Perceptions Fuel Rumors
Gry19 thanks again for this idea. As for the Amulet idea, I'll run with that, but maybe use some other force to call on figures for Lydia.
Next: Yes, I have been spacing out time Lydia and Cedric spend time with one another. Since in the first some odd chapters they are always at each other's throats or flirting, I'm doing a little "time apart/heart grows fonder" thing. Don't worry, I won't leave you guys hanging.
Also, thank you reviewers for telling me about the crazy mix up at the base of the fic. It was a rough draft for this chapter. I had finished "No rest for the wicked" while I was at work and had to hurry and post before my boss saw. Totally forgot about my rough at the bottom. On the bright side, totally finished before my boss caught me. VICTORY IS MINE!
Hildegard: "Can we just get on with the story?" (Opens fan) "This chapter will have ME in it after all." (Bats eyes)
Okay, okay! Moving on. YEESH!
xxx
(Lydia POV)
Ha-ha-ha! Boy, what a week this has been. Adelea managed to buy herself another couple of days before Animus began to wonder if she was ever going to come back. We've been pretty busy. Catching up, going out to lunch. Lea used my mirror to contact Chris over at the Junior Knights Academy. Man has he grown. And, of course, we may have had a duel or two. I may have graduated with honors, but boy howdy is Lea still crafty. We ended in a tie. Leaving a bit of a mess in our wake. Which reminds me, I need to make the Armory right side up again before Mom notices. She's sort of, well, becoming a little irked by the tomfoolery magic use being cast throughout the castle. Something about Cedric and I turning the floors into trampolines. Mwhaha! Anyway, (pulls out quill and paper) fix...armory, and...eliminate witnesses. Good.
Now then, (Puts quill and paper away) back to Lea and Animus. I threatened to keep her forever and ever, but he seemed pretty adamant about having her back. HA-HA! And who am I to keep Lea from doing what she loves? Plus, Serena and Eezeyal were overjoyed to be separated. Ugh. Never met anyone with such a petty rivalry. So, since our parting carried sweet sorrow, I let Lea keep one of my earrings. Should help her with Animus and the animals she meets. Eezeyal was fine with it. Now I just need to find an earring that looks like this one before Amber starts INSISTING that I accessorize. If it's not Sofia, that girl is coming after me.
Let me tell you, before Amber and James came along, being an older sister was never this exhausting. Don't get me wrong. I love them to death. But man are they PUUSSHYY! Ugh. And here I was hoping a missing earring would be my one issue. Not hardly! And it all starts with plans for a dream castle. But first, I got a letter in the mail.
(POV end)
xxx
Dear Princess Lydia of Enchancia,
We have not been formally introduced. I am Queen Cecily of Zumaria. My daughter, Princess Vivian, attends Royal Prep along with your sisters, Princess Sofia and Princess Amber.
Please forgive me as I dive into the importance of my letter. Word of your exploits has reached my ear, and I am both impressed and intrigued. As a friend of King Roland II and long time ally to Enchancia, I find it inexcusable that you and I have yet to meet.
If you are free, I would be delighted if you would join me for tea here at my humble home. It will be a chance to speak and get to know one another. I would like to offer you my services in order help you in your transitioning.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Queen Cecily of Zumaria
"Ah yes." Roland admired the letter while simultaneously signing proclamations. "I invited Queen Cecily to your Ceremony when you arrived. Unfortunately she missed it due to poor weather in Zumaria." Harsh thunderstorms: best friends to pegasi they are not.
"She sounds nice." Lydia retrieved the letter, reading it over again. Eezeyal learned from her head, nodding in agreement.
"She is. Aside from your mother, you won't meet a more pleasant woman."
"How come I haven't heard about her until now?" Zumaria hasn't come up in her studies yet. And no one's really talked about her either. This is the first time she's hearing about it.
"Not much is known about Zumaria except what's from word of mouth." He explained, putting his seal on his 27th parchment. He handed it to Lydia so she can roll it and add it to the pyramid. "Queen Cecily and I discuss political aspects, and idly talk on occasion. The true history is in their libraries."
"They should share some of that history…" Lydia rifled through his papers, finding an approval for a new school to be built. "Might make me feel less foolish about not knowing about Zumaria." She handed it to him, leaving the rest to him.
"Not every Kingdom is in your study books, Lydia." Roland leaned back reminiscently. "As a Princess and future Queen, hearing of Kingdoms and meeting Royalty you never knew existed come with the job. What matters is how you greet them, and how well perceptions are welcomed." He tapped a finger to a blank piece of paper. "You should write back to her."
"This letter is a little out of the blue. I'm not sure how to respond." How does one respond to a Queen who knows you, but not the other way around? For that matter, how does a Princess speak to a Queen that's not her mother?
"Say yes, for starters." Roland offered her a quill. "Cecily is a wonderful woman. Plus, I think you'll enjoy talking with her."
"How do you figure?"
"If you want to know," He poked her nose with each word, "You'll-have-to-go."
"Okay...but it'll have to be later." She put the paper in her jacket. Roland retracted the quill, raising an incredulous brow. Truthfully, she's nervous about going. "I need to stop by Royal Prep to borrow something from their lab."
"Don't keep her waiting."
