XLIII

Princess Roshanne.

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"To be eaten by dragons? Goodness gracious." Roshanne sat by the circle of noble ladies as they converse about the what had transpired earlier.

"What a cruel punishment, I never knew that the loving, soft spoken princess Aideen was capable of such cruelty." Lady Estrid Hornravern said as she nibbles on her biscuits probably too disturbed about the brutality of the punishment that was laid. Roshanne on the other hand too was surprised, she didn't expect the event to spiral out of her control, but in the end, it all ended up in her favor, three of her hindrances had been eliminated.

"When is the execution going to happen?" Lady Meera asked her, she sets down her tea cup.

"Tomorrow before the sun sets in the south." She answered making sure to display that she is also disturbed by what had happened.

"It seems that you aren't pleased your highness." Lady Lara asked making her look at her with a sharp glare.

"I meant no offense." The lady quickly added.

"I have every right to be disturbed, lady Dara is of noble status, her father holds great influence in the kingdom, I'm afraid my father had erred an ally. " She said. But truth be told it was all in her plan all along, she wanted to shake the foundation that holds her father's balance, it was the reason why she had struck lady Dara instead of lady Giovanette who holds a higher standing in the harem. Count Runell Dusken is a man of great honor and value to the kingdom, it was through his trade that the kingdom continued to flourish. It is a gamble to ire the man, but she has to do little sacrifices in order to rebuild the kingdom anew.

"To be punished by that kind of punishment is... Rather undeserving for a noble lady... Such punishment only befits those who have a lower station and commit such atrocious crimes." She added shaking her head, no one dared to speak again, they were also thinking.

"Is there no way to sway the princess? Perhaps your highness could reason with her?" Roshanne sighed and shook her head.

" I already tried but to no avail. As I healed lady Helena and declared her out of harm... I tried to reason... But my sister's resolve still remains the same." She answered feigning sadness.

"But lady Helena is out of Harm, that must be a good thing." Lady Meera stated.

"Whose dragon will be sent to eat her?" Marchioness Eufreme suddenly spoke. She stared at her.

"I don't know. Father will probably look for an unclaimed one that is bigger. That can swallow her whole, to give her a somewhat, tolerable or even a painless death." She answered, although she knows it wasn't their father who's going to look, but the crown prince... Speaking of which. He was having a conversation with a few gentlemen, among them is lord Marcus and from the look of Kaspian face.... It seems that the man had irritate him... Or perhaps had undermine him when he's just about to boost his ego.

" Speak of the devil." Lady Rubekia of House Langford spoke, catching everyone's attention, she was looking at someone... She followed where she was looking and there she saw Dae walking alone, wearing a set of different emerald dress with a plunging neckline showing her flawless neck and collarbone. Her hair had already been tied in a neat bun, with beautiful braid. A small tiara hangs on her head... She wore a large diamond necklace that gives emphasis to her well-endowed bossom. She looks quite ravishing.

"What a shameless girl, she's almost naked." Lady Briane huff as she fans herself, lady Briar is an old woman who is strict when it comes to upholding the social norms and standard of the kingdom, but despite this three of her daughters got pregnant out of wedlock, with their groom either running away from responsibility or of being a man of low birth, his two sons were known to father several bastards in the King's slum... Such an irony for a woman who held virtue above all else.

"She looks lost." The Marchioness spoke, true to her word, Dae indeed look like she was lost, she stood at the far corner again, awkwardly looking around, maybe she was trying to see where she, who's an odd piece of a puzzle might fit in.

"She looks so out of place. She could use some friends, perhaps we could invite her... The lady looks nice after all." A Younger noble lady noted, Roshanne knew that woman who's a freshly debutante, but didn't bother with the name.

"Oh hush... Don't be fooled by that look. She may be harmless, but we don't know, maybe lady Dara was right." Another lady spoke as she glares at Dae.

"Right about what?" Roshanne snaps startling everyone in the circle, but she couldn't care less.

"Errr... I mean no offense to the Royal family nor to his Majesty... But that woman is basically a mystery to us... We have little of no knowledge about her, except that she is a bastard daughter of Lord Titus to a Sakran woman, and that she was raised in the tower." The lady Explained, but Roshanne made no response, yet disdain was already clear in her face. She was never one to shy away when it comes to letting what she feels be known.

" Lady Shara may be right, Princess Saint." Roshanne was startled to see none other than lady Eloise, her father's concubine, a woman who rarely indulge herself with gossips.

"The woman is a mystery, and may very well be a threat... Her mother's lineage is one who practices dark magic, and fumble and plays with dark relics, on top of it, they are known pagan worshipers, praying to the nature instead of the Sun and Sky Gods. If my knowledge serves me right, they have the ability to transform into beast." Lady Eloise added.

