Chapter 6 - A Dragon's fight

The Duke had barely finished speaking before Prince Aurelian launched himself towards his cousin. Eclipse was fully scaled and clawed before Aurelian had reached him, he dropped down and used the Prince's momentum to launch him through the balcony door. As Aurelian crashed through the doors, ornate glass and wood scattered everywhere as people nearby screamed. 

The Prince took a moment to begin to rise, but the Duke was already zooming towards him. The two crashed over the edge of the balcony together. Princess Syra ran with a few of the nobles to the broken railing to peek over the edge. As she reached the crumbling stone, she felt a rush of air so strong that she nearly lost her balance as two dragons flew into the air. 

Princess Syra watched helplessly as she saw the clashing of claws against golden scales and a slash against the purple and golden scales of the other. A resounding roar shook the ground and Syra heard glass shatter behind her and the following screams.

***

Princess Syra paced in front of the doors to the throne room. Duchess Ophelia and Duchess Sorel kept attempting to calm the anxious princess, but no one knew what was being discussed beyond those opalescent doors.

“Syra, it will be alright, I am sure your mother is resolving this issue. I am certain that we will not lose our closest allies.” Ophelia’s face gazed worriedly at the Princess.

“Yes, Lia is right, I am sure the dragon royal family do not wish to lose us either. Please try to calm yourself.” Sorel added with a mirrored expression despite not being identical.

“Oh Oceania, what if they declare war? Or decide my conduct is unbecoming? What would my mother do to me then?"

Oh… What have I done? I am sure the court is filled with false rumors of the actions of the siren princess with multiple secret lovers. Oh, Oceania, help me.

Princess Syra felt the hallway did not have enough oxygen, or maybe she had been above water for too long and needed to go into the underwater part of the castle.

“Princess Syra, Her Majesty requests your presence in the throne room.” An attendant announced while opening the door, Syra wished she was in anyone else’s fins.

“Greetings, your Majesty.” Princess Syra curtsied low before the Queen and did not raise her gaze to meet the Queen’s in fear of what she might see. 

“Syra, my most precious youngest child, I had thought I knew what had occurred last night, but now that I am more aware of the outrageous things that occurred to you and around you, I am quite concerned for you. Come up here and let me see you.” The Queen commanded and the Princess raised her face in surprise and saw her mother’s eyes wet with tears that threatened to fall at any moment.

The Princess walked up the steps to the throne and stood before her mother, but was taken by surprise when her mother wrapped her arms around her and brought her close. Princess Syra was confused as she was sure she was in for a severe punishment and she could feel her heartbeat drumming through her entire body down to her fingertips.

“I am the Queen of this Queendom and in that duty, I believe the compensation you have offered is fair. But, I am also a mother and my youngest child is most precious to me. Even now that she nears maturity, I still see her as my baby. Based upon what I have been told, my child was injured and placed in mortal peril due to the actions of Prince Aurelian and Duke Eclipse. Is this correct, King Dracon?” Princess Syra felt her mother’s arm tighten and Syra could scarcely breathe.

“That is also my understanding. As such, I would like to offer an apology to her Highness from my son, my nephew, and myself. I will also invest in the further education of these two young boys to ensure their behavior is more becoming of royals for all future interactions. May my family apologize to Princess Syra?” King Dracon would be the picture of calm if Syra hadn’t seen a slight billow of smoke emerge from his nostrils.

“Yes, my darling daughter, please allow these young dragons to apologize for last night’s events. You may descend the stairs.” The Queen released her grip, but then whispered in Syra’s ear, “I do not want to hear even a hint of sarcasm from you, keep your biting tongue to yourself.” Princess Syra smiled her perfect practiced smile at her mother and descended the throne steps to face Prince Aurelian.

I have to fake a smile to that damn Prince and I cannot say anything if he insults me? Fine. I will play the role you want, but I am getting tired of playing pretend for appearances sake.

“I apologize, Princess Syra, for acting upon false assumptions and injuring you upon the balcony. I also apologize for putting you in danger again by fighting within the ballroom. I realize now how much damage and potential lives I could have ended if my cousin had not taken the fight outside. I will learn from this and I will work towards being a better future husband for you.” 

The Prince bowed low and then offered his hand, Princess Syra took his hand and maintained the gentle smile while enduring a kiss from Aurelian.

I doubt you will actually learn you arrogant prick. I already warned you Aurelian… 

“I forgive you, Prince Aurelian, for your actions on the balcony and in the ballroom. I trust in your father’s promise of instruction. I hope our future marriage is as gentle and love-filled as your parent’s.” Princess Syra withdrew her hand and avoided the temptation to wipe her hand off on her skirts before she stepped back to allow room for the Duke to approach.

“Princess Syra, I apologize for the danger I placed you in with my actions in the ballroom. I hope to someday be as wise as you, but I could never dare to hope to be as beautiful.” Eclipse knelt on one knee as he took Syra’s hand and kissed it gently, he looked into her eyes with his purple eyes.