"This shouldn't take too long." She reassured him, walking to the door. "I'll be in and out before you can say-"
xxx
"Whoa…" Lydia gaped in utter disbelief towards the ceilings. Sofia stood beside her, nibbling on her lower lip in embarrassment. Turns out, what's up there is much worse at a second glance. "To think I was just stopping by for refill on Jackalope pellets. Didn't think I'd have to perform a bit of landscaping." She itched her scalp bewildered. One way or the other - possibly an argument gotten WAY out of hand - Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather paper macheted themselves to the ceiling. Their wands were out of reach on the floor. The plus side to their predicament: their mouths were macheted shut. Curses and blame at each other were muffled. "Sofia, how is it you made it sound so mild?" Sofia sheepishly shrugged. She left scorch marks on the sidewalk racing to grab Lydia from the carriage
"Can you get them down?" Amber asked hopefully with Clio hugging to her shoulders. Hildegard sneered behind them.
"No problem." Lydia sighed drearily. A flick of her wand and the cascading paper sparkled. Lydia then rolled her wand like a scroll, and the paper peeled off in a smooth coil. The fairies took in a sweet breath of relief, slowly descending to the floor.
"Thank you, Lydia." Fauna fixed her glasses.
"My pleasure, Fauna. But…" She pulled a straggled paper off her hat, "Do I even want to know how you guys got up there?" She scolded them.
"Don't ask, don't tell." Merryweather winked. A sign that Lydia really didn't want to know.
Lydia sighed and shook her head. "Honestly, what am I going to do with the three of you?" She giggled.
"Thank you again for your help, Dear." Flora praised, handing her sisters their wands. "Now we must attend to our own work. Feel free to keep the pellets. We have extra."
"Thanks. See you around." Lydia waved to the exiting fairies. "AND PLEASE NO MORE MACHETE!" She opened her palm, showing the stuck wand. "The residue is a nightmare on my wand!" The Fairies made no promises.
"WELL," Hildegard obnoxiously clapped, "As riveting as this is, we all have IMPORTANT Dream Castles to get started on." She snidely placed hands on her hips. Lydia ignored the insignificance Hildegard labeled her under. Is it wrong that I find her resentment endearing?
"Dream Castles?" Lydia raised a brow.
"With our partners, we're supposed to come up with what we'd want in our very own castle." Amber explained, then hooked an arm to Hildegard, "Hildy and I have been made into a dream team." She boasted.
"I dare you to find a more perfect pair." Hildegard leered to Lydia. Yeah. It's endearing. She smirked.
"I get to be with Prince Hugo!" Clio fluttered. She threw an arm to her head and swooned, saved gracefully by Sofia. "A snarky bad boy, but oh so handsome." The heart wants what the heart wants. She can't be faulted for that. Lydia snorted, shaking her head. Love is, apparently, blind. Who knows. She might be good for him. Hugo is nine years old. Maybe ten. He has a chance to mature and round out his attitude.
"Which reminds me," Amber somberly rested a hand on Sofia's shoulder, "Sorry you got stuck with Vivian, Sofia. She is...strange." She scoured her vocabulary for the most polite and accurate label.
"It's true…" Hildegard groaned.
"Vivian?" Lydia knows that name. "You mean Queen Cecily's daughter?"
"You know her?!" Clio gasped.
"Not personally, but I received an invitation for tea from her this morning." Hildegard, Clio, and Amber gasped in horror.
"Really?" Sofia beamed happily. "Vivian's letting me come over this afternoon to work on our Dream Castles." The trio of girls gasped again, opening their fans this time around.
"You don't say." Lydia tapped her chin. "Then why don't I accept her invite and we both head on over together?"
"Sounds like a great idea." Sofia held Lydia's hands eagerly. Hildegard, Clio, and Amber shrieked this time, cowering behind their fans.
"Alright, that's it! What is with the three of you?" Lydia impatiently stamped her foot. The trio twisted anxiously to one another, moaning fretfully. "You're acting like we're inviting the Queen of Hearts to dinner!"
"Didn't you hear what we said earlier?!" Amber unintentionally pushed past Sofia, gripping Lydia's arms. "Vivian and her family are STRANGE! No one's ever gone to their castle. EVER!" She yanked Lydia's sleeves. The elder sister needs to heed the younger's words. The girl is an odd ball!
Lydia blinked confusedly. "What? Why not?"
"Yeah. Why not?" Sofia turned to Hildegard and Clio.
"Mostly because she NEVER invites anyone over." Hildegard stressed. "But also because, as the story goes, her parents are gnomes. AND her castle is actually a cave with glow in the dark bats." She masked her fear behind her fan. Sofia cringed with hands to her chest, bumping into Lydia.
"You know what we also heard?!" Amber dulled her voice to a whisper. Lydia and Sofia leaned in. "She has a pet dragon!"
"Cool!" Lydia twinkled. A pet dragon. Lydia might actually be jealous.
"How do you know that true?" Sofia nervously asked. Lydia's excitement dulled. Amber and Hildegard just got done saying no one really associates with her. How would they know? No idea. It killed Lydia's mood.
"Well…" Amber twisted her fan, "No one knows for sure."
"Because Vivian never talks to anyone." Clio finished.
