ladies are unaware of the true status of their dragons, she looks back at Dae who by now was nowhere to be seen, she raised her brow, quite disappointed, that her entertainment had flee, now she has no reason to bear this noises around her. With a sigh she place downs her cup and stood.

"Ladies, enjoy the rest of the party... I must excuse myself. I remember I have something important to do." Almost everyone quickly stood up and bowed to her, she excused herself and walked away from the noisy grand hall and into the quite halls, she didn't know where to go and allowed her feet to carry her wherever it desires, and soon she finds herself in the east wing of the castle, the quietest place, No one was allowed in the east except from a few members of the family, she was one of the lucky members whose given a chance to enter, it was solely owned by the king. And it's extravagance was only theirs see, the walls of the east wings was littered with golden tapestries and paintings of the seven great wonders of the Gaia, it's halls were filled with treasures collected from journeys and adventures of the prince and princess that once lived inside the palace, great sculptures of dragons that are made of gold also stood in the east wings, there was also a great hall above the east wing, roofs of it was made of gold and the pillars of white marbles, it was big enough to house one of the largest beast in the kingdom. You could see the rest of the Kingdom atop it, her red fury often laze around the tower of the east. She decided to head there to see if she could perhaps ride her dragon and go around the Kingdom.

When she was younger, she would often ride her dragon from morning to noon to dusk, the great wings of wildfyre would take her whenever she desires, she once rode her in a battle, yes Roshanne wasn't one of the princesses who came before her who would rather sit inside the castle and pop golden heirs, she rode her dragon and brought havoc to the men who breached their territory. She protected the people who called for her name.

Princess they called her, the true Golden Queen they cried, it was the people of Shreen who called for her, the village where her father was born, the village where she was raised. She remembers wearing her colors, the vibrant red and gold, she rode her dragon and brought madness to those who dare opposed her, only few got to survive that day.

She was making her way to the tower and her steps falters when she saw the door of it ajar. She didn't remember not closing it, whenever she goes to this place she kept the door shut. But it seems an uninvited guest dare venture.

She walked towards the door and opened it, two statues of golden dragon stand side by side next to the door, on the rear of one dragon she saw wildfyre, and her steps quickly falters the moment she realized the beast is not alone, there In front of her is lady Dae who's eyes held awe, she looks so mesmerized upon seeing the dragon so close and so calm. Some claims that the most beautiful beast to ever flown the sky was the King's golden dragon Aerus, and the dragon of his bastard Sunstar who once belong to the late prince Khalil. But many claims that no one come closer to the beauty of her dragon who's scale are like the ruby gems that glows beneath the sun, but what really makes her more unique is the golden pattern she has on her body.

She hid herself in the dragon statue and watches as lady Dae looks at her dragon, she was a bit far from her, still clearly scared of what it might do to her. But she couldn't remove the look of amazement in her eyes. Her hair was a similar shade to her dragon. She smiled when lady Dae took a couple of more steps closer. Bold and daring she thought. No one would dare approach Wildfyre even if she's standing beside her, the mood of the dragon is unpredictable. She wonders if the red haired princess would be as unpredictable as her red beast, after all they share the same color. The princess has red hair, whilst her dragon has red scale. She saw the princess try to reach for her dragon, what a brave action she thought, but also very, very foolish of her to think that she could disturbed a sleeping beast.

"Wildfyre." She called her dragon who quickly Opened it's eyes, upon seeing the stranger in front of her Wildfyre quickly lifted it's head and growl at the stranger who stagger's back before falling to her back, the awe is now replaced with horror.

"Has your people not told you to never disturb a sleeping beast... Princess?" She asked her with a devious smile on her face as she finally approaches them. Wildfyre could easily swallow the girl whole if she chose to command the beast. She watches as the princess tried to crawl away from the beast when it's head began to move towards her.

"Stop." She commanded Wildfyre whom quickly stopped scaring the girl.

"You could have been maimed the moment you touch her." She looks at Wildfyre who's still growling at the stranger before turning to the young lady with a stern look on her face.

"A dragon is no dog that you could pet princess... Be careful next time." She warned her, she watches as Wildfyre huff before turning it's head to the other side to continue sleeping. Once the dragon return to sleeping she turned towards the princess who remained on the ground. And then she soften her feature with a practiced grace

" Stand up." She spoke softly, princess Dae quickly stood up and looked at her wide eyed.