" The reason she may be locked in the tower... Is because of it." She picks up her tea cup again and sip.

" What makes you think she is a threat? The woman couldn't harm a fly." She stated, making lady Eloise raise her head.

" Yet she managed to get lady Dara executed in a whim." A frown sets upon her brow.

" As far as I remember it was Aideen who did that." She refuted in which lady Eloise answered.

" And she may have planned it... Together with her father." Roshanne shuts her mouth afraid that she might burst in frustration, they should be empathizing with Dae. Not going against her.

" But I think she really is a nice girl." Everyone looked at Princess Adrianna, The youngest daughter of Lady Eloise and... Margaret's sister by mother. Another soft spoken woman, but despite being a woman of 16, Princess Adrianna is a sensitive soul, who very much act like a child.

"What do you mean by that Dear?" Lady Eloise spoke in a soft tone.

" Well... I've seen her around Adelaide, she was sweet, and Adelaide would often speak of it with me. I have yet to get to know her mother. But I think it would all benefit us if we wouldn't be too hasty with our judgement." Princess Adrianna finished her statement with a sweet smile in which everyone had returned.

" Oh! I didn't know there was another one." The same Young debutante exclaimed, bringing Dae to their attention. This time she was with the new maid... With the same color of her hair as her, but this woman has a much more darker tone. Roshanne never like that wench one bit.

"Who is that? And what is she wearing?!" Lady Meera asked sounding scandalized, they curiously the woman who's wearing clothes that shows too much skin approach Dae and talk to her. Roshanne watches how familiar the two are with one another, around that wench Dae wasn't shy, she never back away from her touch. And they were excessively displaying affection. With touches on the hand, with bumping of shoulder, with giggles, the wench would place her forehead against the side of Dae's hear when laughing, and Dae would blush. She would wrap her hand around her waist like a man would do to his lover. Everyone's eyes were on them at this moment, watching as the woman literally wraps herself around Dae, men were watching them with lustful eyes while women condemned them.

"My... What a scandalous behavior." Lady Lara stated although she sounds amused, Roshanne quickly stood on her feet and approached. Without a second thought she grab Dae by the wrist and pulled her away from the woman.

"Stop this at once." She commanded them both, startling Dae in the process.

"Did we do something wrong lady?" Her eyes snaps towards the woman who wraps her arm around Dae and tried to pull her away, but her grip on Dae tightens.

"I beg your pardon?" She sneered at the woman who in turn glared at her.

"Unhand my lady at once." The woman demanded, before she pulled Dae's arm from her.

" Have you any idea who am I?" She asked the woman, she's all but seething in anger at the blalant disrespect the woman had shown... She even didn't use the proper honorific. And address her as lady?! Lady?!

"I have not, and I do not care." The woman replied, before she could speak Dae steps in.

"Bree... Please, she's the princess." Dae stated, before facing her and bowing.

"Forgive us your highness, my friend is unaware... This won't happen again." Dae apologizes, but it won't simply suffice,this woman! She ought to teach her a lesson.

" Oh it won't happen again alright... Call the guards and have this woman whip for blalant disrespect." She ordered the nearby guard who nods his head, but Dae was quick to grab the man before turning to her.

" No! Please! Please! Your highness! Bree didn't mean it. Please, don't punish her." Dae begged as tears began to spring from her eyes... And Roshanne hated it.

" Punish me instead." Dae begged, the woman named Bree was quick to disagree.

"Dae." A bitter taste of vile runs through Roshanne's mouth, they were calling each other by name. They must be that close. She looks at the woman, before smirking.

"Very well. Follow me then lady Dae." She turned around and walked away... It didn't take long for Dae to follow her. Dae blindly followed her, she was walking slowly and wasn't speaking, silent treatment after all is the best punishment for misbehaving children, just like what her mother did to her when she is young. She'll let her think of what she did wrong.

"Your Highness? I'm sorry." Dae finally speaks when they are in a much more private part of the palace, But Roshanne remained silent.

"I-it was my fault for...for not informing Bree about you, but I promise it won't happen again." She explained again. Though the more she defends the girl, the more it irritate her.

"Your highness?... Haven't I done good today?" Roshanne paused, she slowly turns towards Dae and watch the hurt in the girls face. Oh, how could she forgot? The girl did admirably good today... And because of that wench she had almost forgotten that Dae was to received some rewards from her.

"You... Dae are very good today." She spoke watching how Dae's face quickly change, oh this girl is completely smitten with her... She was literally licking every ounce of the compliment she gave her.

