Secret Dragon

Chapter 16

Wyvern

Word of our engagement spread quickly throughout the castle, and the staff congratulated us. It hasn’t spread to the kingdom yet, but that’ll change soon. We sent invitations to the other kingdoms about our engagement announcement and got responses from the water, forest, and human kingdoms. I’m not surprised, since they’re my friends.

“Elena!” I shouted to her from the gardens. It’s become my happy place and I like to spend time here a lot.

“Yes, princess?” She bowed her head out of respect even though we were acquaintances.

“You told the queen what we said to tell her?”

“Yes, I did. She smiled like a hyena and cackled like a creepy witch.”

“Of course she did… There’s no pleasing her!”

“Unfortunately, no… not unless you reject Cadmus, but that’s not going to happen. You two are crazy for each other! Anyone who’s seen you together can see that!”

“You’re too kind.” I went back to watering some flowers.

“Oh, before I forget, more responses for your engagement ball have arrived! They’re from the desert, shadow, and… volcano kingdoms.” She mumbled the last one, but I still heard it.

“Of course, the Sunswirls coming… well, can’t wait to rub it in their faces too!” I scrunch my face at the thought of them coming, but they’re still royalty. For now… “Have the common folk been told yet?”

“No, not yet, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out soon enough.”

“Oh, I’m sure it will. Once this place is swarming with royals, people will get curious. Now I’m sure you’ve got preparations to get back to. You may go, and I’ll see you… later.” Elena scurried off to go back to her chores, and I was left with the flowers.

Days passed and by the end of the week, everything was good to go. People are showing up and my princess friends from the tea party got here early to hear the gossip before the ceremony. I’ve had dress fittings all week and I’m so excited about my dress! It fits with my frosty home and I’ve been keeping it a surprise except my mom knows.

“I’m so proud of you, honey… you’ve made us proud. Despite everything you’ve been through, you’ve stood tall and stood by your mate. A true queen.” She hugged me, and I couldn’t help but brush away a tear.

“Thanks, mom.”

“Your dad is going to cry his happy tears, too.”

“I’m sure he will. I’m going to change and we can have our rehearsal.” The ceremony is tomorrow and I’m nervous and excited. Also can’t wait to see his mom’s face when she sees that I’m still here. Her bubble is going to pop so badly! It makes me smirk just thinking about it. We make it to the throne room, and Cadmus and Airo are ready for us.

“Hi there, future queen.” He kisses my cheek and I can’t help but giggle.

“Hi there, my king.” I kiss his cheek back, excited for the evening.

“Are we ready for this rehearsal?” We both nod our heads excitedly. “Ideally, here’s what will happen. Cadmus and I will come down, announce that Cadmus has found his mate and we announce your name. NOW we all know it’s not going to go that smoothly knowing Adelinda. She’s going to kick and scream and demand something. What that is, I'm not sure.”

“Yeah, that sounds like mom.” Cadmus sighs disappointedly.

“Anyway, she throws her tantrum. We present your parents, your full title, and I’ll probably reject her then and there in front of everyone.”

“I’m sorry, your Majesty.” I hugged him as if he was my father.

“No need for formalities now. You’re my daughter and you don’t need to use titles.” It made me smile, knowing that he accepted me from the beginning, mostly. Except for the time when I was in jail. Why does that feel like a lifetime ago?!

“Now, with that can of worms, there’s probably going to be a mini-trial since the Sunswirls are also going to throw a fit as well. We present what we have and present their punishment. Also, have to vote in a new royal family for Volaha.”

“Do we have anyone in mind about that?” Cadmus pipes up.

“I do actually. There’s the Duke and Duchess of the Ash, the Flamehearts. They can switch with the Sunswirls. Someone, either the Sunswirls or their council, gave the Flamehearts a title just for the sake of having one, but they do a good job.”

“I’ve heard of them. Duke Moltenor, Duchess Ember, and their kids, Magmara and Drakor. We didn’t hang out much as kids, but enough to know of them.”

“That’s them, and honestly, the Sunswirls were more worried about parties than having an alliance. I mostly worked with Moltenor, anyway.”

“He seems like a nice guy from what you’ve told me,” Cadmus tries to reassure his dad, but we both know this is going to be rough. We both have a rough idea of how tomorrow is going to go, so we go back to our separate rooms for the last time until tomorrow night.

The next morning everyone is buzzing with excitement! Last-minute preparations are being done, breakfast is being made, and the stylists are getting set up in my room! I squeal with excitement and jump out of bed to get showered. By the time I was done, the stylists were ready for me and my girlfriends that I made at that tea party joined me for some fun!

“So glad you ladies could join me as we celebrate Cadmus and me!” I grab a champagne flute of pink sweet wine and we all cheers together.

“To Cadmus and Wyvern!” They all shout happily as we clang our glasses!

“So, come on, let's place our bets! How long is it for the queen to get angry when she finds out what's happening?” Princess Maris yells jokingly at us.

