VII

PRINCESS ROSHANNE

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"Why did you send her to the harem? Knowing that she isn't allowed there yet, until she is married?" It was the first thing her brother asked her as she changed into her riding clothes.

"She is to be assessed." She replied shortly after wearing her leather gloves, she turns to look at Alastair who remained standing facing the door.

"Assessed? For what? I thought you are capable of assessing things yourself." She smiles and shakes her head before turning to look in the mirror, she has her hair braided in details, making sure no strand would go astray.

"For her Worth, brother I believe I have gain an important chess piece, but I am uncertain still, for that woman lacks something." Once she if satisfied with her look she turns towards her brother and who was now facing her.

" A piece? Why would you need that woman sister? Just tell me and I would gladly spill that man's blood and sit you upon the throne and declare you queen myself. " She shakes her head and turned to look at him.

" Brother, did I not tell you that as long as that man has a single thread of golden hair in his head, we are not allowed to move. To kill him is to offend the gods, we must wait until the presence of Sol leaves his body and transfer to me." She stated, as much as she hates it her father still has golden strands in his head, though some of it is already turning black. She just had to be a little patient.

"That girl... What would she be playing in this scheme of yours?" He finally changed the subject, Roshanne stood and stared at him, she is uncertain of what role that girl will have in her scheme, she may be useless, she may be wrong and that girl isn't really of any use to her, but she feels that she wouldn't be willing to let her go that easily... She will have to look for something that she could be used to, even if it means warming her bed... She is for some unknown reason very interested in that girl, though she also finds her displeasing.

" Is that why you laugh at her earlier? Because you were trying to appease her so you could use her?" Alastair is man who rarely questions her, but she guess that as her brother he can't help it. He has the right to know.

"No, I laughed because of how hard she had tried to dispell the tension in the air with her stupid little talk." That was only half the truth, she did not mention of how adorable the lady look trying to ease the tension.

"I see." Her brother accepted, at least for now. She knows that he will ask questions again soon.

"Where are you going anyway? He followed her when she stepped outside of her room.

" I will ride Wildfyre and look around, then I will talk to the people. I'm sure that they will have some concerns regarding the increase of tax again." She shakes her head, her father is killing their people, by increasing the tax for year he was slowly starving his people, and driving his own kingdom to bankruptcy. The more that the war stretches the more money they had to pour... A lot of young people also signs up for the military, young people with the foolish dreams of living a better life once they joined her father's useless war, a life in exchange of seven gold coins... Not even enough to last them their whole life.

"Do you want me to accompany you." She places her hand on his shoulder.

"No, stay here... Stay by our bastard brother's side... Stir him away from troubles and report to me if you find anything useful." She kisses him on his cheeks before leaving.

She went to the west tower again to call for her dragon, but she wasn't alone, no... The great golden dragon Aureus lays there, sleeping. Roshanne had stared at the dragon for a moment, this beast is considerably older than her own, her father have claimed this one after his great grandfather, who also inherited him from his grand father, dragon had been in their family for ages, but has already been mounted three times, the golden dragon despite being old is still beautiful, it was kept as a pet, it was spoiled rotten, it won't eat just any meat, it demands high quality ones... The amount they had to spent for this one needs could already drove them empty, but of course they had to deal with just because her father adores him. Looking at his size, Wildfyre was easily gaining on him... She could already took him in battle and came out Victorious, Wildfyre is in advantage against this croon... Because her body is battled hardened, This dragon had witnessed two wars in his lifetime, but refuse to be used. Shaking her head she ignores him and whistles, calling her dragon.

The beautiful ruby dragon, nicknamed the red fury was gift to her by her grandmother, it originally Belong to the late princess Regina. Her father's older sister, and the rightful heir... If she hadn't die from some freak accident. She could only remember bits of that woman, it was that woman who drives her ambition for the throne, she was supposed to be the first queen to ever sit on the golden throne, she was fierce, smart and loved by many... She has a strong bond with her dragon and cares deeply for her people, she fights for equality.

She wonders what would the kingdom of Solvira be now if she hadn't died.

