Dragon's Sorceress Queen

7. Princess Eleanor

Rosabella-

"The mighty King, King of all the Kings, the strongest to ever walk on land, the most feared, the most respected, King Dargan arrives his Royal Kingdom!" The town crier shouts at the same time when Dargan's horse passes the gates to the castle. 

"The respected Queen, from the second strongest Kingdom, the kind and generous, Queen Rosabella Rosalind Dargan arrives in her Royal Kingdom!" He cries out again at my arrival. 

I step out to the awaiting combatants and ministers. 

I think his mother isn't even here to welcome me...

"My King, welcome back." One young man dressed like a nobleman steps forward and bows. He looks young, younger than Dargan. 

I wonder what is Dargan's age...  

Dargan simply nods and looks at me. I move beside him with Nina behind me.

"Welcome, Queen Rosabella." He greets me before we make our way inside.

Maids are standing in a row at our left side for our welcome, under the shade of a high ceiling that ends after a few steps inside the castle. Each maid is standing with a copper dish in her hand and each has different things in it. 

Dragan stops before the maids and the first one stands in front of us. She greets us before Dargan turns to me.

"These are the things to be distributed among the Kingdom. Touch each dish to increase its value for the people." He says that I put my hand on top of the first one along with him without asking him anything. This continues with each lady as they keep moving to our right side. 

When we step in the open sky, I see a huge stone castle in front of me with its wings spread in different directions. There is a huge clearing ahead of us before a huge stone castle adorns the land. It is surrounded by lush trees with a separate door at the side that I notice nonetheless. It might lead to the other part of the castle, probably the dungeons, who knows?

Two men come beside us to hold two different parasols of white colour with golden embroidery on them. I can already guess that the front wing is the main living area for the nobles and the King's family. 

We enter and walk through the huge and wide corridor with maids standing on each side. Then we enter a wide great room with several sitting arrangements. I notice one corridor at the end that leads to some other place from the great room. 

We take more turns after passing the great room before I am finally brought to the throne room. The throne room has a huge balcony at the front which I guess is to communicate with the people.

Dargan grabs my hand and moves to the front. Several ministers come and congratulate us before it's time for me to take my oath.

"I, Rosabella Dargan, swear by the Lord that on becoming the Queen of the Royal Kingdom, I will be faithful to the laws. I will give my loyalty to the Royal Kingdom..." I continue the oath.

After all the ceremonies, the ministers introduce themselves and I get to know that the young man from before is named, Roald Fredini. 

After that, Dargan leads me to the balcony that has been fascinating me since I've entered here. 

"Good, you didn't disappoint me," Dargan whispers in my ear and I throw him a sharp look.

"Unfortunately," I say with a tight smile.

I raise my head straight seeing all the people gathered there, some in their wolf form while others in their mortal form, waiting for their King to arrive and address them. They all look so small from above here.

"To all my people, I present you our Queen, Rosabella... Dargan!" Dargan raises my hand straight before howls erupt into the sky. Dargan looks at me with his intense look after he adds his name after me, telling me that I'm his now.

"Hail the King!"

"Hail the Queen!" The crowd starts chanting and I remember about Nina and the two girls. 

Dargan raises his hand to quiet their howls of joy before giving a little speech about my crowning as the Queen. I think in my mind whether the date of my crowning would come in between my mission, but I figure out it'll be done before that.

Dargan dismisses everyone and walks me back to the great room. He tells me that all other nobles have another entrance door to their chambers while this one is for the family. Precisely, he is the only man allowed in this wing. 

"I'll show you your chamber." He says before grabbing my hand yet again. 

"Wait. I need to first take care of Tina and Ana." I tell him.

"They'll be moved among the citizen of the Kingdom. They'll have a place and everything with work as well. You don't need to worry about them." He says dragging me to the massive staircase at the side that I hadn't noticed before.    

How could this go unnoticed?

"Nina?"

"She'll live where other maids live." He says.

"You don't understand. She is not my maid but the only friend that I have."

"Enough." He says suddenly stopping in his tracks.

