FRAGILE

chapter 1-A chance

Melissa hated the king.

She hated him so much it angered her to even think that she was actually stepping foot in his forsaken palace. But she was doing it for her clan. That was the only thing that kept her going as she traveled through the various cities of the great kingdom of Goldenfire, passing through various cities like Dragon's tooth and Chorosarous to get here.

As soon as the chariot that was carrying her came to a halt, she thanked the horseman, a stout friendly elf, giving him two gold pieces as payment.

He tipped his hat, giving her a wide smile and a full display of his decaying yellowing teeth. She grimaced, giving him a short smile back, then gathering her dress and walking towards the main entrance of the palace.

The palace was beautiful.

There was no denying that.

It stood tall, stretched across the land, with a carefully carved golden dragon placed right on top. It was also adorned with the view of the beautiful lake Zamora behind it, named after the former king Edgar's lovely wife. The mother to the current king Adrian. Melissa had really hoped that she would have been around to keep the king in check while she confronted him, but of course, the gods were not in her favor, or her clans for that matter.

Melissa had never been one to beg. Especially such a spoilt brat like King Adrian, but she'll beg today if she had to. The clan was worsening by the day. This was the third time she had come to the palace seeking a word with the King, but she had been rejected each time. Today, she wasn't leaving without seeing him.  She had to return unfailingly tomorrow, and there was no way she was going back home with nothing but good news.

With that thought, she gathered her dress in her arms to prevent it from sweeping the floor. As soon as she arrived at the main entrance of the palace she was stopped by two guards. Her sixth sense was telling her that they were ogres. Contrary to popular believes, ogres weren't actually as hideous as most people believed tem to be. They were just a little uglier and chubbier than the average human being, and when they spoke their voice came out more animalistic than normal.

Also, they had short term memory, so unless you were a constant part of their life they couldn't remember things for more than a day. Hence, why they couldn't remember her, even though she had come to the palace two days in a row.

"State your name and your purpose" one growled.

"Melissa Star, and I am here to meet his highness" she replied smoothly.

The one that asked the question turned and went inside and grumbling something intelligible, leaving her with the other glaring ogre.

Not long after, the first ogre came out with a stunningly beautiful young man following after him. Melissa was awed at his beauty, he seemed almost unreal. He had striking white hair and sharp blue eyes, full lips and almond shaped eyes, put together with a small nose that fit his face perfectly. He also seemed disinterested at the sight of her.

Melissa had never seen him before, the days prior she had been escorted in by palace guards, but she knew this man had a higher rank. He commanded respect with his presence and was dressed with garment to fine for a lowly palace guard.

He was her only chance of actually getting a word with the king.

"Who are you?" he asked, with a smooth velvety voice, raising a perfectly chiseled eyebrow.

"I'm Melissa Star, and I've travelled all the way from Silverstone to confront the king about my clan." Melissa replied.

Damascus fought the urge to roll his eyes at the mention of the King, "I heard something about you from one of my men" he said thoughtfully, "you've come here before?"

She nodded vigorously, "I have come her for the last two days seeking an audience with the king"

Damascus felt pity for her, the woman was obviously desperate, but he knew Adrian was in no mood to help people at the moment, "let me spare you the embarrassment. If the king rejected you two days in a row, I doubt he'll have a change of heart today"

Melissa glared. She wasn't leaving without seeing the king. She couldn't fail her people. It had taken her a week to get to the palace, time was running out.

"I'm not leaving" Melissa stated firmly. "You can tell your king that I will be here until he allows me to speak to him."

Damascus raised a brow in amusement, he liked this girl. Anyone that despised the king was a friend of his, he could see the hatred in her eyes, "As you wish" he replied. She deserved an audience with the man child they called a king. "This way please"

Melissa was shocked at his sudden change of heart, but quickly gained her composure and smiled gratefully at him, following his lead.

They both walked down many hallways before finally getting to the throne room. Melissa couldn't help but admire the way Damascus walked, his steps were graceful as he glided across the floor, barely even touched the ground. She had already deduced that the man was a faerie. They were the only the ones who could possess such striking beauty and fine white hair.

She had tried to imitate his steps, but only ended up making a fool of herself so she stopped and settled with admiring.

"I'll go in first to inform the king, then come and escort you in" Damascus informed her, then the guards pushed open the doors and Damascus walked in. she barely got a glimpse of the throne room before the doors were shut on her.

Damascus was inside for a while, and Melissa wondered what was going on in there. She was tempted to teleport inside, but she knew that sorcerers using their power inside the palace without permission was a grave crime and could result in hanging.

Finally, she heard footsteps approaching her from the other side of the door.

They were opened again to reveal Damascus, but he wasn't looking at her, he was turned towards the king.

"I present to you sorceress Melissa from Silverstone," Damascus's silky voice floated through the air, she could also pick up a hint of sarcasm, and she knew that was her que to walk in.

She quickly gathered her dress into her arms and walked gracefully into the throne room.

This is it, she thought.

This was her chance.