A Tale of Two Princesses by V. Ashenden Read Free Book Online Page A

around the room, opening drawers and cabinets. The wardrobe was empty of all but a few hangers. She took one, bending it around until it was a crown. She placed it on her head and hurried back to the mirror. She bowed to herself.
         "Welcome to the castle, your highness."
         She laughed again and then went over to the window shutters. She pushed them open, gasping. She could see the whole ocean stretching out before her. She had seen it once when she was very young, but to be floating in the sky above it was breathtaking.
         "So beautiful..." She looked up into the sky, peppered with white stars flickering to say hello to her, the moon outshining them all. She smiled at it. "Mama, can you believe where I am? I hope you're watching me. I'll make you proud."

 
    Chapter Four
    Princes and Knights
     
         "I've heard she's beautiful, at least. Golden hair, your highness."
         Court rolled his eyes at his valet, spurring his horse to trot a little faster on the road. "Wellington, if I have to hear about the golden hair one more time..."
         Golden hair? Hah! As if hair could be golden. She was probably a blond. He'd seen blonds before. What was special about that? Nothing. And now he had to marry this girl. He had plans too, big plans. His brother was supposed to rule Cross, and Court was supposed to travel, have an adventure, make a name for himself.
         "I'll be stuck in Avelot for the rest of my life."
         "Come now, sir," Wellington said, his horse catching up to Court, "I shall be with you, and we might have an adventure anywhere within Avelot's realm. Might not that be fun?"
         "Yes, a play date outside the castle, something to look forward to."
         "There's the spirit, young master!" Wellington said. "Always on the bright side!"
         "I don't care what color her hair is, Wellington, or even if she's the most beautiful creature in the world. If I don't love her, I'm not marrying her."
         "Your highness, please," Wellington said, glancing at the ten knights escorting them. "Do not refuse her even before you meet her. Your father would be so displeased if you returned home unwed."
         "She's probably a stuck-up shrew!" Court said. "Like that desert princess who my brother still has not broken. Hah!"
         "The heat does strange things to one's mind."
         "It is not the heat; it is the crown."
         "Indeed, your highness."
         "Tell me of this dragon again."
         "Young master, really now. It is not time to be thinking of such things."
         "It's the perfect time," Court said. "The rumors say this dragon nests in Avelot's Tempest Forest, do they not? If Avelot is to be my future kingdom, should I not deal with the dragon problem?"
         "Wait until the crown is upon your head. There is no point to chop down a tree that is a sapling."
         "Ah, but better to chop the sapling before it grows into a great tree."
         "Truly, your highness, are you so bored that you must run to the first dragon you hear of, overstepping even the most beautiful princess in all the land to reach it?"
         "I know what to expect of a dragon. I do not know what to expect of a princess. Has it killed many people?"
         "The princess?"
         "No! The dragon!"
         "Oh, yes, sir, I believe it did some time ago, but they say it has grown calm in recent years, though no one goes looking for it. Perhaps it is not but a legend now."
         "Legends are facts forgotten."
         "The princess is a legend in the flesh. Her beauty, your highness, focus on this, not the scales of a monster."
         "I do hope she isn't terrible," he said.
         "Who, the dragon?"
         "No! The princess!"
         "Oh, quite right, sir."
         "Really, Wellington, I don't think I can live my whole life with a woman I don't love."
         "What is love, your highness, but blindness? Ah, but kingship, that's