The Mark of the Dragon

A LITTLE BUNDLE OF JOY

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" Mummy,look here I caught a Rabbit"The sound of a little girl was heard running towards Margeret who was harvesting fruits and putting it in the basket.

"Wow Athena,am so proud"Margeret said to the little ten years old girl who was the epitome of beauty ,she had long red hair and big innocent eyes with gleaming silver pupils,her skin was pale almost as white as snow,blood red lips almost the same color of her hair and deep cute dimples.The neighbors of the town were shocked by the young girls beauty,some were jealous of the little girl while some adored her.Margeret had gotten married to a farmer and gave birth to a little girl called Rose.Rose looked like her parents and had similar features,brown hair and brown pupils,fair skin and pink rosy lips,she also had dimples and brought her mother's beauty.Rose was eight years old and very shy and composed a lot different from her sister's energetic and vivacious behavior.

It was late in the night in a cabin right in the middle of the forest not far from the town square.Margeret was singing a very beautiful lullaby to her two girls,Rose had fallen asleep while Athena's eyes were still shining bright

"Mummy,why don't I look you or daddy?"Athena asked cutting Margeret off in her song,Athena wasn't only a beautiful little girl but she was also very curious,smart and easy to learn.

"Darling You are special and like I always told you..."

" Prescious jewels shouldn't be seen around common people "They both recited and laughed afterwards.

"Now go to bed,sweet dreams."Margeret said kissing her forehead and tucking her in bed.

"I love you mummy."Athena said with a heartwarming smile.Margeret smiled and switched off the lamp before going back to her husband's room it was mostly made of wood the walls were made of wood and so were the ceilings,a shiny light hanged providing light to the dark room and two lamps seated at each sides of the bed on top a wooden stool pictures of the family were placed on the wooden wall as decorations and brown cottons covered the window matching in contrast with the wood.She sat on the bed lost in thought.Jeremiah, Margeret's husband,woke up as soon as he felt the other side of the bed go down slightly.

He kissed her neck,going down to her shoulders,then her hands.Margeret who was still lost in thoughts gave an unwilling shrug.

"What's wrong Hun?"Jeremiah asked.

"It's Athena Jer,she's getting more curious by the day!"Margeret said and Jeremiah fell silent.

"She is a smart little girl,how long till she realizes you are not her real Father?"Margeret said.

Jeremiah placed his hands on Margeret's shoulders.

"Don't worry love,we will always be here for her and Rose."Jeremiah said with a smile and resumed kissing her shoulders.

"What if Someone sees the Dragon marking behind her neck?"Margeret asked worriedly.

"They will surely take her away from me "Margeret said again.

"Come here love."Jeremiah said and adjust a little putting Margeret's head on his chest.

"Everything is going to be alright."Jeremiah said and gave her a loving kiss as they both dozed off.

The Next day

Athena woke up to the delicious scent of Fried pork and rice.She instantly ran towards where the smell was coming from and sat at her usual spot on the table holding a fork and a spoon.

"Haha,no angel you need to go freshen up first,brush your teeth, take your bath and wear appropriate cloths just like Rose here"Jeremiah said with a smile pointing to Rose who suddenly poked her tongue out,teasing Athena.

"But Dad I'll do that when am done eating"Athena said with a pout.

"No, I won't allow it"Jeremiah said and Athena left.

"Daddy,where's mummy?"Rose asked looking around for her mom but she was no where to be found.

"She went to the market, she'll be back shortly Hun."Jeremiah said.

There was a knock at the door and Jeremiah went to get it only to find two unidentified strangers standing there and due to Jeremiah's physique and muscular structure they froze and gulped.

"Uhh,we are from the pa...palace to check on the people,it's an order from the king!"one of the guard said.

" Ohh,that's good,keep up the good work."Jeremiah said with a smile and slammed the door at their faces.

"Daddy who was that"Rose asked with creased brows.

"Just some guards on patrol"Jeremiah said and Rose sat back and dived in her food.Athena came back all prepared and dressed like a boy.

"Why do you like wearing boys clothes?"Rose asked.

"I think it suits me"Athena said before going back to her chair,her food was served and she dived in like a hungry beast.

"Take it easy my angel before you choke on your food"Jeremiah said also eating at the table.

"But it's just so good"Athena said

"Really,so tell me Angel, Mummy's or Daddy's cooking which do you like best?"Jeremiah asked with a grin.

"Don't tell mum but I think I like your cooking better."Athena said.

"I heard that"Margeret who was standing behind Athena all this while suddenly said something which caused Athena to jolt.

"You heard wrong mummy,good morning,how was your day?"Athena asked with a very warm smile.

"Lovely dear,are you both enjoying your meal?"Margeret asked.

"Yes Mummy"The two girls answered.

"of course you are"Margeret said.

"Good morning hun."Margeret said giving Jeremiah a kiss.

"Have you noticed the guards patrolling around this zone lately?"Margeret asked.

"Yea they seem a bit much nowadays"Jeremiah said.

"Am scared love"Margeret said worriedly.

"It's going to be fine Maggie,don't worry"Jeremiah said when he noticed Margeret's uneasyness.

"I can't help it,I just feel something bad is going to happen."Margeret said clutching her neck slightly, something she normally does when she was stressed, nervous or worried,which Athena seemed to have picked up.