Be our guest

Liry was as giddy as a kid in a confection store once she was inside the Palace. Her sensational azure eyes took in every last aspect. She made mental notes regarding everything and everyone she perceived and overheard.

While she was escorted down a long corridor to the guest wing, she could only keep dreaming how, before long, all this would belong to her. She would have the King, three sovereignty, and all the power in all of the universe!

Lady Light Fury couldn't hold in the happiness she presumed her chamber in the Royal Palace would be like. Undoubtedly it would be befitting of her correct place in life that she would be the Queen of everything one day. The only thing she had to watch out for was mirrors. If anyone ever saw her reflection, they know who she was. The mirror couldn't hide who she was inside.

Still, a princess suite in the Royal Palace was more then what she deserved. Now all she had to do was gradually drive a wedge between Toothless and Moon Shadow. Oh, and deal with their bratty children too. Ten little mongrels were not fit to be in HER world. Not for the vision, she and her parents would ultimately be conceived once all was said and done.

As she was fantasizing on the way to her bedroom, something jolted her out of her astonishing daydreams. She recognized they'd came to the portrait gallery. Out of all the oil paintings on the wall, the most consequential one in the center caught her eye.

It was a family portrait of the royal family. All twelve of them looking so enraptured. It was so sickening to see Queen Moon Shadow and her nasty brood of children. Despite the fact, Liry intended to have a Nightlight, she, in reality, couldn't stand children.

They're so needy, too noisy and overall pain in the neck. All they did was ruin things for adults. They never did as they were told! All those snot-nose terrors did was whined and be a pain in the ass. She wasn't aiming to have a Nightlight child because she wants to be a mother. Liry wouldn't have either a son or daughter because the imp wasn't going to be her child. The only thing it would be was a weapon that demanded to be fine-tuned.

She'd make sure the first thing she did was stomp out all those ridicules emotions. Total obedience and followed orders without question. That is understood from the start. They weren't a person merely a weapon. More to the point, they belonged to Liry and her parents.

The sooner the Nightlight understood that, the more beneficial. Her parents had long since trained her 'love' was a weakness that it clouded your better judgment. That you only do outlandish things when it was allowed to control you. She wouldn't let herself be poisoned by 'love." She would not be weak!

It was extraordinary that no one could hear those ungodly philosophies in her twisted mind. Or see it so evident in her eyes. Yet no one was any wiser to who Lady Light Fury indeed was. All they saw was a pretty face. Also, her devilish powers and silver tongue were serving her quite well indeed.

The handmaiden accompanying her to her room eventually noticed she was staring at the painting. She assumed Lady Light Fury was admiring the family. "Don't they look so happy? King Toothless and Queen Moon Shadow were made for each other," the handmaiden said in a kind voice.

"You don't say," Liry grumbled sneeringly. The handmaiden didn't catch how rude her tone was. Instead, she carried on speaking concerning the beloved royal family.

"Yes, some of the aging palace attendants can remember them and their siblings as children. We remember how adorable and epic it was, all of them falling in love.

The things King Toothless would do for his Queen. It went beyond the traditional courtships of wildflowers, jewels, and chocolates. The King's mother gave him some much need advice during their courtship days."

"Oh? What was this valuable advice?" Liry asked curiously.

"Take it slow and steady. To love someone, you must love their heart and soul. So make sure you can see past their looks. Make sure you can have a conversation and do simple things first. Take the time to get to know each other and have good communication truly."

"Is that all?" Lady Light Fury was unquestionably unsatisfied with such anserine advice.

"No, the most important advice he got was the day before he proposed. His mother told him the most important thing he ever heard."

"What? What was so significant?"

"Remember to treat her kindly as a friend. Do not treat her as an accessory, for she is your partner. She is worthy of respect in her own right. And lastly, never forget you don't own her. So do not act as if you do. To remember always, she is a person and should never be forced to do what she doesn't want to do. Even if your the King, you can't make her do what she doesn't want to do."

