Playing with fire

1

Pushing open the great hall doors with my nose, my large paws padding along the polished black marble floors. People moved out of my way quickly as they realized a tigress was in their presence. Stalking up to the throne I bowed my head, my tail flicking as I waited for my father to say or acknowledge me.

Lifting my eyes from the floor I smiled my toothy grin at my father and rubbed my head against his hand as he acknowledged my presence.

"Welcome home darling. I trust your inner beast has settled down now that she has been let out for a few days?" He chuckled and flashed his dark green leopard eyes at me. Chuffing I wrapped my tail around his wrist and I rolled over wanting his to understand that she was never satisfied.

"I know ... Such short outings don't do our inner kitty's enough. Your mother and brother have finally arrived. Be on your best behavior alright?" He smiled down at me as I huffed and laid at his feet.

For the rest of the day I sat with my father listening to how he took care of the people of his court.

"Your majesty.. I have been requested to speak with you as a representative from my village." Said the man as he seemed to crush his hat in his hands.

Lifting my head up I watched him, my inner tigress saying he was the prey, my tail flicking I started to fidget. My body ready to strike.

"I will allow my daughter to take your request. She will soon be of age let us see what she thinks is best for your problem." His voice and tone made my tigress growl and my white fur stand up.

Closing my eyes I thought about my human form. My fur started to shrink into my skin, my eyes changed back into their normal shade of brown and my spine shortened as my bones began to return to their proper place. Sitting up I smiled my most charming smile as I sat naked at my fathers feet.

"Please excuse my state of attire, I didn't realize I should have had clothes ready. But please explain your conundrum to me. I shall try my best to figure out a solution to it." Smiling at the man I knew my nakedness and my smile it's self would make him uncomfortable.

"I um... Princess... I um.., there ... There is no... Way to pay.... The... Tax and the percentage this year... Our crops didn't come through...." Stammered the villager as I stared at him.

"Well then you pay it later or pay it twice over the next time, if that will, not work then I'm sure that taking the percentage out of what you do have will be enough."

I looked around the courtroom and smirked noticing that all the males seemed to be stiff as boards and that all the females seemed to be hiding behind their fans or staring at the floor. "Your majesty if that is all I am to be needed for then I'd like to retire to my room my lord"

I looked up as my father sighed and nodded "your excused sky. Please meet your mother and I for dinner later"

"Yes daddy."getting up I kissed his cheek and whispered "he is lying. He has the quota" into my fathers ear

He nodded and I slipped out of the room using the panel behind my fathers throne. Heading to my room i used the servants stairwells to navigate my way into my room.
Heading to the closet I pulled out the softest pair of ridding pants that I had and slipped them on along with a long sleeved shirt and a riding jacket.

Checking myself in the mirror I smiled and started to pin my unruly blonde hair up into a bun. "There that should keep you tamed for dinner for a little while". Smiling to my self I grab a silver and amethyst collar and slip it on. "Show time".

Walking into my mothers side of the castle, I couldn't help but try and hide the disgust on my face. The scent of overly floral perfume masked the very vacant and musky smell of the rooms that were unused.

"I wonder what she will have up her sleeve this time." Growling to myself I whirled around a knife in my hand and smiled.

"You know sister. Every time they call these annoyingly awkward family dinners that mother will always pit us against each other. It's just how she is."

"James you dumb ass! You know better than to sneak up behind me like that." Smiling I sheathed my dagger and fixed his tie. "When will you learn to tie your tie correctly?"

"When you stop doing it for me I guess. Now... How was your mission?" Offering me his arm I smiled and took it softly.

"It went fine. A little longer than necessary but that's probably because I was lazy and didn't want to show off again. I don't need to hear general Tsao argue with father that I'm too cocky, arrogant and flippant. What do you think mother will try and do this time?"

With a hand he raked his black hair and sighed. "I honestly don't know. But let's put it behind us and let's play their game. We are the best side of both of them. You of father, and I of mother. Let's put our heads together and turn their little games on its head. What do you say sis?"

Looking at James for the first time I could see myself in him.  "You are one sneaky little devil. Let's do it. Let's agree to whatever they want tonight. Agree with each other and put on pretty smiles and pretend we get along. " smiling I couldn't help but see my brother in a new light.

"Let's go princess. I shall follow  your lead." James pulled his dinner jacket close and fixed his tie and cuffs.