There weren't always dragons in the valley, with their bright beautiful scales and powerful elegance it's no wonder people are freaking out. I mean, it would be justified if it was only a little freaking out, but... My nails make a light clicking noise as I tap the armrest of my chair impatiently. They haven't harmed anyone, nor will they, so the sheer volume of repeat complaints today has been astonishing.
"Your majesty, I implore you, I – my goats, the dragons will eat my goats and my livelihood is artisanal cheese! Without my goats my family will starve!" A ruddy-looking man cries, his swollen fingers flailing about hysterically. He could stand to miss a meal or two I can't help but think with an internal snigger. I could see my mother turn away to stifle an imperceptible giggle behind one of her hands before straightening up and dispassionately addressing the man. "Lord Caseous, the crown has heard your plight. We thank you for bringing us your concerns and can assure you, again, that your goats are safe." She shoots me a pointed look, as if to say, they are right? I give a subtle nod and smile as prettily as I can manage, my cheeks already sore from having done so countless times throughout the audiences today.
He stops for a second and then unconvinced, opens his mouth to protest again but my mother cuts him off, "As you know my lord, and as I should not have to repeat, our princess has the gift – the silver tongue. She has spoken to the dragons directly. Your concerns are unfounded." He shrinks in on himself a little. While lord Caseous may not have appreciation for it, dragons at least can be trusted, lies are a purely human construct.
A loud gong goes off nearby marking the hour. She stands from her throne, the white and gold patchwork silks tumbling down her sides elegantly, dismissing him silently as she walks away. I exhale a sigh of relief before getting up myself to follow her along. My limbs are stiff from sitting so long and I need to get outside, to the settlement, as soon as possible.
Apalala is giving birth today, her mate Errol told me that the first day a female dragon lays her eggs is the day they're the most vibrant –the most magical. Something I shouldn't miss if I could avoid it.
When the guards and my mother are far enough ahead, I duck into a side corridor. Seconds later I'm sprinting in my court garb; the white and gold silk pants and one-shouldered matching silk patchwork top hugging my figure as I run against the wind. I wouldn't miss this. I push myself to move as quickly as I can, I would have to cut through the brush in the south-eastern corner of the grounds to get there but from where the sun sat in the sky, I was already late and I need to save those precious seconds. I can just feel it. The urgency.