The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 26 - Emily

* The Castle at Drakor; The Capital of the Chromos * Viola POV

I feel like a slavedriver keeping all these different builders on task. They move so slow as if time wasn't a factor. The masonry work has finished for the orphan house so now we're working on the food bank. We need to fill the orphan house with furniture. Some have already been completed as we're using it now at the castle but more needs to be made. We need several chests for the rooms, two settees and two chairs for the lounge area, and stone outdoor seating as well. I've also contacted people for textiles for decor, rugs, blankets, and mattresses. Thankfully, we have the staff hired that is needed for the house and they seem to get along well with the children.

The older children seem to be doing well working at the castle. They seem to be happy just having a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. A few exceptionally bright students have been selected to learn to read, write, and arithmetic. They may go on to work as scribes, clerks, or other administrative duties in the castle.of the other children have been picked up by castle tradesmen such as our blacksmith, swordsmith, the butler, and many more skilled positions available at the castle. The rest of the children worked in the stables, kitchen, or were maids.

The food bank is still a work in progress as the masonry work on the building has just now begun. I have started to contact local farmers about buying large amounts of produce and meat at a discounted price since I'll be buying so much on a consistent basis to stock the bank and so far I've gotten good responses.

*The Western Border * Wolf POV

We wake up to dreadful news. Lucian's father in law, King Dacre, passed away during the night. I can tell the news weighs heavy on Lucian knowing that he'll have to carry that back home to Viola. As soon as we ate breakfast he left for home. I went to the throne room to meet with what advisors we had. When I got there behind the throne was a door to a large meeting room. Thank goodness I grew up in a castle and knew the common layout. Inside the meeting room stood three advisors. That means we're missing four. I quickly greet the men. Advisor Dautbeg, Advisor Boycee, and Advisor Fiddlere. Of course all three men were lords with manors and had villages outside their manors. I quickly went over Chromos Empire laws and taxes with them. Then, we set a route for me to take to visit the other four villages.

* Roselake: A Small Village in the Salona Kingdom *

Emily POV

I work for Mrs Fishere, the seamstress, at her shop for 4 hours in the morning. She takes in laundry from the manor and I help her wash and fold the clothes. If I'm lucky she has a seamstress customer, maybe a wedding dress, and I can help with that. But usually it's just laundry. That's okay. We laugh and talk. She loves to gossip so she usually fills me in on the latest town hall news. I just laugh at her and don't pay too much mind. I leave from there and smile at people as I pass them in the street. Today is a beautiful day. I stop at the local bookstore to turn in the book I borrowed for something different.

Old Mr Gravese the owner shows me a new book he got in. It's a romance about a princess that lives in a tower all her life but one day meets a prince that passes underneath her window and they fall in love. Reading is my passion and my escape from life not that life was bad but it wasn't grand either. Reading helped me to travel to distant lands, meet people I never dreamed I could meet, and live in ways I knew were not possible for me to live. I could be a knight, or a princess, or a traveller of distant lands. Anything is possible with books.

But, back to my day. After the bookstore I walk through the market and pick up some fresh milk and cheese. I don't have money for anything too expensive but this should be enough. Then it's time to head home. Home is a small cottage on the outskirts of the village. It's just Papa and I at home. Well, Papa, me, and the chickens. Ha. Ha. Papa stays in bed mostly. He hasn't felt well in a long time. So, I stay and take care of him.

Of course, he's always encouraging me to go find a beau but there's no one around that's interesting. All the other girls drool over the new lord that's moved into the manor, Lord Garbg. But, I find him to be such a bore. He has no intelligence, no wit, and no charm. All he wants to talk about is how grand his manor is, how often he eats with the king, or how he wears the finest fashion in all of the kingdom. Boring!

* Lord Aragon's Manor * Molle POV

I woke up in a state of fright. I'm lying in one of the upstairs bedrooms. In this huge bed. I've never slept on a bed so big before or so soft. Then, last night starts to come back to me: being made to eat at the dining room table, being brought up stairs, and then being tucked into bed. Wait! If I'm here then where is the prince? I sit up and start looking around the room for him. He whistles at me from a chair in the corner and waves. It startles me so I almost jump out of bed. "Hey little bird. I'm Cyprian from last night in case you forgot. I had the head maid bring up one of Lady Avila's dresses for you to wear. It looks decent enough. We'll get you some better fitting clothes when we get settled at the castle." He says holding a blue dress up for me to see. I grab it and quickly leave for the washroom to go try it on.

As we walk downstairs to breakfast Cyprian keeps whispering in my ear how beautiful I am as he kisses my knuckles. I blush and look away. As we enter the dining room I stop walking as I see my master and mistress eyes meet me with utter disdain. Cyprian didn't realize I had stopped walking until he had to pull on my hand to get me to move. He turned to me with an almost comical smile as he cocked his head to one side. "Is something wrong, little bird?" Cyprian asks, walking back towards me.

"No. I guess I'm just ready to leave." I can feel my stomach getting queasy standing in front of my master and mistress.

"I want to see you eat before we leave. Sit down." Cyprian commands and I immediately comply. I could tell by his set jaw and the ways his eyes flashed that he was daring me to say no. As a slave I learned long ago not to argue with those in authority over me. I watch as Lady Avila's back straightens and a scowl crosses her face as I take my seat. Linnet tosses a plate of food down in front of me. Some of the food slides off the plate. I start to pick up some of the food but Cyprian grabs my hand and brushes the food from my fingers then slowly places it on the table.

"Miss head maid, clean this mess up and then get a new plate here and I expect it will be brought here within less than a minute. Do not ever again treat Molle as rudely as you have done. I don't make a habit of hurting women but so help me gods woman you are pushing your look with me today." Cyprian said between gritted teeth. Linnet immediately wiped the food off of the table onto the plate and dove into the kitchen to retrieve me a new plate of food.

I was shaking so badly again I was having a hard time holding my fork to eat the food. The table was completely silent. Cyprian put his arm around me.

"If you don't mind I feel that I should start on those tasks that you assigned me last night so I am taking my leave. Good day to you." With that Lord Aragon and Lady Avila stood to leave.

"There is one more thing, Lord Aragon. Do you have a carriage?" Cyprian asks without looking up.

"Yes, I do." I can almost feel the anger rolling off of Lord Aragon.

"That's wonderful. We'll be commandeering that as well." Cyprian said with a slow smile.

"Very while." Lord Aragon is so angry now his voice comes out as a squeak.

"Love, why aren't you eating?" Cyprian now turns his attention to me.

"I suppose my master and mistress make me nervous." I honestly admit.

"Don't ever call them that again. They do not own you. Now eat up we will travel the rest of today to reach Silverkeep Village. Traveling will take a little longer than expected since you will be joining us inside the carriage." Cyprian says using his commanding tone again.

A/N

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