"Maybe she doesn't talk because of the baseless rumors spreading about her." Lydia muttered disapprovingly of the three girls. Never ceases to amaze her how often rumors are believed over what's really what. Girls never change. Neither do some boys.
"Then if they aren't true, why doesn't she say something?" Hildegard challenged her.
"She's probably just shy." Lydia shrugged.
"Shy? Why would she be shy?" Sofia asked.
"People are shy for lots of different reasons. Not everyone is outspoken and bold like you four." She ruffled Amber and Sofia's hair. "Sometimes it takes a little push for them to come out of their shell."
"Figures you'd side with the strange ones, Lydia." Hildegard smugly degraded. "Opposites may attract, but the strange always find one another."
"The same can be said for your misery, Hildegard." She plucked one of Hildegard's crown flowers, "I doubt brick walls will massage that inflating ego of yours." She winked with the flower at her nose.
"GRR! How dare you-" Hildegard hitched her anger in her throat. She refused to give that commoner playing dress up another moment of her time. Lydia replaced the flower, keeping the snide smirk she so richly earned. Yep. Loving her every minute. "If you'll excuse us," Hildegard hooked Amber's arm, "We should get started at least drawing up plans before building. Amber, let's work at my castle. It'll be less stuffy."
"Good...idea…" Amber felt it would be meaningless to scold Hildegard. Besides, Lydia seems to be immune to her spiteful words anyway. Working at Hildegard's home would be less stressful. The last time Amber had a project, James bowled hers over to test his out. Literally! He used cannonball on her scale model of Atlantica to test if it would hold. Their rooms aren't exactly spaced apart. And there's nowhere they can really work. "Okay. Would you and Sofia tell mom and dad?"
"Sure thing." Lydia assured her. "See you later." Sofia pinched her dress, knotting it anxiously. Lydia pretended not to notice, curious if Sofia fell victim to the idle prattle of little girls with too much time.
xxx
James and Zandar shook the carriage the entire way back home. The coachman had to fasten his seatbelt when they jumped out to get started on their dream castle. Sofia wasn't too enthused to leave the carriage. Especially with the clock ticking down to when she said she'd meet up with Vivian to work on their own dream castle. Night and day to how she was at the school.
Lydia felt unsure about how to assuage her anxiety. She wasn't exactly in too high of spirits herself. The lure of the idle prattle is contagious. Seeing Sofia about to spend an afternoon with someone she barely knows reminded Lydia how nervous she is about Queen Cecily. A Kingdom with Queen and Princess no one really knows about, yet it sounds as if they know about everyone. For Lydia, that's a bit of a red flag. When someone knows you it usually stems from reputation or word of mouth. Neither of which Lydia held real confidence in. Must be because of Abraham and Alexander. And a mountain of other derisions piling against her. No matter how many times Roland says there are those who berate him, it doesn't erase the irk.
In times of doubt and a wall is at your back. There is only one thing to do. Go to Mom for help!
"MO~MMY!" Lydia belly flopped to Miranda's bed, moaning dreadfully and sluggishly tapped her toe at the floor. "I really hate today…"
"Oh no. Did Cedric send you bouquet of paint filled floors again?" Miranda tried not to giggle, fitting into her signature dress. While a prank, Miranda found it charming Cedric would think of flowers for Lydia.
"I wish." She'd prefer a prank by Cedric if it will make her feel better. "I got a letter from Queen Cecily today."
"The Queen of Zumaria?"
"Yeah. She wants to meet me."
"Well, what's wrong with that?" Miranda joined her on the bed.
Lydia sat on her knees, smoothing her skirt over her thighs. "I found out today that no one really knows too much about Zumaria or Cecily. The same goes for her daughter, Vivian."
"Uh-huh. Yeah." Miranda urged her to go on.
"Everyone has guesses and wild stories about Cecily and Vivian, but no one knows a thing about either of them! No one's even been to their castle!" Miranda is with her so far. "Mom, you know I'm not one to buy into rumors. But it does make me nervous that no one knows these people, and yet…"
"They know about everyone else."
"Uh-huh." Lydia bobbed her head.
"That happens sometimes. Whether you're Royalty or not."
"Does that make me a bad person?"
"Not in the least." Miranda tucked hairs behind Lydia's ear. "There are plenty of noblemen and women who know me, but for the life of me I don't know them." A natural occurrence, by the sounds of it. Still, it makes Lydia uncomfortable.
"Dad says she's a nice woman. I want to believe him. But I...I need…"
"You want to determine your own view but are unsure how to approach." Lydia loved how Miranda can read her mind. Takes a lot of pressure off her. "Well how else can you shape your own opinion if you don't and meet her yourself?"
"I...guess you're right..." Lydia's cheeks flushed bright pink. She hates to admit it, but Amber and her friends' words made her paint an ugly picture of Vivian and Cecily. Some role model she's turning out to be for Sofia. Roland says she's good, Amber says she's bad. Time to see for herself. "No. I know you're right!" A spark lit under Lydia. She darted to the desk, snatching a piece of paper and a quill. "THANKS, MOM!" She bolted past Violet and Marcy, spinning them as she raced for her room.
Miranda laughed, easily catching the two maids' lost laundry. "That's why I'm here. Speaking of places to be," Miranda looked at the time, "Sofia's going to be late to Vivian's if she doesn't hurry."