The sight of her dragon had snapped her out of her thought, she smiles and watches as she landed, snapping her jaw at Aureus when he refused to moved, she petted her warm scale and kisses her.

"Shhh.... Relax." She whispered, her dragon rumbles all the while staring at the old Golden dragon. The two of them was said to be the blood of the last golden dragon Abbadon, but some believed that Wildfyre might be the hatchling of the great winged void, or popularly known as the nameless dragon that resides up in the north. It was ridden by the great war lord, who defended their kingdom against dark forces. The winged void used to be a myth, but it's existence was proven to be real when it landed in the dome 70 years ago, the body mass of the beast could rarely fit inside the dome that was built thrice the size and height of their castle, the nameless dragon then once again disappeared... It's location was unknown but some claims that it resides in the sisters island up north. Wildfyre may come from her hatchlings, no one could really tell, she was given to princess Regina when she was already big, about the size of the great wholly mammoth in the northern region, and the Princess had tamed her and mounted her the first try. She became riderless for some years after her riders death... And Roshanne was the only other rider she had accepted.

"Take me to the sky." She told her before mounting her dragon, she need no more words as her dragon quickly dives before opening her wings and taking her to the sky. Above the ground she looks down, the kingdom of Solvira may have golden roads and establishment, but that was the heart of the city of kings, none were aware of what lies in the northern part nor the eastern, the king's slump and the waterpine is where the City of king's poor people lives, the image of it was very far from the image of the rich city. Looking down pass the golden road and gilded houses, Roshanne had finally saw the poor State of her people. She bit her lip and ordered her beast to fly low... The water way is covered in filth, the harbor is swarming with thieves, the king slump lives to it's name and the street of flesh is filled with crime... The king's city guard were not doing their job, they were easily bribe and turn a blind eyes when it comes to crime. She thinks of proposing again to the council of her father to place Alastair as the head of the city guard, or perhaps she could ask them to create a special elite group of soldiers who can deal with the crime to lessen it's increasing rate. And after all... She will be needing a close ally in court. She will have to begin her move, until her father's whore is yet to be with child.

Roshanne's attention was quickly drawn to the people who waved at her excitedly, some of them were children still, Roshanne smiled and waved back at them enjoying before stirring Wildfyre to land on the clearing, soon people began to approach her, though they did not dare take a step further near her dragon, once dismounted she walked towards her people.

"The princess!" They exclaimed upon setting their sight on her.

"Sainte! Sainte!" Some exclaimed, she smiles, and held the hands of those who reach for her.

"I came to listen to your woe and concerns, the temple will try to cater to all of your needs." She offered them, almost instantly those who are with concerns step forward reaching towards her.

"Sainte! My princess! Please hear me!" An elderly spoke reaching towards her, Roshanne grabs her and pulled her towards her, her hand atop that wrinkled one. Warm flooded them as she filled her with divine healing.

"Speak, tell me what it is you wish to tell." She told her, the old woman sobs and bows her head as she weeps.

"My son... My son, my only child was sent to the war in the Golden hill... He was there for five months... He fought valiantly side by side with your brother, and he died along with him your highness! My son has two daughters, and his wife with child, the crown promise to give us some money in payment for my son's sacrifice. But it's been three mom and we hadn't yet to receive any. Please your highness, we are deeply in need of it, we are already deep in depth, if I don't do anything I'm afraid that the great lord that we are in depth with might take my son's daughters and sell them to the street of Alcazar, or worst! Cart them off to to the city of flesh." Several people started shouting and approving of what that woman had said, it seems that she is not the only one with that king of problem, Roshanne nods her head.

" I will try and do what must be done. I will pay you what you are owed, but I cannot promise that it will arrived within this month, as the Battle in the west continues to run our kingdom's coffee dry. But i will open the temple for your children, bring them their and I will give them protection, no children inside the temple shall be harmed." The older woman nods her head in understanding before taking a step back for others to be allowed to speak.

