“Oh? Do you?” Conner asked as he lifted Ruby off his shoulder.

  “Yes. Crimson and I have been together for ten years now. I found him when I was eight. We met in the castle’s attic. Poor dear. Everyone hated him until I took him under my wing.” Dawn explained smoothly. Her voice was no longer cold, but sounded rather annoyed.

  “Not the whole story is it?” Conner put Ruby on the forest floor.

  “No.” Dawn said. She had jet black hair, with white streaks that you could barely see. Dawn also had deep blue eyes.

  “Ah,” Conner looked at the time. “Oh, dear. I must go. Dinnertime. Shall we run together, or would you like to walk back alone?”

  “I shall walk back alone, thank you.”

  “All right. I shall see you soon.” and Conner ran off to his castle.


Chapter III

 

“Brother, where have you been?” Prince Austin asked coldly, taking hold of Conner’s shoulder firmly.

  “The rodent pen.” Conner said stiffly.

  Austin tightened his grip. “What were you doing there? Having a nice chat with Princess Dawn were you?”

  “No, Brother. I demand you to let go of me.” Conner glared.

  “Never.”

  “Now!”

  “How many times must I say it?” Austin tightened the grip even more.

  Conner tore his shoulder from Austin’s hand, showing no sign of pain.  

  “Brother, those who give more thought to them around him will be much more knowledgeable.”

  “Don’t speak to me in riddles, idiot.” Austin drew himself to his full height, an inch-and-a-half shorter than Conner.

  “Since I do, you cannot call me idiot.” Conner said calmly. “Now, Brother, if you don’t mind I’d like to go and eat dinner with my kinder family members. I’m sure Princess Dawn is expecting you to meet her here. Good day.”

*       *       *

“Princess Dawn.” Austin bowed slowly.

  “Prince Austin.” Dawn did not bow, but spoke flatly. Crimson stood still then chirped loudly.

  Austin showed now interest.

  “What a burden it is to be made to keep these animals near us.” he said and rolled his eyes. He smiled, thinking Dawn would feel the same.

  Dawn hesitated, but then said, “Why, yes…yes it is.” and she smiled back blankly and took the arm that was offered by Austin.

  “Off to dinner now. Once again, everyone is there besides me.” Austin laughed.

  Dawn let the smile come back, but it was cold and fake, just as the one before. She heard Crimson twitter quietly in her ear.

  “For dessert I have baklava for you. I did not want it, so I decided that you could try it.” Austin went on.

  “You had it for yourself, but did not want it. So you give it to me?” Dawn asked slowly and frostily.

  “Yes. Is that not what you want?”

  “Well, I do not take extras from people, and I certainly do not want to be felt as an extra that can be just given things that are not wanted, and is expected to use, eat, or care for.” Dawn took her arm abruptly from Austin.

  “I apologize.”

  “You should.” Dawn said callously.

  Austin did not stop, but was stunned by Dawn’s rudeness. “Princess, you should not be rude to those who have power over you.”

  “You have no power over me.” Dawn said swiftly.

  “I’m sorry, but I do.” and the two entered the Royal Dining Room. There was The Great Hall, for feasts and parties, but the Royal Dining Room was smaller with a long table that could fit fifteen people.

  “Austin!” Queen Mil displayed another fake smile on her face.

  “Good evening, Mother.” Austin kissed his mother on the cheek then led Dawn to her seat next to the queen.

  “Thank you.” Dawn said stiffly. She was extremely uncomfortable from the talk with her soon-to-be husband.

  Austin was silent as he took his seat beside Conner. At the head of the table was King Ray. He was Austin’s uncle and Queen Mil’s brother. The man took the place of Mil’s husband, who had died a year ago. The queen was still mourning a bit over his death.

  At the other end was Cook Devon. Queen Mil, Dawn, Conner, and Austin were alone in the middle of the table.

  “Good evening Princess Dawn. I am sorry I failed to greet you at the gate this afternoon.” Ray apologized.

  “Good evening. You did not miss much.” Dawn said carelessly.

  “Ah.” Ray nodded unsurely. “Anyhow, I would like to thank our cook, Devon. To Devon!” Ray raised his wine glass.

  “To Devon!” everyone echoed.

  Conner stole a look at Dawn. Luckily, she did not notice, so Conner gazed at her until her glass was firmly on the table. Dawn did her movements with much grace. Conner noticed on her index was a gold ring with a red gem. On her middle finger was a silver ring with a black moon on it.

  “Feast!” Cook Devon shouted loudly. Everyone but Conner and Dawn immediately ate their food.

  Austin took his chicken leg first and devoured it.

  Dawn winced and looked away not caring if she was being impolite.

  Conner looked disgusted and tapped Austin’s shoulder.

  “What?” Austin asked angrily with chicken spitting out of his mouth.

  “Swallow! And use a fork!” Conner shoved a fork in his face.

  “Fine!”

  Conner began to eat with more manners. “Uncle.” he said when he looked up. He had been eating before, but had stopped. His face was gray.

  “Ray! Ray, are you all right?!” Mil jumped up from her seat and ran over to her brother.

  “No…no.” Ray rolled his eyes and his head fell backward.

  “RAY!” Mil screamed. “GET THE PHYSICIAN!”

  “Go, Conner!” Austin said. He was just sitting there in shock.

  Conner wanted to force Austin to get the physician himself. Nonetheless, Conner raced off.

  Dawn stood and took her napkin. She went to the kitchen and wet it. “Queen Mil, put this on his forehead.” Dawn said worriedly.

  “—Sniff—thank you—sniff—Dawn.”  Mil took the napkin and placed it over the red forehead of King Ray.

  “Your Highness!” Dr. Brian came running.