Draken stood at the entrance waiting for the time to start his job. As he stood there humming a tune his mother had thought him. As he hummed the melody, the two girls from the previous day came by. "Oh look who it it is," one said. "If it isn't our...," "Can you two please keep it down? I told you that I've left that life back in Hysteria." "Oh, we won't tell anybody. Not yet at least. I'll wait for the royals to find out themselves and I'll love to see that day." "Just leave Yulinda," Draken said as he tried to enter Estelle's room. Yulinda strode toward him, her eyes burning with fury. Before Draken could react, she seized his collar and shoved him against the stone wall, the impact echoing in the corridor.
"Listen here, pretty boy," she hissed, her face inches from his. "You're nothing here. No power, no status. So don't think you can boss me around."
Draken's jaw clenched, but he kept his composure. "I'm not looking for power, Yulinda. I left that behind." Yulinda sneered. "We'll see how long that lasts."
She turned causing her hair to strike Draken in the face. Yulinda walked away and her friend followed close behind. She waved at him before her friend called her. Draken entered the room and saw Estelle still sleeping. He turned to leave but heard someone call him. He turned and saw the princess sitting up on the bed.
"Good morning, princess." "Good morning, Draken," the princess answered. Princess, can you take your bath while I take out your attire for the day? " "Okay, Draken." The princess walked into her bathroom and closed the door behind her. He opened her wardrobe and started going through the dresses. He picked a silk and velvet dress with layers of iridescent chiffon. The color had a gradient of twilight hues with soft lavender at the neckline that deepens into a celestial midnight blue toward the hem, hand-sewn crystals. The skirt he picked was layered with tulle and silk, with a cloud-like appearance. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with golden thread, depicting a rising sun motif. He picked a crystal tiara adorned with gemstones matching the gown's color palette accompanied by a satin ribbon that cinches the waist, fastened with a brooch in the shape of the royal crest of Elyria with sheer gloves embroidered with silver thread and matching jeweled shoes.
The princess came out of the bathroom, but Draken and Estelle turned their backs on each other. After laying the dress on the bed, Draken turned to see the princess with the towel around her. She turned at the same time, and her eyes met Draken's. She mistakenly dropped her towel, and Draken quickly averted his eyes. "Sorry princess. I didn't know you were done. I'll be leaving now." Draken said as he walked out of the room.
"Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm..." "Dreams take wing, and so do I." Draken turned to see Yulinda's friend. "Soft as whispers, stars collide," "Ohh, it's you," Draken said with disdain. "Where's your friend?" "She busy." "Then what are you doing here?" "I am supposed to call the princess for her breakfast." "She's busy right now so you'd have to wait a little longer." "Carrying hope on a moonlit tide." the girl continued singing. "Where did you learn that song?" Draken asked. "I used to hear it around the castle back in Hysteria. I don't know who used to sing it but every night I used to rush to the castle to hear the person sing it with her majestic voice but six years ago the singing stopped just around the same time the...," Draken, can you please come in here? I need some help." "I'll talk to you later," Draken said as he entered the room.
"Who were you talking to?" the princess asked as she turned to face him. "It was no one." "Alright, how do I look?" she asked opening her hands. Draken walked to her and fixed her tiara and bodice. "You look perfect," Draken said. "Oh, I almost forgot. It's time for your breakfast." "Oh then I have to get there," she said as she walked to the door but abruptly stopped. She turned and shyly said, "Can you escort me to the hall?" "It will be my pleasure,"
"Good morning Mother, good morning Father," she said with a bow as she reached the table. "Good morning Estelle," her mother responded. "Good morning sweetheart," She turned to her siblings and greeted them. "Good morning sister Ruby, good morning sister Remi." "Hmm," Ruby said not lifting her head. Remi just lifted her hand. "Am I allowed to sit?" "You are." Draken pulled back the chair and Estelle sat. "Hey sister you forgot to greet me." "Sorry," Estelle said standing up. "Good morning Everett." "Good morning sister.
"Good morning "Good morning, your Majesties," Draken said with a bow. The king nodded. "Morning, Draken." The queen remained silent, her gaze cold. Draken turned to the princesses. "Good morning, your Highnesses." Ruby barely glanced at him, while Remi offered a dismissive wave." "Good morning Prince Everett" Good morning my sister's new friend."
"What did you call hi..." "Draken please leave us for a moment." the king said restricting the queen from standing up. Draken bowed and went up to Estelle's room. He reached the room but did not find Yulinda's friend. He slumped himself against the wall and started humming.
"Oh, starlight, guide me home, Where my heart will never roam. Through the shadows, through the night, I'll find peace in your gentle light."You have a nice voice." Draken looked at his side and saw her. "I didn't see you there." "Anyway, what are you doing here?" Aren't you supposed to be serving a royal or something?" "I'm not a royal server. That's Yulinda's job. I'm a kitchen worker." "Oh..., that explains a lot." "But I'm serious. You do have a nice voice." "Ignore that."The princess came up the stairs and Yulinda's friend turned to leave. "Hey, I didn't get your name." She turned and said, "Ummm, I'm Annia." She turned and walked away.