" Princess! Please! Help me! My wife! My wife is sick!" A man suddenly approached her carrying his sickly wife, Roshanne looked at the poor State of the woman, her cheeks were hollowed, and it seems that death was upon her... She swallows and hold the woman's hand... She can perform divine healing, but her healing has its limit, she cannot heal those people who are closer to death, nor can she bring a dead back to its life. But it will never stop her from trying. She held the woman's hand and focused on her healing, golden light engulf them as she performs her job, and within seconds the woman looks better, she smiles in relief, the color of the woman returned and she suddenly looked better but still thin.

"Feed her as soon as possible." She told the husband before looking at the people who still speaks.

"When will the war end your highness?" One man shouted, and soon everyone asked the same question.

"That I cannot give you an answer, we are at war with several kingdoms, it may take another year or so." She told them, she could anxiousness in their look, this is the people of the capital and she could only imagine what more turmoil those who are near to the border must face, sooner or later she must fly to them and see what she can do.

"Your highness! What will we do? With the war still on going we would die of too much work and starvation." Roshanne bit her lip.

" There are still few foods and grains from the kingdom's storage house, we will distribute some relief goods." She promises them, it's no problem when giving relief goods, the temple basically handles the storage of foods, and as the head of the temple she can as well decide what best to do with it.

" But what will we eat during winter?" One of the farmer asked in concern.

" We have enough to last us until the next winter... It wouldn't hurt us to distribute some for you." She smiles at them.

" I understand that you still have a lot of concerns, but be rest assured the temple will do what we can to cater to your needs." She promises them before she stood and shakes the hand of the many people that reaches towards her.

" But what about the crown? What will the king do? Surely the temple alone could not cater all of our needs! What of the land that was stolen from us by Count Marlon?" One of the men asked which had caused an uproar from the people, they were suddenly furious. People were mad that the crown wasn't doing anything.

"I will speak to my father regarding this problem, for now, I only ask you to be patient." After that she turn around and walked towards her dragon, the people behind her clapped and praises her.

"Queen Roshanne!"

"All hail the princess!!!"

"Blessed Sainte!"

People all around her cheer, she smiles before commanding her dragon to fly, they had never cheered at her father like that, they never sing his name nor praise him... The people loves her and they despise the king. Flying once again all over the city for a couple of times she looks around, so far nothing seems to be amiss, the temple still has a long line of devotees, she happens to pass by a couple of dragon riders and those untamed ones. once she is satisfied with the her patrolling she returned to the castle, landing Wildfyre on the tower again before dismounting, she pats her side, whispers a few praises before she went down, her mind had been clear, she felt refreshed after, she quickly Headed to her room to change from her riding outfit, after that she must call for the attention Of the Archbishop to call for a meeting regarding the children that would be going to the temple, she would have to ask for the Masters and Deacons assistance in catering to the needs of those children, as well as the distribution of the relief goods, she would also have to appeal to the council of her father for the distribution of the promised payment of the fallen soldiers. Her steps falters though when she sees lady Dae walking, there was a garland of flowers on her head and she was making one, holding it, she was looking down but Roshanne did not fail to see the smile on her face... And her brow lifted... It seems that she had been warmly welcomed.

"Lady Dae." She greeted her startling the girl in the process, she forces herself to smile which she did with ease, having been practicing it to perfection ever since she's young.

"How was the harem?" She asked her approaching her, Lady Dae looked at the garland on her hand and then at her. She waited for her answer patiently.

"It was good." She finally answered, still with that silly smile that seems contagious. Roshanne was startle even when she herself could feel her smile getting wider.

"I see, care to tell me about the rest? With some tea and Sweets in my room." Like a child that had been bribe, Lady Dae brightens and she nods her head, approaching the princess, who's hand been offered to hers, she took it, holding it like a girl with her closes friend.

"I hope that girls have treated you well my lady, as some of them could be pretty extreme sometimes." She told her as she guided her to her room where her loyal ladies-in-waiting are already there.

"Bring us some tea and sweets lady Odette." She ordered Odette who obedient did as her order, while the other girls helped her change.

"They weren't mean to me... Well some of the ladies were." Dae shared while still looking at the garland in her hands, Roshanne shrugged off her leather jacket, followed suit by her pants.

