The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 20: The Pauper Enamored

"Cassiel! Cassiel! Cassiel!" They shout excitedly. They never stop.... When are they going home?

"Your highness, your parents request that you join them in the throne room before the messenger arrives." One of the servants reminds me. Oh, good. Now we can find out why no one wants to marry me.

"Thank you for reminding me of that." I reply though I knew that once I my back, she would glare daggers at me and think I'm only pretending to be nice.

Doesn't matter. No one understands what I'm going through..... I thought to myself as I make my way to the throne room. As usual, my parents were sitting in their rightful thrones but by their sides were my two older sisters. What are they doing here?

"Oh, Cassiel! You're here! Come, come!" Mom greets and gestures for me to go to her.

"Afternoon, Cassie." My oldest sister sweetly greets with a smile that only comes whenever I'm suffering. Why can't I be pretty like her? Long blonde and white hair, pale complexion that looks flawless, natural pink lips, and a mix of blue and green eyes.

"Don't you mean Pschye? Though, Cassie fits him more as a girl than Pschye." My other little sister remarks. She looks like a miniature version of our oldest sister but her beauty was still plain compared to mine.

"Now, now girls. We allowed you two to witness the news firsthand. Don't force me to send you away." Dad intervenes. That shut them up from calling me other names.

"Thanks, Dad. But it's fine." I respond, hugging Mom and pecking her cheek which made her smile.

"We were only acting as the loving sisters we are." The oldest justifies with the other nodding her head.

Dad releases a tired sigh before our servant announces the arrival of the messenger we were waiting for. We immediately straighten ourselves so that we appeared dignified while we waited patiently, well except my two sisters, for him. The messenger strides into the throne room and bows in respect to us.

"What news have you bought us?" Dad asks.

"I bring great news, my king. Your third child will have a husband!" He shouts. My parents break out into a cheer but it was short lived. "However, you will not have a son-in-law."

"What?! You just said that my child will have a husband! That signifies having a son-in-law!" Dad angrily shouts and I don't blame him. Even I'm confused. How am I going to have a husband who's not going to be my parents' son-in-law?

"I was told that the husband will be a dragon-like creature who harasses the world with fire and iron that even the gods are terrified of it......" The messenger informs cautiously.

"A dragon?! That's the last thing I need!" Dad complains while my sisters snicker.

Great, I'm going to be married to a dragon that even the gods are afraid of. What's next? Our honeymoon will be in a cave inside a volcano? I mentally retort. It's can't get any worse, right?

"There is more, your highness...." The messenger states.

"What now?!" Dad yells furiously. I don't think he can take any more bad news..... I walk to his side and hug him, hoping he would calm down some.

"Pschye must jump off the cliff wearing funeral attire by tomorrow morning otherwise the kingdom will perish." The messenger forewarns. What?

"Thank you for journeying to the Oracle of Delphi. Please, take your reward and go." Mom quickly interjects before Dad could do something drastic like sentence him to slavery or death. The messenger nods his head and scurries away from the throne room.