"We saw her in Prince James' room, mum." Violet informed her.
"Thank you."
xxx
Ubos and Eezeyal huddled on either end of Lydia's desk, watching in awe at her speed writing. She was enthralled in her own world, and hadn't registered them.
Dear Queen Cecily,
I received your letter this morning and would be honored to join you for tea. If it is not too great an inconvenience, will this afternoon be acceptable? I agreed with what you said in your letter. It is a shame that we have yet to meet.
Sofia and Vivian have been made partners for a Dream Castle Project, and agreed to work on it this afternoon. After reading your letter, I thought their partnership would provide ample for us time to enjoy one another's company.
There is a marker in the lower right corner of this letter. It serves as a sort of instant mail service. Copy it, utter "Reply, Princess Lydia of Enchancia," and press your thumb to it. The letter will find it's way back to me and vice versa.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Princess Lydia of Enchancia
Lydia used red paint and painted a box with an R in the corner. Inside the R head were two conjoined curved lines. "Reply, Queen Cecily of Zumaria." Lydia pressed her thumb to the R. A warm glow illuminated. The letter rolled itself up, then slithered in a stream of smoke out the window.
"I hope this works..." She crossed her fingers. She's never used Instant Mail before. Better to not mention that to Cecily. Ever. "Ha-ha..."
xxx
Sandy beige smoke entered an open window. A fair skinned woman fastened the final link to her violet crowning jewel of her pearl headdress. She smoothed her abundance of done up ebony hair, checking the tucked tail at the base of her neck for loose hairs.
"Perfect..." She chimed, modeling for her desk mirror. The smoke startled her snaking to desk. A roll of parchment materialized, branded by the Enchancian Royal seal. Quite an unusual, yet extraordinary delivery. Magical. "Hmm. I wonder if this is from..." She eagerly opened the letter, skimming to the bottom for her awaited signature. "Yes. Princess Lydia!" She beamed. The Sorcerer Princess responded. And with a charming flare.
Quickly reading the letter, Queen Cecily was overflowing with glee at her invitation being accepted. She smirked intrigued by the ornate marker Lydia used to send her message. In all honesty, Cecily half expected a week or two before a response was issued. Not a short few hours.
"Clever girl." She chortled. "I cannot wait to meet her." Cecily found a parchment and quill and began her response.
xxx
Lydia paced back and forth, wearing a hole in her floor that Ubos constantly fixed. "Princess Lydia, will you please relax?" He guffawed. She's behaving as if she's in line for the dentist. "The letter reached her and will undoubtedly be en route on as we."
"I guess you're right..." Lydia groaned. So many doubts flooded her mind in the short few seconds. What is the wind blew it off course? What if Cecily is a Gnome and ate it? What if there's more than one Cecily in Zumaria...and they have Queen before their name? Lydia needed a distraction.
"Perhaps you would be more confident in your magic if you would bother to study more often." Ubos calmly scolded her. His furrowed brow shouted he wasn't in the mood for joking. "Instead of, you know, planning tea parties and lollygagging!"
"What are you talking about? I study all the time!" Lydia huffed. "I'm the last person to slack off!" Not counting her Royal Grades.
"You mean you DID. and you WERE! Past tenses, Princess!" Ubos threw himself open, landing on the last lesson Lydia completed. "Lesson 13 - you recall?"
"Yeah! That's the one from when Cedric and I were joined at the hand." She shivered. A terrible memory.
"That is where you were in mid July. You are currently here!" He flipped a couple pages. "Lesson 14 for mixing up remedies and making little to no progress. THIS…" He flipped ahead several chapters, "Is where you should be, but are not!"
"Lesson 18 and ½ - Elemental spells in the opposite element." She could have used that one back at Merroway cove.
"If you have stuck to your lessons, you would have been able to put this spell to good use against that sea monster!" Ubos snapped himself closed, glaring disappointed at Lydia. "Instead you not only have neglected your magic, but you have done nothing but play and hang out with friends!"
"Number 1 - you're one of those friends I've been hanging out with!" He is hardly holier than her. "And number 2 - Are we forgetting I master the sea life spell that changes me into a manta?"
"Granted. You skipped lesson 15 and were forced to use 16 and mastered it well!" He will let her have that victory. Leaving her, in actuality, four lessons behind. "However, had you studied lesson 15, it would have elucidated how you wouldn't transform from fish to human in and out of water! AND how to make it a bit more permanent than it was! Instead of being restricted to a time period!"
"You seem to forget, Ubos, I'm not just a sorceress. I'm a Princess with responsibilities." Funny for her to say that now given she let her other grades slip. "Something you and Roland seem to forget is that I'm split down the middle."
"This is where a lesson in prioritizing should come in handy!"
"Then my main priority right now is getting ready to meet with Queen Cecily." She turned her back to him, facing Eezeyal. Ubos shook his head, letting it go for now. "Think I should wear this..." She tapped her wand to her head, materializing her sapphire gown, "Or this?"
