At the castle of the dragon kingdom, where the guards and the dragons were on patrol around the castle, a large pink dragon was flying towards the castle as it was heading straight to a certain spot. The guard dragons moved a little to make room as the dragon landed to a balcony that leads to a dining room.
The pink dragon looked much like Tameka, but large and wearing a metallic collar that has the symbol of a dragon with flames around. As she entered the room, she spotted an elder man as he was sitting on a chair, had a plate of food in front of him, but he was staring at an empty seat. He let out a sigh and looked up at the wall to see a tapestry hanging down, showing the images of himself as a young man but with a woman carrying a baby in her arms.
"Your majesty," the pink dragon spoke as she bowed with her head down.
The elderly man, knowing as King Theo, turned to face her as he was out of his thoughts and smiled to her.
"Have you seen my daughter, Kristana? I haven't seen her this morning."
"Your daughter is on her way back here, your majesty. I saw her riding on my daughter's back and she'll be here in time for lunch."
"Good... Good." said King Theo and he looked back at the tapestry. "I do worry about that girl. She always goes out and venture to the woods or even the village."
"She does get that from her mother." Kristana said to him and could see the king smiled a little.
"That is true. She does have her beauty and her spirit. Always dream of adventuring more. But since she's gone, it is hard to be a single parent and do what's best for a child. I do worry if she goes out far from this kingdom and be at a different one."
"Your majesty, if you don't mind me asking," Kristana spoke as she laid down on a large pillow by the wall, "Why wouldn't you let her go out to the other kingdoms? Surely, there was no law on visitations except going to the goblin kingdom."
"True that there is no law, but some of the kingdoms are not safe anymore." said King Theo as he looked at her, "I have been receiving word that the goblins have invaded some of the kingdoms, and... already took the gems."
Kristana looked shocked to hear the news from his king. Goblins have already got half of the gems, but the question was, how on earth did they find them?
"Which of the kingdoms are we talking about?" she asked as she wondered.
"The Unicorns, Elves, and the Mermaids. I don't know how they found it but must have been clever enough to spy and track the gems. And that's not all. I've also heard that their queen has taken the rulers as well. That's what worries me when I think about my daughter."
"Does... does she know about this?"
"No. I didn't want to tell or upset her. I thought I could keep it to myself until we find another way to stop the goblins."
"A little advice, your majesty. I think a secret like that, may not last for long. Otherwise, it'll may get worse. I think it would be better if you told her."
King Theo looked at his friend for a moment and thought about it as well. She was right about it. Secrets like that may not hold on much longer or so. He looked at the dragon again and gave her a nod.
"You are probably right, Kristana. I might as well tell her, but not today. Tomorrow I will, since I am throwing a celebration of how this kingdom was built and thrived, and also, to tell everyone that is high time for Chrysta to take the throne."
"Will you her before or after the celebration?"
Just as the king was about to speak, a sound of a door was crept open. Both he and Kristana looked to see a servant by the entry and bow to the king.
"Your majesty, your daughter and her dragon have come back. She is here with me." he said to him.
"Bring them in." King Theo spoke to him and watched the other door opened wide to see Chrysta, Tameka, and little Etho entered the room.
The princess walked slowly towards her father as she got close, seeing his genuine smiled and his eyes looked tired but concern. She thought that her father must have been worried about her.
"Father," she spoked as she curtsied, "Sorry I'm late."
"Quite alright, child. Please have a seat." he said to her calmly and Chrysta sat down beside her.
Tameka watched as the princess starts eating with the king, but then noticed her mother at the wall and starts walking towards her. Etho notice her going off and quickly follow her.
"Hello, mother." she spoke softly.
Kristana looked at the little dragon and the softly smiled as she nuzzled her hatchling. Tameka didn't mind the nuzzling, she just felt the warm and love from her.
"Hello darling." Kristana spoke to her and then heard a small purr. She looked to see that it was Etho as he was staring at her. The big dragon giggled. "Hello, Etho." she said to him and then looked back at her daughter. "How's your day, my little hatchling?"
"Same as always." Tameka answered. "The usual."
"Any friends you made?"
The young dragon looked at her dragon for second and then looked at down at the ground as she didn't reply. Kristana sighed as she knew that expression on her daughter's face. She knew that Tameka's shy, but she just needs some... encouragement.
"Tameka, I know it's difficult for you. Your shyness is taking over on you as if you can't do anything, but can't you at least try my little hatchling."
"But... I am a friend to the princess and Etho." Tameka spoke as she looked at her mother.
"That's true. But I want you to make friends with the other dragons and Etho... is a little too young." said Kristana as she looked down at the smallest dragon, wearing a pout on his face. "No offense, little one."
Tameka stared at the ground again as she heard what her mother just said. She is right. The young one has to fight the shyness out of her and make friends but... if feels so difficult for her.
"I... I'll try mother." she replied as she looked at her.
Kristana smiled softly to her daughter and nuzzled her head.
While the dragons were talking, Chrysta was enjoying her meal, but the king barely touched his as was something on his mind until he looked up at his daughter.
