POV Soxera
I smiled gently as I sipped the tea in the saucer before me. These humans were nothing but a nuisance, aggravating and barely knew their proper place. I humored their solicitations because I wanted to see what they were capable of, but I was only being disappointed.
Several of their females had invited me to a seminar or something, I cared little for it. I only cared for what tribute they would offer me. The tribute was not worth my time, as such I largely ignored them. Even the weakest and most pathetic of humans in my own lands knew that tribute was required before I'd even hear them out.
The only humans that seemed to recognize this was their Queen and my assigned servant, a male with blue eyes seemed to know. Those eyes I found oddly attractive for they were the color of my own scales. But otherwise these humans were ignorant and barely worth my time. How had Kargos Even been entertained by these pathetic people.
I glanced back at my attendant and lazily called him over. He smiled like that diplomat Kargos and bowed so I could speak into his ear should I wish to keep my words private. I could feel myself beginning to like this human, unlike his rude countrymen.
"I want nothing to do with these worms, see them out." I spoke loudly enough that the rest of those who had wanted to entertain me bristled at my remark. I cast them a daring grin, prove me wrong humans.
I locked eyes with the most annoying of these humans. A woman that had taken over my morning routine and filled it with these useless and pointless meetings. "My servant will be taking over your duties, do not interfere with his work again."
She paled but shot the male in question a look of seething hatred while he bowed and started to escort everyone out. He had to cajole several of them, those that hit or debased him I made a point of remembering. They should hope I never again see their sorry hides. With the two of us being the only ones left I questured for him to take one of the vacated seats.
"Human, what rank do you hold?"
"I'm only a Baron." He bowed his head apologetically.
"Who were those that bothered my sleep so early in the morning?" I asked, the distaste obvious in my tone.
"Ah, Duchess Adkins, Marquess Luthor, Viscount Jackowitz, and Countess Massena." He replied after a moment.
I nodded and committed their names to memory, well not Jackowitz, she hadn't debased my servant like the others. I'd show them what I meant to anger a dragon.
"As your master I will see to it that does not happen again. Striking my own servant." I growled. His face grimaced and I realized I'd shattered the tea cup and dropped its contents all over my lap.
I looked at this thing in disgust. It was supposedly a gift from those that had tormented me. But I found their taste rather lacking. This 'dress' felt more like a prison. I wanted nothing more than to tear it to shreds.
I looked at my servant. "Find me some suitable clothes."
"Do you have any preference, your majesty?" He asked before I shook my head and sent him on his way. I stood and ripped the atrocious thing from my body. Finally free from its confines I sprawled upon the low couch and waited for my servants return.
In the meantime I used my magic and cast a tracking spell that marked those four so I could find them easily tonight. With my little task complete I relaxed and stared at the tapestry on the wall. It was a poor thing, it was nothing compared to the grand tapestestires that decorated my room, but it held my interest long enough for my servant to return with a small box.
"I…" he paused and quickly looked away from me. "My sister begged me to ask if you'd try her clothes."
I stood and walked over, amused by his embarrassment and took the box. Inside were clothes of an odd design. It wasn't like the clothes I was used to but I put them on in the meantime. They looked like what a peasant or slave might wear, but of infinitely higher quality.
I walked over to the mirror of polished brass and inspected how I looked. The material was fine and soft, but it wasn't silk like most of my human attire was. Flax couldn't be used to make this either.
The shirt was a plain blue, devoid of much character but yet it seemed flattering. There was this odd bottom half of a dress thing about my waist that swung about in a flattering manner. I smiled at myself.
This human offered an acceptable tribute to garner my interest. I would speak with them. "Bring the one who offered this to me."
My servant returned quickly with a female dressed similarly to I. I almost bristled if it was not for her proper attitude when greeting me. I calmed myself before I studied her. She seemed familiar to my servant, almost as if they were related by blood. I took a deep breath and smelled the flavors in the air. So they were blood related, and she was the younger.
"What can I do for your majesty? I hope you liked the clothes I offered?" The female spoke.
"I do find them quite flattering. I wish you to replace my wardrobe." I gestured at the thing filled with those stuffy dresses I'd been gifted as those nobles tried to curry favor.
"I'm honored your majesty. Do the clothes fit well, would a different size fit better?" She asked.
"Merely replace it and send my servant the bill, I shall pay it later." I replied.
"I'll have some servants deliver them later tonight then your majesty." She bowed before she left, giving my servant a happy look as she left.
Familial loyalty, a rare concept amongst my kind. I'd slaughter my sister for the throne and brutally maimed my brother when he'd challenged my right to rule. I dismissed my servant and lazed about. Around evening a few servants arrived with a second wardrobe and several boxes of new clothes which they quickly set next to the first wardrobe and stocked before leaving.
With any pesky visitors now no longer going to bother me I slipped from the window and allowed a pair of wings to sprout from my back. I heard the fabric rip as they emerged. I cast myself from the wall and glided to a distant window and clung to it. I retracted my wings and chanted a spell that would render me invisible, and having learned from my servant I cast another spell that would muffle my movements.
I slipped into the room and looked about. One of the females that had tormented my servant this morning was entertaining one of his guards. Perplexed by the sight I walked up behind them and listened.
"Was lord Fulton able to recover?" She asked with concern evident in her voice.
The guard nodded. "He was, though I heard her majesty was most displeased by your companions' actions my lady."
"Captain Tullio, let us address each other casually, hopefully soon we can be friends." The captain nodded at the woman's request.
"Lady Jackowitz,"
"Call me Rena." She cut her off with a small smile.
"Then call me Juliana." The guard replied with a smile.
"Juliana, a wonderful name, perhaps I'll give it to my eldest daughter." Rena mused.
"I thought you were unmarried so far." Juliana mentioned quizedly.
Rena chuckled. "I am and plan to remain so. But the family line must go on, so I'll need an heir."
"You'll take a few concubines then?" Juliana asked distastefully.
"Heavens no. But I found in your lord the kind of man I want to father my child. Smart, handsome…" she sighed. "It's a shame he's a landed lord."
"I know what you mean." Juliana chuckled. "But you'll have some competition for his affection." She warned.
"I'm sure I do." She chuckled. "But enough of that, what brings you here?"
Juliana presented Rena with a letter. "It's the finalization of your last agreement."
Rena gasped. "He agreed so easily?"
Juliana chuckled. "I'll let you in on a secret, at the moment I'm his confidant since I'm not seeking his affection. So he tells me a fair bit."
Rena leaned forward, very interested in what Juliana had to say. "He thought you were offering far too generous terms. He thought it was a trap or something."
"He may be a Royalist and I am a member of the Noble faction, but I won't be dishonest in my deals." She replied defensively. "Besides, no one lives on that land, it's practically useless to me. I'm not sure why he thinks it's a good deal."
"He wants to build a city there, he was thinking about naming it after his hometown." Juliana replied.
"Where is he from? Well, I know he was summoned as one of the heroes…"
"Richmond. He said it was in Virginia, a large province of his country."
I grew disinterested as they spoke of my servants interests and plans. But I would not be teaching this one a lesson. As for the others…