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Hard To Be At A Party (When I Feel Like An Open Wound)
Daphne grinned, turning her back to her grandmother as the older woman latched the golden chain around her neck, the coiled gold and silver dragon at home against her collar. “Thank you, Grandmother. It’s so beautiful.”
Her fingers traced over the dragon, learning each etching. “It’ll be perfect for my Princess Ball.” It was coming up soon. Very soon. Her big debut, her sixteenth birthday.
“It will.” She felt soft hands on her shoulders, giving her a squeeze. “Wear it with pride, Daphne. This will mark you soon becoming a queen.”
Daphne sighed, turning to face her grandmother.
Ilaina Hannes, the former Dragon of the Empire. An imposing woman, even at her sixty years. Her long white hair intricately braided into flowers, a silver dragonate circlet entwined. Blue eyes looked into hers, one of her delicate hands cupping Daphne’s face. “What’s wrong, Child? You were so excited for your party…”
Daphne took her grandmother’s hands in to her own. “I don’t think I’ll be queen…” She admitted softly. “I gained my fairy wings, sure, and I’m doing well with my classes. But I can’t shift.”
Ilaina’s face changed. Her soft expression hardening. Her hands gripping to Daphne’s. “Daphne, don’t worry about the shifting part.” She shook her head, releasing Daphne. “Don’t worry about it at all.”
“Now. About your party, what sort of desserts do you think you’d like? Tradition says we have at least one lava fountain cake, but the rest is usually up to the discretion of the birthday girl.”
Daphne frowned; how strange her grandmother would brush her worries aside… Then again, Faragonda always claimed her to be a worrier, so perhaps that was why no one else seemed bothered by her lack of draconic traits.
She took a breath, her hands clasping at the necklace. “Red velvet was always my favorite cake. Perhaps we could have ice cream too, since my party is in the warmer months. It’ll keep everyone from burning too hot.”
Ilaina smiled. “I’m sure something can be arranged.” She pulled out a small notebook and pen. “What about decorations? Flowers, the music?” She must have shot Ilaina a look because the older woman pouted. “What? You know I have been enjoying my retirement from the throne by party planning. I love a good party, Daphne, the smiles and joy they bring. You will do me this honor, right?”
Daphne found herself grinning and giggling, her worries fading away again. “Of course, Grandmother. If it won’t take you away from Grandfather too long.”
Ilaina snorted, waving her hand. “The old man has handled himself this long, he can handle himself a little longer.”
Ah, love.
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“Daphne, I’m telling you, wear that gold number. You know the one. Off-the-shoulder, satiny, the flowing train. Add in your tiara and those strapped heels and you’ll be stunning.” Jasper paused. “Well, more stunning than normal.” He gave a wink.
The princess laughed, leaning against her room’s door, trying to keep hold of her crystal ball. “Jasper, stop. I’m trying to panic here; I don’t want to laugh.”
“Which makes you a damsel in distress, and you know my father would kill me for leaving a damsel in distress.” Jasper hummed, sitting down at what appeared to be his desk. “Of course, he’s going to kill me anyway because I’m still fielding his questionnaires about what I want in my ‘future wife’.” He put the last part in air quotes.
“I get it. He wants to know I’ll be ready to take over the moment he wants to step down, but I just… Don’t want a wife. And he refuses to listen to me when I try to explain that to him.”
Daphne sighed, placing a hand on her crystal as a way of patting his shoulder. “It’s the old-fashioned traditions, Jasper. We don’t like them, but we very well may have to shoulder through them.”
“Even if it means going into a marriage without love or sex?”
“Jasper!” Daphne gasped, shaking her head. She could feel her face flush a bit, images coming to her from books she’d read. Books she wasn't supposed to have to read.
“Don’t be such a prude, Daphne. We all know what sex is and some of us have even participated in it already.” He gave a wolfish smile. “Just because our councils like to pretend we’re chaste and innocent, doesn’t mean we are.”
She shot him a look. “Speak for yourself, Prince Jasper. I, for one, find it romantic to wait until your wedding night. Why ruin such a lovely and potentially soul-binding moment for a few thrills?”
