A P H I A
Prince Kalmin and I are sitting on the grass at Chateau de Arcovia while thinking about what name we should give to the dragon. The dragon is playing like a little puppy in front of us. It is trying to catch his tail, but it can't reach it.
"What are you two doing here?" Esmeray asked. We were shocked to see them behind us. We did not even notice them arrive. Are we that preoccupied?
"Is that a baby dragon?" Eeshaan sat beside the dragon, and it looked at him. "He is so cute!" He exclaimed. Esmeray sits beside him, and they play with the dragon.
"Whose dragon is this? Why is it here?" Esmeray asked while tickling the dragon.
"It's mine. We are thinking of a unique name for it. Do you mind helping us?" I asked them, and they nodded.
"What about Kalmin? The dragon looks like Kalmin." Eeshaan said, and we laughed except Prince Kalmin.
"Do you think that's funny?" Prince Kalmin asked his brother in a straight face.
"Well, yeah. It's funny for us, am I right, Aphia?" Eeshaan winked at me.
I chuckle while nodding. "Your brother is a fire-breathing human too," I said, and we laughed except Prince Kalmin.
"Do you want me to throw your dragon outside, Aphia?" He warned, and I chuckled awkwardly.
"See! Your eyes are piercing like dragon's eyes!" I shouted before laughing. He suddenly pointed his finger at the dragon, and I quickly stopped him. "What are you doing!?" I shoved his finger away. He intended to use his magic against an innocent and powerless dragon. How dare he do that?! What a heartless jerk.
"I think the name blue is perfect for it since its eyes are blue," Esmeray suggested.
"I think it's better if snow, since its scales are as white as snow." Eeshaan countered.
"Azula is also fine since it means blue flame," Esmeray said.
"We don't know what kind of flame it breathes," I commented.
"What about Fionn? It means white." Eeshaan said.
"How about Alpin?" Prince Kalmin suggested, and we all looked at him. "Alpin means white." He explained.
"Alpin? Why is it sound like a combination of your name and Aphia?" Esmeray teased her brother, and I looked at Prince Kalmin in shock. OMG! I just realized that! I like the name!
"What are you talking about? It's a real name. I did not combine our names. Why would I do that?" His eyebrows knitted together in annoyance.
"Does it feel like you name your baby after your names?" Eeshaan asked his brother, and my eyes widened in shock when Prince Kalmin's cheeks blushed.
"OMG! Did you!" I asked while smiling at him.
"Are you drunk?! Why would I?!" He covered his face using his palm, and we all laughed at his cute reaction. "I like it!" I shouted, and he looked at me.
"Really?" He asked, and I nodded. I pick the dragon up and place it on my lap. It looks at me while smiling. "I am naming you, Alpin," I said, and the dragon suddenly glowed. It makes a cute sound while its tail is wiggling. The twins gasped in shock and amusement.
"What is that?" Esmeray pointed at my wrist. I gasped as I saw a minimalist tiny golden dragon tattoo on my wrist. The tattoo exactly looks like Alpin.
"It is like the magical symbol on your forehead, the golden trinity Celtic knot. Now you have another magical symbol on your wrist from your familiar." Prince Kalmin said as he examined my wrist.
"Alpin is your familiar?!" Eeshaan asked, and I nodded. "Woah! You are amazing, Aphia!" He said, and I winked at him. I chuckled when he winked back.
"If I would have a familiar, I want it to be a werewolf," Esmeray said while looking at Alpin.
"I want to have one too. I want it to be a pegasus." Eeshaan said while smiling.
I look at Prince Kalmin. "What?" He asked when he noticed my stare.
"What kind of familiar do you want to have?" I asked.
"Phoenix." He answered. "I don't have fire elemental magic, so it's an addition to my powers." He explained, and I nodded. He has a point.
"A familiar doesn't leave its master's side, right?" Esmeray asked.
"Yes. According to Erskine, it can't leave my side. Why?" I asked.
"So, it means you cannot have alone time with Kalmin even you want to?" I looked at Esmeray in confusion. What is this young kid talking about?
"Esmeray." Kalmin's voice is like a warning sign. Esmeray suddenly looks nervous while Eeshaan laughs at his brother.
"She is teasing us, isn't she?" I whispered at Kalmin, and he looked at me angrily. I chuckled at his reaction as I caressed Alpin. "Don't worry, Gin. I will ask Alpin to give us some alone time to spend together." I winked at him, and he groaned in annoyance.
