The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 28 - Garbg’s Manor at Roselake

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

I am so impressed with Viola's ventures. The orphan house is almost complete and the children have already started moving in. We're just waiting on a few pieces of furniture for the sitting room and some for the garden.

"I'm going to miss the children being at the castle. It was so much fun to hear them running around, getting into mischief, and going to school." Viola says with a sad face. I can tell she's thinking of the misscarriage and what it would be like to have our own children.

"Baby, there's no reason why you can't get pregnant again. We can just keep trying." I try to sound as comforting and supportive as I can.

"So the food bank is complete and we're stocking it with food. Now, it's just a matter of getting the word out and I'm not sure how to go about doing that." Viola says trying to change the subject.

"Let's have a festival. How about A Festival of Hearts for the Queen. You and Agenta can plan the whole thing. We can have a ribbon cutting ceremony on the food bank." Anything I can do to make Viola's eyes shine is worth it.

* Garbg's Manor at Roselake * Emily POV

I opened the chest that contained my mother's old dresses from when we were better off. I pull out a royal blue dress that matches my eyes. I sigh knowing that it's out of fashion but this will have to do as I don't have time to make alterations. I just finish getting dressed when a carriage pulls up in front of our home. Thankfully Lord Garbg did not come in the carriage himself so the ride to his manor is pleasant and quiet. As soon as I get there I notice a small army camp outside of the manor. I can only assume they must be with the king. I can instantly feel little butterflies in my stomach. I've never met a king before. I'm ushered into a room where three men are sitting.

Wolf POV

I turn my head as I hear the door to the library opening and in walks a true goddess. Her blue eyes are captivating and her blond curls cascading down her back look like a golden waterfall. I hear Lord Garbg rattling off introductions for my lieutenant and myself but I don't hear him. I take her tiny hand in mine and kiss her knuckles never taking my eyes away from hers. As soon as my lips touch her skin I hear my dragon calling out to me MATE. I don't want to let her hand go so she can be introduced to my lieutenant. I don't want another man touching even her hand. I send my lieutenant a look and he instinctively knows this woman is mine. Instead of taking her hand he bows gracefully. Lord Garbg walks us to the dining room where the lady is sitting across the table from me. I instantly start trying to remember the introductions that I weren't listening to so I can remember her name.

"Lady Emily. What does your family do here in town?" I cutoff Lord Garbg who was rambling on about how often he enjoyed going to meet the king as an advisor. I wanted to roll my eyes. It was obvious this kid was green behind the ears. "Oh. Well, my father's trade is a blacksmith but he can no longer work. So, I work part time hours at the seamstress in town. She also collects the daily laundry from the manor and I help her wash, dry, and fold the laundry, help greet customers that come in, and any alterations that need to be done. On the weekends I" I'm just amazed by every little word she says. But Lord Garbg cuts her off before she can tell me what she does on the weekends. "Yes. Well, that's lovely. It's good to know that everyone can replace some kind of work in town. Now as I was saying I can make a great advisor" This time I cut him off as he sounds more like a fly buzzing in my ear that I want to squish. “I'm actually more interested in what Lady Emily was saying." I say smiling across the table at her. Her cheeks turn a soft rosy pink. So, fucking adorable.

"Well, on the weekends I sell eggs at the local market. That's all I was going to say." She glances up at me beneath her thick eyelashes and places her hands in her lap.

"It sounds like you have a very pleasant life. What do you like to do?" I still can't get over her eyes as they have me in a trance.

"Well I spend a lot of time working and taking care of my father so that doesn't leave much time for other things but I like to go to Mr Gravese's bookstore in town and borrow any new books that he has received to read." Her eyes light up when she talks of the bookstore. I make a mental note to check out this bookstore and Mr Gravese.

"What is your favorite book?" I want to replace out every detail of her life.

"It would be a tie between "The Divine Comedy" by Dante and "The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer." Her eyes kind of glaze over when she starts talking about books.

"The devil is not as black as he is painted." I quote from Dante's "Divine Comedy".

"Behind me I discerned a devil black, that running up advanced along the rock." She answers me back with another quote. I love a woman that is educated and smart. Lord Garbg is looking rather sullen. I don't give a fuck.

* Silverkeep: A Small Village in the Kingdom of Cait *

Cyprian POV

Before we set off, Lady Augusta gives Molle a beautiful green dress that matches her eyes. She said she's never worn the dress and that it's too small for her but she thought it would look lovely on Molle. It's still a bit long on Molle but it will have to do until we can get tailored clothes for her. I appreciated the gesture as I thought it was very nice.

"Molle, why don't I send the carriage and you back to the castle so you don't have to keep traveling with us. We have one more village and manor to visit and then we'll be on our way home. As fast as my men and I travel we may even catch up to you before you make it to the castle." I suggest holding her hand while she's sitting in the carriage.

"If that is what you wish for me to do then I'll do it." Molle meekly replies. I hope one day I can get her to see I'm more worried about what she wishes to do than my wishes for her. As long as she doesn't endanger herself I could care less what she does.

"Time to move onto our last stop to Penshaw Village and the Cranborne Manor. If everything goes as planned we should be back at the castle within two to three days. It will take Molle's carriage at least a day and a half to reach the castle. I sent a letter with a messenger to my lieutenant, who stayed behind at the castle, announcing her impending arrival.

Molle POV

I still can't believe how this has happened but only a few days ago I was a slave being whipped and now I am riding in a carriage owned by my former master and I belong to an empirical prince who will be the new king of our kingdom. How did my luck change so quickly? I'm not really sure of what I am to King Cyprian but he's allowing me to sleep in his bed and he's treating me as if I'm special. So, far all of his men have treated me with utmost respect and kindness almost as if I really was a queen.

* The Castle at Cait *

Molle POV

We arrive, after a little over a day's journey, at the castle. I've never been here before and it is quite overwhelming. We are greeted by one of Cyprian's lieutenants and a maid. The lieutenant is nothing but polite and gracious to me. But, the maid seems a little off. She keeps smiling at me but it seems fake. I'm not sure I like her.

"My name is Jillian and I am one of the castle's maids. I used to attend to the former queen when she was still alive." Jillian informs me as we walk inside the castle with the lieutenant. But, the lieutenant has to take his leave as he has other matters to attend to.

"Listen, news travels fast and I already heard what you did at Lord Aragon and Lady Avila's manor. That's shameful throwing yourself at royalty the minute you have a chance to. You may have pulled the wool over King Cyprian's eyes but not mine little girl. I've been around for way too long. I know you're nothing but a slave so don't go putting on airs as if you're better than others. This is the Queen's chambers." She has a look of disdain all over her face. She pushes me through the doors when we get to the room and then turns on her heel to leave.

A/N

Please drop me a comment and let me know if you like the story or the chapter. You can also go to my facebook page for chapter updates and updates on new projects.https://www.facebook.com/Sammi-From-Anystories-10205241199150