He laughed, hands going through his blonde locks. “Never change, Daphne. Never change.”
“And this is why you have no prospects.”
“Look who’s talking.”
More laughter. Even Daphne had found herself giggling. Just what she needed, a pick-me-up.
Her eyes glanced over to the dresses she’d been looking at, an idea forming. “Jasper, I just had a lovely idea.”
“Are you finally going to show your legs to the man you like?” Jasper teased, green eyes twinkling. “Or perhaps even show a bit more cleavage?”
Daphne rolled her eyes. “Keep talking and I won’t let you come on the greatest dress hunt Magix will ever see.”
Jasper’s eyes lit up, his body shifting to sit up straight. “Dress hunting? Do tell. You know I adore the latest fashion trends.” He smiled. “One of the few things my little sister and I can do together, you know?”
“I know.” Daphne knew all too well how King Opal and Queen Ruby tried to keep Jasper separate from Diaspro. It was a shame really, given how much the siblings loved (and tried to protect) each other.
“See I’m thinking you, Diletta, Politea, Talia, and I all go to Magix together. The city has the best boutiques and I’m sure we’d all find something incredible to wear.”
“Assuming our parents allow us to leave together? You know how our parents are, Daphne... We’d be under careful watch. And that’s if my parents let me go.” He pouted. “They want me to be portrayed as a woman-loving man, but without being seen with women around me. Can’t have the people thinking my virtue is in shambles. Or your own virtues.” He gave a crass smile.
“After all, I’d be having all of you.”
Daphne snorted, trying to cover her face as it reddened again. “Jasper!”
“What?! I’m all for ‘go big or go home’. If I’m going to be seen as a virtue stealer, I’m definitely taking credit for all you lovely ladies.”
“You’d start a war is what you’d do.”
“Or a harem.”
“Jasper!”
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“I can’t believe Jasper wasn’t allowed to come with us!” Politea pouted, her arms crossing. “He has the best eye for color.”
“You know how his parents are, Polly.” Diletta reminded the brunette. “Honestly we should just be glad Talia was allowed to join.”
The Princess of Tides groaned, her hands twirling one of her curls. “Don’t remind me. I had to agree to watch Nabu during their next hearings, and to meet with some prince from Atlantis.”
Daphne gave a smile. “A merman? That doesn’t sound too bad, Talia.”
Talia snorted. “No offense, Daphne, but you don’t know the underwater kingdoms like I do. Marrying a merman, especially a prince, is going to cut down on my already limited freedoms.”
“And this is why I am so thankful to have been a lesser nobles’ daughter. Far less stress and no worrying about being married off.” Politea tsked, looking out the carriage window. “Seems we’re getting closer to Magix. Any idea where our first stop should be?”
Daphne clasped her new necklace, a smile easing onto her face. “I was thinking that new boutique my grandmother told me about. It’s called The Shining Phoenix.”
“I’ve heard of them.” Diletta grinned, clapping her hands. “They’re the ones who outfitted the Melodian Orchestra for their Spring Festival.” She swooned. “Silk kimonos, satin dresses, shoes made of real glass.”
“Sounds like a perfect place to start.” Politea squealed, her arms wrapping around Daphne.
Daphne laughed. “I thought so too! I just hope their selections live up to the hype.”
“I wonder if they’ll have anything in seashell, or algae.” Talia hummed. She noticed the looks from the other ladies and rolled her eyes. “Trust me, algae wear is the future for clothing industries. It’s comfortable, versatile, stylish, and environmentally friendly.” She gave a pause. “And it’s good for your skin.”
The other girls laughed. “If you say so.”
“We’ll take your word for it.”
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Two hours and three stores later, Daphne seemed to be the only one without a new dress or shoes. Or jewelry.
“I’m starting to think I should just commission a dress and be done with this.” Daphne sighed, leaning into Diletta. The other fairy gave her a hug.
“Whatever you think is best, Daphne. This is your trip after all.”
“Are you sure none of these gowns are speaking to you?” Politea gestured to a lovely saffron number. Halter style, with a ruffled skirt. Back showing. “You know you want to try this one on.” Politea grinned, her eyebrows waggling a bit.
