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There was a parade today. And Dustin was not invited to be a part of the kingdom’s part, prancing around playing his lute to show off to everyone. He would normally dwell on it, becoming a pouty grey cloud wherever he walked throughout the day. He was aware a bard wasn’t such a major part of the monarchy, like William the cleric and prince or Michael the paladin. Not even Lucas, who was specially given the task to watch the queen’s back and make sure nobody attempted to attack her. He had his bow and arrow handy, his talent.
But Dustin would even be content with skipping alongside William, playing a familiar and humorous tune to make him laugh into his hand. That’s what he did almost every year. But this year he wouldn’t even be participating. He could sit in the sidelines and watch, but that was never in anyone’s best interests. It was boring. Dustin could be at home tinkering with a new gadget or finding out all the answers he needed, he was thinking bitterly, sitting on the steps to the library with Edward, a commoner friend to Michael and himself. He was tuning his lute, a satchel of other small instruments beside himself.
It was a waste of time, watching the parade. But a small part of him was curious.
There was a rumor spreading that the princess was to be seen, for the first time in years. Just like William, she had powers. But with parents as overbearing as the king and queen, she had remained unseen and anonymous in the kingdom. They let William do what he wanted as long as he was accompanied by Michael, of whom Dustin heard that successfully courted William. But never the princess. He had heard of her through his friends, William mostly, and excited whispers around the village.
A powerful mage, shied away from society in fear something could happen to her. She was William’s twin sister, and he was going strong. Dustin didn’t understand why she was so frail in the monarchy’s eyes. Powers, regardless of your physical stature, were better off being studied and being the user to be taught how to handle them in a brilliant way. If they were hiring, Dustin would be happy to volunteer, if they would have him. Princess Jane, a strong heir. Said to be quite beautiful, with long chestnut hair and sparkling eyes. Dustin wasn’t sure how much he believed such a remarkable woman existed. He didn't have much experience in love, just a lingering quiet thought in the back of his head. A nagging one. He was young, and didn’t need to rush it. But it bothered him that William and Michael, Max and Lucas, and everyone else he knew had some shoulder to lean on. And he didn’t. He wasn’t entirely sure how much he wanted to be in a relationship, either. He wanted to focus on his studies, fighting off creatures and bandits with his friends and grow old. Being betrothed to someone seemed to be a lot of work. He would be too guilty to shy away from it, too, even for a man with a tongue as sharp as his.
Edward was saying something, but Dustin was too lost in his thoughts. He occasionally responded with a satisfactory, “mhm”, or “oh”. His eyes were skimming over the marching, proud horses and cartwheeling jesters, huge banners and blaring music, and heads in the palace Dustin hadn’t seen when trekking through.
Eventually, the cheering raised ten octaves higher. A six-white horse drawn carriage carrying Michael and William passed, adorned with citrine and sapphire crystals dangling off of velvet drapes along the gold rims. They were both in dress clothing, no longer in their strict uniforms. Dustin fought down the rising envy in his throat. He felt truly frustrated he wasn’t able to go. After this was all over, he knew he would antagonize his friends relentlessly. They waved politely with free hands, their other ones enclasping one another’s under the secure top of the small carriage. The innards was lined with violet pillows and blankets. It looked astonishingly comfortable. Probably more comfortable than stone, moss lined steps.
They were practically the stars of the show. Being a public couple, iconic for their time. Everyone adored them. Who wouldn’t? They were the protectors of the kingdom. It wasn’t like Dustin sat over here, practically alone. He would enjoy Edward’s rambles and company if he weren’t so bummed.
The king and queen passed by on horseback, magnificent as ever. Dustin’s keen eyes caught on the queen's awkward composer, nervous fidgeting of her left hand on the horse’s reins. She looked truly beautiful.
Like every year, crowds had to crane their necks to peer through the hordes of guards and banners and horse legs and tails to get a glimpse of everyone. This year was no different, if not worse. Just as he was pondering it, a horse came through. All synchronized, holding their sabers heroically.
Dustin’s interest was fading. This had gone on too long. The sun was beginning to fall beneath cottages, and his stomach was starting to cramp hungrily. But the parade was far from over. He could see in the distance there still had to be near seven more interesting roles coming. He would stick around if his knees didn’t feel so sore, his lute already tuned, his wind instruments cleaned, and absolutely nothing to fiddle with. He was going to rise to his feet when he heard the cheers and roars go quiet for a moment. He turned his gaze back up.
He paused in the action of brushing his pants off to look into the sea of people. Standing in the center of four men in heavy armor and dancing musicians wielding instruments instead of swords was a girl.
He paused. A girl, gazing around with owlish black eyes that shone in the sun like onyx. With tumbling waves of oak colored hair pulled back into a loose braid, pale skin, and a pink hue to her high cheekbones. She had her neck tilted down, arms folded across her lap. Her entire energy was nervous as anyone would be for their first parade. Especially if you were a princess. Dustin could see the speckles on her nose from kisses of sunshine, a halo of white on her hair from light from the golden rays. She donned a soft pink gown with sleeves that brushed her wrists and had small frilly markings on the chest. It trailed on the ground, peeking over clicking white shoes. She was looking around, peering over inquisitively at commoners and sidelines like himself. She tentatively raised a hand, cupping it slightly and waving.