Liry thought what the King's mother Luna Rose said was a bunch of hogwash. Marriage wasn't about friendship, equality, or respect. It was about power and control. What nonsense about honor or remembering the other one had 'feelings.' Her parents, she knew, didn't 'love' each other. They didn't have a relationship so much as it was a partnership that benefited them both. They had worked together to gain their throne solely because the other was beneficial in gaining power.

Dark King's Queen wasn't his friend or a person. She was a valuable tool to bend to his will and do as he wished. Moreover, Queen Red Death was free to do what she wanted and didn't hesitate to inflict torture on anyone or anything as she saw fit. Again they weren't husband and wife — only two collaborators. They'd cut ties and take out the other once they no longer needed each other. Stabbing each other in the back is what they signed up for before they became King and Queen.

"Well, we should get you settled, Lady. I'm sure after being attacked as well as a long journey. You certainly desire to rest."

"Of course. Lead the way."

Eventually, they came to what would be her bedroom. However, what she saw considerably dissatisfied Liry. She figured she was owed the best of the best. What she saw didn't make her feel at all like she was being given the special treatment she deserved!

The room was more modest then she assumed it is. It was reasonably unadorned, not extravagant in any shape or form. Not a single beautiful and expensive novelty at all! The décor was too underwhelming for her. This chamber was made for a bourgeoise! Not someone of her station!

"Excuse me, ma'am, but are you sure this is the right room? It's so small and simple."

"It's a stander guest room, Lady Light Fury. The Queen's family felt that no one deserves special treatment. That everyone is treated impartially furthermore equally. Also, they don't want to come off as elitists or feeling superior to everyone else. Therefore everyone's bedroom was given a more simplistic and minimalist layout. No one is greater or lesser, but all the same. It makes sense if you think about it."

"So then this is it?" she sounded a bit irritated at that thought.

"I apologize if you were anticipating something more extraordinary, but that's not how we work here in the Palace. Now I have to familiarize you of a few details regarding the functions of the next few days."

"Which are what specifically, good lady?" She didn't have time to listen to the nonsense of this nobody. Still, the little nobody started off her thick-witted prattle by reminding her of proper etiquette.

"All guests are to be courteous to everyone. They are required to show proper behaviors. That there will be no fighting of any kind. Also, everyone is allowed to voice their opinions, and people are to listen to them.

All guests of the Royal Family must be greeted by the Royal Family or visitor of high ranking. As you are the dignitary of the Lost Light Fury clan, you are here to represent your people, including proper manners that require you to greet his majesty's guests.

Everyone is to attend all meals together. We'd like you all to learn to be friends. Each of you will have one of the Palace attendants to assist you throughout the peace summit. Also, for your security, one of the guards has been assigned to guarantee your safety. You are not to abuse them or try any tricks. They are here to aid you but not to be used and abused."

"Anything else I need to know?"

"The King is having a formal banquet once all the guests show up so everyone can properly meet and greet. I sincerely hope you put your best foot forward. After all, the whole peace summit is incredibly significant. We are striving to create everlasting peace, harmony, and unity, after all."

"If that's all, I would like to be alone to rest and freshen up for when the other guests arrive."

"Very well. Your aid and guard will be here in an hour to escort you to meet with the other guests due to arrive then. Till later tonight, ma'am." and the servant left.

Liry was seething as she again eyed this commoner's room. "I'm the daughter of Dark King and Queen Red Death! I'm the gorgeous Draco Being in existence! I've powers that put that obtuse Queen Moon Shadow to shame. I deserve better then this!"

She threw a silent tantrum for a few moments then felt a tug in her body. Scowling, she knew what that tug was about. Making sure the door was bolted, she went to her handbag and dug out a peculiar hand mirror.

Of course, the mirror showed her true self, but that wasn't important. Her reflection rippled for a few moments until she was looking at her parents. This was a magic two-way mirror. She could talk to whoever had the mirror and vice versa. All one person had to do was speak the name of who they wish to see. Then the mirror would alert that person to the speaker.

"Hello, Mother, Father. How are things back at home?"

"Well, those fools we sent with you are taking a particularly long time to heal up from their little stunt to help you get in. You have gotten in, right?" her mother demanded.