Daphne flushed. “You know-”
“As if anyone in the Hannes Dynasty would allow something so scandalous to be worn by their heir apparent.” A haughty voice teased.
In the blink of an eye, Lady Darcy from Obsidian was beside Politea, a hand holding the skirts up as if they offended her. “Or in this color. How… Dull.”
“If we were you, Princess, we’d look into something more from the Gothic era, or perhaps, to ease your sensitive sensibilities, something that doesn’t look like it came from some dime story novel.” Lady Stormy snickered.
Talia glowered, crossing her arms. “Oh fantastic. They let you and your ‘ladies’ out of the cooler, Princess Icy?”
Icy stepped between her entourage members, her iced lips curving into a smile. “That’s Princess Isadore to you, Princess Talia.” She turned her icicle gaze to Daphne. “I don’t know why your friend is being so hostile, Princess Daphne. My friends and I were only offering some advice. You know, to help those across our border lines.”
Politea sneered. “Is that what we’re calling it? Advice?”
“Seemed more like an attempt to discredit known dressmakers from our side of the border lines.” Diletta turned to Daphne. “Wouldn’t you agree, my Dragon?” She seldom referred to Daphne by her (future) title, but this seemed an appropriate time.
Darcy’s hand dropped the skirt, violet lips curving into a cruel smile. “Dragon?” She stepped toward Daphne, her eyes looking her over.
Who the hell did she think she was?
Darcy’s eyes gave a soft glow before a snicker escaped her lips. “Dragon, indeed.” She laughed, giving a wink to Icy and Stormy.
Daphne could feel her heart racing. What had she done?
“Tell us, oh Great Future Dragon of Light, have you spit flames yet? Or perhaps grown talons instead of nails?” Darcy asked. “Ours has. Our Emperor and Empress made a whole celebration of it when she shifted fully for the first time.” She looked to Stormy. “That was when, Stormy, last year?”
“I think so. It was quite a celebration.” Stormy smirked. “It was all over our press. And from what we figured, even your countries received word of it.”
“So what? A fancy party doesn’t mean anything.” Talia pointed out. “Congratulations, your future Dragon has figured out part of her legacy. What bearing is that on ours?”
“And more importantly, why do you care?” Diletta asked, moving to stand beside Daphne.
“Because it’s a tradition.” Daphne spoke up, moving away from her friends and from the Bellan Ladies. “When a future Dragon is able to take their form, there is always a celebration.”
Politea frowned. “Are you sure? Because I don’t recall-”
“I never had one.” Daphne stopped her from finishing. “I… Still haven’t figured out how to transform.” She could feel heat on her cheeks, water in her eyes. “I… I keep trying. And I mean… I can bring out my fairy wings, but…”
“No dragon wings yet?” Icy asked, tsking. “Such a shame. I wonder why you haven’t shifted yet…”
“Yeah, aren’t you turning sixteen soon? Clock’s ticking.” Stormy taunted. “Unless you’re not a real dragon.”
“Now wouldn’t that be a scandal?” Darcy cackled. “The first-born of Emperor Oritel and Dragon Marion can’t shift into a dragon.”
“A real riot.” Icy laughed. “Of course, this is all assuming she is the first-born.”
Darcy’s eyes lit up, looking to Daphne. “And the scandal thickens.” She stepped forward; eyes glowing.
Politea stood in front of them, her hands glowing. “Step away, witch. Or the wings come out and we’ll have a real scandal.”
“No one’s bringing out anything.” The shopkeeper scolded, walking up the girls from the backroom. “This store is in Magix, a neutral city. I will not have any fighting going on in my store.” He swallowed, looking between Icy, Daphne, and Talia. “Not even between you princesses. Understood?”
“Understood.” Icy gave him a curtsy. “My friends and I were just leaving.” She gave a smirk to Daphne. “Good luck on finding your inner dragon, Princess Daphne. I feel like you’ll need it.”
The trio walked out, cackling as they left the store.
Politea growled. “I can’t stand those three. Why are they so mean? Why can’t they just leave well enough alone?”
Talia glared at the door, water droplets forming around her. “I understand that Icy- I’m sorry- Princess Isadore is having a hard time right now… But her attitude was uncalled for.”