"Chrysta." he started to speak softly, and the princess looked at her father, "There's something I must tell you."
"Yes, father." she replied after she swallowed her last bite.
"As you know that the celebration of our kingdom being built is tomorrow, right?"
"Of course, father." Chrysta smiled, knowing that she enjoys the celebration with food, dancing, and entertainment. "I am looking forward to it."
"That you do, but this will be different." said Theo as he notices her daughter's expression changed, "You see, I am getting old, and I have been ruling this kingdom for years since before I met your mother, and you were being born. Those were my golden years, but since your mother is gone and you are grown up, I know that I won't be ruling for much longer."
Chrysta's face became concern as she listened to her father. Hearing those words of 'growing old', the princess became more concern.
"Father, please tell me you're not going to..."
"No, no. I'm not." Theo chuckled as he understands what his daughter was saying. "Don't worry, I'm not."
Chrysta sighed with relief as she decided to take a drink from her cup.
"That point is, my child, I'm not going to rule at this age. I've decided to retire."
With those words, Chrysta choked on her drink and starts coughing as she covered her mouth. Tameka, Etho, and Kristana turned their heads to see the princess as they also heard what the king just said.
"Sorry father," Chrysta spoke as the coughing faded and looked at him, "Did you say 'retired'? Are you saying...?"
"That it's time for you to rule. Yes. I know it's a big step for you, but I feel that I know you can do it. Hearing good reviews from your tutors and I, you do have what it takes to become a queen."
Chrysta looked down at her plate for a moment as she was hearing her father's words. A lot was on her mind and especially adventure, but he is right, it is a big step for and a big responsibility. She let out a sigh and then looked up to face him.
"I'll... I'll try father." she replied, and the king softly smiled.
"I know you will. I'll make an announcement at the celebration. Of course, you still have fun there, and maybe... just maybe, perhaps you could find a suitor."
Chrysta took another sip of her drink again, but hearing what her father just said about a 'suitor', she choked on her drink again, but only a little.
"Father, when you said 'suitor', you mean as a husband for marriage?"
"Indeed, but I'm not forcing you or going too fast for that time, I thought that you might needed someone to rule. I remembered how I met your mother when I was in the coming of age on becoming as king. Perhaps, someday you might need someone special." said Theo.
"But what if it isn't?"
"There's still plenty of time." said Theo as he got up from his seat and placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "I know you can do it, my child. Becoming queen, I mean."
"I'll... I'll do my best father." said the princess.
"Splendid." King Theo smiled warmly at her and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Why not you and your friends go to your room? I've got a lot of preparations for tomorrow."
"Yes father." she replied and then starts her leave along with Tameka and Etho.
As the three finally left, the king let out a sigh and looked back to stare at the tapestry of his family. He felt concerned about what he just said to his daughter. Kristana got up from her pillow and walked slowly towards the king.
"Kristana, do you think I did what's right for telling her?" he asked as he was still staring at the tapestry.
"You did what every parent could do, your majesty. You have been raising her well, even she does have her mother's spirit." she answered as she bowed her head to him.
"I appreciate the reply, Kristana. I did what was best for her, especially her happiness."
"At least she understood about what you said, but forgive me questioning you, your majesty, let me ask you this." said the dragon as she raised her to look at the king, "Is she really ready to take over the throne?" she asked, and King Theo turned to looked at her.
Inside the grand bedroom of the castle, which belongs to Chrysta, the princess was on her bed as she had her head down in thoughts and petting Etho. Tameka was silent as she looked at the princess until Chrysta broke the silence.
"The is a big responsibility, Tameka. I don't think I can do this. I mean, becoming queen will change my whole life."
"Not whole life. I mean, sure it's a different path, but... yeah, it's a big responsibility." said Tameka as she spoke to her friend. Also trying to find the right words for an explanation.
"And finding a suitor. That sounded too quick. I can't choose any of the guys. What if they just wanted the crown and power and not as a family like mine have?" Chrysta questioned as she slowly moved Etho to side the side and got out of her bed.
"I..." Tameka tried to explain as she was trying to think on the words. "I don't know much about guys... or any human besides you, your father, and everyone in the castle, but your father did say that it doesn't have to be a fast choosing at the celebration. Take your time as he says. Or maybe like the story scrolls you've been reading to us about finding true love and following your heart. Maybe those words could help."
"Kind of sounds like you needed to take your own advice on making friends?"
"That's... that's different."
Chrysta sighed with a small smile and then walked out to her balcony, watching the view of the about to set. She enjoyed the view but still have her mind on the whole being queen. Tameka and Etho looked at their friend and decided to join the view with her. Chrysta giggled as Etho jumped into her arms and petted him while Tameka sat beside her.
"Hey." the young dragon spoke softly as she got the princess's attention, "Everything's going to be okay. Besides, Etho and I got your back."
Etho chirped in agreement as he looked at Chrysta. The princess smiled as she continued petting Etho, also patted Tameka's back.
"You two are the best, you know that?"
"We know." the dragon replied and the three continued watching the view.
To Be Continued...