My heart, My love, My dragon

Chapter 9

"Lucia?" Anya questioned.

"Anastasia, it's not proper for the heiress of a High House to be alone with a man," Lucia scolded her.

Anya stole a glance at Luthor who stared at the floor embarrassingly, "But he's a boy as I am a girl. We're not adults yet for it to be considered improper."

Luthor's sharp intake of air alerted Anastasia as she saw that Lucia was aghast. "Anastasia! A proper lady does not talk back."

"But that's the thing, Lucia. I know nothing about being up to your standards because I am I human. My father was human so I am unable to shift to a dragon nor wield the hydra house powers," Anastasia argued. "Which is why I thought to make Luthor my tutor on magic spells."

Lucia paused to think until her face brightened like a light bulb. "Of course! How intelligent you are. If you can't morph or wield ice or water then you need to learn spells so when you are sent to the capital you can still represent us."

"You're sending her to the capital?" Luthor looked alarmed.

"Of course, House Hydra needs someone on the throne. And our sweet Anastasia is the key for that," Lucia patted Anya's head.

"What do you mean by that Lucia? You don't mean for me to be the King's wife, do you?" Anya felt sick. 

"Do not worry your little head about that now. Your training begins today," Lucia announced, ignoring Anya and Luthor's comments. "Starting with that corset. Looks like the maid has not tightened it enough."

Anya smiled nervously, "No, no, no. I'm positive she tightened it enough."

In truth, Anya could barely breathe with how tight the maid put the corset. Her waist felt caged. Still, Lucia took hold of the corset strings and pulled at them. Anya gasped and winced. It felt as though her waist was being molded into a different shape. Even, Luthor was cringing from afar.

"There. Your mother had the tiniest waist in the Kingdom and you must live up to her legacy," Lucia said firmly. "I'll leave so you can start your spell lessons with Luthor."

She left as quickly as she came. Luthor began ransacking his bookshelf and placing some books onto his desk as well as grabbing various potion vials. "I guess we can't waste time. Lucia will want progress by the end of the day and she will want to see proof."

Anya moved like a stiff stick and when she sat down the corset only seemed to tighten. "Luthor, is the capital where I just came from. Where King Arin is?"

Luthor nodded, "Yes, and they're planning on ascending you to the throne."

"Wouldn't that be considered i****t?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, what if Arin was my father. I would be marrying my father," Anya gagged.

"Anastasia, if he was your father then you would be the strongest dragon in the Kingdom due to having powerful parents," Luthor opened a book.

"Anastasia. Anastasia. What am I? A princess? Just call me, Anya."

"You have quite the tongue for an heiress of House Hydra. Khaleesi was always gentle on the outside but she harbored strong emotions she only showed to me," Luthor reminisced.

"How old were you when you met my mother?"

"I was 10 and she was sixteen. At seventeen she met King Arin and was whisked away to the capital at age 18. She got pregnant at 18 and a half and died at nineteen. The King and Khaleesi were born on the same day, time, and second. So since she was a babe her destiny has been laid out for her and they are going to do the same to you."

"When was Khaleesi and the King born?" Anya asked suspiciously.

"September 23. At 6:00 am. Exactly at 23 seconds after six," he responded flawlessly. Anya groaned aloud and rested her forehead against the desk. "What's wrong?"

"That's my birthday," she mumbled awfully.

"Then there is no doubt about it. High House Hydra has always been trying to put their heiress on the throne. Which is why they only wish to have daughters and not sons. But there is an unspoken curse for each heiress sent to the capital," his face turned somber.

"Curse?"

"After eight months that the heiress has spent in the capital, she will die. They will meet some sort of fate and you are no exception," Luthor shrugged.

"Then, I don't want to go to the capital," Anya frowned. They've put a death sentence on her.

"Why else do you think they are training you for? Khaleesi was just like you- wild and carefree. But they've tamed her. Tamed her to the gently soft-spoken Queen. She no longer defended herself or fought for her rights. That was King Arin's job now."

"How did Khaleesi die?" Anya asked curiously. All she's been hearing was that Khaleesi died but how?

"No one knows. Only the King does. But one thing is certain, she was eight months pregnant. So the King was enraged and depressed at the death of his beloved and his future daughter."

Anya paused. How would anyone believe she was Khaleesi's daughter? The ages were all jumbled. "I know everyone knows I'm not Khaleesi's daughter."

Luthor was genuinely surprised, "No one believes you are her daughter but her reincarnation. A gift the goddesses sent to ease our grief."

"But, what occurs during the anniversary of Khaleesi's death?"

"It's a Kingdom-wide grieving day. We mourn the loss of our Queen and little unborn princess. Nothing is celebrated there is only mourning and re-opened grief. Even the King does not celebrate his birthday. They say he goes to Khaleesi's and Kalli's grave and cries," Luthor points to a section of text for Anya to read.

"Kalli?"

"They had already planned a name for their baby."

"Guess there is no cake for me next week," Anya jokes.

Luthor grins, "I have a way to secretly celebrate it. Leave it to me."

"Luthor..." Anya hesitates. "Would you believe me if I were to say that I was Arin's beloved?"

There was a pause, "Yes because I saw the broadcast King Arin made. He looked firm when he said that you were his beloved and then you jumped in."

"But I don't want to be his beloved!" Anya groaned.

Luthor shushed her, "Don't say that out loud! Either way, your rejection will cause a deeper wound on the King's heart."

"But he's too old for me..."

"How? It's very common here."

"But in the human world it's against the law and it disgusts me. Not to mention the mating process I'll be forced to complete."

Luthor snapped her out of her thoughts, "Let's go. Focus on the spells. There is worse stuff to worry about..."

"Like what?"

"Lucia and Hydreich will crush your spirit and tame you to be docile like they did Khaleesi. And there is no way to stop it..."