Esmeray and Eeshaan laugh at their brother. "Stop teasing him, Aphia. He might fall in love with you harder before you know it." Esmeray teased her brother as she winked at me.
"Well, wouldn't amazing if it happens? A man should fall in love with his woman over and over again as the time passes by." I said. Prince Kalmin groaned again in annoyance and we all laughed at him.
Seriously? Esmeray and Eeshaan know a lot about romantic feelings, and relationships more than their brother. Are they really just kids?
Alpin flies, walks, and runs with me wherever I go. Alpin sometimes rests on my shoulder or my head. Yes, I just used the word 'he' since starting today, I would treat him like a human and part of my family. He is my brother slash son slash best friend.
Prince Kalmin, Esmeray, and Eeshaan came with me to inform the king and queen about my familiar. I have to inform them and ask for approval to let Alpin stay in the castle with me. "Well, what do we have here? What are my children, the priestess, and a white baby dragon doing here?" The king said while eyeing us one by one, and we all bowed and curtsied.
"What a pleasant surprise to see all of you here." The queen said while smiling at us. "Is there something that you need?" He asked.
I step forward and show them my familiar. "Your majesties, I would like to ask for your permission to please allow my familiar to stay in the castle with me," I said while looking at them. Alpin smiles and makes a cute sound.
"You have a familiar?" The king asked in shock as he looked at the queen.
"Yes, your majesty. We have named him Alpin. He is a white, blue-eyed dragon." I showed them my wrist, and they gasped after seeing the dragon's mark.
"So, it is true." The queen said.
"Please allow Alpin to stay in the castle, your majesties." Prince Kalmin helps me. "A familiar cannot leave his master's side." He added.
"Kalmin is sad about it," Esmeray said, and Eeshaan laughed. The king and queen look at the twins in confusion.
"What do you mean, my princess?" The king asked his daughter, and I facepalm myself.
"Please don't mind her, your majesty." Prince Kalmin said, and the twins chuckled. Prince Kalmin shot them with a death glare.
The king and queen look at each other before shrugging their shoulders. "I am actually amazed to know that our priestess has a familiar. It happens once in a blue moon in our kingdom." The king stated.
"It proves that your magic is powerful, Aphia. We are happy to have you both in our kingdom." The queen said while smiling.
I smile at Prince Kalmin before turning to the king and queen. "Thank you for granting us your permission, your majesties," I said while smiling from ear to ear.
"Are we also allowed to play with Alpin?" Eeshaan asked their parents, and they nodded. The twins applauded in excitement.
"I would like to ask for your permission if Alpin can use the tallest tower in our castle, your majesties." Prince Kalmin said, and we all threw him a questioning look.
"What for, Kalmin?" The king asked.
"Alpin can grow up to twenty meters long with up to a thirty-meter wingspan. I would like to use it as his place where he can stay. He cannot stay in Aphia's room when he grows up." He explained, and I smiled at him. The crown prince is such a thoughtful guy.
The king nods. "Since it is vacant, Alpin can use it. Just make some renovations to make him more comfortable to stay there." The king said, and Prince Kalmin smiled.
"Thank you, your majesty." He said. The king and queen gasped after seeing their son smile at them. "Why?" Prince Kalmin looked puzzled at his parents' reaction, and I chuckled.
"Thank you for your kindness, your majesties," I said before bowing my head and then smiling at them.
I look at Alpin and rub its belly. He chuckled as he wiggled its tail in happiness. He suddenly jumped off and walked forward. He makes a cute sound which I understand, and he bows at the king and queen.
The king and queen give me a questioning look, and I chuckle. "Alpin said thank you for letting him stay in the castle." I translated, and they smiled back at Alpin.
"I wish I could understand Alpin too," Esmeray said as he picked Alpin up and carried him.
"Me too! I want to understand Alpin as well!" Eeshaan said as he patted Alpin's head. Alpin chuckled as he looked at the twins with adoration.
I hope everything goes well with Alpin and me. "Let's start Alpin's training tomorrow." Prince Kalmin announced, and I looked at him in shock.
"What? He is still a baby!" I complained, but he walked off. The twins followed us while carrying Alpin.
"You have to train your familiar at a young age, Aphia." He replied. "He needs to hone his ability to make sure he can really protect you." He added.
"I will protect Alpin." I countered.
"Then, you have to train with him tomorrow." He said, and I groaned.
Should Alpin and I run away tomorrow to skip Prince Kalmin's training?