The air in the grand hall of the Dragon Queen's lair crackled with tension as Kaelira stood stiffly before Tiamora's throne, her golden eyes darting nervously toward Rynhara.
"This has to be a joke," Kaelira said, her voice breaking the silence.
"It's no joke," Tiamora replied with a saccharine smile, reclining lazily on her throne. "You, my dear, are now my daughter's personal maid."
Kaelira's jaw dropped. "A maid?! I'm a half-dragon, not some servant!"
"Well, half-dragon or not," Tiamora said with a wave of her hand, "you owe us for your little bread-snatching escapade as well as for not recognising this supreme me. This is your punishment—though I like to think of it more as a character-building opportunity."
Rynhara, sitting cross-legged on a nearby chaise, looked just as baffled. "I didn't agree to this."
"I know," Tiamora said with a wicked grin. "That's what makes it so delightful."
Kaelira spun to face Rynhara, her claws twitching. "This is your fault your highness!"
"My fault?" Rynhara exclaimed, pointing at herself. "You're the one who stole the bread just as we passed by!"
"I wouldn't have been caught if it wasn't for your mother now would I," Kaelira spat, glaring at Tiamora.
"Careful," Tiamora warned, her voice dropping to a deadly calm. "I am being very generous right now. I could've tossed you into the lava pits instead or maybe just eatenyou for lunch. It has been a while since I last at a half dragon."
Kaelira gulped, her shoulders slumping. "Fine," she muttered. "I'll do it. But I'm not calling her 'Princess."
Tiamora smirked. "Oh, you will. And you'll curtsy while doing it. That's a royal decree by the way."
"Like hell I will," Kaelira grumbled under her breath.
"What was that?" Tiamora asked with a threatening tone.
"Nothing at all your Majesty, " Kaelira quickly said while hiding behind Rynhara.
---
Rynhara had no idea how things had escalated so quickly. One moment, she was getting used to her new life, and the next, she was sitting in a room adorned with glittering chandeliers, piles of ancient tomes, and a suspiciously pink tea set.
Across from her stood Tiamora and an elderly dragoness named Lady Scalesworth, who was apparently the kingdom's top etiquette instructor.
"Now, Princess Rynhara," Lady Scalesworth said in a clipped tone, adjusting her pince-nez glasses, " The first rule of etiquette is posture."
Rynhara slumped in her chair, her wings drooping. "What's wrong with my posture?"
"You're sitting like a potato sack," Lady Scalesworth snapped, tapping a cane on the floor. "Back straight, chin up, wings folded neatly. You are royalty, not a goblin."
In the corner of the room, Kaelira stood awkwardly in a frilly black-and-white maid outfit, struggling to stifle her laughter.
"Don't even start," Rynhara hissed, glaring at her.
"You look like a pigeon trying to perch," Kaelira muttered, smirking.
"Kaelira!" Tiamora barked. "Encourage her, don't mock her."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Kaelira said with an exaggerated curtsy, her golden eyes flashing with mischief.
Rynhara groaned. "This is humiliating."
"Oh, we're just getting started," Lady Scalesworth said. She clapped her claws, and two attendants entered, carrying a stack of books. "Next, you'll learn balance. A proper princess must walk gracefully, even with distractions."
The attendants placed a book on top of Rynhara's head.
"You've got to be kidding me," Rynhara muttered.
"Walk," Lady Scalesworth commanded.
Rynhara stood and took a cautious step forward. The book wobbled precariously before tumbling to the floor.
"Well, that was pathetic," Kaelira said, smirking.
"You think you can do better?" Rynhara shot back.
Kaelira's grin widened. "Give me the book."
Lady Scalesworth hesitated but handed the book to Kaelira, who placed it on her head with exaggerated confidence. She strutted forward like she was on a runway, the book perfectly balanced.
"See? Easy," Kaelira said, spinning on her heel. The book stayed in place for a moment before gravity finally won, sending it crashing to the floor.
"Ha!" Rynhara barked. "Not so easy, huh?"
"Beginner's luck," Kaelira grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Enough bickering!" Lady Scalesworth snapped. "Both of you, focus. A proper princess—or her maid—must maintain poise at all times."
---
By the time the lesson shifted to tea etiquette, Rynhara was ready to call it quits. She sat at the table, staring at the ornate tea set while Lady Scalesworth droned on about cup angles and proper stirring techniques.
"Now, Princess, hold the teacup delicately—by the handle," Lady Scalesworth instructed.
Rynhara lifted the cup carefully, but her sharp teeth bared as she grumbled under her breath.
"And no growling!" Lady Scalesworth added, her cane tapping the floor.
Kaelira leaned over and whispered, "You look like you're about to bite the cup in half."
"Keep it up, and I'll bite you instead," Rynhara shot back.
"Ladies," Tiamora said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Play nice."
Rynhara sighed and tried to focus. She brought the teacup to her lips, only for her sharp teeth to accidentally scrape against the rim. A small chip broke off, clattering onto the saucer.
Lady Scalesworth gasped, clutching her pearls. "You chipped the royal teacup!"
"It's not my fault!" Rynhara protested, holding up her hands. "I have fangs!"
"Princesses do not make excuses," Lady Scalesworth said sternly.
Kaelira couldn't hold back her laughter anymore, doubling over and clutching her sides.
"That's it!" Rynhara yelled, slamming the teacup onto the table. "I'm done with tea! Can't I just eat a steak like a normal person?"
"Absolutely not," Lady Scalesworth said, horrified.
Tiamora chuckled, watching the chaos unfold. "This is better than I expected," she murmured to herself.
---
As the day came to a close, Rynhara flopped onto her bed, exhausted and annoyed. Kaelira stood at the door, still wearing her ridiculous maid outfit.
"Well, Princess," Kaelira said with a smirk. "How does it feel to be royalty?"
"Like a giant headache," Rynhara muttered, burying her face in her pillow.
Kaelira chuckled. "Goodnight, Your Highness."
"Don't call me that," Rynhara groaned.
As Kaelira left, Tiamora's voice echoed from the hall. "Sweet dreams, my little rainbow."
Rynhara groaned again. "This is my life now."