"Who was that?" Estelle asked as she got towards Draken. "It was no one. Let's get inside," Draken said as he opened the door and Estelle went inside." overheard the girl you were talking to say that you had a nice voice. What was that about?" Estelle asked as she sat in the bed. "That's nothing." Draken lied. "Then sing." "Pardon me, princess. Can you repeat yourself?" "I said sing for me. I want you to sing for me. I want to see whether you do have a nice voice." Draken felt trapped. He closed his eyes, opened his mouth, and let his voice flow out.
Draken closed his eyes and began to sing, his voice soft at first, like a gentle breeze stirring the leaves.
"In your eyes, I see the dawn,
A light that greets each day reborn."
Estelle's breath caught in her throat. The melody wrapped around her like a warm blanket, each note resonating with her soul. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the weight of emotions she couldn't name. Draken continued, his voice gaining strength.
"Your touch, a whisper, soft and sweet,
A melody my heart repeats."
As he finished, silence filled the room, save for the soft rustling of the curtains in the breeze.
Estelle blinked, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Draken... your voice... it's like magic."
He opened his eyes and saw the princess sitting wide-eyed on the bed. "Your voice has been blessed by Aria." "It's nothing." "Nothing you say. This is something. This is the best voice and the best song I've ever heard." "Can you continue with the song?" "How about later before you sleep," Draken suggested. "That sounds like a great idea," "Should we talk about something else?" Draken asked. "What do you think we should talk about?" "I think we should talk about..."
'Knock, knock'
"Who is it?" "Princess please it's time for your lunch and your parents await you." "Well guess I have to go Draken. I'll see you later," Estelle said as she left the room. After a few zorvs, another knock was heard on the door."The princess is not here right now." "I'm looking for you Draken," a voice said from behind the door. "Annia," Draken said as he went up and opened the door. "Can I help you?" he asked with his head poking out of the door. "Ummm, can you come out for a Zorv I want to ask you something." "Okaaay," Draken said as he walked out and closed the door behind him. "Ummm, I wanted to ask if you'd be busy tonight?" she said. "Not really. I don't have any plans this evening. Why?" "I don't know I wanted to go out with you this evening." "Okay. I'll go with you, but don't tell..." "Annia!!!"
Both individuals looked at the direction from which the voice came from. "Yulinda, wh... what are you doing here?" "Don't ask me that. You're supposed to bring me food today but since morning I've not received any and you're here talking to this imbecile!!" "I'm sorry Yulinda," Annia said as she bowed her head in shame. Draken stepped forward, his jaw tightening. "She's your friend," he said, his voice steady but firm. "You don't have to treat her like a servant." Yulinda sneered. "And who asked for your opinion?" "No one," Draken said. "But someone needs to stand up for her." "Do not let me uncover your secret to the royal family." She turned to Annia and said, "Now you," pointing at Annia. "Get me my food right now!" she said as she turned and walked away. "Guess I'll see you later, Draken," Annia said as she walked off. "See you..., too" Draken went back into the room.
Estelle opened the door and slammed it shut. "What's wrong princess?" Draken asked as the sound brought him back to reality. "I have to go to a ball tomorrow and my father decided to tell me now!" " And what's wrong with that?" "The wrong thing is that I don't like being around other nobles. I feel like not myself around them." "Tell me about it." "Pardon me," " Nothing. I said nothing. But you have to go. Where is the location." "I don't know. A carriage will be taking me there so my father didn't tell me where it will take place." "Okay, but..."
'Knock, knock'
"Princess, please it's time for your dinner. The king wants you to come with your servant."
"Let's go then," Estelle said walking towards the door.
"I'm sure Estelle..." "Ozzy, I've always told you not to refer to our daughters by their names in front of their slaves." "Okay, dear. I'm sure Princess Estelle has already told you about her event tomorrow." "No, your lordship. I am far below her for her to tell me anything important," he lied. "Okay then. Es..., Princess Estelle is attending a three-day event so..." "Three days!! You didn't tell me it was three days." "Watch your tone when you speak to your father, young lady." "Sorry Mother." "Don't apologize to me. Apologize to him." "Forgive me, father." "All is forgiven. Now back to what I was saying, The princess is going on a three-day event and I want you to decide whether you want to go with her or stay behind." "I'll respect any decision king takes." "Okay Draken, you will stay behind and choose a new job in the meantime" "Thank you, your majesty." "Thank you too Draken. You are dismissed." Draken stood up, bowed, and went back to the room.
He stood at the door for a few nimixs and Annia came by with Yulinda. He tried waving at Annia but she looked away. He stood there and after about thirty nimixs, the princess came back.
"My parents think you should close for the day." "What about..." She opened the door and slammed it again. "Your good night song." He turned and for the first time since he came to Elyria, made his way to the Slave Quarters.
*NEXT CHAPTER
A NEW PARTNER
THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, I WANT HER
TO BE WITH YOU FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS
*