fakes in shining armor // k.s.

chapter five

The carriage ride to Astoria was long -- about three hours --, but it was worth it; Astoria was beautiful. It was a small kingdom placed in the middle of the woods, with Astoria Castle being the central place. Astoria Castle was a gray, brick palace, and the outside of it was bustling with people.

"Wow," Faye gaped, peeking her head out the window of the carriage.

"Get down, Princess!" Corazon hissed.

"But it's so beautiful!" Faye whined.

Corazon pulled her down. "You'll blow your cover!"

Faye sat back down. "Okay, okay, fine." She adjusted her tiara.

"We're pulling up," Corazon stated, glancing out the window. "Morabor!"

The carriage slowed down to a stop, right in front of a quiet part of Astoria Castle. When Faye opened her door, she caught a glimpse of the King and Princess of Astoria, who were bounding down the stairs to greet them.

The King was a bald man, lack of hair cleverly covered with a lavish crown, with umber skin, and regal garb. He wore a long, green tunic over dress pants and a silk sash. The way he stood, his shoulders back, body straight, screamed "AUTHORITY" more than his clothes did.

The Princess stood next the King. She had long, wavy, dark brown hair that fell past her shoulders, and a tiara she wore on her forehead instead of the top of her head. She had on a red dress with multiple layers that was short in the front and long in the back. Her silver heels matched all the jewelry she wore, especially a crystal ring on her right hand.

"Hello, Princess Faye," the King greeted, bowing. The Princess fell into a curtsy simultaneously.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness," Faye addressed politely. She curtsied to both of them, bowing her head. Corazon did the same.

"Welcome to Astoria." The King gestured to his castle. "I deeply apologize about your kingdom, and can assure you that you will not be in any danger here. Please, come in."

The four of them bounded up the steps, with the Princess staying with Faye.

"I heard you got admitted to Knight School," she told Faye, a happy glimmer in her brown eyes. "That's so cool!"

"Yes, it is, especially since you are the only non-Dragon Blood in attendance," the King interrupted, opening the doors to the castle. "Knight School only admits those descendants of the most noble warriors," he explained. Obviously, Faye wasn't one of them.

When the King mentioned Dragon Bloods, the Princess smirked, as if she knew something about them he didn't.

"So you'll have to pretend to be one of them," the King continued. "But you being a royal, will have no trouble with that."

"I wish I could go to Knight School," the Princess sighed dreamily.

The King looked to her. "For the last time, no. Not you too," he scolded.

"So... this castle is really nice," Faye interjected, trying to ease the tension between father and daughter, "this whole kingdom is beautiful."

The Princess smiled, sadness disappearing. "Thank you," she replied. "But I bet Nayilam is nice, too. I've always wanted to go. What is it like there?"

Faye thought about the kingdom she had lived in for so long, trying to conjure images of it in her mind. Nayilam was a small island of its own, surrounded by water, with the long road connecting it to other countries. It was more of a beachy place, unlike Astoria, which was wooded. If you walked far enough, you'd see the clear, blue water, and the pale sands. Everyone was nice and tanned, because it was always sunny, and everyone smiled.