“She’s having a hard time? That’s what this was? Talia, she’s never not been having a hard time. She’s a future ice queen for a reason.” Politea huffed.
Diletta shook her head. “Girls, calm down. They’re gone and keeping your anger toward them alive isn’t going to help.” She turned to Daphne. “Are you okay?”
Daphne felt the air force itself back into her lungs, that aching feeling gone and her ability to speak suddenly back. “I think so… I just never really knew how cruel they could be.”
“We try to tell you, Princess, no one from that side of the Empire is good.” Politea shook her head. “That doesn’t explain why you didn’t stand up to them though.” She pointed an accusing finger at Daphne. “You’re the future Dragon of Light. Why didn’t you give them the look or, for that matter, bring out your wings to show them what-for?”
Daphne crossed her arms, making herself stand up straight and tall like her mother had always taught her, head high. “Because I’m a future queen, Politea. Throwing my weight around won’t solve every problem, and I have been taught to attempt diplomacy first and foremost.”
Talia sighed, the water droplets falling to the floor, air seeming to come back into her being. “Now you sound like my mother…”
“She is a wise woman.” Daphne gave a smile. “Anyway… I don’t really want to stay at this boutique any longer. Shall we go elsewhere?”
“Maybe somewhere with food? After that little… Incident… I’m feeling a little hungry.” Diletta admitted.
“My mother always said food had healing potential.” Politea grinned. “I’m sure Sir Bartelby won’t mind taking us for lunch.”
“No he won’t.” Daphne agreed, falling in behind her friends as they started to leave.
It bothered her though…
Why hadn’t she transformed yet?
Why couldn’t she control flames like she could water?
And why did their questions hurt so much? She’d never taken any stock in what the Bellan Empire had to say before…
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Nothing.
She’d found nothing.
No birth certificates, other than the one she’d seen before when she and her mother had gone to apply her to Alfea. (But it hadn’t been the original. Her mother had admitted as much…)
She’d found plenty of baby pictures of herself… None that indicated draconic heritage. (And her mother… She’d always seemed like she was forced into the pictures. At least, in the ones that were dated around her first year of life.)
She’d been a difficult pregnancy for her mother. That was why.
They’d always told her how sickly Marion was with her. That it was because she was the first and the first was always the hardest.
And yet…
That explanation felt so hollow. So false.
Why did it feel so false?
Perhaps she was adopted? Maybe her parents had been trying and her mother was unsuccessful, so they adopted and tried to cover it up? Make sure the lineage was kept intact.
They had seemed surprised by Bloom’s arrival. So, it was possible they had thought her mother barren. Right?
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“Bartelby, if I were to ask a question of you, you’d have to answer me truthfully, yes?” Daphne asked.
She’d summoned him to her chambers on the premise of discussing her upcoming Princess Ball. (Yes, she did need assistance with planning, but she needed to know more about herself first. She needed to learn the truth.)
“If this is about your ideas for the flower arrangements, I’d like to preface my answer with the notion that my personal taste and yours are quite different, my Princess.” He joked, setting the party notebook down. “Also, I’m certain your grandmother would prefer you to come to her with these sort of questions…”
Daphne felt herself laugh. “Oh Bartelby, this… Isn’t about my party.” She turned to face him, keeping her posture perfect. To remind him who she was.
“My outing the other day has had me… Thinking.”
“If you’re referring to the unfortunate run-in with Princess Isadore of Dyam-the Ice Kingdom, I would like to advise you to recall she has no standing within our borders. Only within her own are her thoughts welcomed.”
She shook her head. “Bartelby, Isadore and her friends brought up a valid point. I have yet to shift into a dragon. My grandmother can, my mother and her sister can, my little sister can… But I can’t.”
She walked up to him, taking a hand in hers. “Why can’t I shift? Why can I not breathe fire or summon flames?” She turned her hand toward her Gentle Bind plant, a few droplets of water summoning up from around the plant’s roots. “I can control water, I can use fairy wings, but I can’t do anything remotely draconic and I’d like to know why.”
“I need to know what my future looks like, Bartelby. If I can’t be a true dragon, then what will become of the throne? Of our Empire?” She bit her lip, feeling tears at her eyes. “What will become of me?”