"Go with the gown." Eezeyal gave her a thumbs up. "And throw on one of yer tiaras." He flew into her closet and came out with her Elvin tiara and matching choker. "Here ya go..." He situated the tiara to her forehead, giving the red jewel a shine. Lydia put on the choker herself. She'd almost forgotten she'd had these. She must be sticking to her generic tiara and headband too much. "There ya go. Proper Princess suitable for framin'!" He placed her in a feather frame. Lydia blushed. Eezeyal was prone to exaggerate. But it made her feel better.
Attention shifted to the window as a familiar shade of smoke slithered through, morphing into a rolled up letter. "Queen Cecily's reply, no doubt." Ubos sniggered. Lydia excitedly rushed over, yanking it open. "I told you it would work. Now what does she say?"
Lydia giggled ecstatically. "That she eagerly awaits my arrival, and asks that I teach her how to send this sort of mail." She waved the page proudly. And the best form of reply will be her arrival.
"Already making an impression." Eezeyal elbowed her. "Nice work. Naturally yer bringin' yer right hand bird." He puffed his chest proudly.
"Absolutely." Lydia scratched his head. "Ubos? Wanna come with?" She sheepishly asked. They always argue in regards to her work. But Lydia doesn't want that to be the reason they can't spend the day together.
Ubos pondered it for a moment. "Why not." He chuckled. "It will be a grand experience visiting such a mysterious kingdom." Not necessarily mysterious. Yet to be ventured, and to have a clearer picture painted. Ubos happened to have several blank pages for him to map Zumaria, and jot down notes and interesting facts he happens upon.
"Great!" Lydia hugged Ubos to her chest. Eezeyal snuggled to her neck. She has her troupe. "Now if we can just get Sofia to muster up some courage, we can get going."
Knock-knock-knock, "Lydia…?" Miranda politely chimed, entering to find Lydia dressed and ready. "Oh good. I was wondering if you'd wear that." Eezeyal blew on his knuckles, rubbing them boastfully to his chest. He called it perfectly. "Sofia's all ready to go. Hurry to coach so you both won't be late." And all problems nipped in the bud. Lydia, Ubos, and Eezeyal shared smirks. When in doubt, always leave it to mom.
xxx
The coach soared above the Kingdom of Zumaria, crossing the border marks by towering spires. The Enchancian Royal seal at the bottom of the coach earned them a green flag from the Border Guard. Ubos, Eezeyal, and even Clover peered over the edge. Very lush, and gorgeous grasslands for a Kingdom supposedly ruled by gnomes. The hills leading to forests, and the glistening lakes made Lydia and Sofia sparkle. Zumaria was beautiful.
"By the by, Whiskers, what are yew doin' here?" Eezeyal elbowed Clover's pudgy side. "Shouldn't you be diggin' intuh yer carrot cakes right about now?"
"Oh, I wish!" Clover rubbed his gurgling stomach. The excitement made him forget to eat his third lunch. "But the carrots can wait!" Yes, that just came out of his buck toothed mouth. "I'm here as Sofia's backup against the Gnomes, Bats, and whatever else this Queen Cecelia has!"
"Queen Cecily." Sofia and Lydia corrected.
"Whatever." He snorted.
Eezeyal flew into howling fit of laughter, falling over onto the seat. "YOU?! BACK UP?! FOR WHAT?! INCH WORMS AGAINST EARTHWORMS?!" He threw a wing over his eye it was too hilarious. Clover impatiently stamped his paw. Mia and Robin laughed their own vote of confidence a few minutes ago. "Bunny boy...do you realize how soft, cuddly, and little you are?!" Eezeyal breathed heavily to stifle his laughing. He was about to lose consciousness.
"Rather be soft and cuddly than a glorified shoulder ornament!" He shot back. Lydia and Ubos winced. Sofia assumed Clover just said something bad.
"Better to be an ornament than a little girl's ratty plush toy! By the way," Eezeyal tapped Clover's ear, "Make sure the bats and gnomes don't scratch behind yer ear." Sofia's turn to wince.
"THAT'S IT!" Clover tackled him to the floor. The two shouted and cursed, wrestling violently. When the coach was brought to a landing on a stretch of dirt, the jerking bounced the pair apart.
"Thank goodness! We're here!" Lydia breathed. Argus, another popular coachman, laughed at her relief. He felt the same. Fighting animals - favorites they are not.
The pegasi trotted leisurely into an arch of conjoining trees. Sofia lifted a hand to the peeking sun rays, amazed by how pretty it was. A stone castle appeared just around the trees' bend. Grey roofing tiles for a majority, while the towers near to front gates wore yellow tiles. Pretty small when compared to their castle. And not as...extravagant either. Yet, taking in the countryside, the castle had a rustic charm that fit. It was almost like walking into a simpler time where quaint and comfy were popular. Lydia and Sofia had to admit, they liked it.
"Here we go…" Sofia steeled herself. Ubos ducked inside of Sofia's bag, and she slung it over her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Princess," Clover grumbled, "I've got your back.
The carriage was steadied to a halt. Argus let the girls off the carriage with a bow, earning thankful nods. Lydia and Sofia tried to walk casually. The castle's black gates flew open with a whoosh, frightening Eezeyal. Clover weaved behind Sofia, scared of what waited beyond those gates. Sofia and Lydia's amazement spanned as they entered the front yard. Magenta, iris, and sky blue flowers made the garden blossom in a array. The sweet fresh smell tickling their noses. The small trees, and the vines coupled with the gorgeous blue sky tempted them to set up a picnic and enjoy it.
