Hail the Dragon Enchantress

Chapter 4: A Surprise Guest

~Queen Regina’s P. O. V.~

I was sitting on my throne listening to the worries of my subjects. They were minor complaints, mostly about some road damage. One person was telling me how the damage was there and another was saying that it was the first person's fault. I do agree that the damage was there from something falling. Whether that was an accident or not, I do not know. Nor do I care. I held up my hand to silence their bickering. I got up from my throne and followed where they had told me the damage was. When I got there, it was missing a corner of the cobblestone. Not even a large piece of it. It could be repaired easily with a little dragon fire. No, something else was haunting their minds.

“Gentlemen. This is merely a corner piece.” I sighed. “Nithe. Please repair it?” I looked at my dragon. She huffed a little before letting a controlled stream of her fire. It made the cobblestone heat up quickly so it could be molded into the corner again. “Gentlemen, this was a trifle complaint. Not worth garnishing over. What is the real trouble?” I crossed my arms.

They both looked down before they looked at each other. “You see, my queen. His son has been watching my daughter. And I do not approve of it.” The second man said.

“Posh! ‘Tis the other way around, your majesty! She has been doting on my son for nearly a month now.” The first gentleman glared.

I see the truth now. “Might I call your son and daughter?” They nodded.

The first man, “Nicholas. Please come forward.”

“Aye. You too, Sarinna. I need to hear you say that this man’s son has been eyeing you.” I raised my hand again for their silence.

Once the two stepped forward, I offered them a sympathetic smile. They’re no more than 11. Not even gained their dragons yet. “Sarinna. You may speak freely, my dear.”

She twisted her hands together and looked down. “It was I, your highness. He and I spent a lot of time together on the docks catching fish for our families and I held his hand first.” How quaint. It was honestly sweet how she fell for him first. The look of her father was amusing, to say the least.

“It’s true, your highness. Yet, it was I that kissed her on the cheek.” If I wasn’t in front of my subjects, I would be fawning over the two. I looked at his father and I had to cover my mouth to hide my smile.

I cleared my throat and motioned for the two to rejoin the crowd. “It is my understanding that these two youngins are infatuated with each other. You cannot stop love, gentlemen. It happens. What I can do for you is this: Children, keep the snogging to a minimum around your fathers. It clearly upsets them. Can we all agree to this?”

Nicholas and Sarinna nod and bow to me. The fathers glared and huffed at one another. “Yes, your majesty.” Her father spoke first.

His father groaned and bowed. “As you wish, your majesty.” Their wives came up and dragged them by the ears while giving them a lecture. Again, hiding my smile and trying not to laugh at their plights.

I readdressed my subjects. “If there are no more worries or complaints, please retire to your homes for the evening. And do not forget that tomorrow is my one eve off. If you have further complaints please wait until after tomorrow. Good evening, everyone.” Nithe crouched down, offering me a ride back to the palace.

The people bowed, “Have a good eve, my lady.” They said in unison. Nithe took off back to my balcony.

Petty arguments like that are not the reason I became a queen. It’s not like I could have declined the throne anyway. These squabbles are just head hurt inducing. A nice cup of peppermint tea, a g********l and a quiet room are all I require. No more lengthy complaints about something a dragonet could fix. Those fathers should be honored that their son and daughter like each other. If I wait for a suitor any longer, my mother might enforce the dead law on arranged marriages. Oh, well. I will find my perfect King in time. He just hasn’t made himself known to me yet.

When we landed, my mother was outside of our castle gates talking to a man in royal garb. Oh, no. Not another one. I hoped my mother wouldn't see me. I slid off Nithe and tiptoed my way to the front doors. I am queen. Yes. But my mother seems to think that she can rule through me. I have never liked that about her. Just as I was almost out of sight, my mother called me by name.

