Better pay me

Cassiopeia POV

Entering the great hall was a first to me. I had always just heard about stuff, but the thing is: not just any servant could go in, even if it was to work. You had to be special, even to serve. 

My 'parents' were walking ahead of me, doing all the talking and I was grateful, at that moment, for nobody expect me to greet anyone. A slight nod, showing respect, was enough. 

"Oh, we are really glad to have you here, King Saros," King Aerglo greeted the King of Rigel. He also bowed to the Queen, Zohreh's mother, Celestia. "Ah, and what a marvelous surprise! This year the Princess has attended and graced us with her presence!"

I gulped, 'cause the King was looking right at me. I had never seen him so up close. I used to see him from a distance, when he would make any announcement or the sort. I wanted to greet him properly, as myself, but that was not an option. His eyes were as bright as the sun, a very beautiful tone of amber. It was like liquid gold.

I nodded and gave a courtesy, not uttering a word.

"Yes, this year we decided it was time for her to start spreading her wings." Saros said and smiled and looked at me, having no idea that the girl under the veil was nothing but a servant, while his daughter was, indeed, 'spreading her wings', somewhere else.

After that, both the Kings started to talk, and I could finally breath. I moved my head, looking around. The place was huge, of course, as one could expect from a castle. The floor was made of marble, with red carpets. The walls were white, flourished with statues and golden details. The chandelier in the center was magnificent and I couldn't help but wonder how secure that thing was. I was used to things go awry to me.

"Dear?" Celestia was talking to me, and it finally snapped me back to reality. I turned to my 'mother', a bit confused. What could she want to talk to me? "We need to get going!"

"Ah…" Of course. How dull of me! I nodded and followed the Queen. 

"You seem a bit off. Is everything fine, my love?" It made me feel bad. The woman was talking so sweetly, and I was not her daughter, but an imposter. 

"Hmm." I answered, nodding again. Celestia frowned, but recovered quickly. I looked out at her of the corner of my eyes, and I was betting she was going to talk to me later about my 'weird behavior'. But what was I supposed to do? I had no idea how the Princess talked to her mother. 

When we sat and I looked at all that food in front of me, my mouth watered. I had never had the opportunity to eat that too much food, and frankly, I could care less if it would look bad. I was starving!

'Don't attack the food!', a little voice reminded me, and it made me cry inside. If I ruined everything, no golden coins in the future, since I would have no chance of be the one-year Princess. I had to be a lady, whatever that meant.

"Prince Oberon couldn't make it, I'm afraid. He is at the front of the battle." King Aerglo was telling King Saros. "Such a pity. Well, for us for not having his company. But a great joy to know that such a capable swordsman as him is there, fighting for us!"

"Indeed!" The King of Rigel agreed, raising his goblet full of wine. 

The war with the Orcs was taking more than expected. Not only orcs, but rebels and people who were banished from the Five Kingdoms. I had no desire of dying, sure thing, but I dreamed about being in the battlefield, swinging my sword and chasing monsters. Being a heroin!

I trained hard, the best I could, waiting for the day I would be able to do something, to help my kingdom. But, until that moment, the only help I gave was by cleaning up the noble's domestic mess, most of it. I waste, must I add. 

It was certain that in a year, I would be able to have golden coins and apply for a chance at the Greatest Academy for Warriors. But I also knew — and hoped — I would not have to fight in this war that now was taking place. I hoped the war would not last so long and we could have peace. 

"I'm very please he is to be married to your daughter," Aerglo said, and King Saros nodded, letting a servant pour more wine to his cup.

"That will be a great union between our kingdoms!" The King Saros was very enthusiastic about the matter. "The Hendrix and the Mokri family will become one."

"I can't wait for the wedding party!" Aerglo lifted his cup and both Kings cheered again.

'Prince Oberon' I repeated his name in my head. It sounded like a strong name. Great for a warrior. Was he a brute, so Zohreh didn't want to be attached to him? By what I was hearing, he seemed like a great man. And the fact that he was known as a swordsman, meant a lot to me, so it might be clouding my judgement, I won't lie. Every noble knew how to use a sword, but only a few could be called by swordsman.

I had never seen him, as he hardly stayed home. He went to the Academy very early, as they said he had talent. And since then, never returned for too long. Not enough for me to even have a glimpse of his face. 

The rest of the night passed without a problem, and I just wanted for it all to be over. I refused to dance, saying to the Queen that I had a stomachache. Queen Celestia didn't like it at all and forbade me to eat more. Terrible excuse that one.

"It must be really bad, since you love to dance and never lose an opportunity!" When 'mother' said that, I sighed. In relief. I was not one to dance. 

"We are going back to our accommodations, Aerglo!" The good thing about two kings talking as being friends, was that not such formalities as calling each other 'Your Royal Highness' was necessary, for what I could tell.

"Oh, I see you tomorrow, then! Don't forget about the tournament!"

"Count on us!" King Saros patted the King of Quasar on the shoulder and got up from his seat, having Celestia and I following his every step.

I went to my litter and, once inside, I finally took my veil off. That thing was so uncomfortable! Having to look at everything with a fabric on your face is not pleasant. And I would have to endure that kind of thing for a whole year.

She better pay me when the year is over!