"This is definitely not a cave…" Lydia gasped in awe.
"It's positively beautiful." Ubos peered.
Eezeyal unleashed a loud whistle. "Move on over Honky-Tonk Fest! I'mma comin' here!" He hooted.
Lydia and Sofia arrived at the foot of stone stairs. Double woods doors suddenly opened. "AH! HERE COME THE GNOMES!" Clover shrieked and dove into Sofia's bag. Ubos's mouth was stuffed by his ears.
Eezeyal leapt to Lydia's head, spreading his wings and growling. "Wait a Ne'Orleans minute!" He scoffed. A beautiful woman strode down the steps, holding a red fan across her chest. Her gold and green dress flowed with her navy cape. "That ain't no Gnome. That's a lady!"
"Good afternoon, girls." Her deep, cherub like voice melted away their anxiety. "I am Queen Cecily, Vivian's mother."
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty. I'm Princess Lydia. This is my pet, Eezeyal" She greeted with a curtsy. Eezeyal rolled his wing in a low bow. "This is my sister, Princess Sofia."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Queen Cecily." Sofia curtsied. Clover flipped around to find there was a woman, and no gnomes in sight. Much to Ubos's relief. He spat out hairs. Clover is in dire need of a bath.
"The pleasure is all mine, girls." Cecily returned a bow.
"I hope it's alright that I brought Eezeyal along."
"Not a problem at all, Dear." Cecily held out her hand, waiting for permission. Lydia nodded, and Cecily scratched the top of Eezeyal's head. We're so delighted you're here."
"Thank you for having us here." Lydia blushed. It was almost hard to look her in the eye. She's...really beautiful. The rose arrangement leading to the bow at her collar really complemented her green eyes and dress.
"You're not a gnome…" Sofia absentmindedly mumbled. Lydia pinched her back.
"What was that, Dear?" Cecily missed it. Thank goodness.
"I...said...you have a lovely home!" Sofia batted her eyes.
"Oh. Thank you." She's glad to hear it.
Lydia poked her head around to the door. Fuchsia stood out with the brown. A rather cute girl with long black hair was hiding behind the door. Her big green eyes met Lydia's blue ones and she shied behind the door. So that's Vivian.
"Vivian." Cecily tenderly beckoned. "Don't be shy, Honey. Come and say hi." Vivian curled in, dropping her head. She shakily descended the steps, fiddling with her fingers. "Lydia, this is my daughter, Princess Vivian. Vivian, this is Princess Lydia, Sofia's older sister."
"Uh...hu-hi...Lydia…" Vivian glanced back and forth, seemingly ready to jump out of her own skin.
"Hello, Vivian. It's nice to put a name to a pretty face." Lydia gently hummed, kneeling to the flinchy girl. "I've noticed you around Royal Prep. I've wanted to say hi, but you vanish before I can."
"Re-really?" Vivian brightened hearing this. "Sorry! I mean...hi! Again…" She fumbled, but not without smiling. Lydia giggled.
"Come. There is tea in the parlor." Queen Cecily gestured to her home. "Vivian, why don't you show Sofia to your room?"
"O-Okay, Mom. F-follow me, Sofia." Vivian timidly showed Sofia the way in. Lydia followed beside Cecily.
The inside was deceivingly larger than what the outside displayed. Grey stone hallways parted by green, canopy curtains. Portraits of knights who have served Zumaria, and portraits of the Royals who have come and gone. Sofia and Lydia couldn't help marveling. This was certainly not at all what they were expecting. No bats, no gnomes, no caves. It was your everyday, run of the mill castle.
"What are those?!" Clover panicked. Gargoyles were mounted to pedestals in the hallway.
"Gargoyle statues?" Sofia lifted her brow. "Our castle has gargoyles too, but on the outside." She educated Queen Cecily.
"Gargoyles are a symbol of protector." Cecily responded, admiring the statues. "My great-great-great grandfather feared the dangers inside more than what was outside. So he had them built."
"Whoa..." Sofia and Lydia shared awe. Ubos and Eezeyal bounced brows. They were eager to see what else they can learn.
"This is my room…" Vivian squirrelly touched a pair of double wooden doors.
"Clover, you can relax now." Sofia whispered to him. "No caves, no bats, no gnomes."
"OKAY!" Clover sprouted from her bag, startling Vivian and Cecily.
"What's that?" Vivian gasped.
"This is my pet bunny, Clover." She set him and the bag down. "I hope it's alright that I brought him."
"It's fine. I have a pet too." Vivian seemed to be cheering up. Lydia became nervous all over again.
"What kind of pet exactly?" Lydia warily asked.
"A dra~gon…" She impishly purred..
"A DRAGON!" They all gasped. Eezeyal and Clover jumped into Sofia and Lydia's arms. Vivian opened her door.
