The Dragon Princess

The Selection

Minutes have passed and nobody has said a word since Atticus spoke. It's tense...and a little sad. A sombre blanket has washed over the excitement, causing the large crowd to finally settle down. Magnus looks annoyed, probably cursing his age. Poor Remus looks distraught, trying to hold in his tears. He will be losing two of his older siblings at the one time. He must feel so lonely already.

"Let us hear of your selections." States the King. "From the House Jermaine, who have you selected?"

"We have selected our son, Duke Konan and our daughter, Duchess Kaira."

As Atticus speaks, the two siblings walk up the steps and stand beside the King and Queen. Kaira fidgets, clearly nervous with all these eyes on her. Konan is staring straight into the crowd, his eyes coming to rest on mine. 

"A great choice." Smiles the Queen. 

"Indeed. From the House Criselle, who have you selected?" 

"We have selected our son, Duke Caspian and our daughter, Duchess Aurelia."

My knees wobbles where I stand, I have to fight not to collapse on the floor. Caspian. How did I not even think of him before this? This really can't be happening now. Not Caspian, the only person who loves me. Tears well in my eyes. I close them, opening them again to see Caspian standing up beside Konan. He is looking straight at me, his emotions readable only to me in his emerald eyes. 

I zone out as the King asks for the next family's selections. I want to run away. I want to run up there, take Caspian by the hand and leave this place. We could make a life for ourselves, hide if we had to, run forever if we had to. I thought that yesterday was the worst day ever, I was mistaken. Today is by far the worst. There will be no excitement left in my life, nothing to look forward to, nobody to confide in and receive comfort from. 

"...We have selected our daughter, Marchioness Junia."

I watch as the eldest Lumalle daughter stands beside the others, her smile bright, her fingers twirling her  hair. She flutters her eyelids at both Caspian and Konan. Known as a major flirt, it's now clear why. When neither of the boys pay her any attention, she returns her flirtatious gaze to the crowd. I can just imagine the trouble she is going to cause in the Palace. 

The final family to send their children to Zore is the Barstine family. Alexander and Kamala's family, Ozias' too. 

"We have selected our son, Marquess Alexander and our daughter, Marchioness Kamala."

The two siblings move to stand next to the other selections, both looking proud. I can't say I'll be sad to see the back of Alexander, but Kamala... 

I can't afford to be this sad, it's not like I can change any of this. I will just have to carry on with my life as usual. I just hope and pray to the Gods above that Alexander doesn't even get close to winning this contest. A King like him would surely be a terrible thing. From what I know, he has no knowledge or concern for the economy or politics of these Kingdoms, only women and fighting. The selfish part of me hopes that Caspian doesn't win either, because if he did... he would never be mine again. I'll be utterly alone. 

"The selections have been made!" Beams the King, obviously pleased. "Though we may have been thought of as the weaker Kingdom all these years, I have faith in our people. We are strong, intelligent, and resilient. I have faith that one of our deserving contestants will be able to win the heart of a Prince or Princess, and when they do...things are going to change. Graka will become what it once was. This is a time for celebration, my people! The Queen and I thank you all for coming here today, to be part of this historic day. Those who are not members of the Noble families are free to go. The families sending their children to Zore are welcomed into the Palace, there is a lot to be discussed." 

The crowds begin to disperse, but I remain glued to my spot. The faces of everyone around me are lighting up with excitement, the promise of a better future the only thing on their minds. I must be the only miserable person here... and maybe Remus. The Kind and Queen approach the noble children, greeting them warmly and gesturing for them to go inside the Palace. I get one last look at Caspian before he disappears. My heart sinks. Things will never be the same again. 

'Ella, would you mind taking Remus back to the Manor? There's no reason for either of you to stick around." Asks Cecilia. 

"Sure." 

"Thank you, Ella. Take the coach and have the driver return once you get back." 

"Okay." 

I take Remus by the hand and we walk silently through the remaining residents to the coach. Once inside, an awkward silence falls over us. I know Remus must have so many questions, but I am not the person to answer them. I won't be able to put his heart at ease when I can't even settle my own. He stares out the window as we move away from the Palace, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. 

"Are you okay?" I finally ask.

"I suppose." He shrugs. "I wish they didn't have to go, Ella. Magnus will be the only sibling I have now, and he's not even nice!"

"They won't be gone forever, Remi. Just remember what the King said; this could be the best thing to happen to our Kingdom in years. It's a good thing, even though I know it doesn't feel like it."

"At least I'll still have you." He turns to me and smiles. 

"You will always have me. And when you grow up some more, you might even go on your own adventure and forget all about me."

"I could never!"

"We shall see." I chuckle, warmed by his innocence. 

The rest of the ride home is silent, but Remus seems a bit more relieved than before. I lay back in my seat, watching out the window as the dragons fly high and the sun scorches the earth around us. A part of me is envious of those noble children. I have spent my whole life in Graka, in the Jermaine Manor. It would be wonderful to travel, experience new cultures and see new sights. I wonder what the Kingdom of Zore is like, how it differs from here. 

What I have read in books is all that I know. It is a wealthier Kingdom, with more nobles and therefore, more dragons. The temperature is said to be more forgiving too, the northern part of the island even getting snow in winter! What a sight that would be. The clothes are different...fancier. The people hold gold in the way that we hold silver. The only way I will ever get to see Zore in person is if the borders are opened, and I am allowed some time away from the Manor. That will have to be my new dream, something to hope for, since Caspian will be gone. 

