We had left our kingdom last night for our new journey as locals. I witnessed the strict checking implemented by my father for the first time. I had been in my own slumber all the time till we reached a halt. The bullock cart had several seats for passengers and all of us were seated quite close for my comfort.
"Hey, get down!" a person beside me shouted since everyone was supposed to leave the cart for buying their food.
Feril shouted back at them for being rude to me but I had to make her understand that she has to start pretending that I'm just another local.
"I'm sorry princess, I just felt offended by his tone." She bowed down quickly.
I quickly shut her mouth before others listen to what she said "Feril! You're not supposed to call me-" but someone already had
"Princess?" the one who shouted at me a few seconds ago, immediately looked back. It led to all the people from the cart to gather.
"Princess wearing rags, huh, you need to stop protecting your younger sister! Calling nicknames like these will spoil her before you regret about the upbringing." one of the people from the commotion said.
I sighed in relief. Quite a save there. I was internally laughing as Feril fumed with anger. She could never control any negative word directed at me, calling me spoiled would have by now led to a full on war, and I couldn't stop smiling."
"I think he is right, elder sister." I poked Feril jokingly. By now everyone was savouring their lunch as the cart left for the remaining journey.
"Why are you all leaving the kingdom?" I asked them out of curiousity. I needed to know what my people's opinions were about us and the daily life in the kingdom.
All of a sudden they started laughing. "Look at the naive girl. She is acting like she doesn't even live with us." One of the travellers put down his food and wiped his sweat.
"I know...the condition is bad. But the royal family is trying their best to save their people." I became emotional and tried to convince them.
"The one you call royals, they must have already escaped with their treasury by now. We are left on our own. We will instead live in the kingdom of Dragon King, atleast it's prosperous, we won't die." He started talking to other people as he resumed eating his food. "By the way, I have heard the Dragon King likes to savour naive women a lot."
Feril lunged at him with her dagger to threaten him to proceed by saying a word more. "I bet he would love to crush you people under his feet and savour your flesh. I have heard he loves human blood a lot." All the people were terrified to death and shocked by her actions. It was unlady like unless she is in the military.
"Feril, don't." I whispered in her ear. "They might be of help, don't terrify them. Let them say whatever they want."
They were unhappy from our family. We did fail them. I again started star gazing as the night took over, thinking about father and people like them who would feel the wrath of the enemy king once our border is destroyed.
"Hey naive woman, do you plan to stay in this cart for your entire life?"
I opened my eyes slowly to look for the source of that sound. Ugh, my father hadn't raised his voice at me as much this man has done in this short journey. I was surprised at the sight infront of me. Every part of the kingdom was bustling with beautiful crafts, smiling face, glittery stars and magic! Oh my god!
I picked up my gown quickly to run after those beautiful magical things in the air.
Thuddd!!! "ahhh" I fell straight into the muddy pit near which the cart had stopped, as my ankle got slipped but hopefully nothing bad happened.
"Princess!" Feril immediately came to my rescue as the people in the cart started laughing, and to their surprise, I was also laughing. It was fun, to fall in mud! It was so relaxing that no one criticised me or pointed on my character as they used to do on my every move in the royal palace. Their laughs made me feel so alive.
I couldn't believe it as I saw myself in the mirror in the shop. It was unlike me, no more styled hair, uncomfortable corsets, layered gowns and stupid mannerism. I splashed some mud at Feril and others as the market echoed with my laughs.
"Stupid people! Move away!" Someone shouted, interfering our funny session.
I looked up to see the entire market bowed down, everything went to a standstill. Then I realised that these were the royal guards and-
"Bow down to your king, you illmannered girl!" The soldier swung the torture rope at Feril but before it could hit her, I lifted myself up and held it tight in my fist.
I glared at him with challenge without realising what he had just said. My eyes moved towards his right to see him on a raven black horse, King Nefarious.
What a bad time, indeed.