The Last Dragoness (On Hold)

1|Rosalie (Ten Years Later)

I shifted the neck of my dress before turning from the mirror to my personal servant, Anne.

"It's uncomfortable. Do I really have to wear this?"

Anne sighed and moved to adjust the neck for me. "Yes, you will be sitting on the King's right hand during this court."

I frowned and thought about how I would be taking Niles' rightful spot at the court my father was holding. Though I supposed I couldn't complain given Niles was off fighting in the very war we would be discussing tonight.

I gave a longing glance at my riding clothes I had to cast aside in order to prepare for the court. Giving Anne a small smile I looked at the time.

"Very well, Anne. I must be getting to the throne room before the dukes and jesters arrive." I said to her sarcastically.

"Oh my lady." Anne sighed and wrapped her arms around me. "Don't mess this up. This is the prime opportunity you to show you father that you are mature enough to handle your desires. No matter how rash they are."

I laughed and hugged her back. "I won't mess up Anne. And my desires are not rash. I think that I have all the right to want to go back out there. I haven't been farther from the castle than the arena Father built me since I was six!"

I left her embrace, giving her a small smile before leaving my chambers. Lifting my dress so I could quicken my pace I hurried to the throne. Once there paused to settle myself before knocking loudly on the doors. I didn't usually knock but since I didn't know if my father had company or not it was protocol to knock.

"Come in!" A loud voice barked from behind the oak doors.

The guards who stood outside the room pushed the doors open and I entered. Father did have company but it was only his most trusted adviser.

"Princess Rosalie! What a pleasure." Damien bowed.

"Oh c'mon Damien. You saw me when I was in diapers." Damien just chuckled.

My father finally looked up from his paper work. "Why, Rose! You look dazzling!"

I grinned and walked over to hug him. "Thank you. Now is there anything I can do before the noodles get here?" I joked lightly.

"Now, now," my father frowned at me but I could tell he was trying not to laugh. "Rosie, do not call them noodles." He turned back to Damien. "At least not when they get here."

I grinned, happy I amused my father. "Very well. But really, what can I do?"

Father looked at me with a twinkle in his eye. "Nothing for now. Though we do have a guest. He should be here soon."

I glared suspiciously but let it drop considering I was being handed a large stack of parchments. On the top parchment was a list of Dukes, Counts, and Princes who agreed to be our alliances in this war. On the next page was a list of subject points Father wanted to hit while holding this Court. That particular list went on for three more pages. I sighed deciding not read them all and moved on to the page after the topic points. It was a map of our country, Thaselania. Along with other countries I didn't care to try to pronounce.

On the next page was a map of the country we were currently at war at. Timiner. That was where all our courageous men were. And where I longed to be. The map looked like it had been stolen. It was not the color of the parchment we used in Thaselania. I frowned and began to open my mouth to ask about it when there was a loud firm knock on the door. My father looked up distractedly at the door.

"Ah, that must be him." Father set his papers down and grinned at me. I glared suspiciously at the doors. "COME IN!"

The doors opened slowly and then in strode a young man of about twenty-four or five. The man had to be at least six feet and five inches tall. His hair was light brown and his skin tanned from the sun of hiding in barren fields. He even had battle scars on his exposed fore-arms.

"NILES!!!!" I screamed and practically flew out of my throne and across the room to him, despite my attire. Niles readily caught me and spun me around, hugging me to him tightly like he had so many times before.

"Rose!" He said with almost as much enthusiasm as I had. He set me down and held me at arms length as he looked me up and down. His eyes lingered on my dress and he cocked an eyebrow. I was wearing a black gown with a silver belt around my waist where the skirt flowed out. "I've only been gone a year and you decide to grow up on me? I won't have it!" I blushed and slapped his arm but he just pulled me back into a hug.

We walked over to Father with my hand in Niles'. Even when he was a teenager he held my hand like this. I once asked him if it embarrassed him but just shook his head telling me about he loved to hold my hand. Niles dropped my hand to embrace Father and shake Damien's hand. I let the men talk about strategy for the meeting. I went over and sat in the throne I previously occupied; I unconsciously rubbed the mark that was indented onto my skin. I mulled over who that man with the orb could've been for what was probably the millionth time.

A hand in front of my face brought me out of my reverie. I looked up to see that Niles was standing in front of me with a cocky grin. "Already trying to take my throne, huh?"

I smirked and pointed to my old throne. "Father invited me to sit on his right hand. You can sit on his left."

Niles made a show of whining. "But I want to sit there!" He pointed to my seat.

"No."

"Fine," he huhrumphed and turned. I thought he was walking away but instead he sat on me! I screamed and tried to push him off but then Father got involved.

"Niles! Get off your sister. I invited her to sit at my right hand. Now move!" I smirked at Niles and was finally able to push him to the floor right as there was a knock on the throne room doors. Niles quickly righted himself and scurried over to the seat left of the King's throne. Father was much more superior in making his way to his throne, Damien followed,standing behind my Father's right shoulder.

"Enter!" My father bellowed.