The Cursed Prince

"There they are!" Kira shouted excitedly. They were all waiting for Renwyck to arrive with his two dragons.

Emmelyn and Maxim were standing in the middle of the huge garden, waiting for Renwyck who came with Aslain and Eris, his two dragons. If Aslain had green scales, and Sand who left with Edgar was blue, then Eris was pitch black.

Emmelyn imagined if she were to see Eris in the middle of the night without any lighting, she would only see his scary red eyes. Eris too was bigger than Aslain, just like his brother, Sand.

Also, after careful observation, Emmelyn realized Eris had two horns, albeit small, while Aslain didn't. The shape of their heads was also different. This made Emmelyn wonder if the dragons were even from the same species.

When she asked Maxim about it, the king told her to ask Renwyck.

"Oh... indeed. They are not from the same family," Renwyck explained. "Aslain and I found the two dragon eggs twenty years ago when we were traveling to Samandora. Their parents were killed by some stupid knights using a very dirty method. The eggs survived because the mother hid them somewhere safe. After they hatched, Aslain decided to raise them."

"Oh.. poor kids," Emmelyn pressed her lips. She looked up to see the majestic but scary-looking dragon, as dark as the night. Judging from how strong and healthy this dragon was, she assumed it had a good life. She turned to Renwyck. "You and Aslain did a great job raising them."

"Thank you, your grace," Renwyck replied with a smile. "Which one do you prefer to ride? Aslain or Eris?"

Emmelyn and Maxim exchanged glances and both replied in unison. "Eris."

They chuckled and hit each other's back. "Copycat."

Kira rolled her eyes at the sight. These two really made her feel jealous. They were not even a couple, but why did they click so well and looked so good with each other?

Kira felt like being thrown dog food when she was around them and she didn't like it.

She also wanted to find a boyfriend. A handsome man with class and culture, who could also yield a sword, at least.

Was it too big of a request to ask?

Ugh... she should ask Horatio if he could find someone to teach her royal manners or whatever it was they called it.

Kira wanted to try to look presentable for the next time when she met another handsome nobleman, like Edgar.

She watched dreamily as Maxim and Emmelyn got acquainted with Eris before they rode him to get to Myreen. Based on the queen's instruction and what Renwyck learned from the old books about Myreen, they could predict the location of the hidden kingdom. 

Maxim had made preparation and appointed many people to help him taking care of the capital while he was away. If all went well, he and Emmelyn would be back in one month.

"Okay, let's go now," said Maxim. He helped Emmelyn get on Eris's back before he jumped to sit behind her. He motioned Horatio to come closer and the royal butler gave him a bag together with their coats.

The temperature in fall in Summeria was not too cold, but they would be flying and the air would feel chilly. So, they were prepared with leather coats and thick scarves.

The bag had some stuff needed to hunt and roast animals to eat on the way. Maxim also carried his sword. He gifted a long knife to Emmelyn the day before, and now she carried it on her waist too.

Seeing Emmelyn and Maxim settled, Renwyck stomped his staff to the ground and jumped lightly on Aslain's back. They were now ready to go. 

"Be careful!" Kira looked at them in awe.

She watched as the two dragons stomped the ground and dashed upward. Their wings opened and started flapping as soon as they were above her head. It was a magical sight to behold.

"Bye Kira!" Emmelyn didn't wave because she was holding on Eris' back so tightly. She was still nervous. 

"Are you okay?" Maxim asked from behind her. Emmelyn nodded. The man chuckled and didn't say anything.

He was scared shirtless when he rode a dragon for the first time. So, he understood her. He knew she would get used to it after a while and just needed to give it time.

So, he focused his gaze toward the view under them. They were flying around 200 meters above the ground. Everything looked different from above. More beautiful.

All the buildings in Castilse, the people, the crowds, the river, the ten canals that ran through the city... all looked very interesting.

He loved seeing the perspectives, colors, shapes, from above. Maybe this was how gods saw humans, if there were any gods up there.

"This... this is beautiful.. " Emmelyn muttered.

She, too, was mindblown by the beautiful sight below them. Everything looked so small... and so beautiful. A smile curved up on Maxim's face when he heard her slightly nervous voice.

It looks like Emmelyn had started to relax and now she could enjoy the ride better. He was happy Emmelyn asked him to send Edgar home with Sand, because now he got to share Eris with Emmelyn.

He wished this ride would last forever and not just days. The air starting to feel cold, even for someone like him who had a high tolerance for cold. So, he wrapped his coat tightly.

"Put this on," Maxim said to Emmelyn, draping the thick scarf on her back. He did it as nonchalantly as possible, so as not to make her feel awkward.

"Thanks," Emmelyn replied. She took out two leather gloves from her coat pocket and wore them too. Now, she felt comfortable.

Eris flew leisurely over Castilse, then continued to the east, passing through village after village. His big shadow always made people look up when they saw it on the ground.

They would shout and cheer. Some were scared and ran for their life, thinking the dragon would want to eat them. 

Maxim shook his head and chuckled. He thought they were funny. The young king observed the ground as he flew over his kingdom and admire the view.

If there was the next life, Maxim wished he could be a bird, so he could fly like this.

Or a dragon.

Hmm... perhaps he should think higher. Maybe a god.

As he was busy with his mind, his gaze landed on Emmelyn's back who sat before him, their bodies almost touched. If there was the next life, he would still want to meet this girl again.

Perhaps, live a simple life as a commoner. He had enough of complication in this lifetime, being a royalty.

***

In Kingstown, Draec, the king was sitting on his favorite lounge chair with the little princess on his lap. Two beautiful girls with big eyes and beaming faces stood in the corner looking excited.

"Princess Harlow just called you dada, Your Majesty!!! We heard it!" They cried in unison. "Oh my god!!!"

Mars threw them a murderous glare. He thought they were too noisy. The king said in an annoyed tone,  "Ssshhh...!! I want to hear it again. Can you two shut up?"

The two instantly froze like statues and focused their attention on the baby who was looking at them with a disapproving gaze.

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Edgar will arrive in the next chapter!! #squeal