"Ella.... Ella! We're home." Remus shakes me. 

I come out of my reverie and climb out of the carriage, asking the driver to go straight back to the Palace. The Manor is awfully quiet inside, something that is soon to be the norm. 

"I'm going to see if Kristoff will sword fight with me. Bye, Ella."

"Bye, Remi. Be careful!" 

I am at a loss; I don't know what to do with myself. All of the cleaning has been done, the cooks will be preparing dinner, and Remus is being occupied with the head butler. I have no idea how long it will take for the others to return, so I decide to go to my room, relax a little while I can. 

I lay on my bed, bathing in the warmth of the sun that shines through the window. With everything running through my mind at lightning speed, it doesn't take long before my brain shuts off, sending me into a deep sleep. 

--- 

A loud banging wakes me. I jump from my position on the bed, completely disorientated. Another knock. I rush to the door and swing it open, not bothering to try and hide the fact that I was sleeping. 

"Ella, is everything alright?" 

"Kaira, sorry, I fell asleep."

"Can you believe this, Ella? I knew it would happen, I said it, didn't I?" She exclaims, barging into my room.

"You did." 

Only now do I realise that it is already getting dark outside. How long did I sleep for? 

"Do you think I can win, Ella? I want this, I want this more than anything. Queen Kaira, it has a ring to it."

"It certainly does." I smile. "No need for me to ask if you're happy, then."

"I'm beyond happy, Ella. I just hope those Princes are handsome, and not complete idiots! I don't know if I could endure being married to a brainless oaf."

"I'm sure they will be great, and super rich!"

"You're right. Anyway, it's dinner time. You better go eat something before it's all gone." 

"Okay. Thank you for waking me, I can't believe I slept for so long." 

"You must have needed it. We were all wondering where you were when we sat down for dinner. Kristoff had to serve us."

"I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"Don't apologise to me, I won't be here much longer!" Kaira smirks. "But you might need to apologise to Mother and Father." 

Great. After Kaira leaves, I change from the dress that I was wearing. Sleeping for so long had left it riddled with creases. When I go down to the dining room there's nobody there. I go into the kitchen to see Kristoff and Helena clearing up. 

"I'm sorry I missed dinner." I say, blushing with embarrassment. 

"It's okay, Darling. Here, I kept you a plate." 

"Thank you, Helena."

Kristoff, Helena, and I talk for a while. I eat quickly, I didn't realise how hungry I was. Helena and Kristoff are just as shocked as I was about the King's announcement, but they also mirror the excitement of the nobles. They too think that this could really change things for Graka. I nod and agree with them. As far as they know, there's no reason that this whole situation would affect me so deeply. 

Kristoff and Helena eventually excuse themselves, retiring for the evening. I finish my dinner and clean up. There's no way I will sleep again so soon, so I make myself some tea and retire to the maids' salon. I have the place to myself, so I curl up on the chair and pick one of the many books to read. I scan through the pages, not really reading the words or absorbing what the book is about. It's just nice not to think for a little while. That is, until Konan arrives, surprising me once again with his sudden appearance. 

"Good evening, Ella." He greets me. 

It takes me a moment to reply. He has never greeted me in such a way. Even after he told me that he wants me, I didn't expect his behaviour to change much... at all. 

"Evening." I quip. "Is there something you need?"

"No, not really. I guess I just wanted to see you, say goodbye before I leave."

"There will be plenty of time for goodbyes, Konan. And shouldn't you be more worried about saying goodbye to your family instead of me?"

"Maybe. But I leave in the morning, Ella. I didn't want to leave without speaking with you."

"In the morning?" I gasp. 

"Yes, the King wants us to get to Zore as soon as possible to improve our chances in this stupid contest."

"You don't want to go?"

"Of course not! I don't see why I should have to compete for some Princess' heart."

"To become King, of course. You shouldn't be so surprised, Konan. Royalty and Nobles... aren't they always plotting things like this, arranging marriages, and basically controlling the lives of their offspring?" 

"You say that with such disgust..."

"I just think that people should be free, free to do whatever they like, be with whoever they like, no matter their ranking."

"I do too. That's actually part of the reason I came to see you this evening. I don't know how you feel about what I said last night."

"I... I'm shocked if I'm honest. You were always so horrible to me, now you tell me that you want me? It doesn't make sense!"

"I'm sorry, Ella." He apologises, striding across the room and kneeling in front of me on the chair. "I was angry, angry about my situation. Like you said, I am not free, but neither are you. I just hated that I had to act a certain way, like certain things and people. When all I really liked or wanted... was you."

I gape at Konan, not knowing what to say. My mouth opens and closes like a fish, but no words will come out. Before I can react, Konan's hand is on my cheek, his lips just a breath from mine. I freeze. Finally, he closes the distance between us. His lips are soft and gentle, not what I imagined. His tongue brushes along my lower lip, causing me to moan. The sound embarrasses me, bringing me back to reality. I pull away from him, out of breath. 

"Konan, we can't. I'm sorry, but we can't."

I get up from the chair and run out of the room. I can't believe he kissed me. If anyone had walked in to see that, I would be kicked out of this home before I could blink, or worse... dead! This can never happen again. It's for the best that he is leaving in the morning.