Dragons Breath

Chapter four

I slowly walk to the dining hall trying not to trip over this atrocious dress because it's so damn long. I swear next time I'm getting myself ready, I no longer trust these humans fashion sense, what could have possibly been going through their minds when they dressed me like this.

I walk to the doors of the dining hall but before I push them open I'll alter my look just a bit. You know so I'm more comfortable. Pulling the bright yellow dress to my knees I rip the fabric tossing it to the floor, turning the once floor-length dress into a knee-high one. I then pull some of the pins from my hair allowing it to cascade down my shoulders. I'm sure I still look terrible but it has to be better than before I suppose.

I forcefully push the doors open striding confidently into the room. All eyes are focused on me the second I enter. I wish I could just leave I absolutely hate being the center of attention, and right now I feel like an animal in a zoo.

Looking around I note just how extravagant the dining hall is, there are large golden chandeliers covered in diamonds. There's a silky red rug lined with gold sitting under the large rectangular dining table. The tables dark brown in color with a golden table cloth and food of all sorts covering it.

An old man with shoulder-length snow-white hair stands up when he sees me, "Awe you must be Princess Eleonora, you even more beautiful than I imagined." The man who I assume to be the king compliments in a sickly sweet voice. He stares at me with his wise eyes as if he can read my very soul, and for a moment I feel a flicker of fear.

Putting a fist over my heart I bow at him and say, "It is a pleasure to meet you, your majesty." I force the words out trying my hardest not to scowl at him feeling completely uninterested in conversing with him. When I rise from bowing I see many people staring at me as if I had just offended him.

An older woman sitting opposite the king stands up glaring at me.

"You disrespectful dragon scum, in the presence of the king you should be on your knees."

Now, this is just laughable I'll never bend the knee for anyone but my gods, much less a human. I stare her dead in the eye with a sharp and deadly gaze, watch as she is practically knocked back by the intensity of my stare.

I keep my eyes on the queen as I say in a deep menacing voice, "Where I come from we do not bend the knee for anyone accept our gods. Putting a hand over your heart and bowing is considered of the highest respect. I will not have you or anyone else telling me how to treat people, as a foreign ambassador it is unbecoming of a queen like you to ask me to bend the knee."

When I'm finished talking the room is engulfed in silence and the queen looks completely furious. I glance in the king's direction, and I am surprised to see that he doesn't look mad I fact he actually looks as though he's about to laugh.

"My, my what a funny way to start off a family dinner, my dearest queen do not be upset I'm certain princess Eleonora meant no disrespect. We invited her here, therefore, we should, in turn, respect her customs, however different they may be." The king says this sternly looking deep into the eyes of his queen. At least he has the decency to stand up for me.

"Yes, my king."

Wow, the queen seems so weak compared to a moment ago, it's almost laughable.

"Now my dear please come have a seat." The king says this to me kindly pointing to a seat next to a young man, I wonder if he's to be my intended?

He's not bad looking. With his tousled semi-long chestnut brown hair which was thick and lustrous framing his face. His eyes are light chartreuse, that flecks of silvery light performed ballets throughout. His face is strong and defined his featured molded from granite. I must say he's fairly handsome for a human that is.

Lifting my head up high I stride over to my seat and sit down. Clearing his throat the king stands up and says, "Now that everyone's here I have an announcement to make. As you all may have heard there is an unknown horde of dragons threatening to take over our capital city. Me and the chieftain of the Perilous Horde have talked it over and come to the conclusion that the best way to prove the strength of our alliance and keep it strong is to hold a royal wedding. This wedding does not just show our strength but a grand celebration such as this will help to calm the people in these troubled times. So tonight I'm here to announce the union of my son prince Geoffrey and the dragon princess Eleonora."

The room erupts into loud cheers. The man sitting next to me turns to face me, "It's nice to finally meet my future wife, I'm Geoffrey." His voice his silky smooth and soft on the ears, for some reason this man seems so enchanting.

"I am Eleonora, but you are free to call me Nora. Consider yourself lucky human-only those I deem worthy are allowed to call me that." He simply lets out a hardy laugh at my words.

"You know Nora you might want to change how you address people while your here or you might one day find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place."

I feel anger slowly creep in at his words, is he threatening me? I turn to look him in the eyes giving him my coldest deadliest stare for a moment I see a flicker of fear but it is soon coved with a mask of indifference.

"Are you threatening me, I do not take things like being threatened lightly by anyone no matter who they are."

Clearing his throat he stares into my challenging eyes, "I would never dream of threatening you, I was simply giving my future wife a few words of advice."

I turn away from him with a scowl coving my face. This man might be attractive but he sure as hell knows how to push my buttons, and he keeps calling me his future wife as if to rub salt on my wound. Anyone could see that I'm not happy with this arrangement.

"You should smile Nora, you might look better if you do."

I scowl at his words, "If I am not happy I will not force myself to look happy for the sake of others."

After that, no more words were exchanged between us for the rest of the night. Once dinner is over I quickly head back to my room.

I can't wait to be rid of this godforsaken dress, I'm never wearing this damn thing again. Pulling the dress from my body I sigh with relief, then I change into some leather pants and bra. These are the clothes I'm most comfortable with even though they are 'unbecoming' of a princess.

After washing the makeup from my face and brushing my hair I climb into bed exhaustion taking over me. I guess I didn't realize how tired I am. Closing my eyes I allow the darkness to take over me pulling me into a dreamless sleep.