"You've gone against everything that I have said. You stayed with those girls, even brought them here even after I had not agreed with you. So, just shut up because there are no combatants here to witness anything that I do with you if do not seal your mouth." He says threatening me and I swallow hard. I suddenly realize that my previous actions have made him angry indeed. His eyes are cold and he is not playing with his threats.

"She is my fri..."

"I don't care." He simply replies before passing through two nicely drawn curtains and takes a turn to the right. We both pass the entrance and we enter the sitting area of my chamber. It is huge and intimidating like the rest of the castle.

"Rest for now and be ready for tonight's dinner." He commands simply.

"I don't care for tonight's dinner," I say adamantly.

"Alright, then let's see for how long Nina will survive here." He says stepping closer. Something tells me that he can make things really ugly if I try to push him more.

"Why are you doing this?"

"What I say happens. It's just that simple. Moreover, where did she use to stay back at Mighty Moon kingdom?" He says and I exhale a short breath of frustration before gritting my teeth.

"Anything else, my King?" 

"Nothing for now, my Queen. We'll talk about my needs tonight." He says while smirking and moves out instantly making me freeze on my spot.

What did he mean by that?

***

"...I have heard that he had made many changes in the castle as well. Few parts have been broken down and new places in different directions have been built because his mother asked him to do so. King Dargan loves his mother more than anything or anyone. He honours her every time though she's not present there. He says it's because of her belief and faith in him, he was successful in defeating the former King, Louis Azganati. Though I wonder if she'd be present today or not." Nina hasn't sealed her mouth since the time she came into my chamber. Even now as we walk towards the ballroom, she cannot keep her mouth shut.

"Nina, have you heard from Tina or Ana?" I ask her.

"Not yet, I was busy with the maids here. I want to make good connections because I don't want any more workers to hate me for being close to you. I've had enough back at home." She says scrunching her face and I remember that because of my selfishness, I have made her go away from her home as well.

As if she understands me, she changes the topic.

"You know, I know most of the things about this castle now. In this wing, the only man allowed is the King because he is possessive about you..." As she says, I roll my eyes.

"Then, do you know he has a sister? His sister lives here as well." She says surprising me a little.

After all, how much do I not know about this man? He is my husband and I don't know that I have a sister-in-law? But then, why didn't I see her before? Does she stay in hiding as well?

"Then there is a different entrance door to the chambers of the noblemen and this part is separated from that. The throne room is beside this wing where the especial announcements are made. Then, before entering the main entrance of the castle which leads to the great room, there is a door at the corner in the clearing which is used for the combatants for emergency situations. There is a weapon room at the back and through the throne room, there is a path to reach the cells for the prisoners! Huh, too much information! But the most important one though! There is a separate forbidden part that is separated from the castle as well. No one is allowed there except the King and his sister." Nina catches my attention with her information. 

"Spill it already!" I say urging her to say it.

"There is a completely separate area which cannot be even seen. It is hidden and nobody knows about the path that can lead to that area. The speciality is that it is the residence of King's Ma." She tells me.

"All other people here call her 'Ma' as well. That is another thing that nobody has ever seen her. She just stays in her secret place where only her children are allowed, so I think we should stop getting amazed every time she doesn't show up for important events. She didn't come for King's crowing as well, so Rose, do not expect her to give you blessings." She says as a matter of fact. 

"But Dargan's sister would be present, isn't it?" I ask her.

"I don't know." She shrugs and in no time we are between the crowd of the noblemen and their respective beloved. 

Everyone stops when they realize my presence and Dargan roams his eyes all over me shamelessly. He comes closer making Nina vanish for the time being. 

Dargan kisses the back of my hand and in no time the celebration starts with me sticking beside him. The ministers come and talk before engaging in their own talks. 

"Greetings, my Queen. I hope you feel good here in the Kingdom." Roald catches my attention after Dargan literally leaves me alone standing here!

"Good meeting you again, commander Fredini. And, yes, I think I'll fall in love with this place as much as I love my previous home." I say with a tug at my heart. 

There is nothing homely about this place.

Nonetheless, I smile at him.

"I'm glad to hear that." He does a little courtesy.

"Roald, I hope you are okay with me calling you that?" I ask because I have already taken his name now.

"Your wish, my queen."