"You did excellently." She added, approaching her. She placed her hand beneath her chin before tilting it so she was looking at her.

" Though you disappoint me." Roshanne watches how the smile drops from Dae's lips and was replaced with worry.

" Disappoint you? How? Tell what should I do? To make it right?" Dae asked, she was panicking.

" You shouldn't be hanging around that ingrate woman. She will tarnish your reputation, remember, you are only building your influence in my father's court, it you wish to survive this vipers den... Then you must blend well. Do not acquaint yourself with her again." Dae couldn't answer, she just stared at her.

" If you won't do what I am telling you to do, then I will be forced to send her away." She tuck away Dae's hair.

" I am ever only looking after you my sweets. Isn't that what I should be doing as your friend?" She asked her. Roshanne could see the wheel turning inside Dae's head, she knew she is tearing her apart, she cannot choose between her and that woman Because she knew that they are both important to her... But Roshanne is a selfish and jealous woman... She doesn't want anything coming in-between them....she wanted Dae's attention only to be hers, she wanted her adoration to be only hers... She wanted to be worshipped by her. And that won't happen if that woman continues to loiter around her... And she may hinder with Dae's loyalty to her... She can be a weakness.

" Now... Why don't we go to the tower?" She asked, finally taking pity on her, Dae nods her head obediently.

" Oh come now... Don't look so glum. It will be for your own good." She stated as she puts her arms around Dae's and together they walked side by side.

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They were once again back in the tower, Wildfyre was there and so was Aureus... The big fat old lazy dragon who seems to be counting his days... The two big dragons were the only dragons that settled in the tower, Mystic, Alastair Dragons rest besides the barn, it prefers cool place, and the perfect place for her was the vacant space near the barn where the horses are kept. Kaspian's Dragon rest at the lair beneath the Castle where most Dragons of the royal family are kept. As for the rest of the dragons such as stormcloud, the dragon of Daylan stays at the dome. Because his was a troublesome one.

"Have you properly seen the view from up here?" She asked Dae as she pulled her away from Wildfyre's prying, the dragon was bullying Dae by pushing her snout against her.

"No, not really your highness, I have only been here a couple of times... Some of them briefly, and the other..." Dae cuts herself off and she looks at her wide eyed as her face began to grow warm before avoiding her gaze.... Roshanne smirk.

"The other time you were between my legs you meant." She stated got her, filling in the gap of her sentence.

"Your highness!" Dae exclaimed too embarrassed at the princess' vulgarity.

"Oh please, you like it didn't you? And wasn't it the truth?" She asked her as she finally pulled her besides her, making sure to cast a glare at Wildfyre who continues to bother Dae. The dragon did very well to heed her warning and with a huff had laid her head down... But was still staring at Dae.

"Have a proper look then." She told her, and Dae did... From the look on her face she knew her breath was taken. Since the palace was build on top of the mountain, the king's city could very well be seen below. There were countless towers, protruding from the grown, as if trying to reach the heavens above... Countless dragons Could be seen flying, with different sizes, colors and forms... But from where they are, all looked nothing but an ant.

"It's so beautiful." She told her, and Roshanne couldn't agree more.

"My brother used to stay here an awful lot of time. Just admiring this beauty." She told her, closing her eyes a moment to feel the gust of wind.

"Which brother?" Dae innocently asked before taking a seat on the ground. Roshanne stared at the city for a few seconds, contemplating whether she should talked to Dae about her brother or not... But she guess a little story won't hurt her.

"The former Crown prince, Khalil... The kingdom's glory." She stated with a note of bitterness in her tone.

"Can you....tell me about him? I have only heard a little about him from sir Durin... A knight of my father who accompanied us. He told me that the prince was valiant, and honorable,.that his great deed was known all throughout the kingdom. That he had bright, glowing hair like the sun, and deep cerulean blue eyes like that of the ocean... And that he is Charming." Roshanne chuckled bitterly... Valiant? Kind? Oh Khalil was anything but those. She sat down beside Dae.

" Khalil... Was not the eldest son." She began telling.

" Nor was I the first born daughter. If anything Khalil was the 8th prince, and way behind in the order or succession." She told her, remembering Khalil's face.

" Conceiving him was a hard task... My mother had a hard time carrying him, she was often sick and almost didn't make it when giving birth to him... But by the Gods, the blood that was spilled had been all worth it... My mother told me so in her stories of him. Khalil despite being the 8th prince rose in the line of succession, because he was a blessed child. Though he had many flaws... Such as having blue eyes... Where in our law... It was stated, the next sovereign ruler must possess three signs of blessings, the Glowing golden hair... The golden eyes and lastly the Golden blood... Khalil had only posses two of those... Yet he was chosen." Dae wasn't speaking, but she was completely enamored by the story.