“I'll give it til I'm at the bottom of the stairs! She hates that I'm mated to Cadmus!” Everyone laughs at the thought, mostly since it's true. A maid hangs up my beautiful gown and we all squeal in excitement again.

“He's gonna go crazy when he sees you!” Princess Fauna smiles at me. Despite how we all met at the tea party, I’m glad we’re friends. “We’ll head out so you can get ready.” Fauna and the others finish their wine and leave it on the tray for a maid. “Bye!” They all wave bye and cheer me as they leave. Mom stays behind and it’s just us.

“This is a big moment. Reintroducing Flurris, us, our official title, being out in public more. Are you ready for this?” I take her hands and try to comfort her.

“Yeah, I think it’s time for us to come back. I think you should have this.” She takes off her snowflake necklace and clasps it around my neck.

“Are you sure? This is for the queen of Flurris and I’m not. You are.”

“I’m sure people will doubt you and question you. Show them this, and this will make them quiet. At least it’ll work for your future mother-in-law or should. She’s old enough to remember when we were around.” I remember the story Ario told us about their early reign. They were young, but old enough to be king and queen.

Mom unzips the garment bag and I can’t help but squeal. A strapless sweetheart, off-the-shoulder corset top with blue swirls that look like snow flying on it, a ballgown silk skirt with the same snowy design. Mom’s dress is a snowy blue cap sleeve, A-line dress, and her crown is regal and majestic, with snowflakes on top and aquamarine gemstones around it. We heard a knock on the door and Dad in his finery. Various shades of snowy blue, a long white, fluffy robe, and his majestic crown similar to mom’s but his is more masculine.

“Let’s get you ready.” Mom smiles at me proudly and takes the dress off the hanger.

Cadmus

I’m anxious and excited about this moment, but then it’s ruined by the sound of chains being dragged on the floor. I know it’s my mother and Kindra being dragged in for the ceremony. There’s a special box for them above us so they can’t ruin anything. I’m at the top of the grand staircase waiting for my title to be called by Dad.

“Good afternoon, Galvan! What a joyous occasion today is! So, I'm stepping down as king…”

“NO!” I hear mom shout from the prisoner's box and a guard whips her to keep her quiet.

“As I was saying, I’m stepping down as king so my son, your prince, can start his reign. I’m not as young as I once was, and it’s Prince Cadmus’ time to shine. So without further ado, I introduce to you, your prince! His Royal Highness Prince Cadmus Lothair Rhaegar Pendragon!” Show time. I nervously adjust my robe. A light gray armor and shoulder guards with my long robe. The light gray represents Volt. Simple black pants and my crown… a dark gray with lightning bolts around and Volt’s likeness in the front. A mix of sky blue, cloud white, and thunderstorm gray gemstones to represent me and Dad. I had another one that had both mom and dad, but I didn’t want her to spoil my day so I asked the jeweler personally to make a new one with just the two of us. I make my way down the stairs as the crowd cheers for me.

“Good afternoon, Galvan! I’m honored to be your prince and excited to announce that I’ve met my fated mate and your princess!” The crowd cheers again and I can see Wyvern’s friends from the tea party. It’s nice to know that she has the support from the other kingdom. I can see Mom holding Kindra’s hand, hoping that I call out her name. “Now I won’t leave you in suspense any longer. I present to you, for the first time in a long time. Her royal highness, the Blizzard princess, Wyvern Eirwen Freya Tiamat!” I hear Mom scream in horror as I see my beautiful princess come down the stairs with her parents. All of them in their snowy glory. The ones who are old enough start mumbling, questioning if it's them. I see Mom attempting to fan herself, probably from shock. I see her go down, but Dad and I look at each other knowing that she’s doing this for attention. We ignore her and I gladly take Wyvern’s hand.

“Now most of you probably don’t know the Blizzard royal family from Flurris. You probably don't know the Blizzard royal family from Flurris since our kingdom got attacked and ruined when my dad just started ruling. So I’ll let King Hollis Arius Finnley Tiamat and his queen, Queen Evangeline Thora Rose Tiamat, explain what happened.” I step aside and let them address the crowd.

“People of Galvan! I’m sure the older dragons may remember us, but it has been a long time. When my queen and I just started our reign, our kingdom attacked us, but were unwilling. Somehow, someone gave a potion to the people and forced them to attack us. They took my queen's dragon, even though she committed no crime to warrant having it taken away, and forced us into hiding for over 20 years!” The crowd gets loud again and Dad gets their attention.

“Silence! Let them speak!” Everyone quiets down again, eagerly waiting for what else is to be said. “Somehow, this relates to another crime. My former queen, Adelinda Elmara Salina Pendragon, has been an imposter! She has been giving me a love potion my entire reign! Which is partly why I’m stepping down!” The crowd gets restless again and the doors open wide to someone barging in.

“I can be of help with that.” A woman who looks vaguely familiar walks down the aisle towards us. She bows to us out of respect and looks up at Mom. “Hello, daughter…”