"Have no one told you that no one is allowed in this place except from me and the king." She stalked towards her, Dae remained standing while keeping her eyes on her.

"Forgive me your highness. I did not know." She spoke softly and for the first time, there's a thick accent in her words. One she did not recognize.

" You flee from your guards, didn't you?" The girl looked away from her, she knew she had been caught.

" We're you trying to escape? Were you trying to foolishly steal my dragon in hope to ride her and escape towards the six free cities up in the north?" The girl's head whipped towards her direction, her eyes wide and she shakes her head. She had the look on her face that says she had been caught.

" I, I wasn't, I wouldn't dare escape, it would put my kingdom in danger." She answered her while keeping her eyes down, she studied her once more, she's quite thin for her age, and small too. Girl's her age would already be up to Roshanne's cheeks, or neck, but this girl is just up to her chest. She looks sickly, her cheeks are bit hollow, her lips were dry, she's not in a good shape and she looks like she'll collapse any minute from now on.

" Have you eaten anything?" She asked her before looking around to see if anything is amiss, to her relief, nothing was.

"I've eaten bread early this morning." Her brow rose when she heard her answer.

"It's past time lunch. Have you not eaten anything from the table at the great hall? Have no one served you?" Dae Opened her mouth to answer but closed it again, she did it a couple of times before settling with just staring at her.

"Well? Answer me." She told her waiting for what was the reason why she did not pick anything to eat.

"No one told me that I'm supposed to eat." She murmured looking away from her as if she was ashamed. Roshanne stared at her in disbelief, most people would grab the chance to eat foods in a feast like this. Hell even their servants are allowed to pick up food on the table if they so desired. But this girl was waiting for someone's permission.

"If this is any other occasion your hand would be cutt of if you dare take a food from the table, but this is a grand celebration, in honor of your husband- to- be winning the war." She saw the way she flinch when she spoke the word husband to her, but Roshanne had ignored it.

"You are allowed to eat with or without anyone's permission." Dae licked her lower lip and nods her head.

"I... I will keep that in mind your... Your highness." She murmured again. Roshan nods her head and pointed the door.

"Go now. Eat, you look like your going to collapse anytime." Dae bowed her head and made her way to the door, but before she could fully step out of the door she call her again.

"Oh! And, be sure to meet me at my room early tomorrow, you will be assigned as my new lady in waiting." Dae as always, looked at her with her big bright green eyes, who held uncertainty and curiosity.

" As... As you wish your highness." She gave her a small smile before she left to ease the tension to let her lower her guard around her . Once she was alone again she looks up to look at her dragon. Wildfyre was given to her at the age of 12, and by that time Wildfyre was already a grown adult, her former mount was the former crowned princess Regina, her father's older sister and from what she knew, the rightful Queen. She patted Wildfyre's snout before leaving her be, for the past few months her dragon had been spending more time of sleeping, she rarely eats too, one of the few signs of nesting habits. Though she prays that if ever wildfyre had lay an egg, it would hatch... For it will be a good sign.

As she left the west wing she decided to pay her mother a visit, the queen is still in mourning, she refused to get out of her room, she refused to eat and such. She knows that queen would spent her the rest of her life in that room, wasting away.

"Your highness!" Lucinda, her mother's ever faithful servant looked up at her in surprise.

"Is she awake?" She asked her, Lucinda's eyes sadden before nodding her head and allowing the princess to enter. The room was dimmed, the curtain were closed and only a few candles where's lit, the room was mess, tables and chairs were turned, the mirrors were broken and so we're some vase, the great portrait of her parents that was taken on the day of their wedding was scratched by a knife, and was left leaning on the wall, when she looks to the bed she saw her mother sitting by the floor while hugging her son's uniform. Roshanne lips twitch in disgust.

"That is not befitting of a queen mother." She spoke, her voice cold. Her eyes devoid of any emotion but disdain. What had her mother became? Where was the woman who beat the word dignity and grace inside her head. Where was the strong woman she knew? Where was the mother she hated?

"Why have you stooped so low? Why are you still mourning for a son that has passed?" She asked her, looking around the room, there was no hint of the strong woman that once reside inside the room.

"My son... My only child... My prince." Her mother muttered again before sobbing.

" The prince is dead." She told her mother before looking back at her.

" My son, my only child..." Her mother kept muttering, shaking her head Roshanne knew that this conversation will not go anywhere. Her mother is lost. And sooner of later the king will have to dispose her, like he did to his other concubines.