(I take it back. Mog is just a pain in the ass.) I thought as I met the 75th person of the day. Mog had practically stopped to talk to everyone we saw. From noble to commoners. Once, they commented on my beauty. Mog would stop and show me off to everyone. In my little body, I was powerless to stop her. We walked through the capital on our way to the arena where the tournament would be held.
The streets were filled with people, young and old. Today is the annual tournament for the royal martial school. It was an entrance tournament for children applying for the royal academy. Young hopeful demons come for a chance to enter the school to get stronger and gain prestige. The Entrance tournament was always held at the start of the year in Dela, the capital of Esha. Where the royal university is located. It's a time when the younger generation gets to show off their stuff in battle. If you asked me, it's mainly used so the older generation could brag about their kids.
We were now in the market district, our last stop before we reached our destination. Dela had four districts. The commoner's wards, where all the non-noble families live. The market districts, which sounds exactly how it looks. The section was full of restaurants, taverns, and shops. The College districts are home to the Royal Martial University, one of the most exclusive schools in the nation. Upper district where the palace is located and where the majority of the nobility stay.
I was always amazed at the different races of demons mingling together in the capital. There are thousands of them. They came in all different shapes and colors. Some of them had wings, more than a few had tails. Other than their appearance, the city was like any other human city I had ever been to. It was hard to believe how peaceful the place felt. I was in a town of demons, and I wasn't panicking or running for my life.
Grrr
"Mog, can I get a treat? We were so busy getting dress I haven't eaten!" I asked while my stomach growled at me. I starred at Mog with the cutest face I could muster. She looks down at me with what looks like sorrow. For a second, I thought my plan had worked. But the worried look was quickly changed to a wicked smile.
"Well, who's the one that slept through breakfast?" Mog said under her breathe so no one would hear her scold the princess. She then pitched my cheek so hard I thought it would fall off. Rage filled my whole tiny body. I was ready to erupt into the biggest tantrum. The likes of which the kingdom of Esha had never seen before. Before I started to cry, however, Mog flashes her serpent fangs.
"Don't you dare embarrass me in front of these people, or so help me. You'll never see another sweet treat again." Mog threatened. I stopped myself from self-destructing after hearing this. I Glared daggers at her. I didn't believe her threat one bit, but I had forgotten we were in public. I didn't want the people of this kingdom thinking of me as a spoilt brat. (No, if the people start to hate me, then that means no more gifts.) I thought to myself.
The people of Dela loved showing their first and only princess with gifts. I've gotten so much free stuff I couldn't believe it. If I wanted to ride this gravy boat until I died. I have to play the part of the lovable, sweet princess.
"Oh, Mog. If you don't get me something to eat this instant, I'll tell everyone we meet that you've been starving me. What will the people think?" I said sarcastically. Mog looked shocked at my words. Then her face flushed red. I wouldn't really do that. I wasn't a monster. I had once stated that I didn't like my dress at a party. The damn thing was too tight. Without me knowing it, I had actually caused an innocent seamstress to almost lose her entire business. The people had boycotted her establishment. I wore dresses designed by her for weeks to change the publics' opinion.
"Sometimes, I think you're an old lady trapped in a little girl's body," Mog said before ordering Draks to get me something at one of the shops. He had been fallen close behind us, on guard. A few minutes later, I had a beef stick and a chicken stick. They were just pieces of meat on a tiny stick, nothing fancy. I enjoyed them nonetheless as we made our way to the martial college.
"Crowd big! Lady Mog and princess stay close." Drak said as we approached the gates to the martial university. Before us was one of the longest lines, I've ever seen. The people in the crowd were almost on top of each other. (If only someone wouldn't have made me try on hundreds of outfits before leaving. We would have gotten here earlier.) I thought to myself while finishing my last bite of meat. It plain but did the job of filling me up, for now. My love of meat aside, my tiny body had begun to crave more food than usual. It was as if my stomach was a bottomless pit I could never truly fill. I could get full, but it wouldn't last long before my stomach ack again. The midwives hate me for this very reason. They have been running wild trying to keep me full.
"All hail the princess!" A voice in the crowd, loud enough for everyone to hear. Almost in unison, the group stopped. The shouting and the chatter all stopped. I could still hear a few mummers, but they were so soft I couldn't understand what they were saying.
"All hail the princess!"
"All hail"
"We love you, princess Gora!"