"WOO-HOO!" A light blue blur darted into the hallway, running circles around Lydia and Sofia. Ubos, Eezeyal, Clover were dizzy trying to follow that thing. It finally decided to cap its overloading energy and stop. They couldn't believe their eyes. Vivian really does own a little blue dragon. And she's absolutely adorable. Tiny as can be wings fluttering uncontrollably. Spade tail wagging at 20 miles per hour. Her big blue eyes just made them melt. Sofia and Lydia set Clover and Eezeyal aside for a moment. The little dragon ran around them again, daring them to try and catch her. Lydia laughed as she dropped to catch her, and she somersaulted into Sofia's arms.
"She's adorable!" Sofia gushed.
"And she's so little! Just look at you!" Lydia cooed, scratching under her chin. The one rumor that's true about Vivian, and it's blown out of proportion.
"Thanks!" Vivian was happy they liked Crackle.
The atmosphere cleared right up. Tensions certainly died down. "Well I think you girls can take it from here."
"Yep!" Sofia beamed. "Ezee, why don't you and you know who," She whispered so quietly Vivian and Cecily couldn't hear, "Spend time with…"
"Her name's Crackle." Vivian blushed.
"She even has a cute name." Lydia swooned. She can't stand it. "Spend some time with Crackle while Queen Cecily and I have our tea?" Ubos and Eezeyal blinked in total disbelief. Lydia wanted to leave them...alone...with a dragon? Is she crazy? "Great. See you guys in a bit." Cecily and Lydia continued on their way.
"See you, Lydia." Sofia waved. "Clover, why don't you play with Crackle too while Vivian and I get to work on our Dream Castle?" Clover stared pleadingly for her to reconsider. "Great! See you soon." Sofia entered Vivian's room, and the closing door trapped the nervous trio with the hyperactive dragon.
"Those girls just doomed us, didn't they?" Eezeyal groaned.
"Quite possibly." Clover groaned.
"Gentlemen, be positive." Ubos arose from the bag. "What is the worst that can happen?"
"HI!" The three jumped out of their skin. Clover flipped breathless on his back, while Eezeyal and Ubos hid in the ceiling. "I'M CRACKLE! AND I'M VERY EXCITED TO MEET YOU!" She pranced around him. Her energy wasn't done with him yet.
"Uh, yeah, the name's Clover…" He responded stiffly.
"Name's Eezeyal." He perched on the safety of an up high Bust. "Nice tuh meet'cha."
"And I am Ubos." He bowed. "A pleasure Miss Crackle."
"A talking book! An owl! AND a bunny!" She rocked on her back, gushing with pure excitement. "I'm just so excited to meet all of you, I could just-AHFWEW!" Clover, Eezeyal, and Ubos ran as flames cooked the air.
"WHOA! Watch it, Sparky!" Clover held his ears down.
"SHE BREATHES FIRE!" Eezeyal hyperventilated, back pressed to the wall. "The dragon...actually...breathes...FIRE!"
"What did you expect her to breathe?" Ubos snorted. "Ice Cream?"
"With sprinkles and a cherry! Yes!" He bobbed his head rapidly. Ubos rolled his eyes. Young animals these days.
"Sorry about that, you guys!" Crackle heaved between erratic laughter. "I breathe fire when I'm excited!"
"Fortuitous that you shared, Crackle." Ubos laughed nervously. "But might I propose that you calm yourself before you hurt someone."
"NAMELY US!" Eezeyal and Clover barked.
"Oh no! I'd never hurt the three of you!" Crackle, out of the blue, wrapped all three in a tight hug. "You three are my new best friends! Now, don't get me wrong! I love Vivian! But new friends are always great!" Fire flew in every direction. Hard for either Eezeyal, Ubos, or Clover to dodge while in a dragon bear hug. Becoming friends with a dragon sounded better in their heads than out loud.
xxx
Lydia hadn't stopped laughing the entire way to the parlor. She was bursting with jubilation. Crackle was literally bouncing around in her head. A creature of lore and she got to scratch her under the chin. Her energy, vibrancy, and the fact that she was a dragon was overwhelming Lydia. She's geeking as if a new issue of her favorite novel was on sale. Up until now, she's never met a real live dragon.
"I'm almost jealous." Lydia nodded thankfully as Cecily handed her a cup of tea, and a small saucer of cookies. "My mom wouldn't let me have a dog when I was Vivian's age. How did she convince you to get her a dragon anyway?"
"It is a funny tale." Cecily sat to her long green couch, prompting Lydia to sit with her. The parlor was easily mistaken for a small theatre, or a study. The wide balcony window's curtains were parted open. The afternoon flooded the parlor, highlighting the sun setting at the hills in the distance. A dip in the room nested a bonfire pit. "Truth be told, dragons are a national symbol to Zumaria."
"No kidding?" Lydia raised a brow to the golden, crowned eagles on her dress.
"Oh, yes." She brushed fingers over one of the eagles. "When my husband and I married, he was a smith from Eddinhal." Lydia's mouth twisted. Here in Zumaria it is accepted to marry for love. "The land's crest is a crowned eagle. So I decided to share in the heritage."
"I see. Go on." Lydia crossed her legs, beaming with intrigue.
"Many centuries ago, Dragons roamed from one corner of Zumaria to the next. Living happy, blissful lives." She gestured to the window, wanting Lydia to bask in the land shared by those dragons. "The land prospered off the mysticism showering as they soared across the skies. One day..." Her tone changed to sorrow, concerning Lydia, "The dragons saw the land growing with an abundance of people and homes, and they decided to move closer to the Blazing Palisades. A land more fertile for them and their brethren."