"Do tell me their names when they bother you too much lady Dae." The young girl's head suddenly whips towards her, eyes wide as if surprised that someone would stand for her. Roshanne on the other hand already knew well how she could manipulate her.

"Oh... Thank you princess, but I believe it won't be necessary. I'm used to it." Lady Dae spoke, as the princess's ladies-in-waiting helped her with her dress... But before they could tie the knots behind her, she stops them and beckoned Dae instead.

"Come, help me lady Dae." She stated with sweet voice that even the bees would mistake it for honey. Dae reluctant but still move towards her to help her with the tie.

"Tell me more." She encourages her as lady Dae's shy finger moves to fix the knots of her dress.

"Most of the girls weren't as welcoming as lady Eleanor." She began softly as one by one the knots gave way.

"Lady Ceris was cold, indifferent towards me, some girls were mean, while the others ignores me mostly... Though I was thankful that lady Eleanor was there to be a friend, she thought me how to make flower Garland, she also introduced me to her daughter, princess Luisa, she's a kind girl who likes to study flowers and insects alike. It was really good." Dae shared to her after finishing the last of the knot, once dressed she slowly faces her. The look of happiness was well etched on her face.

"I see... Then I am glad that you have finally made friends" She faces her and held her hands.

" Now come, let's talk more." She guided her towards the table in her room where pastries and tea had already been served.

" You must be happy about your brothers arrival, you must be very close." She opened up the conversation about her arrogant of a brother, arrogant yet Roshanne praises him for his foolish bravery. She never did miss the way that the princess had flinch.

"Ah yes... We used to be very close." Dae tried to mask her lie with a sweet smile that if Roshanne hadn't knew any better she would have believe her, she leans back against her chair and took a sip of her tea, before speaking again.

"I'm very jealous, you know my brothers weren't as sweet as yours... Mine was trying to kill me, save from my sweet Alastair." Dae looked up at her in surprise, eyes wide like a saucer.

"Why... Would they want that? What did the king do?" Roshanne smiles, what the king do?

"He did nothing, he just laughed and tell us that's how siblings are really. Jealous, unruly, trying to out best the other." Roshanne then took a bite of a sweet cookie, her favorite sweet.

" That must be horrible, why would the king not do anything?"

Roshanne just shrugs and looked outside her window.

" Did you already get to know him? His grace?" She inquired again changing the subject . Dae nods her head.

" We did  meet a couple of times on our way here, we talked a lot, he asked me many things, give me many things that I have no use of. " While Dae was answering her, her gaze lingers on the tea, she never once looked into Roshanne's own eyes.

" Hmmm... What else." Dae remained silent and fiddles with her thumb, she slowly looks up at Roshanne.

"Then he scares me." She wasn't surprise, that man was creepy in many ways, he had questionable habits that scares people and even his court, but none dare to voice it.

" How? Do tell me." She reached towards her and held her hand, encouraging her.

"He speaks of our wedding night... When he is drunk which is often than not... He would speak of me all of the horrible things he plans once we are married and it scares me. The servant from my quarter had told me that coupling with a man is painful and bloody like the war." Dae looked at her with her eyes glimmering as she's fighting the tears from spilling, and Roshanne in her twisted delight would have wanted to see it fall, as her eyes are more beautiful when she cries, she loves how her cheeks would redden, how her nose would follow, how she would bite her lips. There's something beautiful about her when she's in pain... Because her beauty made it look like something else.

"They might have exaggerated it, surely it will hurt a couple of times but as the day goes by it would lessen. Though it wouldn't be pleasurable, you would have to endure it." She smiles while Dae tilts her head to the side.

"How do you know that?" Dae curiously asked her, Roshanne had only smile.

"Men... Not all of them knew how a woman's body is... And my father is one of those stupid men who thinks he knows what it takes to give pleasure." Roshanne picked up her teacup and took a sip, her eyes never left Dae's.

"But all my father knows is to take... To take and to take... So you won't expect anything from him. So if one day you find yourself in need of help, Alastair would be more than willing to help you, just say the words to me." Roshanne smiles at her while Dae had looked at her with confusion, but did not dare to question her, she just nods her head and picked up one of the pastries and took a bite.

