TBATE-ONESHOTS

A Dragon Princess 7

"Hello, Tessia."

Tessia hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to do. Sure, she is royalty and has had individuals bow or curtsie to her before. However, that was when she was in Zestier as the elven princess. Now, she was in Dracthyria as a no-one, a cadet. And, even though she had been living in the castle for about a week, she was unfamiliar with their customs. So, she simply had to guess what to do.

Tessia turned to face the dragon queen fully and moved to stand beside Lilia. She bowed slightly at the waist, "Yo—"

Tessia let out an irritated yelp as she felt Lilia grab her by the shoulder and push her down into a kneeling position. She shot Lilia a quick glare, who was standing beside her casually before Tessia looked back forward toward Alice. She noticed how Alice's eyes flicked to Lilia before settling back on Tessia without changing her blank facial expression. 

"That is not necessary, Lilia dear," Alice said matter of factly. "Tessia may stand."

Tessia looked back at Lilia, seeing her brows raise, looking surprised.

Lilia nodded slightly, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Tessia refrained from giving Lilia another glare as she got to her feet. "Your Majesty. You summoned me?"

"I did," Alice said simply, as her eyes looked over Tessia. "No injuries. You've faired well over this last week, then."

Tessia refrained from complaining about how sore she felt and simply nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. The training wasn't too difficult."

Alice's lips curved, and she chuckled lowly, "Training? Oh no. That wasn't training." She shrugged, "Well, not really."

Tessia's brows furrowed, wanting Alice to elaborate, but she bit her tongue, not wanting to overstep her bounds. She watched as Alice elegantly stood from her throne and descended the dais. 

Alice approached Tessia and stopped mere inches from her, staring directly into her eyes. "Tell me, Girl. What have you learned over this past week during this training, as you call it?"

Tessia opened her mouth to speak but froze as she thought back to everything she had done. But, as she stood there, she couldn't think of a single thing that she learned during her training. In fact, it was almost like...

Tessia's eyes widened, "They were testing us."

Alice smirked, "Very good." She leaned closer, "Why do you think that is?"

Tessia felt a knot in her throat as she looked directly into Alice's slit brown eyes. Though they were beautiful, they were also the most intimidating thing she had ever seen. Not to mention, she felt like a powerful wave of water was washing over her, like when she saw Alice at the castle. But, like last time, she could endure it. 

Tessia pushed the pressure she was feeling away and thought hard, "They were assessing us. It's basic knowledge when it comes to training. Know what your strengths and weaknesses are, and build off that."

"True," Alice said before she finally looked away.

Tessia physically relaxed as Alice finally broke her gaze, as she no longer felt the pressure. She watched as Alice walked to the side and approached a table where a pitcher and several chalices were sitting. 

"But they were also trying to see if you had what it takes to continue," Alice said as she picked up a goblet and the pitcher from the table. "If the instructors deemed you too weak to continue, they would drop you from the course." She poured herself a glass and smirked, "And as I hear, you've done well."

Tessia looked at Alice curiously, "I didn't realize you were keeping tabs on me."

Lilia's head snapped to Tessia, glaring at her intensely. 

The king raised a brow, his blue eyes looking Tessia up and down.

Tessia mentally facepalm, scolding herself for the brazen statement she said without even thinking. 

Alice set the pitcher down before turning to look at Tessia. And, to Tessia's relief, she saw no anger in Alice's gaze. In fact, she almost looked amused.  

"I didn't," Alice said simply and took a drink of her water. She smiled slightly, "My daughter seems to have taken a liking to you. She speaks of you often."

Tessia's eyes flicked to Lilia.

Lilia rolled her eyes, "Not me, obviously."

Tessia's eyes fell, and she smiled a little. She and Eleanor had become close over this past week, and Tessia did enjoy her company. 

"She even tells me you matched Caera in a spar."

Tessia looked up to Alice, who looked slightly impressed.

Taking another sip of her water, Alice tilted her head slightly to the side, "That's not an easy feat, considering she is one of our best fighters." Alice stared at Tessia, who remained silent, waiting for a question. Then, Alice finally asked, "Who trained you, Girl?"

Tessia raised her chin proudly, "My grandfather. Vi—"

"Virion Eralith," Alice finished for her. She nodded, "We in Dracthryia know the name. His leadership during the last human and elf war was phenomenal. He is a strong and powerful leader, even now in his old age."

Tessia smiled at the thought of her grandfather, "That he is."

Alice's eyes narrowed in Tessia, "What about you, Girl?"

Tessia's brows furrowed, "What?"

Alice set her chalice down, looking at Tessia directly, "Do you consider yourself to be strong and powerful? Or, are you weak like some in Dracthyria believe?"

Tessia's eyes narrowed, growing irritated at the allegation of being weak. But, as she stared at Alice, she could see there was a questioning look in her gaze. It was almost like this was a test.

Tessia raised her chin, "I'll show you what I am in these weeks to come."

Alice remained motionless, her expression blank. But Tessia caught a glimpse of the king to her side, smiling slightly. 

"Then, I hope you don't disappoint," Alice said flatly as she turned and approached her throne. She turned and sat on her throne, staring at Tessia. "Over these next few weeks, your true training will begin. The instructors will teach you our ways. It is up to you to pass, as no one here will hold your hand or coddle you like a princess."

Tessia's eyes narrowed, "I never expected anyone to."

Alice's lips curved slightly, "Good. Focus, learn, and adapt to what the instructors teach you, for starting tomorrow, your training begins." She looked at Lilia, "For today, though, Lilia will show you around."

Lilia's eyes widened, "W-what?! Why me?!"

Alice frowned and stared at Lilia.

Lilia flinched and looked down, "Yes, Your Majesty." 

Alice nodded before looking at Tessia, "Don't die, Girl."

"I won't," Tessia said with confidence, and she swore she saw the queen grin.

Taking that as she was dismissed, Tessia followed a grumbling Lilia out of the throne room, and the doors closed behind her.

Alice stared at the closed doors across the room before she looked toward her husband, "So?" 

Reynolds looked at his wife and smiled, "I like her."

Alice chuckled and nodded before looking forward, "So do I."