The sun had just risen and was blaring through the silk curtains that hung in my room. For a few moments I forgot where I was, briefly forgetting what had happened last night and where I was about to go. I got up from the bed feeling nervous about what was going to happen. Would his council even take an eighteen year old girl who wasn’t even the Queen yet seriously?

I turned around and realized that there was a pink dress on the chair which I had assumed the maid had put there for me to wear today. Great, they would take me for an even bigger fool if I wore that to a formal meeting. I looked around for any other clothes that they may have had in this room but sadly there was none.

I heard three knocks on my door, “Excuse me Princess, It’s time to wake up the council meeting is beginning soon.” I opened the door quickly. It was the same maid that had brought me to my room last night.

“Good morning. Thank you for the dress" I paused, "it is really beautiful but do you think I could get a pair of pants and a top instead please.” Her face dropped.

“Yes! I’m so sorry princess please forgive me I will bring it right away.” Before I could say anything she bowed quickly and sprinted down the corridor.

Only a few minutes passed before I heard the similar knocking on my door once more. I opened it and the maid had a pair of clean folded black pants and shirt. “Thank you” I said taking the clothes from her. After changing I gripped the doorknob anticipating what was going to happen next. I took a deep breathe and twisted the door open, outside waiting for me was the maid who had brought me my clothes. “Are you ready Princess?” I nodded and we began walking. Was I ready?

The castle was no longer flooded with people and buzzing with music and talk. Instead only a few servants roamed the castle along with what looked like, concubines? After walking to what seemed like the other end of the castle we finally approached corridor with two large red doors. The maid reached for the door handle to open it, “Wait!” I said I little too aggressively. She jumped back and took her hand off the doorknob holding them above her head. I had let my nerves get the best of me.

“Wha-what’s wrong princess?” She stuttered as I shook my head.

“I’m sorry. Nothing is wrong. Thank you for walking me here and treating me with such kindness. I apologize if I haven’t been the best company to deal with at the moment.” I said trying to force a smile. She nodded knowingly and opened the door to the room. Inside was seven men who seemed to be in their late 50’s. At the front of the table was Prince Kazuto staring directly at me. It seemed as if his gaze bore right through me. I stepped inside and introduced myself. “Princess Kana of the Northern Kingdom, I have attended in my fathers absence. He apologizes for not being able to attend.” I walked to the other end of the table and bowed, “Your majesty”. He looked amused as I sat down at the table. The council members looked just as mean and heartless as the Prince.

One of the council members looked at me and scowled, I couldn’t tell if he always looked like that or if it was simply because he didn’t want to waste his time with a young girl who he thought knew nothing.

One of the older men with a long white beard and glasses cleared his throat. “What is the business that you are here to discuss. Your fathers letter had entailed that it was urgent” He said while raising an eyebrow mockingly.

“It can’t be that urgent if he sent a woman in his place” One of the members said glaring at me. Just because I was a woman I couldn’t attend the same meeting as these men? The South was beautiful, but the mindset of the people here almost disgusted me. The prince didn’t move as he waited for me to continue. I decided to ignore the comment the man had made.

“13 dragons have been killed and shot down with Southern arrows laced with poison. This was all done in Northern territory as well.” I glared at the man who made the comment about me being a woman, “I’m not sure if you are aware of this but the Northern kingdom is especially close with these dragons. My people are in an outrage about what has been happening.” I glared back at the prince, he would listen to what I didn’t get to say last night at the ball.

“Your majesty, this is an utter waste of time” One of the younger members of the council said as he gathered his papers and began to stand up. “Does King Toshio take us as a joke? Sending his daughter here to talk about dragons!” The other men agreed and began gathering their papers. They didn’t respect me at all. And they had just disrespected my father.

I stood up from the table slamming my hands down on the large meeting table. They all freezed and looked at me. “You will sit down and give me the respect that I deserve. I may be a princess now but in future time I will be Queen, do not make a mockery of me or my father again.” He glanced around shocked and sat down. He glanced at the prince to see if he was going to stand for this, however the prince wasn’t looking at him but still at me.

“You’re people have killed thirteen dragons. Those dragons are the Northern peoples family, you are murdering our family. If this doesn’t stop we are prepared to go to war.” The table silenced as the old men glanced between each other.

“An Army of, what? 10,000 untrained soldiers Princess? Against 100000 of our highly trained troops. Now how do you think that would play out?” I was shocked to see that the one who said this was the prince. This was the first time he had spoken this whole meeting. One of the council members began to retaliate but was silenced by Kazuto’s hand that was held up. His arrogance and overconfidence was basically pouring out of him.

“You may be right about our small numbers, your majesty, but you are forgetting that the dragons will fight along side us. So let me ask you, how will 100000 men fair against scorching fire, block it with their swords?”

“This is absurd your highness! Our nations have had peace for over four centuries! The audacity of this girl is-”

Kazuto had cut him off, “What are you proposing then Princess, I assume you didn’t come here with only war in mind” He said while tapping his fingers against the table.

“I want you to come with me to the North. If you can see firsthand that the dragons are no harm and then make your decision, and you will stop all hunting of dragons during this time.” His eyes seemed lifeless.

“And if I don’t agree?” He was challenging me.

“Then we will go to war, which i’m sure is something neither of us would like.”

“After what-”

“Awelston war is at stake here!” The bearded man said to the one who had just spoken.

“Silence” The prince stood up and walked towards me. I stood up and he reached his hand towards mine to shake it. “You have yourself a deal Princess.” I think my jaw had dropped. I gripped his hand and shook it as the council members gasped and were all speaking over each other.

The prince began to walk out of the room and turned around once more, “We leave at dawn tomorrow.” With that, He walked out and left me and all the council members in shock. He had agreed.