"Straighten the flowers! Snip that blade of grass! Move that barrel a smidge to the right! They're going to be here any second!" The king continued to bark out orders, as everyone scrambled around to fulfill the commands. Every staff to the king have been preparing weeks for the arrival of the royal family from the visiting kingdom, Veolium. The royal family had their best garments prepared, the knights had their armor shined, and the staff had been slaving away to prepare their best meals and to have the castle looking spotless.
The twenty year old Jester continued to fidget in his spot, nervously scanning the skies for his red haired friend and her dragon. He was stood along side Rake, Pepper, Smithy and the rest of the castle staff and knights to welcome the visiting royal family. Unlike Jester, his friends were concentrated on the giant doors that would reveal their guests.
It was then did everyone within the wall hear the approaching sound of a horn. The gatekeepers gave each other nods, before turning the cranks that opened the large gates. The Kippernook family flashed their best smiles at the sea of knights, and soon the Veolia family. The king was first to appear on his horse, sitting proud with his chin held high. He was dressed in royal purple garments with a gold crown rested on his head. His hair was black and curled, and a face that held very minimum facial hair.
Two horses followed behind him, pulling along a carriage. The visiting king jumped from his horse and approached the carriage as a knight opened it for the women that were sat inside. The king took his wife's hand and helped her out first. She was a beautiful, fair skinned maiden with long light brunette locks. Her hair was pin straight, and her eyes soft like a mothers' eyes should.
Once out, the king helped out her daughter. She looked to be the same age as Princess Lavinia. Her medium brown hair was braided and put into an updo. She gave her father a thankful nod and stood beside her mother.
Finally, the king helped out the eldest of his two daughters. The air in Jester's lungs was pulled from him at the sight of the beautiful maiden that was helped out. She looked to be around the age of eighteen, the same age as Jane. She wore a purple dress, the shade that sat between the Queen's colour and the youngest princess. Her dark brown hair held large soft curls, put into a half up, half down hair style. Her petite lips tugged into a sweet smile towards her father, as she stood with the rest of her family.
"King Nicholas!" King Caradoc greeted with open arms. The visiting king gave a toothy grin as he hugged his friend. "Ahh Caradoc! Please, drop the formalities and call me Nicholas! How are you doing, old friend?"
"Swell swell! Look at you! You haven't aged a bit!" King Caradoc complimented, pulling back and holding his dear friend at arms length.
King Nicholas threw his head back and gave a roaring laugh. "I guess I'm not commanding my castle hard enough, aren't I?" he shifted his gaze towards the castle staff and scanned them all. "And I see that you have. They looked disciplined and-"
"Dragon, slow down!" a voice said from the distant skies. Everyone's eyes darted towards the voice to see green and gold reptile scales fast approaching them. Having no time to scatter, everyone quickly crouched and soon a loud crash and groan was heard. Everyone peeked up and slowly straightened their backs to see Dragon laying on his back, and Jane going to stand on her wobbly legs.
Looking up and seeing the angered face of the king, Jane quickly mumbled to Dragon to get up. Hearing the urgency in her voice, Dragon scrambled to sit like a pup and gave a cheeky smile at the furious king. King Nicholas looked absolutely livid, as he gave his good friend an infuriated stare. "Caradoc! What is this?!"
King Caradoc's face faded to white that nearly matched his wife's powdered complexion. "Nicholas! Let me explain-"
"Father, please." a soft voice came from the Veolia women. Everyone shifted their gaze at the eldest daughter who spoke with a smile. Everyone stood like statues as they watched the princess approach the woman knight and her dragon. When close enough Jane dropped on one knee and bowed while Dragon held his head low.
"Princess of Veolium. I greatly apologize for my tardiness and improper arrival." Jane spoke with her head hung low. Jane gave a nude to Dragon's leg. "O-oh! I'm sorry too!" Dragon stuttered out, bowing his head lower.
"What is your name, dragon rider?"
"I'm Jane, a knight of Kippernia Castle, and this is my friend, Dragon. He serves the king and helps with knightly duties."
"A female knight and a dragon of the castle?" the princess questioned, sounding rather intrigued. "Please stand, Jane, and raise your head, Dragon."
Jane and Dragon did as they were told, and looked at the princess with a hint of worry on their faces. The visiting princess kept her smile and switched her gaze between the two friends. "You both are very interesting. I'm sure there were some knightly duties that had to be done that caused this delay?"
"Evelyn-" King Nicholas spoke, but was quickly cut off by his daughter.
"Father," Evelyn turned around and faced her father, the features on her face still soft and understanding, "don't you think it's rather admirable that King Caradoc has a female knight fighting for his kingdom?"
"W-Well I suppo-"
"And that he has taken the danger of the kingdom and used it to his advantage?" she asked, motioning towards dragon who gave a nervous smile.
Never having the heart to fight against his sweet daughters, King Nicholas sighed and looked at King Caradoc. "How about you show us to our room while we prepare ourselves for dinner?"
"O-oh yes!" Caradoc quickly recovered and looked towards a few of the castle staff. "See to that the Veolias find their room and that everything is to their liking!" The king gave his friend a proud smile. "I had the cook prepare your favourite roast ham."
Nicholas's face instantly turned up as he patted Caradoc on the shoulder. "A-ha! We shall feast happy tonight then, aren't we friend?"
As the housemaids lead the Veolia's into the home, Evelyn turned her attention back to Jane and gave a deep curtsey. Jane's face flushed red at the sight and bowed again. "Princess Evelyn, I should be the one bowing!"
Evelyn kept her lips turned up as she straightened her back, her deep blue eyes meeting Jane's green ones. "Seeing a female knight is an admirable accomplishment. Was it you who tamed this dragon?"
Jane smiled as she glanced at Dragon then back at the princess. "Not really tame, but befriend, your Highness."
"How splendid." Evelyn looked towards her family as she heard his father call her name. She brought her eyes back at Jane to excuse herself. "It was wonderful meeting you, Jane. I'd love to hear more about yourself and you friend here. Maybe of all your adventures."
"I'd be honored to tell you, Princess." Evelyn gave a final nod, before making her way to her family.
Once the royal families were out of sight, Jane's friends ran towards her with their faces holding the look of shock.
"What did you two talk about? Was she cross?" Pepper questioned with a troubled tone.
Jane shook her head and gave her friends an assuring smile. "She wasn't cross at all. She's interested in hearing some stories about me and Dragon's adventures. She…actually saved us from getting in trouble with the King."
As the friends spoke and hummed with chatter, Jester was deep in thought about the dark hair, blue eyed angel.
"Evelyn…" he spoke, testing her name on his lips and liking the taste that was left behind.