The Dragon Princess

The Markets

The scorching sun torments me as I walk through the street markets. People crowd every stall, rushing to buy whatever it is that they need. Every Saturday I come here, a basket in one hand, a list in the other. I can only be grateful for one thing on these days, and that’s that I am treated better than the other maids who walk the streets.

The boys and girls that serve the noble houses are treated like peasants, the traders often charging them more for their ware, pushing them around and often sending them home in tears. It has always bothered me, made me livid that someone could treat another so horribly based on their social status. I am no different from those boys and girls, yet because I was raised by the much respected Jermaine family, I am show a little more grace. I am neither a noble or a maid, I am lost somewhere in between.

“Oi, you owe me another silver for that, you brat!”

I turn my attention to the loud trader, following his angry eyes to a shaking girl a few feet from his stall. She glances at the loaf of bread in her hand, tears brimming in her eyes.

“I...I’m sorry, sir. You said it was two silvers, I have no more.” She quivers, clearly embarrassed.

“Well, I changed my mind. Now give me another silver or hand the loaf back over.”

The girl opens her other hand, revealing only two bronze coins. I know that if she returns the loaf of bread, she won’t get her two silver coins back. I shake my head, disgusted that these men and women can get away with such things.

“Here’s your silver coin,” I spit, throwing one of mine at the man’s chest, “now, leave this poor girl alone!”

I ignore the traders angry glare and walk over to the shaking girl, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“T...Thank you, Miss...”

“Ella, just call me Ella. Now, you hurry on home before someone else decides to pick a fight.”

“Yes. Thank you, Ella.”

I check my list, realising that the last thing I need is a loaf of bread. Great. I return to the trader’s stall, carefully selecting the best loaf. Retrieving two silver coins from my purse, I slam them on his table and dare him to ask for more. Seems like he knows better.

I walk away grinning, glad that at least one person was able to put that miserable man in his place. With everything I need in my basket, I begin my long trek back to the Jermaine Manor. One of largest Duchy houses in Graka, it is known and respected by all. I count myself lucky that I was left on the doorstep of Duke Atticus and Duchess Cecilia. Even luckier that they decided to take me in, instead of leaving me at one of the many orphanages in the Kingdom.

For every beautiful and good thing that the Kingdom of Graka has to offer, there is something dark that dulls the shine. There are too many orphanages to count, paupers begging in the streets, resorting to theft when they fail to get what they need, and worst of all, the rebels who stalk the streets at night, their rabid dragons destroying whatever their masters see fit. Poor dragons that have lost their true masters, taken by rebels and tortured into submission.

Unlike the others of the Jermaine household, I have never had a dragon. When a person of nobility is born, so too is a dragon. People say that these dragons are the other half of a person’s soul, that they can feel what the other feels, know what they are thinking. And if one dies, the other feels the pain of their death for the rest of their lives. I have longed for my own dragon, someone I could truly call my own, but it wasn’t written in my destiny.

The sun begins to set in the sky, the unbearable heat of its rays dissipating, providing some much needed relief. But when night falls, so too does the darkness. I pick up my pace, eager to return to the safety of the Manor.

I sigh with relief when the Manor comes into sight, the many lanterns lighting my way home. Shadows move above me, but every time I look to the sky, nothing is there. I take a moment to admire the pink and orange hues, the last rays of sun bouncing off the tallest of buildings.

I am suddenly grabbed from behind. I yelp with fright before a hand covers my mouth, dragging me backwards into a dark alley. I shouldn’t have stayed out so long, should have walked home quicker. My basket lies on the ground, its contents spilling out. I’m pushed against the rough wall and I squeeze my eyes shut in fear.

“Ella...”

I shoot my eyes open.

“Caspian? You scared me half to death!”

“Sorry,” he chuckles, “I just had to see you.”

“Missed me then, did you?”

“Of course,” he breathes before slamming his lips against mine.

Running out of air, I push him away. God, I have missed him too, but I hate that we have to meet like this.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, looking dejected.

“Nothing, I just have to get back, it’s getting late.”

I gather my items off the ground, cleaning them of sand before placing them back in my basket.

“I’ll see you later, Caspian.”

“Ella...” I turn around. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For this,” he waves his arms around, “I’m sorry that things are like this.”

“But that will never change. Will it, Caspian?”

Gaping like a fish, I know that he won’t be able to give me the answer that I want. Yet another reason why I hate the class system of Graka. Caspian’s family would never accept me as his wife. Though I have been raised by nobles in the same rank as his parents, and have been shown more respect than other maids, I’ll never be allowed to forget that I am not one of them. I don’t belong to any class, I belong nowhere.

“Ella, you’re back, dear.” Smiles Cecilia.

“I’m back, and with change.” I retrieve the remaining silver from my purse.

“Wonderful. I’ll tell you what, since it’s your birthday next week, why don’t you keep that, buy yourself something nice.”

“Oh, I couldn’t.”

“I insist. Ella, you do so much for this family, you deserve to be treated. Of course, we’ll have to throw a party for your 18th. It will be delightful.”

“A p...party?” I stutter. “But, Cecilia, who would I invite?”

“You just leave it to me. I believe Kaira was looking for you. Why don’t you go find her?”

“I will. Thank you, Cecilia.”

She waves me off with a hand and I go to find Kaira. My mind immediately goes to Caspian. Would he be invited to my party? Would he come if he were? I suppose it doesn’t matter, we would have to act like practical strangers, what everyone things we are.

“Ella! There you are. Quick, come here.” Whisper shouts Kaira from her bedroom doorway.

When I get close enough, she pulls me inside and closes the door.

“What’s going on?” I ask confused.

“I heard something today, Ella, while I was at the House Criselle.”

“Well, what is it?”

“The King, Ella. The King of Zore. Apparently, he isn’t doing too well. If this it true, there will be a new King or Queen. I’m betting on it being a King, one of his many illegitimate sons. You know what that means, Ella.”

“You’re not thinking of...”

“Of course, I am! Every noble girl is, Ella. Hell, even the noble boys are hoping a new Queen will take the throne so they have a chance of charming her!”

Caspian. Will he be hoping to do the same?

“Kaira, this is madness! The King isn’t even dead yet and you’re plotting your way to the throne?” I squeak.

“You just don’t get it, Ella. I should have known someone like you wouldn’t understand.”

Put in my place again. I don’t understand. Why would someone marry one they didn’t love? For money or power? I will never understand that.