"Amazing." And alleviating Lydia's nerves. She feared the generic outcome. Dragons and humans at war, dragons either wiped out or forced to relocate. "And Crackle?"
"A handful of dragons left their eggs behind in hopes of preserving human and dragon relations. And so have those dragons, and the dragons after them." Cecily reached behind her and showed Lydia a portrait of her and Crackle. Crackle with eggshells at her rump and on her head. "Vivian and I discovered Crackle as an egg near the lake a mile from our home. She hatched right as she was picked up, and she and Vivian have been inseparable ever since."
"Sounds like me and Eezeyal." She loved the photo of Vivian and Crackle. She imagined herself and Eezeyal in this photo. "I found Eezeyal a little over a year ago at my sorcery school. His wing was hurt. The challenge was getting close enough to help him."
"He didn't take to you the first time, I assume." Cecily sipped her tea.
"I have scars from where he's bitten me, clawed me, and I think that bald spot I'm self conscious about it still there." Cecily reared to where Lydia pat her head. She shook her head. No bald spot. That's a relief. "As time went on, Eezeyal became one of my best friends. He's been with me ever since."
"The smallest inkling of compassion has an everlasting effect."
"Sometimes it still surprises me that we've come this far. If you would have seen us a year ago, you'd never believe Eezeyal was so hostile."
"Speaking of disbeliefs," Cecily set her cup on the couch, folding her hands with a sneaky smirk, "You and Sofia seemed to be in a bit of shock when you saw my castle."
Lydia's heart stopped and dropped into her bowels. "Y-Your Majesty…" She croaked, stopping in the middle of the hallway.
Cecily lightly chortled, placing her hand to her parlor door. "I saw it just as you both approached the door. The castle is not at all what you expected it to be." Cecily rose to stretch her legs. Lydia sank regretfully, drumming her fingertips together. "No call for contrite, My Dear. I am no stranger to the Gnome Parents," She playfully growled, clawing her fingers, "Or the caves with the glow in the dark bats," She added her own ghoulish moan. Lydia had to laugh at that one. "And I've heard ALL that stories about the strange noises."
"What strange noises?" Lydia jumped. Cecily's smirk spoke volumes of her assumption. Realizing she'd just admitted to falling prey to the rumors, Lydia's head sank between her shoulders, "I...only heard about the first two."
"There are far more stories where those came from." Cecily reassured her, waving it off. She reached her hand behind a tapestry. "Ever since I was a girl, the Tales of Zumaria have served as a sort of...entertainment for me." A stack of papers fashioned as constructed book unsheathed. Calligraphic letters decorated the first page. Zumaria's Legends. "From my father being a Griffon Hybrid, to my cousin signing a pact with pixies, I have kept them all in this book and have transformed them into a novel of several stories." Lydia accepted the book, minding to yarn at the spine. "I'm thinking of getting it published."
"That's...this is impressive…" Lydia flipped through fifty pages worth of stories. Cecily was already on the verge of finishing about the bat cave castle. "Wow. You really do enjoy these stories."
"Baseless folderol though their words may be, they've given me great material to work with."
"That's...what I'm having a hard time understanding." She closed the book, handing it back.
"Yes?"
"If you know what everyone's saying about you isn't true, why not confront them and set them straight?" That's what most people in her position do. From what she's seen thus far. "Don't the lies bother you?"
"Not lies. Misconceptions." In this circumstance, Lydia FAILED to hear the difference. The masses were in the wrong regardless. "It is easy to tell someone they are wrong. And it is certainly not wrong to defend yourself. It's how and when you do it that determines the outcome."
"Umm...you've lost me." She slumped.
"King Abraham and King Alexander. They are not our biggest fans."
"The feelings mutual." Lydia snarled. "Every time they see me they're insulting me, and spreading lies about my craft. I love it when it blows up their faces!" She cackled maniacally.
"And that is how you begin a storm that could have been avoided." Cecily lost her again. Lydia needs to stop blinking or cast a magical rewind. She keeps missing the point. "Everyone has their own opinion. Rumors and falsehoods arise with them. But throwing them in another's face simply adds fuel to the fire." It was gradually sinking in. Lydia relaxed, letting Cecily continue. "If you show that it bothers you, then you risk proving right a wrong. But, if you calmly accept the wrong and make it right, gradually you change the flow." Lydia didn't mean to, but she slumped with a loud groan. There's that fork Cecily keeps losing her on. Cecily laughed at her confusion. "In other words, Dear," Cecily cupped her hands, "You know the truth of who you are. And if you stick to it, everyone else will see it too."
"Now I see why Dad asked me to come…" She mumbled. Somehow, Roland knew Cecily will be the one to help nullify Lydia's hostile and standoffish approach. "Thanks."
"My pleasure." Cecily rejoined her on the couch, sitting closer. "Now," She showed Lydia the letter with the R marker in the corner, "I'm anxious to learn how this works! Please leave no detail unturned!"
"Oh! It's easy!"
To be continued.
And to the guest reviewer with the "Princess Test" idea. It's good, but I already have something planned. Thank you though.