The Prince and His Dragon

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   "Your Excellency, she's doing it again," grumbled King Drew's courtier, Desiree. She bowed before the King then stood up straight.

   "She's just pretending," Drew assured her. "After all, she is 10." The courtier wasn't so easily persuaded. She looked to her left where window overlooked the courtyard. Princess Rose was holding a stick and swinging it like a sword. She had dirt covering her cheeks and chin like makeshift facial hair.

~~

   That evening, Rose, Drew, Rose's younger brother, Tanner, and her older sister, May, were sat at the royal dining table for supper. Tanner was folding his napkin into a paper airplane. May slapped the top of his hand.

   "Won't you behave, brother?" She scolded him. He stuck out his tongue and blew raspberries. Rose, on the other hand, was picking at her nails. It had become a habit of hers since her mother died of yellow fever.

   "Rose, quit. That's a bad habit to maintain," her father told her as he placed a hand over hers. She looked up at him and blinked.

   "Sorry, father," she muttered.

   "And don't mumble. A princess never mumbles. She always speaks clearly and confidently."

   "Yes, father."

   Once their meal arrived, they dug in. Tanner ate sloppily to the ire of May. Rose ate as cleanly as she could, given the circumstances. It wasn't easy to stay tidy when eating spaghetti. But she tried her best.

~~

   After the three kids brushed their teeth and changed into their pajamas, they were tucked into bed by their father. After he left the room, May and Tanner rolled onto their sides to sleep. Rose stared up at the ceiling and sighed. The noise didn't fall on deaf ears.

   "What's on your mind, sister?" May asked.

   "I don't know... I feel weird."

   "That's because you are weird," Tanner chuckled.

   "Hush, brother," May snapped. She sat up and looked at her younger sister. "What makes you say that?" She asked her.

   "I don't know... I feel... wrong. Like my body isn't mine." May tilted her head curiously.

   "What do you mean?" She asked.

   "I don't know. Let's just forget I said anything. Okay? Okay." With that, Rose rolled over and closed her eyes. May eyed her for a moment longer before sighing and laying back down.

   "You're both weird," Tanner said.

   "Go to bed," May hissed.