The crowd erupted in shouts as they parted to either side. Creating a path for Us to walk down. Drak took the lead and began to walk ahead of Mog and me. He was a massive specimen at around 7 feet tall he towered over the entire crowd. His light blue skin stretched tight around his huge muscular body. He stared down at the people making some of the kids lower their gazes. I didn't blame them. Drak's Tucks would be intimidating for any child, even a demon one. As daunting as he was, his tiny black ponytail still made me laugh.
As we walked, I smiled at all of them, even waving at the ones I found interesting. There was a cute catgirl in the front row. I also spotted a few goblins. I had to play the part of the happy-go-lucky princess. It was also fun to see the reactions of the people when I made eye contact with them. They all had genuine joy on their faces. It made me feel all tingly inside. ( I never had anyone excited to see me before.) I thought, staring off into the crowd. To have so many people happy to see me was a bit overwhelming sure, but the feeling was also amazing.
"Do you want to say something to the people, princess? I'm sure they would love it." Mog said when we were inches away from the front gate. There were men all dressed in the Royal academies in red and black robes. An older-looking man around 50 or 60 years old with pale skin and white hair. His red eyes looked welcoming even with the pointy horns. He was a member of my father's clan and a member of the devil race. The man waited for us patiently. Mog and Drak both stopped to wait for me to speak.
"I don't think they want to hear me," I said, rolling my eyes at her. (Nobody cares what I have to say.) I thought without saying a word Mog. She patted me on the back, pushing me in front of her. It was so unexpected that I almost fell on my face. Mog had to catch me. (Damn this little body.) I thought as I looked at the crowd in front of me. I heard a few awe from the girls, but other than that, no one else said a thing. They all just waited patiently for me. I thought for a moment at what words to say to them. I figured I keep it short and sweet. I didn't want to get too much attention. I took a deep breath preparing to speak, when Mog stopped me.
"Princess, allow me to assist you!" Mog said. In seconds her eyes start to glow a dark purple. She then laid her hand softly on my back. I felt strange energy enter my body, climbing its way from my back to my throat. Where it stopped. The energy didn't hurt, but it did feel a little uncomfortable. Mog was inserting her Ki into my body. Ki was the life force of the world, the same as mana from my old world. What Mog was doing was very dangerous to pull off, but it was child's play at her level. When she was done, she gave me a nod. Signaling that I could speak.
"I look forward to watching you all fight hard!" I said loud enough for the whole crowd to hear me. Mog had used her ki to amplifier my voice. For a moment, the group was deadly silent but what followed blew my mind. The people erupted in cheers. So loud it was deafening.
"We will fight hard for you, princess!"
"Princess watch my fight, please!"
"Let it be known from this day forward. I will worship the princess as my personal Goddess!"
Shouts filled the air, and the crowd went wild. I couldn't believe my ears. I had said only a few words, and everyone went crazy. (These people really like me that much?) I thought as I gazed out at the people in astonishment.
"Princess, if you wouldn't mind following me. I fear this crowd will become too hard to handle before long." The man with white hair said. I had forgotten he was waiting for us. Mog nodded her head, and we quickly followed the man. (I hated being the center of attention, but I think I could get used to it.) I thought, following the man into the academy. I could still hear the crowding going bananas.
"Hello, princess. My name is headmaster Duncan. I'm the head of the royal academy. Lady Mog, it is always lovely to see you." The man said, bowing his head low. We were far enough away to no longer hear the crowd. Although I had heard about the headmaster, this was my first time meeting him. He was a member of the devil clan.
"Hello, headmaster; thank you for escorting us," I said, giving the man a courtesy bow. The man gave a quick smile before he began leading the way again. We were inside the academy itself. The building looked more like a castle than a school. The banner of royal families hung above. The red flag with the symbol of a black three head serpent was printed on it. It was my family's crest. A sign of the hydra clan.
"Has the king arrived yet?" Mog asked the headmaster. Her voice practically echoes through the empty halls. A few students were mingling about, but the place was far from being full.
"The king hasn't arrived yet, but many of the high noble have already made it. Oh, and the princes are also here." The man said, not bothering to stop. (My brothers were here? All eight of them!?) I thought in surprise.
Ki {Key}: The lifeblood of the world. Everything is created from Ki, and it is the fuel for magic.
Esha: The demon nation.
Dela{Dell-La}: The capital of Esha.