Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 10: The price of the Crown

"Did that statue move?"

Ella followed Daffodil's wide-eyed gaze towards a large marble statue of a winged horse. One of her favourites. She leaned over and whispered conspiratorially, "Some say they do. The marble statues of the palace are said to be enchanted. They have a will of their own."

Daffodil looked at the statue for a moment, before breaking out into a large, unwavering grin. "I like them a lot."

Ella mirrored her expression. "I do too."

There was a distinct change from the frightened little girl from the night before. When Ella went to see her bright and early that morning, she found a fierce guardian. Daffodil was still timid and weary, but she mustered scraps of bravery to watch over her brother. The maid attending them told Ella that she had refused to leave the room or her brother's side. She was determined to care for him.

Ella was relieved to find that despite the horrors the children had gone through, it hadn't broken her spirits. Daffodil was timid, but Ella could tell she still held a spark.

It had taken much coaxing, but after repeatedly assuring her Quill was well taken care of, Ella had finally managed to convince Daffodil to step out of the room for some fresh air. Throughout the morning, as they explored the castle, Daffodil had slowly begun to come out of her shell.

"And who's that?" Daffodil pointed at the portrait of a stern, blond-haired man mounted on a fearsome horse.

"I believe that is my great-great-great uncle Raevon." She paused. "Once removed."

Portraits of the distant Aeron ancestors usually weren't littered around the castle. Callan said it was disconcerting to have eyes on him at every odd turn. And so, he'd had most of them stuffed into a gallery on the west wing, along with other works of art, where visitors could come and gaze at them. Ella had often visited the Hall when studying her family tree--vast as it was--and it had helped her put a face to the names she learned.

Daffodil roamed the gallery, taking it all in with the same sense of awe she had for every bit of the castle. She came upon a large, gilded portrait and sighed in admiration.

"Who is she? She is so pretty."

Ella came up to her and smiled as well. A beautiful woman with brilliant golden-white hair and a serene smile, massive white wings surrounding her like a halo. In her lap, she held a large platinum globe, upon which her hands were gently folded.

"That is my grandmother. The consort Queen Arianell."

"She looks a little like you," Daffodil nodded. Then, timidly, she snuck a glance at Ella. "Does that mean you're a princess?" She looked at Ella in awe, as if seeing her in a new light.

"I suppose I'm something like that," Ella hummed in amusement.

She'd not spoken about it with Callan. She had little interest in titles, and it changed nothing between them, but it did have a deep significance for the Kingdom and the people around them. She supposed at some point, they would have to talk about it.

"My lady, sorry to interrupt, but I have the books you requested." Poppy, a maid, stood at the entrance of the gallery carrying a stack of hefty tomes. "And a package from the seamstress arrived."

"Thank you, Poppy. Could you please leave them for me in my rooms?"

Poppy nodded and bowed before leaving. Ella bit back a chagrined sigh. One of these days, she would get her to stop curtsying and calling her Lady.

Daffodil's gaze followed Poppy until she left the room. Once she did, she looked up at Ella with twinkling eyes. "You have books here?"

"A few libraries," Ella acquiesced. At Daffodil's gasp, she asked, "Do you know how to read?"