The Dragon's Princess

3.

                                                                  ~ One Month Later ~

I woke up early so I could get some coffee before my stressful day started. Royals Week was finally here and today was the first day. Everyone would be arriving this evening for the ball but before than the final preparations had to be done. Tables were being set up in the ballroom so dinner could be served in there, the final touches were being put on the rooms, and the staff was working hard to make sure the palace was spotless from top to bottom.

I threw on some jeans, a random t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers before making my way downstairs. I weaved my way through all the staff that was running around doing whatever mother put on their lists and darted out of the house. I took the walk to Indigo's café to get some much-needed coffee to get through this stressful day. There was already a good amount of people out and about as I expected there to be. Royals Week was always an exciting time around the kingdom, all the citizens loved getting a chance to see and talk with Royals and they loved seeing us all together in perfect unity.

I walked into the café where Indigo was sipping on her own cup of coffee clearly still half dead to the world. Her usually glowing and sparkling deep blue eyes were dull when they slowly met my eye. She let out a sigh of relief as she saw it was only me.

"Thank god someone who will have an easy order. Everyone who's been in here today has been a nightmare." She said. "I swear I never get used to when its Litha's turn to host."

"It still amazes me that people get up this early voluntarily even though they know that no one is arriving until the sun starts setting." I shook my head.

"If it wasn't mandatory for shops to be open, I know I wouldn't be awake right now." Indigo laughed. "So, what shots do you need today?"

"Patience and energy," I responded.

She got to work making my iced coffee but kept talking as she did so, "So, Blaire came in before closing last night. It was the only time she'd been in here when no one else was around, so I tried to ask her about what she said to you about the Dragon last month. She wouldn't give me anything either. You're definitely right though, the girl's hiding something important."

"Well you'll both be with me all week, so I'll have plenty of time to question her about it," I said as I slid a copper coin out of my pocket and set it onto the counter. "I'll also take a fruit tart for Semoda."

She slid the coffee over to me and walked over to the case of baked goods and slid the tart into the bag. I said a quick goodbye saying that I'd see her later today before I made my way back home. Instead of walking in the front door, I walked around to the back and into the kitchen. All the staff members were sitting around enjoying their own coffees and breakfasts.

"Katalin, it was so nice to hear that you'd be the one overseeing us today," Brann said when I walked in.

Brann was someone who grew up in the palace alongside Indigo, Blaire, and I. His mother did pastries and desserts here in the kitchen where she taught Brann and its what got Indigo's interest in baking going. He was like a brother to me so when his mother passed a few years ago mother was quick to offer him a place here alongside us. He and I did magic training together, he was a sorcerer like I am, and he also made the choice to take his mother's position in the kitchen.

"Yeah, and mother thought this would be a punishment." I smiled. "Speaking of mother, have you seen her?"

He shook his head causing a few strands in his blond, slicked back hair to shift out of place, "No but she just started making her rounds to hand out more tasks. I'm sure she'll be in here soon."