Bartelby swallowed, color draining from his face.
He knew something.
“Bartelby, tell me. What’s wrong with me? Do I have an illness? Am I adopted? What is it?” She asked, her voice rising in pitch, tears falling a bit more freely now.
He shook his head, waving a hand at her. He set the notebook down, walking toward her door. “I can’t answer your questions, Princess Daphne… I cannot divulge any information to you.” He stopped at her door, turning toward her. “But I will send your parents up here. The three of you can talk it out.”
And with that, he left.
Talk it out. Talk what out? What was so horrible she couldn’t know? What was her truth?
Knock, knock.
“Enter.” Daphne quickly tried to compose herself, turning to the door. (That had been fast… Normally it would take at least half an hour to hear back from her parents.)
Her door opened, revealing her younger sister.
Twelve-year-old Bloom stood at her doorway, her fiery red hair braided back into two loops like a crown, a gold and red trimmed dress adorning her. At Bloom’s side was her Dargonian Rabbit, Kiko.
“I saw Bartelby rushing out of here and I came over as fast as I could. Are you okay?” She asked, blue eyes looking her sister over.
Was she Bloom’s sister?
Daphne smiled, sitting on the edge of her bed, gesturing for Bloom to sit beside her. The younger girl came rushing to sit by Daphne, Kiko hopping over to sit at their feet. “I’m fine, Little Dragon. I was just running some party plans by our loyal advisor. Nothing serious.”
She hated lying to Bloom, but at the moment, she didn’t have much of a choice. And there was no use in upsetting her sister over something she didn’t even have all the details on.
Bloom scrunched her nose a bit, as if sensing the lie. “Are you sure that’s what happened? I thought Grandmother was helping with your Princess Ball?”
“She is, but you know Bartelby likes to help too. And he has a great eye for flowers.” Daphne teased, carefully ‘booping’ her sister on the nose.
“Vanessa is better. Momma loves her shop in Magix.” Bloom smiled. “Almost as much as she likes Lady Alyssa’s arrangements.”
“We all have our preferences.” Daphne smiled. “Shouldn’t you be at your ballet lesson?”
Bloom made a face, one very unbecoming of a Princess of Domino. “Ms. Dufour is nice, Daphne, but I can’t stand ballet. It makes my legs and toes hurt and I can’t make myself bend like that.” She huffed. “I don’t see how Layla and Flora are so good at it.”
“Princess Layla and Lady Flora have been taking Ms. Dufour’s lessons for a little longer than you have, Bloom. They just have a bit more experience.” She paused. “But if you’d like, I’ll talk to Mom and Dad about putting you in ballroom with me.”
Bloom’s face lit up, a soft red glow coming to her and making her hair look even more like flames. “You’re the best.” She hugged Daphne tight, laughing. “The very best.”
“I try.” Daphne kissed her sister’s cheek. “And while I enjoy our time together, Mom and Dad will be here soon and I really need to talk to them.”
Bloom pouted. “And I can’t join?”
“Not this time, Dear. It’s about something other than the party.”
Realization hit Bloom’s face, causing her lower lip to pout further. “For the record, I hate not getting to be part of the ‘royal’ business.”
Daphne made herself smile. “Trust me, Bloom, this isn’t going to be pleasant. Enjoy the freedom of getting to stay out of it for as long as possible.”
The younger sister sighed, getting off the bed and reaching to scoop up Kiko. “I’ll try.” She started out of the room. “Oh, if Ms. Dufour starts looking for me, you haven’t seen me all day. Got it?”
Daphne chuckled. “Got it.”
She watched her sister leave, knowing the poor girl wouldn’t get far. Lorena, Donna, and Trina would catch her and escort her to her lessons. If only life stayed that simple.
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Daphne kept herself steady, waiting for her parents(?) to arrive. She tended to her plants, finished up some schoolwork, looked over her party plans.
Everything she could do to keep busy. To keep from thinking about it all.
Knock, knock.
Daphne stood, taking a deep breath. She knew that knock; hard and steady. Only her father could produce such a knock.
“Enter.” Time for the truth.
