The Palace Of Lordsland

Ira's Pov

"If I were as perfect as a daydream,

Would you love me alone?

Because I know men's hearts,

They're always on a hunt for something new.

So if I were a flawless queen,

If I had a voice like summer rain,

If I had all the good virtues,

Would your loyalty last for eternity?"

I practice the song in a low tone as the carriage with a dozen more singers nears the great palace of our kingdom, Lordland. The sight of the imposing castle steals my breath. It is the home of the angel kings, the most flawless of beings. 

Lordsland is the only kingdom that is ruled by the race of angels, born after a weyr of rogue dragons attacked the kingdom and killed nearly all humans that did not have the protection of werewolves. The triplets angel kings, Tiras, Ronen and Adon, are the mightiest of all beings. People also say they are the most stunning creatures to ever walk the earth. But I think their castle is most stunning. Because what could be more beautiful than this?

The towering buildings that are visible above the walls are made of gleaming stones. The main palace, which has the shape of a huge flame, sets at the centre, with the rest of the structures built in lines that project towards the walls of the palace like rays. Intricately curved statues of the angel kings with their wings spread out stands on either side of the massive gates.

"Kings would kneel before you if they knew of the special gift you possess," my father's last words dance in my mind as the carriage rolls towards the gates.

The angel kings will be hosting a grand banquet to commemorate their decade long success in saving the kingdom from the weyr of rogue dragons that had nearly wiped out the race of humansin the kingdom. It is rumoured that Royals from far kingdoms will be in attendance, including the famous Princess of Wolfsburg.

The angel kings may be the wealthiest and most powerful kings, but not even their kingdom can withstand attacks by rogue dragons for eternity. They need the help of foreign armies as the kingdom has lost too many soldiers, yet the attacks by the wild dragons are becoming more frequent. 

They seek to form an alliance with the king of Wolfsburg, Ademon, whose beautiful daughter, Princess Andria, is known for her skill in taming dragons. Such an alliance can only be achieved through a marriage, between the angel kings and Princess Andria.

She is the reason they want an extravagant banquet that perfectly reflects their immense wealth and great influence. They seek to impress her as the future of this kingdom depends on it.

They want the best singers in the kingdom to perform during their grand celebration. I was lucky to get selected as one of the few singers that will have the chance to perform in front of them tomorrow so they can personally pick the best to entertain their valued guests. It will definitely be a tough contest. But I trust in the songs that I have composed and practised.

My father and I fled into this kingdom years ago after the death of my mother. We lived here for a long time before my father went missing. He used to say that our bloodline was being hunted down, because we possessed a gift that every king would die for. The ability to control all dragons.  

He was probably insane, but he is the man that taught me how to take pride in the simple fact that I possess a kind heart. Because that's the only priceless thing that is rarer than gold.

Beauty and grace, those are the qualities of a fairly princess. I do not desire to be one, because beauty is shallow, and flawless grace is merely an act. My father taught me to be confidently myself, because there are things that are more important than dazzling beauty and pretentious grace. I may be a commoner, but I am a queen at heart. 

I am overwhelmed by worry at the end of each day that passes without finding him. He is the only family I have left since the death of my mother. The more time passes without seeing his face again the more I fear that I may have lost all the family I had.

A close friend of my father who knew him before his disappearance told me of this rare opportunity to perform during the grand banquet of the angel kings. She knew how desperate I am to keep searching for my father. Hopefully the angel kings will find my voice worthy of entertaining their guests during their feast even though I am a human. 

"I cannot wait to stand in front of the angel kings. I will probably lose my voice under their gaze," the girl seated by my side says in an anxious voice. She wears a pretty red dress and has styled her hair with colourful pins. She looks ready to impress them without even singing. "What do you think they look like?" she asks.

"It is against the laws of this kingdom to look upon the faces of the angel kings, unless you wish to be hanged," the boy by her side reminds. 

It will be a tough performance indeed. Looking at the faces of my audience helps me know the kind of song they would love. Doing so tomorrow may cost me my head. 

The angel kings must think they are an irresistible sight. I am certain I won't be tempted to stare at their faces because I only see beauty on good men. Their sense of pride is already killing my excitement towards meeting them.

Guards open the gates after our coachman explains that we are the singers that the angel kings requested. The carriage rolls into the palace grounds and we are even more dumbfounded by the sheer opulence of the place.

Lush, wet gardens grow in the massive spaces between the lines of buildings that surround the main palace, whose windows are framed by intricately curved bars of pure gold. 

"I would give my life to live in this place for a year," the girl in red dress says, her eyes fixed on the main palace building while everyone else steps off the carriage. 

"You would have to be Princess Andria for that to happen," the same boy that was by her side replies. "Your friend however has eyes that might tempt the kings," he adds.

He isn't referring to me of course. I am human and no one likes humans. Not to mention I am not nearly as nicely dressed as everyone else. So I turn away to study the palace. A female servant in white uniform is headed towards us. 

"Good evening. I am the person in charge of guest accommodations in this great palace," she introduces in a proud voice. 

So she is an official of the palace, but still a servant regardless.

"Since none of you commoners hails from a noble family you shall rest in the servant quarters tonight. You will performing for the angel kings early tomorrow so they can see which one of you is worthy of standing in front of their valued guests. If you no longer feel like you would kill for this opportunity you have to sing in front of our mighty kings I suggest you leave now," she states in a stern tone. 

I wish I didn't need the money so desperately, because I would love to make a show of turning around.