“Eclipse, have you not yet learned to not flirt with women above your station?” Prince Aurelian managed to keep from transforming, but smoke still billowed.

“Aurelian, am I flirting if I simply speak the truth?” The Duke rose and faced his cousin.

“Clearly, further education is required for both of you. Duke Eclipse, you should be wiser with whom and when you make such commentary. The truth of your comments is irrelevant when you can cause harm to those around you with your careless words.” 

King Dracon motioned both to move away from the throne, Syra could hear their voices, but none of the dragons spoke loud enough to be heard. When King Dracon returned he bowed again.

“I must apologize for my son’s behavior on the balcony. His temper is his greatest weakness and I hope his future queen will be able to tame him. I must also apologize for my son’s and my nephew’s behavior in the ballroom.” The Dragon King sighed deeply before continuing. 

“While I understand that young men fight over beautiful women often, this fight could have caused you great bodily harm. I often would fight any other dragon that dared to vie for my beloved wife's attention. Even though it has been many years since we became mates, I would fight any that would try to win my beautiful mate's affections. Thankfully, she is wise and kind. Her temperance makes me strive to be a better mate for her." He coughed into his hand, "Anyway, I hope you do not take their childish behavior to heart. I am sure, since you are wise, that you will see their future dispositions and make your choices based upon their futures and not their current selves.” 

King Dracon bowed and briefly kissed her hand, his golden eyes seemed to be trying to convey to her something important, but Syra wasn’t sure what the message was.

“King Dracon, I am satisfied with these apologies only if my precious young daughter is.” Queen Opal looked at Princess Syra, her eyes seemed to be trying to sned a message as well, but this was clearly to accept the apologies she had been given.

“I am satisfied. I suffered no serious injury nor was my pride hurt to have two handsome suitors fight over me. I am content, mother.” She smiled at her mother in that perfect way of hers, her arm still stinging from Aurelian’s claws.

“Excellent! Then your Majesty, my wife and I would love to discuss other business with you.” King Dracon took his mate’s hand delicately and placed a kiss upon her cheek as his eyes dripped with adoration.

“I look forward to hearing about this mysterious business. Prince Aurelian, Princess Syra, and Duke Eclipse, you are all dismissed.” Queen Opal waved her hand dismissively.

***

As Princess Syra exited the throne room, she saw Sorel and Ophelia’s worried faces across the hallway. As she approached them with a smile, she heard two voices still arguing. She chose to ignore them and came close to her dear friends to tell them what had just occurred.

“I was surprisingly not in trouble with her Majesty! She had the King, the Prince, and the Duke apologize to me for their behavior. I was shocked.” Princess Syra whispered.

“Why is that so shocking, did you expect to be punished, Princess?” The Duke’s low rumbling voice suddenly came from behind her.

“Oh! I… um… Of course not! Especially since none of the events last night were caused by me. That would be simply ludicrous.” Princess Syra gave her perfect smile to the Duke who was closer to them while Aurelian frowned at them from across the hallway.

“Of course, Princess, I would love an opportunity to talk more since we have had such little time to do so.” The Duke added in a whisper, “I would also love the opportunity to see a real smile on your lovely face.” The Duke bowed and walked away without another word as Syra felt her face flush.

“What did that pile of ash say?” Aurelian stormed over as his eyes roamed Syra’s face.

“Ah, that temper of yours. How is your future queen supposed to tame that? The Duke simply told me to not listen to the cruel things you say to me as they are simply untrue.” Princess Syra turned the opposite direction of the Duke and began down the hallway with the Duchesses.

“What have I said that was untrue? You aren’t just a siren nor are you faithful to me. Twice in a single night, another being dared to touch you.” Prince Aurelian followed behind his steps echoing in the hall.

“My actions were not unfaithful. I must also remind you again, we are not engaged, therefore, I have no obligation to you.” 

Princess Syra reached the part of the hallway that began to slope into the water as she turned, “If you mock me once more for my bloodline, the power of which you depend on to prevent you from destroying your own kingdom, then there will never be a marriage between us. I will make sure of that. I will simply watch as you burn your own kingdom down.” Syra smiled before turning away.

Syra dove into the water and could hear him shouting, but the water muffled the sound.

“Was the Duke flirting with you like that last night too? I could see why the Prince fought him!” Ophelia giggled as they swam towards the underwater salon.

“He also said something similar in the throne room during his apology to me. Aurelian could barely contain his rage.” Syra laughed as they swam through the doorway.

“The Duke’s eyes are not the color of the King or the Prince’s, but the purple makes me want to paint those eyes.” Sorel sank onto the sofa, surely imagining her next painting.

“They are the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, I assume they come from his mother.” Syra commented as she sat in her own chair.

“Which is a more wonderful sight to see, the Duke’s eyes or Icar’s wings?” Ophelia asked with a mischievous grin.

“Icar! I had forgotten them in the commotion. I hope they are okay!” Princess Syra was suddenly reminded and felt her stomach drop, “I left their summoning card in my first gown from last night! We need to get that back!” Princess Syra rose and the two sisters quickly followed.