Her parents walked in, her grandmother trailing in behind them. All three wearing their crowns proudly, meaning she’d brought them in from holding court. “Bartelby said you needed to see us, is everything okay?” Marion asked, her head tilted to the side as she studied Daphne’s posture.
“You’re not ill, are you? I knew I shouldn’t have allowed the trip to Magix.” Marion cupped Daphne’s face, feeling around for a fever.
Ilaina snorted, taking Marion by the shoulder and having her step back. “Stop crowding her, Mary. Girl needs room to breathe.” She chastised, looking over to Daphne. Her eyes softened, her smile coming to her lips. “Are you okay, Dear? Is it the party pressure?”
Daphne shook her head, making herself step back from her family. Did she just outright ask? Or did she try to be coy about it?
“I just… I need to know the truth before I continue planning anything.” Her voice came out, barely above a whisper. “I have to know the truth.”
Oritel frowned. “The truth about what, Love?”
Daphne closed her eyes, giving herself a moment to find her words again. She made herself stand up straight and tall, forcing herself to appear with all the confidence that had slid out of her being the past few weeks. “The truth about me, Father.”
“In Magix, I ran into a few of the… Finest from the Bellan Empire-”
Ilaina’s eyes narrowed, pale skin reddening from the flames underneath her skin. “Who from Bellan has made you question yourself?” She growled, looking to Marion. “This right here is why I keep cautioning you about continuing to ‘play nice’ with those backwater dark magics. They do more harm than good.”
“Mother.” Marion growled back, her own skin threatening flames. “Need I remind you that I am the Dragon now, not you?”
Ilaina huffed. “I still have far more experience dealing with those wretches than you do.”
Daphne clapped her hands loudly, forcing both women to look at her. “This isn’t about them! This is about me!” She yelled, her hands quickly coming to cover her mouth.
She’d… She’d yelled at her family. Screamed at them.
No. No. It was justified at this moment.
Besides, she was a teenager. Teenagers yelled… Right?
“I’m sorry for yelling. But I need you to stay focused. Please.” Daphne continued, taking a deep breath. “It wasn’t that bad of an interaction… But it did pose some questions.”
“Questions that I have been asking myself for years now. That no one else seems to be telling me about.” She swallowed. “Why can’t I transform into a dragon like the rest of you? Why do I have water magic instead of fire? Why can’t I find my original birth certificate?”
Tears started to fall from her face, her makeup running with it. “Is there something wrong with me? Am I ill from some unknown sickness? Am I cursed?”
All three adults went dead silent, the color draining from their faces as they shot looks at each other.
Looks that quickly became accusatory with narrowed eyes and frowns, scrunched noses and furrowed brows. Clenching hands and small sparks of flame dancing between her grandmother and mother.
“I told you. I told you both that you should have addressed this sooner.” Ilaina spoke first, glaring at Oritel and Marion. “Now look where we are.”
Marion’s head snapped in her mother’s direction, flames dancing in her eyes. “Everything that has happened the past seventeen years, Mother, is from actions you, Father, and your friends took while I was still a teenager myself. Or should I remind you of the arrangement you put us into?”
They continued to argue back and forth, Oritel looking helplessly toward Daphne, sorrow wafting from him.
What in the Dragon’s names?
“Will someone please explain what’s going on to me?!” Daphne’s voice became shrill, panicked. Her body shook, tears falling more freely. “What are the two of you even arguing about?”
Marion turned on her daughter, that seething rage she’d heard about from others trained on her. “You want to know the truth, Girl? Fine. You’re not my daughter. You’re not the heir to Domino’s throne or to the Hannes’ Empire. You are not a dragon, nor do you have any dragon blood in your line.” She looked to her mother. “Happy now?”
And with that, she charged out of the room, Ilaina dead-in behind her, screeching and yelling.
Not her…
What?
She’d suspected but…
What?
Daphne fell onto the floor, her legs giving out.
Oritel wrapped his arms around her, helping her up and onto her bed, letting her hold to him. (Even if her makeup was smudging his robes and shirt, even though her body was shaking so hard.)
“I don’t understand. I don’t understand.” She repeated over and over, sobbing into her father’s (?) shoulders.
