I heard a loud chime and turned towards the direction of the sound and saw an old clock ticking without numbers on it, then blood dripped towards me, no from me. A knife was behind my back, I turned and saw a mirror, I walked towards it and I saw Lily behind it with a smirk on her face.
I opened my eyes panting for breath, what was that? I looked to my left side and saw Poppy lying comfortable beside me, he must have rolled off. I stood up and looked around the room, it was a bit dark. I took a shawl and walked outside, towards the forest.
I sat on the grass under a tall tree trying to catch my breath, it was hard."I. Can't. Breathe," I said to no one in particular. I kept panting and holding my chest, hoping it'd help, but it didn't. I have never felt so suffocated in my life, am I having a nervous breakdown? And why?
The sun started to rise, so I stood up and walked back to the mansion, I still felt suffocated. I walked in to see Millie petting Poppy.
"Good morning, Millie, Poppy," I said weakly collapsing on the bed.
"Tell this human that I am not a pet," Poppy whined. I turned and said,
"But you are." He turned to his human form quicker than the first time I saw it and yelled,
"I am not." Millie just sat there staring at the both of us, she was not flustered. Side note, this shameless dragon has been naked since he first transformed.
"Millie, I need a bath," I said. She nodded and stood up to go prepare the bath. "Hey, shameless dragon, get some clothes," I said standing up. He shifted into his dragon form quickly, he was so flustered it was amusing to watch. Oh this kid, so easy.
After a nice and relaxing bath I felt less suffocated. Millie cleaned Poppy up even though he kept complaining that he wasn't a kid, she got him clothes to wear.
"Let's go shopping, Poppy," I said, really needing to leave this house.
"Sure," he replied, matching my excitement.
"My lady, your father invited you for breakfast," Millie informed me.
"Timing, Millie, timing," I said finishing with a sigh. "Okay," I said standing up to get dressed, I need to look good since I'm going to see the duke.
I walked to the door hoping that breakfast would end fast. Poppy transformed and flew to my shoulder.
"You should stop tearing clothes," I said.
"I can't help it," he replied.
"But really Poppy, you're not as heavy as I thought you'd be when I first saw you," I observed.
"Really?" He asked and I hummed in response. We conversed as I made my way to the dining room, to every other person I probably looked like I was talking to myself, I guess I just started another rumor. Hehehe!
I was wearing a gray long sleeved dress with black cape around the shoulders with black gloves, and styled my hair in a loose bun. It fit my mood perfectly, I seemed like a widow mourning her husband. Perfect!
I curtsied on reaching the table, the duke was unusually early today. I sat at my usual spot, not minding the confused stares, in all honesty I'd have preferred staying at the farthest end of this annoyingly long table. Lily and Raphael were staring at me like they expected me to say something. Seriously, have you known me so long and still don't know me? I intend ignoring those stares until my stomach and Poppy's are stuffed, and we're out of here. Unlike the two Lily and Raphael, the duke had a calm expression as usual, like he didn't care that I brought a dragon to breakfast. This is why I like the duke, his children are just dumb, I'm not included.
I was staring at the door waiting for Carmel to walk in, but she didn't. And just like he was reading my mind, the duke said,
"Your mother isn't strong enough to move today so she's resting in her room."
"Oh," I said and looked down. So I'm in enemy territory without any allies. Breakfast was served and one of the butlers tried taking Poppy, but I stopped him, saying,
"Bring a plate for him, he's not a picky eater." He looked at the duke who just nodded weakly in approval.
"This people are so disrespectful, now I get why you're like that," Poppy commented, but I just chuckled and focused on my meal, everyone looked at me with questioning looks, but I ignored them. Poppy's food was served, and he flew off my shoulder.
"I never said I wasn't a picky eater, I'm very picky. And I hate eating in my dragon form," Poppy whined. This whiny little old kid.
"Deal with it," I whispered. After breakfast, I stood up to leave but stopped in my tracks when the duke said,
"Sit." I turned back and sat down quietly. "Do you care to explain?" He asked.
I could have just explained quietly, I should have told him what led to having a baby dragon on my shoulders, even if it's briefly. But I'm stubborn, very stubborn.
"Explain what?" I asked, playing dumb. He pointed my shoulder where Poppy sat, not loosing his cool. "Oh, this is my dragon," I stated the obvious.
"We can see that," he replied still not loosing his cool.
"I got it as a present," I continued, still giving him vague answers.
"From whom?" He asked folding his arms over his chest.
"Mother," I said staring at him blankly, but deep down this little game was exciting, though I had to end it. Because one, it's the duke, we're not close enough to play around, we are not close at all. And two I have a bed that has better plans for me than the duke does and an unfinished book to top it up.
"When did she have the time or energy to look for a mage that can capture a dragon?" He's getting impatient, I like that.
"Oh no, it was sealed in a ring she gave it to me," I replied finally giving him a satisfactory response. I won't elaborate past this point so don't ask me any more questions.
"I see," he replied. I almost pushed him past his limit. Keke!