World's Tale: Royalty and The Dragon

Chapter Five: Carefree

"Do you understand what's written in the letter?"

"..I do."

The man folded the piece of paper and replaced it back in the envelope.

"And your answer?"

He stood up and glared at the pageboy "It looks like I can't refuse the old man."

---

"M'lady? I'm coming in", Phiida cautiously opened the door, worried and at the same time afraid of what she'll find. Much to her surprise, however, Alina was simply sitting on the edge of her bed. Her fingers digging angrily in the piece of paper she was holding. When she looked up to her, the attendant saw her cheeks stained with tears and hurried to her side "M'lady?" whispered, kneeling down.

Alina raised the paper in front of Phiida, letting her hands drop lifelessly right after "I can't do this Phi" she said, her voice broken "I don't want to do this."

Phiida glanced quickly to her side, she had left the door open while coming in, and now Johee was standing against the doorway. Phiida sighed.

"Alina..." started the woman sitting next to her "You're the most righteous and put together woman I've ever met in my life. We've grown up together and I saw you pulling through so many hardships. But.."

Alina raised her head and stared into her eyes. Phiida bit her lip nervously.

"That's not a mindless killer, Phi" she hissed "There's a person behind that."

"There is indeed a person, Your Highness" interrupted abruptly Johee, straightening up "And I'm sure you know how many people died because of that one person's selfishness."

"I do but.."

Johee shook his head.

"Your Highness, there are things we can't change" he countered immediately "Phiida, your mother the Queen and I would have followed you through hell and back, kid", his voice softened up "And we still will, but we can't accompany you in this journey."

Alina bit her lip. Deep in her heart, she knew that she wouldn't be given free will all her life, but somehow she knew she wasn't ready to reign herself in just yet.

"Is there no other way?", asked her.

Phiida put her hands over Alina's and caressed them gently "There is always more than one way, sweetheart. But oftentimes they all lead to the same result."

Alina clicked her tongue frustrated, emotions swelling up inside of her. Her day was supposed to be better than that. She stood up and walked towards her bedside table, where she had left her gloves the day before "I'll be going."

"Alina, your escort.."

"Don't need" she cut short, slamming the front door behind her.

As soon as the light of the first rays of the morning hit her face, she felt better. Somewhere in the distance, there was the insistent chirping of the robins. The soft wind blowing through the village and the forest hustled the trees and brushed their leaves together. It was different than waking up in a busy city. Alina closed her eyes, stretching her arms upwards and passing her hands through her hair before letting her arms fall down to her sides. Taking a deep breath in, and exhaling, she opened her eyes to take in more of the beauty that surrounded her.

Just about in her view, Alina noticed Nel standing still a few meters away from her house. She was clutching a bandana in her hands, her brow furrowed. Alina's heart warmed almost immediately. Nel seemed to be dressed way more formally than she did when they met the night before. It was a dark cotton jacket, with a golden embroidery on both her shoulders. Her trousers weren't as lean as the other pair, instead, they felt larger around her tighs. Rather than the comfortable shoes, she had seen her wore the day before during her hunt, she was now sporting a pair of leather boots.