"Khalil was also sickly as a child. After giving birth to me, my mother had to send me away so she could focus on him... I didn't know them till I was eight, I didn't meet my father till I was ten." She told her... Remembering the disappointment she felt about the first meeting she had with her father, when he just looked at her before casting her aside as if she was nothing.

"Khalil, was nice... I give him that... But that man, was anything but Valiant." She turned towards Dae.

"The man was coddled since the day he was born, he had people doing everything for him... Thus it leave him as a man with no idea of who he is. Khalil was an heir in appearance but he is weak... He succumbed to father's every wish and demand... He was not even half as good as I am." She added, letting the bitterness bubble deep within her.

" Khalil, wasn't smart... He couldn't read properly until he was eleven, couldn't even remember the proper etiquette and was gullable, above all else that man has no guts... And is unfit to wear the title of crown prince and even the crown. So it was a blessing when that spear pierced him and he broke his neck from falling off the horse." She told Dae which surprised her.

"He was riding a horse? But doesn't he have a dragon? Doesn't Sunstar belong to him?" Roshanne smirks.

"Oh, that dragon? He was labeled as the traitorous beast... Sunstar was a spoiled dragon just like his master, he would refuse to fly when he's not in the mood... During the Battle in The Golden hill, he refused to fly forcing my brother to ride a horse instead... Causing for his death."She explained to her, before tucking a lose strand of her.

"Then do you possess the three blessings?" Dae asked making her chuckle.

"I believe you had seen me bleed before." She told her.

"Then why aren't you chosen?"The smirk on her lips drop and it was replaced by a frown.

"Because my father changed the law... He made it,that only the male golden heir shall be the successor upon his ascension to the throne. This serves to bite him at the end... because no other Golden Heir was born. But because of his law and pride...he won't acknowledge me." The two of them fell silent for a moment, Roshanne began to think again... If her father wasn't just as stubborn as he is.... whatever curse that befall their kingdom wouldn't even happen, if he only ever loved her.

" Was he really handsome?" Dae asked trying to lighten the subject a bit, in which she appreciated. Roshanne smiled.

"Oh he was beautiful." Dae's brow furrowed.

"I though lord Alastair was the beautiful one." She laughed at her.

" Oh sweetness. Alastair is pretty, but compared the two together, Khalil's beauty would put Alastair's pretty face to shame" She told her, chuckling a little, Alastair hated being called pretty by the others, but when it was her calling him, she often told her it was a soothing reward.

" Then who is the most beautiful between you and your brother?" Roshanne smirks.

" Some say I was the handsome one." She winks at Dae making her blush, she looks away from.

" Beautiful and Handsome aren't the real words that would befit you your highness... If anything, ethereal and divine would suit you more." Roshanne had never once blush in her life before, she was used to hearing compliment such as beautiful, magnificent, lovely, alluring and many more... But no one had ever called her ethereal and divine.... It makes her heart swell with joy and her head spin with heat.

A gasp from Dae startled her.

"Your Highness look! It's a pretty dragon!" She exclaimed excitedly, she followed her gaze and surely a pearl-scaled she dragon emerges from the clouds, her luminous scales gleaming with an opalescent radiance that shifts from ethereal silvers to iridescent blues with each movement. Her slender form undulates gracefully, like silk caught in a gentle breeze, while her eyes a deep pools of jade. With wings that shimmer like moonlit seas and a presence that commands both awe and reverence, she embodies elegance and power intertwined in a mesmerizing dance. It was none other than Seraphis... Her mother's lovely she-dragon... Mostly the mother of all the hatchling beneath their Castle. Wildfyre's head rose and she too admired the beauty of the said dragon.

"Seraphis, is her name. She was owned by my mother, she was a gift from the former queen mother." She told Dae as they watch the beautiful display. Wildfyre Roared, but a different tone, it wasn't aggressive, more on longing.

"She and my dragon Wildfyre used to fly side by side... As Wildfyre's former owner and my mother are friends." Dae looked at Wildfyre before looking back at the beautiful dragon.

"Then why isn't she joining her." Roshanne looked at her.

" Seraphis, despite being an owned dragon, lives more like a wild one... When my mother married my father, she was forbidden from ever riding her. Thus Seraphis explore the world alone, and only ever comes back to hatch her eggs. I'm guessing She and Wildfyre are nothing more but strangers who once knew each other." It was a bitter thought... One that Roshanne sympathize with her mother. She couldn't imagine being not allowed to fly ever again.