“I know you don’t… And Marion…” He sighed. “You know your mother didn’t mean to be so cruel. Your grandmother just brings out the worst in her…” He tried to soothe her, running his hands through her hair. “It’ll be okay, Daphne. It’ll be okay.”
She shook her head, pulling away from him. “Tell me everything. If she’s not my biological mother, then does that mean you’re not my biological father? Or are you my father and I’m some… Bastard from an affair?”
Oritel sat back, his hands running through his hair. “Daphne, I don’t know if you need to be hearing this all right now… You’re already upset.”
“Tell me.”
She had already come this far to the cliffside, she may as well jump.
He gave a nod, swallowing. “Your mother and I were young when we were arranged to be married. My parents were of nobility.” Oritel looked to Daphne, giving a slight smile. “You remember your grandparents on my side, yes?”
She bit her lip, trying to get her muddled thoughts together.
Yes. Vaguely.
They had gotten sick when she was about six years old, passing away within days of each other.
But she remembered little trips to see them. Stories told by her grandfather about a war long past. Cookies from her grandmother.
“Somewhat.”
“Well they… They were good friends with Marion’s parents. And they felt that Marion and I would be a good match.” He took a breath, a pause. “Marion was your age when they’d announced we’d be married… And I never really took it too seriously. I was just a year older than Marion and I’d already been courting a young woman from my town.”
Daphne felt her heartsink. She was a bastard. A mistake. Or at least… She could feel that was where this was headed.
“Once Marion turned eighteen and I was nineteen, they had expected us to start publicly courting. And I refused.” He gave a breathless laugh. “I had thought everyone had forgotten about the arrangement. That perhaps a better suitor had come along for Marion. That I’d be allowed to marry the woman I wanted to marry.”
“But when they started on this whole, being seen together business… I knew it wasn’t a joke anymore.” Oritel extended his hand to his daughter, squeezing her hand when it dropped into his. “So my courted and I tried to run off and elope.”
“Is… Was your courted… My…” Daphne tried to gather her courage back. “Is she my biological mother?”
Oritel nodded. “Did… You get to elope? Did they make you annul?” Perhaps all wasn’t completely lost. Maybe she wasn’t some sort of mistake.
“We tried, but Dragon Ilaina and my parents had already gotten to every courthouse and cathedral within the Empire, guards at every border into the Bellan Empire. And they hauled us back to Domino.”
Oritel gave a rue smile. “But I still had a trick up my sleeve.” He shook his head. “I convinced your biological mother that we could be seen as married through the Dragon… By lying together, just as things had been before laws came into place.”
She was a bastard then… A mistake.
“Father! How… How could you? That’s not a marriage or a wedding. It’s improper and out of line. Isn’t it?” She shook her head, wiping at her face. “How could you?”
Oritel took Daphne’s hands in his. “Weddings weren’t always mandatory. History will tell you that sharing yourself counted as a start of a marriage, one overseen by the Dragons. I had thought we could use ancient laws to escape our fate.”
“So when your mother became pregnant, we went to the Dragon and her husband and to my parents. We explained the situation, thinking perhaps they’d finally just let us live in peace. That they’d find someone else to marry Marion.”
“But they didn’t.” Her parents’ marriage was proof of that. And so was Bloom. “What happened?”
Oritel took his hands back, his head down. “They took your biological mother into one of the wings, made sure no one knew of her pregnancy from the outside and that no one could link the two of us together.”
“And Ilaina, she’s always been a crafty woman, if she weren’t the former Dragon of Light, I’d swear she was from Bellan…” Oritel shook his head. “She purposefully poisoned herself, knowing it wouldn’t kill her but would make her extremely sick.”
“And why would she do this? To explain why Marion and I, only after publicly courting for a few months, had to marry immediately.” He shook his head, his tone turning to mock. “After all, can’t have one Dragon die before the other is prepared to rule.”
He scoffed, his face scrunching. “And then they had Marion fake a pregnancy. Again, the rush was explained away with Ilaina’s illness…”
“And then you were born. They claimed you to be premature due to Marion’s worry of her own mother, to try and keep up with the proper timeline…” He again reached to hold Daphne’s hand. “And we’ve been raising you, loving you, ever since.”
