Royal treatment

The thunders boomed rattling the windows of the palace. The clouds roared in the sky but not a single drop of water fell down on the earth. The sky turned darker like the night had refused to leave even though sun came up it remain hidden behind the masses of cloud for it too mourned today.

The palace was in a frenzy the workers moved around continuously running errands no one sat idle. The dress code for the day was dark clothes, plain and simple. The warriors dressed in armors today but their weapons were deserted. No one smiled they kept their face straight all from old to children those who knew the reason and those who didn't.

Audra's door was pushed open startling her awake. She looked up to see her maid walking in with black gown. She had told her not to bring her gowns and she was given armor similar to the guys but they had a feminine touch to it that according to the maid was what most female warriors wore and for some reason she had felt proud to think that at least this world had given the same rights to women as men and there were female warriors her.

Audra looked at the dress again and then she saw the other factor, it was black. All the other dresses that had been brought over to her in the course of two weeks they all were either brightly colored or in shades of orange, none black. Not that she hated color black but the maid to seemed to be out of uniform and in plain deep brown clothes that went more towards black. The color scheme made her heart skip a beat and the first question she threw to the maid was: "Who died?" Her eyes held horror as she remained frozen in her bed staring at the maid expectantly.

"No one my lady" The maid bowed slightly as she spoke. "Today is the day we mourn for the loss of our princesses the hope of our land gone with them" The woman spoke with extreme grief in her voice. She looked over sixty and so Audra guessed she must have seen some hard days to think of the princesses as her hope.

"Princess Idalia?" Audra questioned to confirm a slight relief washed over to her knowing at least no one had died. Yesterday's events had left her startled. The rebels raging fights, the blood all around the palace walls. The kingdom had lost quite a few of their soldiers and injured many of them. She had followed Marcello towards the infirmary and they still looked so brave so strong so unaffected she had almost been in awe of them.

"Yes My lady. Her highness was the purest of heart. She smiled at every one of them. she was destined to be the great Queen if not for her terrible mother. Poor girl was sent away alone with a baby. She must have had a hard life" Her words had just a motherly touch to it she seemed to respect her mother a lot.

"Had you met her?" Audra found herself asking. Coming here had told her more about her mother than she had ever learned living with her mother.

"Indeed I had. I was once young too when she had landed in these gardens. Full of life." The woman seemed lost in her memories.

"What is the dress for? I think I already notified about not wanting a dress" The woman returned feeling embarrassed to have zoned out.

"Oh I am sorry. My lady" she was quick to apologize. "It's the king's order. We are going to the candle lake."

"We as in who?" Audra said as she climbed out of the bed. She didn't quite understand the woman.

"All of us. Everyone at the palace. All the Kingdoms fly to the candle lake to pay tributes to the lost princesses. In hopes they may return one day and to apologize for not having protecting their princess" The woman explained tying her hair into a crown like braid around her head. No one knew she was princess except the princes they had went straight to their grandfather as soon as he was taken out of the safe room tunnels. The Princes had launched with questions at the king and the discussion had resulted in all of them keeping silent about it. She wasn't sure if the king trusted them considering the last time he had refused her to tell any of them who she was. But it was best to stay silent the rumor had sprung that she had returned and now people were looking for her. For what reason she couldn't quite figure it out yet.

The maid placed a plane white cape like hood against her shoulders that was as long as the floor length gown she wore. She felt elegant like a lady. Small silver studs hung from her ears and a pearl pendant dropped from her neckline. She still had no news of her mother but she stayed patient she trusted the king enough when he said her mother was safe but they couldn't reach her for now nor could they inform Audra so she played the part of the noble guest in the fire kingdom for now.

Audra pushed open her room door to find Marcello in his armor waiting for her. He assessed her from head to toe and a flicker of surprise rana cross his eyes.

"Back to royal guard duties?" she teased him. She had complained to her grandfather about a guard following her and instead chosen Karl as an accomplice.

"Unfortunately. I apologize for my misconduct before" His tone was formal.

"Does my revelation changes things. I don't think you would have apologized otherwise." She still held the grudge.

"I had my reasons I hope you can forgive me. But this time you can't rid of me" she knew that fact very well.

"You don't have to talk to me so formally you know" Audra didn't like that official tone of his.

"Does that mean I am forgiven?"

"No, but if I have to see so much of you I'd rather not die of boredom beside you" oh so much sarcasm. Audra began to move ahead towards the end of the hall all the rooms slightly ajar, empty. The princes had already left.

"My maid said we are to fly to the candle lake but I am not a dragon" She asked curious.

"You are dragon" He corrected.

"Even if I am I don't know how to turn into one "she pointed it out.

"You can learn" He offered.

"I doubt we have enough time right now to wait for me to learn." He still hadn't answered her question. They walked out to the garden all the soldiers assembled. She saw Karl Ian and Lucio standing in front of them with the King. Marcello walked towards the front and she followed the assembled armies parting for them.

"Oh here's our lady" Karl commented the only one who was treating her the same. Marcello seemed to dislike the idea a bit now that he had another royal brat to handle along with the princes. Lucio seemed apologetic and Ian looked like he had to restrain himself from arguing with her.

"So how am I to get there though?" she whispered to Karl questioning. She could hear the sound of crowd from the gate.

"You are to fly on Marcello" he smiled at her nonchalantly as if what could that matter anyway.

"What do you mean?" Audra's eyes widened in astonishment and she looked at Karl as if he spoke gibberish.

"That's exactly what I mean. It would have been fun if you were paired with me but since you are guest right now you can't possibly ride on my royal dragon back you know" She wasn't sure if he was flexing or not. "People might think you are betrothed to me" he joked laughing at his own joke. Audra didn't find it funny at all. She was horrified by the idea of riding a dragon that too if it was Marcello. She wasn't exactly on good terms with him.

"Would you rather ride on me? I don't mind the idea of people thinking we are betrothed" This time Ian finally spoke up teasing her. She was glad he was trying to treat her normally.

"You wouldn't want that. I might stab you in the back while doing so" She fought back almost fighting the urge to show her tongue.

"I might throw you off before that" Ian always had something to say and now they stood face to face almost baring teeth at each other. A staring contest.

"You should stop Ian" she was surprised when Lucio spoke up and against Ian this time.

"It's time" The king announced in front of her and armies and armies turned into shades of red dragons behind her she stood there flattered at the scene.

But she almost jumped in surprise when Marcello turned into a green dragon beside her she stepped back almost stumbling over Karl.

To be continued….