Dragon Blossom

Epílogue

"King Freydelhart!" A soldier ran towards the war room of Artemia Castle, terror reflected in his eyes. "We are under attack! It's the dragon king, approaching from the south with a retinue of dragons."

"I am the consort king, soldier," the strong and sturdy sovereign stroked his regal beard, still without any gray hairs. He looked out the tower window with his helmet under his arm and his red cape billowing behind him, stirred by the wind. "Do not forget, the queen is Runaesthera."

"Oh no!" The queen approached, cradling a baby in her arms, but looking fresher and more sensual than anyone had seen her in her first hundred years of life. "I already told you, goblin head, my father left the throne for you to reign. I will take it when you leave it, not before. I will not waste the gifts of the goddess. Your children need a mother more than a queen."

"Excuses," said the king with a satisfied smile. "But anyway, we have a crisis." He turned to look at the poor soldier, who did not understand the lack of urgency of their majesties. "Boy! Inform Princess Erifreya that today we are going to hunt fairies."

—

Princess Erifreya Verrin Draconis was the eldest daughter of their majesties. Many thought she was the first natural child, as all her siblings resembled her, but the truth was that they had adopted her when she was little. She was a beautiful woman of twenty-five years, and as always, she wore a beautiful and elegant lace dress befitting her status as the first princess, pink with deep blue details that matched her own face. She wore her long pink hair loose down to her back where her wings began when she didn't wear her emerald earrings. She only left two thin braids around her ears. From them hung ruby-encrusted ribbons brought from Pellegrin, with a daring meaning her parents did not know. A gift from Queen Clessa and her cousin Fernera. Always so attentive, even if they weren't real family.

That day, she was walking through the rooms of her younger brothers and sisters.

"Lady Mera," her voice was sweet and affectionate, just like her face, which seemed unchanged since she turned sixteen. "Here again? It's been almost a year and a half since you fulfilled your vow. That anklet is just an ornament now, though it is pretty. Have I told you? Why do you keep returning to Artemia?"

The woman in her forties gave her a serious look. "Don't you miss your dear governess? I expected more from you. I taught you good manners, but it seems I can do better with your newest siblings."

"You did well with me, that's what Dad says, and with Hartrun, who is already a grown man. Ha, ha, ha, well, with all of us, I don't think there's a prince in Artemia or Meyrin who doesn't love you as I do."

"Oh, stop it, my girl. You will always be my favorite, not just because we are dragonesses. And take those things out of your braid. Your mother may be an ignorant child, but I will not allow Caramin to keep teaching you dirty things."

"I am a woman now, teacher, and my husband loves them," she gave her mischievous smile, which had never failed her in two long decades. "I promise I won't show them to Alista."

"Alright, but you better keep your promise this time. Out of the eight of you, that girl is the most troublesome."

At that moment, a royal messenger hurried into the room.

"Princess Erifreya, your father proclaims that it is a day to hunt fairies."

"So that wretch finally shows herself. Is the dragon king at our gates, soldier?"

"Indeed, Your Highness, all forces are already on alert..."

"Lady Mera, help me with the buttons on my back, please."