"Lord Alastair seems to be an honorable man." Roshanne couldn't agree more... It was because Alastair had been raised not in the capital, but in the city of cadalin, a small city island located just west of the kingdom... Alastair was a son to a concubine there... And since Cadalin is an island, Alastair had been away from the influence of the capital and her father's court, he was raised solely by his mother up until he is 8. Until they were summoned back to the capital by the king, his mother gets to live for eight months in the castle, but tragically die due to a questionable accident, Roshanne had remembered seeing him kneeling in front of the king crying, begging to solve her mother's death... But the king merely glanced at him before dismissing him. Saying that what happened to his mother is not his concern. Roshanne took pity on him as the boy had been the center of jest and cruel pranks of his older brothers, so she took him under her wings, promising to solve her mother's crime for him.

"Ah yes... His mother raised him right." She replied watching how Dae smiles and nods her head, she smiles too, deciding to lightly tease Dae.

"Why? Do you like him?" Dae blushes, of course she does, many ladies had fancied him, and still does, the way he speaks and moves is charming, and he is a gentle man... Although despite the fact that a lot of women frolics around him and gush and tried to seduce him, Alastair had remained oblivious of it...

"He was kind to me, he was the only one speaking to me on our way here... He would ask me if I was alright, ask me what I like. And he even smiled at me." Roshanne's brow raised, maybe the lady fancies her brother, maybe he could ask Alastair to seduce her for her... So that they could use her... Maybe to control the king.

" Do feel more welcomed by him then?" She asked and Dae went silent for a while, she looks at her for a minute long, thinking of her answer, and then she smiles and shakes her head.

"No... It was you your highness who have made me feel more welcomed here." Dae had answered sweetly. Making Roshanne smile, of course... She does.

There conversation though was momentarily disturbed when they heard a loud roar coming from the west wing, it startled Dae making her jump. Roshanne on the other hand looked outside the window just in time to see her father's dragon taking flight, followed by Sunstar.

"Where are they going?" Dae asked her, Roshanne shrug, she had no idea where, the king rarely leaves the castle when he is not in war, he would probably head East to see how the war their is faring.

"May I ask you a question?" Roshanne smile.

"You already are." She jest making Dae giggle, which reminded Roshanne of the sound a child would make when they are a really happy. She find it quite pleasing to hear and to see Dae smiling, well it is a refreshing sight, as the woman often had a look of sadness in her face.

"Kidding aside, what it is that you wish to know?" Dae looked outside before asking her question.

" Sunstar... Your brother's dragon is male right?" Roshanne smiles and shakes her head, she sets her tea down.

" No, the dragons are both." Dae's brows furrowed in confusion, Roshanne clears her throat.

"Dragons genders are hard to explain, but base on our scholars, dragons are both female and male... They are unlike there lesser family, the drakes. Why did you ask?" Dae swallows and fiddles with her finger, before blushing.

" Well... I saw him being mounted by the smaller dragon of... Sir Alastair, and it became a joke in the camp... It even became the reason why he and the crown prince got into a fight." Roshanne'a brow furrowed, Alastair failed to mention this to her.

" Tell me what had happened?" Dae looked at her when she noticed the shift in her voice.

" Well... They began making crude jokes... They started teasing Alastair, I've heard some knights saying that With Mystic mounting the much larger Sunstar means it shows how weak their crown prince was, and that... That... He was a." Dae shuts her mouth seemingly not to find the right words to describe what she was about to say.

" That he was a cunt." She supplies for her... And Dae slowly nods her head... If this was another situation she would have laughed, because Kaspian's dragon turning out to be less dominant says a lot of things about him.

"Sir Alastair just scoffs when he heard about it, but Prince Caspian took it personally, he attacked sir Alastair and tried to humiliate him by ordering him to strip and accusing him of treason." Roshanne took a sharp breath before suddenly standing from her seat which had startled Dae.

"Forgive me princess, but I must speak with my brother. I have appreciate your time with me... Have a good day." Roshanne walked out of the room without as much as looking at Dae, hellbent on making Alastair confess of such event.