The Good and Bad Souls

Chapter 9: Analia

There is a huge golden gate which opens up to let us in. Inside, everyone is smiling, the children's mouths are hanging open as they watch us fly by them.

There are small huts around us, big trees with flowers on them surrounding us. It looks like we are now going into the market place.

I can see the castle from here. It's the only big building visible. Everyone here has small houses or huts, decorated with flowers.

We fly above the marketplace. Some people only notice us as the dragon's shadow looms over them.

They all start waving.

To me.

At first I am confused but then I am back in my senses. After all, they think I am their princess.

I wave back as we pass them.

Soon, we are not in the market place anymore, but in front of the castle. The dragon comes to a stop in front of it and a few guards come to help us down. This is nothing like the bad souls.

Now that I think of it, I haven't even seen the bad souls kingdom. I'd been inside the castle the whole time, and when we did leave from that prison, the dragon passed the city in a flash so I couldn't see anything.

Hmm, next time, we need to go slower.

A small boy, probably around twelve or thirteen, runs and takes me into a tight hug.

"Leaf, I missed you so much! You don't know how lonely I've been. Father wasn't letting me meet you. I am so glad you're back!" he squeezes me again, hard.

I take it this is Max, full name Maximillian, Princess Liferia's brother. Camara told me about him. She said that Max is princess Liferia's life. She'd do anything for him.

I stare at him hugging me, my body stiff, and look at Camara. She gives me a look that says 'do-what-you-have-to-do' and looks at Max.

I bend so I am his height, though he is tall for his age, but still I am taller.

"I missed you too Max. I had to leave for some work. But I feel so much better after seeing the face of my true love," and I pinch his cheeks, teasing him.

I've never had a sibling. I was always the only child, which I am happy about. I mean, I have always wanted a sibling. When I was small, I would cry to my mother for one. She'd smile at me, her dimples big and beautiful and say, "I have you, honey. That's all I need."

But if I did have one now, he or she would be depressed, they would only have me left for them. My parents, now careless, wouldn't even have bothered to deal with him/her.

"Hey!" he says, "I am a proper teenager now so don't pinch my cheeks. And don't call me your true love."

Wow, change of mood so sudden.

"And why shouldn't I, Mr.teenager? I mean you are my true love," I ask him.

"Looks like you already found you 'true love'," he mumbles under his breath and gives Prince Drake an accusing look.

I look from Max to Prince Drake. He was watching our little exchange.

I can see it in his face though now, he feels uncomfortable under Max's gaze.

I look to Max again and start speaking. "But you will always stay my true love, and no one can take that place from you." I brush the hair from his head that was covering his eyes.

"I know. Come now, father is waiting for you, and you," he says, giving a proud look, or let me say glare, to Drake.

Maybe, just maybe, I could've been a good older sister if I ever had any siblings.