And their eyes met.
Dustin felt a feeling of a menagerie releasing in his sternum. A field of butterflies and birds, flipping around his chest. She was so beautiful. She smiled. A slow, scared kind. But Dustin was smart enough to see the warmth beneath it. She could have been admiring his lute which was held in his hands, sleek and sharp and pleasant to the eye. But he’d like to believe she had been looking at him. His curly hair that reached his shoulders. His light brown eyes and humble clothes, or maybe his forest green hat with that long turkey feather poking out the side. His unique friend laying beside him.
The thought made his heart beat quicken by a smidge.
He was no fiend for love. Maybe he was, seeing with doves swirling his head at her sheepish grin growing as he smiled in return to the princess. She waved freely to him, fingers splaying. He waved in turn, a dopey smile blooming across his face. No longer was he ashamed of the lack of teeth.
Was this what it felt like to be in love?
Dustin thought it must, the way he longed for her honey eyes to meet his again as she turned away and back to the audience, which now roared in cheers for her appearance. She looked skittish, wilting into herself and maintaining her show smile, teeth hidden. Dustin felt special. She had smiled at just him.
A week later from the annual parade Dustin hadn't felt the twinge of resentment he swore to hold. The princess was a beautiful barricade not letting him feel anything negative. Dustin wasn’t complaining. But he wanted to see her again. Here he stood in front of the castle, a determined expression on his face. He was going to ask Michael and William about her further. They lived with her, they ought to know.
As he passed under the huge stone arch, he took a deep breath to attempt to ease his racing heart. He wore his finest attire— a burgundy overcoat with a white dress shirt and black slacks. He still had his signature lute strapped to his spine. Dustin had something of an emotional attachment to the instrument, a great weight and helpful reminder. That was him. He was known for his tactful music and dancing. A sort of distraction and brain when it came to battles. He prided himself for it.
Here he stood in front of the large wooden doors after passing over the now rising drawbridge. There was no turning back. Large guards were perched on either side, turning their spears upwards as they sighted who was arriving. Dustin had a reputation here.
He opened the doors. And stepped into the large, magical foyer of the palace. Dustin had been here countless times, but it never failed to leave him awe-struck and slack jawed.
Smoothed wood planked floors, ceiling high and whimsical markings etched into the white material. A huge, dangling chandelier that illuminated the hall, a large painting of the family on the left wall beneath the next level, a vast staircase looming in its grandeur leading upwards. There was a beautiful railing on either side, even as it split into separate sides of the palace. Dustin’s eyes trailed over each addition. It all was so gorgeous. He was shocked by how such a down-to-earth boy like William had come from such a heavenly abode. He recovered quickly at the sound of clicking heels and scrabbling claws on marble. There, at the top of the footsteps, was the glowing figure of Princess Jane. She had a hand on the railing, eyes trained on Dustin. He felt his heart in his throat, the familiarity of butterflies in his belly. Her hair was freely on her shoulders and down her back. She had a blue dress that had a sleepy aura. A domestic look that made Dustin feel a burst of warmth in his heart. Beside her was a tall, peach colored shag of a dog. Chester. Who adored Dustin far too much for either of their own goods. Dustin was then bombarded by an over enthusiastic canine leaping onto him, tumbling him to the ground, and aggressively licking his tongue over all of his features. Dustin hollered in protest, a grin on his face and chuckle beneath his tone.
“Chester! No!” He heard the sharp command from the princess. Her footsteps approaching them. Dustin pawing uselessly at Chester’s muzzle as he was lovingly attacked. His laugh echoing around the hall. He could hear Princess Jane's chorus with her own laughter. Like summer bells, or a sunrise over the mountains.
“I’m so sorry!” She exclaimed as she managed to hoist the panting, tail wagging dog by his collar off of Dustin. “Chester is all over everyone—“ she paused as she looked at his face, now rid of any slobber.
“I saw you at the parade.” She replied, a bit airily in her voice. Dustin blinked up at her, his face cracking into a grin.
“Yeah! You were there too!” He would pretend that he didn’t come to the castle for her. Act like it was a coincidence.
He didn’t know what to say. His hands were clamming.
“Did you come here for me?” She asked, her face dusting pink. Her hands enveloped near her lap, her fingers braiding over one another nervously. She seemed as anxious as he felt.
How did she know.
He had to make an excuse. Quickly. He began to rise to his feet, feeling out of place and dingy on the ground, especially in front of a princess. “I originally wanted to talk to Prince William and Sir Michael, but I’d you’re not busy—“
“I can take you to them, if you wish.” She replied gently, seeming a little crestfallen.
“It’s alright!” He burst, ruffling his curls of hair and meeting her captivating oaky eyes. Then he realized how crude he was. He blinked three times rapidly. “Oh, by the way, I am Dustin. A friend of William’s and Michael’s. The bard.” He said with a twinge of pride. And kneeled over in a bow. His hand over his gut and his hat flinging off of his head. He shot back up immediately, and noticed both he and Jane reached for his cap. She grabbed a hold of it first. And with a grin, passed it back to him.
“Good day, Sir Dustin. I am Princess Jane.” She curtsied a little. Dustin thought she was a gem. A beautiful doe, a beam of golden sun. And he was a moth drawn to her warmth.
“Good day, Princess Jane.”