The Dragon Princess

Kingdom of Lander The Kingdom of Lander—one of the largest and most peaceful kingdom in all the lands. Loved by the people for their wisdom and fairness, my mother and father rule with hearts as steady as their crowns. My two elder siblings shine just as brightly. Their grace and strength have earned them the admiration of the kingdom, and many whisper that one of them will someday take the throne. But tonight, the spotlight belongs not to them, nor to me, but to the celebration itself. A grand festival stretches across the kingdom—lanterns glowing in every home, fireworks painting the night sky, and laughter echoing through the streets. While the people rejoice, I find myself climbing the highest tower of the palace, my favorite book pressed close to my chest. It tells the tale of a woman and a dragon. Settling by the window, I open its worn pages and read once more: Long ago, dragons were feared. Their claws sharp, their wings vast, and their flames powerful enough to reduce entire villages to ash. They were mankind’s sworn enemies. Until she appeared—a woman unlike any other. She was unafraid. She befriended the dragons, and in return, they gifted her their power. The power to command them all. Fifteen Years Later “Princess Laven!” “Princess Laven!” The maids’ frantic voices rang through the palace. They scurried in every direction, searching for me. But of course, I was nowhere near them. Dressed in the plain garb of a commoner, I had already slipped past the gates. Not alone, of course. “The Queen will be furious when she finds out,” Noah, my ever-loyal knight, muttered. He had served me since I was eleven, and though he rarely agreed with my mischief, he always followed. “She won’t know unless you tell her,” I teased, mounting my horse with a grin. Noah sighed but said no more. Together, we rode out into the bustling streets of Lander. Today, foreign merchants had arrived. They came only three times a year, carrying treasures from distant lands. When we reached the market, we handed our horses to a stable boy and began exploring. “I wonder what they’ve brought this time,” I said, excitement bubbling in my chest. “Don’t forget, Princess, there’s a ball tonight. We must return before sunset,” Noah reminded me. “Keep calling me ‘Princess’ out loud and see how fast the crowd realizes I’m a runaway royal,” I shot back with a playful smirk. The market was alive with color fabrics of every hue, gleaming jewels, exotic blades. Most stalls were nearly empty, swarmed by eager buyers. But I had only one destination in mind. The bookstall. “Good day, sir,” I greeted the old merchant. “Ah, young lady! I thought you wouldn’t come. My books are nearly gone!” he chuckled. “You know the ones set aside for me, right?” He winked and produced two worn volumes. As he handed them to me, he whispered, “One of these hides a map. You’ll have to find it yourself.” “A map?” My eyes widened. “Yes. A traveler sold it to me last week, but I couldn’t understand it. Perhaps you’ll have better luck.” The books were, as always, about dragons. “I’ll take them,” I said without hesitation. The old man chuckled knowingly and glanced at Noah, who already looked exasperated. On our way back through the streets, my attention was caught by shouting. “You don’t deserve a thing! That’s why your father left you—he couldn’t stand you! Or maybe he lost his mind and forgot the way home!” A group of men jeered as they kicked a young man sprawled on the ground. My chest tightened as anger flared in me. The boy pushed himself up, grabbed one of them by the collar, and hissed, “Take that back.” But another struck him with a heavy wooden beam, sending him crashing down again. “Noah!” I ordered. My knight moved without hesitation, fists flying as he drove the men off. They scattered in fear, leaving their victim bleeding on the ground. The innkeeper tossed coins at the young man with disdain. “Here’s your pay, Ezekiel. Don’t come back. You’re nothing but trouble.” Ezekiel. The boy shakily picked up the coins, his pride barely holding him together. He tried to walk, but nearly fell. Noah caught him. “Thanks, but I can handle myself,” Ezekiel muttered, swatting Noah’s hand away only to stumble again. “You’re injured. Stop being stubborn,” I said firmly. We brought him to his home a small, crumbling hut. Inside, my eyes were immediately drawn to the wooden carvings and a framed sketch of a creature both fierce and majestic. “Did you make these?” I asked. “No. My father did. He’s a traveler. He collects knowledge about creatures.” One carving in particular stole my breath—massive wings, sharp fangs, a powerful stance. “A dragon,” I whispered. Ezekiel looked surprised, then smiled. “Yes. My father said dragons were majestic beings.” My heart raced. “Does he know more about them?” “Of course. That’s his life’s work.” “Then I must meet him,” I said eagerly. But the smile faded from Ezekiel’s face. He lowered his head. “It’s been a year since he left… and he never came back.” I froze. I shouldn’t have asked. I was a princess, yet I was careless—too curious for my own good. “He’ll return,” Ezekiel said quietly, his voice steady with conviction. “That’s why I’m preparing to set out on a journey. To find him. And to prove to everyone that he isn’t mad—that he’s still out there, living the adventure he loved.” We spoke until the sky darkened, but duty eventually pulled me away. Tonight was the grand ball for my sister Loren’s birthday, and the palace awaited my return. Still, as I slipped back into my royal gowns, my thoughts lingered. A journey… All I have ever done is read about dragons. To step outside these palace walls, I must sneak past guards, hide beneath common clothes, and drag Noah with me. But dragons… They say they are nothing more than legends. That their true companions were gods and goddesses, long since vanished into myth. And yet—my heart refuses to believe. Because I, Princess Laven of Lander, have always known one thing. Dragons are waiting to be found. ********