"Yes, Mother, was there ever a doubt?" she retorted. "It's not exactly hard to enchant these simpleminded fools. I've already got one of those revolting humans under my control. It will be a piece of cake to influence a few more. I need to find each of their weakness and drive wedges, so the peace summit doesn't go as planned. And all I require is a few better-placed pawns for that. Trust me. I can do this."

"You better do this, Daughter. We only get one chance at this."

"I know, Father. For now, I'm supposed to play 'nicely' with the others. I'll report back to you any valuable information. But for now, I've got to think about what I'm wearing for tonight's banquet."

"I recommend you wear that creamy silk gown. Not only does it make you look like royalty, but it will highlight your goods. It will make it easier to get closer to your target."

"Good idea, Mother. I need to be irresistible as possible. For now, I've to get ready to greet ugh other guests. Liry out." as her parents disappeared from the mirror, and she was looking at her true refection.

"Ugh, they don't trust me to fulfill my birthright! Ugh! I've not been trained my whole life for this moment to mess it up. Now, where is that dress?" she went over to her trunk and started to locate the gown in question.

She finally found what she was looking for. What she pulled out looked like something made in ancient Persia. It was an off-white silk dress with a teal sash. A few golden accessories and gold sandals tied the look together nicely.

"Yes, with the right makeup, this will make my eyes sparkle. With this outfit, I'll make sure to get King Toothless's attention. This outfit says, "Here I am King Toothless, pow!" snickered to herself she left to go bathe before putting on the queenly attire.

As she came out of the bath, she eyed the chess set on the nearby table. How ironic. The whole plan was simply a game of chess, and she could foresee all the angles and planned for all possible scenarios. Nothing could stop her.

An hour later, her escorts arrived, again hoping for the best of the best she was given a bunch of nobodies. She could see with just a glance neither of them had any value or ways to help her get closer to power. Still, she just let the Terrible Terror handmaiden and Nadder guard escort her to meet and greet the others. She was even more displeased by the fact they're both female, so it meant her charms were ineffective against them.

When they reached their destination, she was reminded that she must pay proper respect to everyone. Holding in her annoyance she walked in. She fumed a little as she didn't want to deal with the niceties but had to or her actual role would be uncovered.

However, she was almost instantly overwhelmed with rage. Clearly, out of all the guests, there was unmistakably someone more significant then her in the King's mind! The minute she saw those infernal humans are known as The Haddocks, she could barely contain herself.

Even in the Dragon Kingdom version of Hell, they'd heard all about the so-called saviors of the Dragon Kingdom that White King and Silver Queen themselves supposedly chose them! That they were exceptional! That they were born human but had dragon souls, that they came in times of crisis to aid the Draco Beings and humans! That they even helped reconcile the Royal Holy Family!

From a glance, they didn't look all that extraordinary to her. There weren't attractive or appealing, in her opinion. If fact, one was a cripple! They were simply children. Little weaklings. What could be so special about them?! They didn't deserve the exquisite garments they're wearing at all! They weren't fit to wear regal attire! And yet they dressed as if they're royalty!

(Hiccup was currently clothed in the same clothes as King Endymion in Crystal. Astrid was wearing the gown that Prince Diamond forced Usagi to wear when he abducted her. Boden was dressed like Prince Diamond. Una was dressed in Princess Serenity's gown.)

Liry especially loathed that insolent little blond and lilac, haired girl. She was addressed as Princess Una. Ha! She wasn't any princess! Not with that freaky hair! She wasn't good-looking at all!

However, when Una's sky-blue eyes locked on Liry's, something occurred. Una's features showed some confusion as well as a clear warning. The eight-year-old unquestionably said without speaking a word to Liry. Back off or you'll be sorry. Liry was panicked for a fleeting second. Could this brat see past her glamour spell? Or was she being paranoid?

Shaking her head, she let go of such a ridiculous notion. No one had the power to see past her perfect disguise. And most certainly not some stupid little girl. No, she had nothing to fear from this little half-pint.

No one was going to stop her! She would find a way to make King Toothless hers! Then set her family plans in motion. First, the Dragon Kingdom would fall, then the Realm of the Eternal Sun, and finally, the Haddock's world. Yes, nothing was going to stop her now!