"So, Roald, I know Ma doesn't come before people much but I haven't met King's sister yet as well. Can you tell me why she isn't here?" I ask him in the most normal way possible.

"Apologies, her majesty. Princess Eleanor is right there." Roald says pointing in a corner where I see a very beautiful girl already looking at me.

"She only comes on very important occasions. I'm certain she is eager to meet you as well. I'm afraid perhaps, it is my presence that is delaying your meeting. I'd request my leave, my queen." He does courtesy and I nod my head before he leaves.

I look towards Princess Eleanor again before making my way towards her with a smile on my face. Though I can already tell that she doesn't fancy me.  

"Princess Eleanor." I smile at her while she judges me with an intense gaze.

"Queen Rosabella." She nods at me before drifting her gaze to somewhere else.

We stand there and now I know that certainly, she doesn't like me.

"I didn't see you before. I hope there was no problem arising." I say receiving silence.

"I got to know that you show up on few important occasions. I will take it as my pleasure." I try to chuckle but that doesn't get any response from her as well.

I let out a final sigh before deciding to ask her upfront.

"Eleanor, is there a problem? Have I done something wrong unknowingly?" I ask her gaining her attention.

"There is no problem. Why would there be? I am just not good with words. Apologies, her majesty." She says suddenly bowing.

What was that? One second ago, she was acting like a rude lady and now she is acting a little nervous.

"Is there a problem, Eleanor?" I suddenly hear Dargan behind me.

I turn and see him with his signature cold gaze but it is directed towards his sister. 

"There is no problem, his majesty. I was just a little distracted." She admits but I can sense her nervousness and the way she called her brother by his title. 

Why did she address him like that? There is no public ceremony where she needs to address him like that, even then it wouldn't be needed. The reason why I never called Richmond my brother was because of a little personal grudge. I didn't like how Winston always took his side. 

"Then I suppose you'd have a lot to talk about with her. But for now, I'd like to invite my wife for a dance." He says and takes me in the middle. 

His hands come around me and I place mine on top of his chest. 

"I have a question." 

"What is it?" He asks.

"Why did Eleanor seem distanced?" 

"That's just how she is."

"She got nervous in front of you," I say but he doesn't reply. 

Dargan twirls me and pulls me closer rather. 

"Is your whole family a mystery?" I ask him when he doesn't answer.

"Nobody knows about your mother, then today itself, I got to know that you have a sister as well. Then it's you, the one whose wolf hasn't been seen by anyone." I say.

"You are the same." He says without eye contact and the rhythm of our steps. His moves are slow but then, I never expected him to know how to dance.

"I don't have a wolf," I admit.

"Yet you are the most important and special one in this room." He says making me draw in a breath. 

"You think so?" I say looking at his mesmerizing brown eyes.

"I know so." 

"Don't you think you are being too sweet?" I ask him.

"I'm stating a fact." He says.

"Why do you think I'm special?" I ask pushing myself close to his lips.

"Wouldn't you want to know, now?" He smirks.

"I want to know many things. Would you tell me?" I ask in a whisper. It's not possible to raise my voice while being so close to him.

"What things?" He asks grazing the tip of his nose on my lips.

"Things about your mother. I want to meet her." I say.

"She'll be more than happy to meet you. But all at the right time." He says before swirling me again.

"And when will be this right time?" I ask him after falling back against his chest.

"Tomorrow." He says dipping his face in my neck.

"Dargan, there are people here," I whisper to him, but it doesn't sound like a command as I wanted it to.

His lips graze my neck before he pulls back but his face remains close to mine.

"Before marrying you, I didn't realize what I have signed up for." He says in a soft whisper while his eyes swim in the depths of my blue ones. 

"Wha..." I try to ask before he stops me with a kiss. 

His lips mould with mine and his hands tighten around me. It was already so hard to breathe properly with the closeness and now with his lips moving against mine, I stand frozen. 

He tastes my lips for a minute before halting. With his lips still close to mine and his eyes locked to mine, he threatens me.

"Wait for me tonight, and when I kiss you again in the privacy of your chamber, you better kiss me back." 

His words sent a wave of excitement throughout my body, but chills run down my spine when my eyes drift towards Eleanor staring at me with the emotion well termed as hatred.