Daphne shook her head, pulling away from him. “Where is she? Where is my real mother?”
“Marion is your real mother, Daphne. She raised you and-”
“And loved me? Father, have you not been paying attention?” Daphne let out a half-cry, half-laugh. “At least it makes sense now… Why she always acted like she was obligated to be around me instead of like she wanted to be with me. I figured it was because she was just tired from her duties as Dragon… But now?”
She laughed, wiping at the tears. “Now I know it’s because I’m proof she wasn’t wanted by you. Now I know it’s because she was upset by raising another woman’s child.” Daphne gave a shuddering sigh, her arms wrapping around herself. “Where is my biological mother?”
Oritel kept his head low, not meeting her eyes. “Where is she?!”
“I don’t know.” His head shot up; his voice low. “I don’t know where she is. All I know is that as soon as you were born and deemed healthy, she was sent off.” He stood up, reaching toward Daphne. “I’m so-”
“Get out.” She moved away from him. “Just… Get out.”
He lingered for a moment, but went toward the door. “I’m here for you, Daphne… If you’d like to talk about this later.”
The moment the door of her room shut, the dam opened up, and Daphne again fell to the floor. She sobbed, her whole body shaking and gasping as the tears and snot and makeup ran.
How… How could they do this to her?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The party was lovely.
Beautiful golden flowers lit up the room, a dessert buffet lined up for those who wanted to snack, the Melodian Orchestra was in full swing (led by Diletta), and people were dancing.
Laughter rang out around reception hall, everyone involved seeming to be having a blast.
Almost everyone. Daphne found herself forcing smiles more than giving them, her friends all trying to figure out what was wrong.
Nothing she could tell them.
The only one who had even a small inkling of why she was so upset at her own party was Jasper, and that was because they were in a ship together.
“At least I know how we can drag it on for a bit. We just say we want to further our studies first.”
“It’ll only work for a little while, Jasper. You know that.”
“But maybe we’ll be able to use that time to get out of this mess.”
“Or maybe we should just accept it.”
A hand on her shoulder nearly had her jumping out of her skin. “Apologies, Princess, but it’s time for your speech.” Bartelby whispered to her. She gave him one of her smiles.
“Thank you for reminding me.” She gave a nod in his direction before heading to the stage.
All eyes on her. All smiles trained on her.
Thump. Thump.
Her heart was pounding fast. She didn’t want to do this… She didn’t.
But…
She had to learn from her father’s mistakes. She had to take responsibility.
Or… She could out everything. Tell everyone the truth. Let them see behind the cover ups and smiles.
No. No.
She couldn’t do that. The backlash would get to Bloom and she couldn’t do that to her sister.
So she braced herself and gave her brightest smile of the night.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my Princess Ball tonight. It’s been so incredible seeing everyone and getting a chance to show off the ballroom steps Ms. Dufour has been teaching me.” She gave a laugh, as did the crowd.
“Now, I know tradition states that I’m supposed to give a testimony on how I hope to rule one day… But the truth is,” she forced herself to smile through the squeezes on her heart, “I’m abdicating the throne to my younger sister, Bloom.”
She could see the guests whispering, questioning looks sent her way. “I know it’s not common… But I have found love with a man who I have always considered to be my best friend.” Not a complete lie. She did love Jasper… Just not in that way. (Just like he could never love her that way.)
“Prince Jasper of Isis has stolen my heart, and by the permission of our parents, we have been allowed to be betrothed. And because Isis is so close to Domino and we all understand the importance of our families, I’ve decided it would be best to stand at his side on Isis instead of him at my side on Domino.”
Claps and “congratulations” rang through the air from the party goers, everyone excited that ‘true love’ was winning. (Everyone but her friends who were shooting looks of shock to her and Jasper.)
On cue, Jasper walked over to Daphne, taking her hand in his and giving it a kiss. “I cannot wait to spend our lives together.” He said, giving a smile. (Grimace. It was more of a grimace.) “I always knew this day would come.”
They pecked each other on the lips, the crowd going wild.
If only any of it were true.