“Regina. Being a little rude, aren’t we?” I saw her crossing her arms and giving me that infernal stare of hers. I groaned out of frustration. The head hurting only continued to grow. “None of that, young lady. I am still your mother.” She came over to me and pulled me away from my room's direction. I just wanted a cup of tea, nice reading material and a quiet room to finish my night. Was that too much to ask for? She continued to pull me in the direction of this man. “Regina, meet King Clint. He has come from across the sea to meet you.”

I gave a smile as best as I can to him. “It’s lovely to meet you, King Clint.” Curtsying to him.

He took my hand and kissed the top of it. “The pleasure is mine, Queen Regina.” I took in his appearance. Long light brown hair. Dirty green eyes. Was quite tall for a man. His robes were made of purple and gold cloth and fine silk. “You are as lovely as the tales say you are.”

I became confused. “Beg pardon?”

He straightened himself. “A woman that commands a kingdom of dragons. Her long sunlit hair flows in waves of the sea. Her eyes beckon the purest of emeralds to fall at her will. Her skin is so fair that no man has ever felt such softer silk.” It wasn’t the worst compliments I have heard of.

However, I am not interested in being flattered by my appearance. “You praise me well, my King.”

My mother cleared her throat. “It has been a very long journey for King Clint. Come. I have a bed chamber all set up for you.” I had to follow her.

If I had water, I would have tossed it in his face when he spoke. “Magnificent. I cannot wait to see these halls filled with children.”

I stopped in my tracks. “Excuse me, your highness?” How infuriating. Seeing me as an object.

He looked at me. “Queen Regina. If I may. You are nearly 25 years of age. You should have married long ago. Your mother asked me here to extend a proposal to you.”

I looked at my mother with anger. “I need to speak with my mother. Alone.” I went ahead of him and grabbed my mother. Pulling her to the library. “Have you lost your senses?!” I yelled at her after closing the doors.

She sat down and looked ahead. “I am doing what is needed, Regina. You need a king to lead beside you. I know how you felt about Jack. Sweetie, he isn’t coming back.”

That is when my temper rose. “I know he is not! Jack is dead!” Her eyes became dinner plates.

Her jaw fell open, “How did-”

“The same day you found out. I read the letter.” I saw her cover her mouth.

“Is that why you act like that?” Nithe opened the outside doors and dropped the letter. She was very smart for a reptile. She knew what we were discussing.

I sat down and looked at my mother. “He was my true love, mother. No man can replace him in my heart.”

She came over to me and held me. “Give King Clint a chance to prove he is worthy. If he still cannot convince you by the end of the week, then I will leave the matter alone.”

I submitted to this. “I discovered something about Nithe, mother.” Trying to change the subject.

She smiled, “What would that be?”

I got up and took a knife to my hand. Nithe has healing fire. She smelled the blood and her reddish orange flame became gold. Healing my hand. “She has healing fire. It doesn’t work to mend the elderly, though. I wish I had discovered this before Jack went off.”

Mother came up to me and held my hands. “Do you blame yourself?” Her eyes held confusion. I nodded. “Oh, daughter. It was not your fault. Those pirates are the ones at fault.” She held me. “Now, let’s try to have a better day tomorrow. I still have a king in my halls.” We laughed lightly together as we retrieved King Clint.

After he settled into his room, I retired to mine. Peppermint tea, my favorite romance novel and a 3 tiered candle holder were waiting for me. My castle staff knew me so well. I need to give them more time off for this. I opened the book and sipped my tea. I loved this story. It’s about this one man who goes around stealing from kings that abuse their kingdoms. A just ruler is fair. A good king or queen listens to her subjects. But isn’t afraid to tell them the truth. My kingdom is prosperous and very wealthy. Even the least wealthy here has the finest clothing my seamstresses make. Clothing is free here. Food is free. Even housing is free. The only things that aren’t are luxury items. Such as jewels. Or pristine weaponry. If the people are happy, the kingdom is happy. If the kingdom is happy. The kings and queens are happy. That is how I ended my night. Reading and drinking my tea.