After hours of flying, I begin to tire, my wings burning with every movement of my body. I finally see the city of Mimmgar up ahead. It’s made of many small buildings and houses surrounding a large castle. The castle is bright on the blue beyond. Every stone is even and square as if those who built it were set on perfection. The walls were made to protect a community, to echo with laughter, and be the shelter they needed for the millennia to come. I admire its bold beauty.

I wrinkle my nose. While the sight is beautiful in a strange sense, the city reeks of humans. Unfortunately for me, my husband to be is one of those humans.

Doing just as my father told me, I fly straight to the castle at full speed. Looking down at the city below, I see people jumping and screaming in fright as my large shadow looms over them. This shouldn’t be their first time laying eyes on a dragon. Why are they so afraid? The smell of their fear fills me with delight. I want more of it, but unfortunately, I'm here to protect these insects. That doesn't mean I can't give them a bit of a scare.

With that thought, I lift my head up in the air, a dark violet fog-like gas spewing from my mouth along with a powerful roar. The people below screech, running around like ants. They must think I'm here to kill them. Who invites a dragon without first warning their people?

Flying to the top of the castle, I spot a group of four men. They must be the ones here to greet me. I swiftly land in front of them, the ground rumbling under the heavyweight of my body. Looking over the group of men, I see some staring in awe while the rest either seem scared or disgusted by my presence.

A short bald man approaches me apprehensively, his body trembling with every step. His mouth is hanging open in a silent scream, and his eyes look as though they are ready to pop out the sockets.

As he gets closer, beads of sweat drip down his body. "You must be the princess,” he greets.

His words come out shaky and uneven. I laugh to myself, loving the sight of the scared little humans. I bring my face down to his and lightly blow my hot breath across his body, letting out a grumble. Not a moment later, the man staggers back, the front of his pants becoming wet. I am glad to be in dragon form so they cannot see me laughing my ass off, poor human. They get frightened so easily.

I faze back into a human, causing a puff of violet fog to surround my body. I face the men of Mimmgar completely bare with my bag sitting at my feet. Many of the men turn red and look away while others stare on lustfully. I roll my eyes. They're acting as if they've never seen a female body before.

"I'm am princess Eleonora of the Perilous Horde," I confirm confidently to the bald man who just pissed himself. He looks flustered at my sudden change in form, but quickly tries to recompose himself.

Clearing his throat he says, "Princess, if you would please put some clothes on, it's improper for a lady of your standing to be nude in front of so many eyes."

I laugh at him. These humans are very strange. Growing up in the mountain, it was quite normal for one to be nude. It is physically impossible for us to switch between forms and keep our clothing, so seeing one naked is not abnormal. But I must be respectful of the humans and their customs, I guess. "I'm sorry. I shall change immediately. You see, where I come from, being like this is not uncommon,” I state.

Pulling black leather pants and a bra from my bag, I quickly change.

The bald man looks up at me with forced kindness. "Now that you are ready princess, I'll give you a tour of the palace. You may call me Nickolas," he says offering me a hand. I try to shake his hand as politely as I can, but I end up gripping it tightly.

Nickolas pulls away from me as fast as lightning, wincing. I roll my eyes at him. I didn’t even squeeze that hard, I think.

We make our way off the roof and head inside the castle. Looking around, I find that the castle is much different from the interior of the mountain. There isn't as much open space in here, and it feels very cramped. Not to mention the inside is lavishly decorated in silks, gold, and crystal.

The floors are made from a deep marble with silky red rugs covering them. Above me hang golden chandeliers glittering with diamonds. Humans seem to love extravagant things. We dragons love gold and treasure, but we don't leave it out in the open where just anyone could run off with it. The possibility of their riches being stolen is high. Their choices truly baffle me.

I follow Nickolas and the other three men around the castle as they show me various things and places, which I could honestly care less about. But I feign interest, giving a nod here and there. I hardly pay attention to what they’re showing me, and will probably forget it all soon anyway.

Finally, when the tour is over, I'm shown to my room.

"This is where you'll be staying. You have an hour to settle in. After that, some maids will be sent to get you ready for dinner with the king and your intended." One of the men informs me. By intended, they must mean prince Geoffrey.

I just got here and I already have to meet my 'new' family. The day I willingly love or marry a human will be a day when unicorns return to the lands of Midgar, that's for sure.

I thank the men that showed me around, then I slam the door in their faces. I'm glad that's finally over. I wish I could just hide out in this room and never have to leave.

I take some time to examine my new quarters. It’s much smaller than my last one. The walls are painted a wine red, and the floors are a dark marble with golden rugs laid out. The bed is sitting in the back against the wall, covered in a silky white comforter, with more pillows than I can count. This room is indeed beautifully decorated, but it's just a bit much for me. I would have preferred something simpler.

***

Time passes quickly, and I now find myself being forced into a chair with maids trying to do my hair and makeup, grabbing and pulling me every which direction. Irritation bubbles up inside of me.

"Princess, you're so beautiful! I've never seen someone with such perfect hair or skin. Dragons truly are as the rumors say." A maid with dirty blond hair says to me.

Rumors. There have always been many false rumors about us, but one that I can say is true is our beauty. Dragons have always been known by humans for our otherworldly beauty. Because we are born beast, our human forms are mere imitations, that's why we look perfect. We are simply beasts hiding our true face.

"Don't let the beauty of a dragon fool you. We still monsters," I say this with a straight face, looking into her innocent brown eyes. The maid simply holds a hand to her face in an attempt to hide her giggles.

"What is so funny?" I question fiercely.

Calming her laughter, she looks at me and replies, "You may fool others, but you don’t seem quite so monstrous as you claim.”

The only reason I don’t seem so bad to her is because I’m holding back. My natural roguish nature keeps me from wanting too much social interaction.

Looking at the little maid, I smile and say, "I can assure you that I am quite the monster.”

“Excuse me for being so bold as to say this princess, but it seems to me that you want people to view you as a monster as a way to keep them at a distance,” the maid voices quietly.

Her words strike a nerve, but before I can refute, my short-lived conversation with the maid is interrupted when someone abruptly walks into the room. "Hurry up and get the princess ready. I don't want to keep the king and his family waiting any longer,” an older maid says with an arched brow.

With those words, the maids get me ready in a rush.

When they are finished with me, I swear I look like an awkward bejeweled banana. I'm wearing an atrocious saffron-colored floor-length gown. My hair is piled on top of my head, but not neatly. There are bits and pieces hanging all over the place. Many pins are digging uncomfortably into my scalp. My lips have been coated in a light brown lipstick, and my already pale face has been smeared with chalky white powder, completely washing me out.

I laugh bitterly to myself. Maybe with this look, the prince will be so revolted that he begs his father not to have to marry me. That would be a dream come true.

There’s only one way to find out. I leave the room and head to the dining hall.

Time to meet my prince.