"I still think we should all go," Alakay said, as he sat on the deck playing marbles with Emree and Sparrow the following morning.

Sparrow nodded her head. "For once I agree with Alakay! You need all the backup you can get," she said.

Sighing I ran my hand through my greasy hair. Living on a ship with the majority men the past few weeks had left little to no time for proper washing. Captain Zell and Rowen had gone into town to find a suitable place for us to freshen up and switch into the proper attire for meeting the royal family of Niveitarra. "We've been through this. We need to show King Tathrow that we are here to bring peace, not war. You will all get your time to visit the castle. This is not that time," I said. The two glared at me. "You two can glare at me and pout all you want, it changes nothing," I said, walking off before they could argue more.

Nate smiled down at me, dropping an arm around my shoulders. "Your loving subjects aren't very happy with you?" he asked as we walked towards the stern of the boat.

"I can handle one of them at a time, but when they are together I want to pull my hair out," I confessed, earning laughter from my cousin, which earned him a punch to the arm.

"I'll keep them under control while you are away," he promised.

"Thanks. I think Emree will be sticking around too. It will be nice to have another girl around, especially for Sparrow," I said, leaning against Nate.

Nate sighed slowly, shaking his head. "I'm not sure about that one. There is something about her that doesn't sit quite right," he said.

I stood up raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure. I tried having a conversation with her earlier and it didn't end well," he said.

"What do you mean didn't end well?" I asked.

"I mean, I was trying to give her pointers on her fighting skills as she practiced with Shepherd and I. She refused to listen to any of them and had snarky little comebacks to all," he explained.

I smirked. "So your dashing good looks fail to cause yet another woman to swoon madly in love and bend to your every need?" I asked, laughing as he shoved me. "Give her a break. She's practically raised herself," I told him. Before he could say anything Captain Zell and Rowen came back and we all headed for the inn. I sighed knowing that my royal duties were about to begin.

"Isabella would kill you," Rowen said, watching as I tied my hair into a high-ponytail. He had just come into my room at the inn located in middle Sayven. I'd finished bathing and was dressed in a dark teal dress with light teal satin sleeves, a gold lined brown belt with gold and dark teal leaves, a matching neck line and a dark teal cape.

I turned to him with a smirk on my face. "Most definitely. The thing is I only know how to do a ponytail and leave my hair down. Maybe I should have let Morgan come as my lady-in-waiting," I said, remembering Morgan, Chloe, and Isabella arguing that I needed at least one lady with me.

Rowen shook his head. "You'll be fine. They wouldn't be prepared for this trip anyways. If you need anything I'm sure Emree can help," he said.

"Does she know how to do hair?" I asked with a grin, which quickly faded as Rowen jumped up and ran out of the room. A few moments later he came back with Emree following.

"I hear the queen needs a new hairdo!" Emree said.

I turned to glare at Rowen. "I hate you," I said.

He grinned, then quickly left the room. Emree raised an eyebrow. "What was that about?" she asked.

I shook my head pulling out my hair tie. "A friend back home always gets on me for having my hair in a ponytail when attending balls. He said she'd kill me and I joked that it was all I knew. Then jokingly, may I add again, asked if you knew how to do hair," I said, taking a seat in a chair.

She grinned. "I can't do anything as fancy as your friends may do, but I can do more than a pony," she grinned, grabbing my brush.

When she was finished, I looked at the mirror. "Isabella would be proud," I said, looking at my new hairstyle. Emree had started a thick braid at the center of my forehead and taken it around to form an elegant but messy bun at the top of my neck.

Emree smiled. "I may have grown up at the docks of Sayven, but even us dockrats can be girly," she said.

"Thank you," I said as I stood and walked to the room beside where everyone was waiting. They all stood as we walked in.

"She does clean up! I forgot there was a girl under all that dirt," Nate said, walking forward.

Emree glared at him. "Are you saying girls can't be dirty?" she questioned.

"No. Just that sometimes it's hard to see Sam as a girl," he responded.

"Oh, that's what every girl wants to hear!" she said, shaking her head. "Real keeper you got yourself here," she mocked, before walking over to Sparrow and starting a conversation in Nivetarian.

I looked from Nate to Emree then back. However, before I could say anything King Syrus informed us it was time to go. His royal carriage was awaiting us downstairs. Taking a deep breath I nodded my head and followed the men out.

The ride to the castle was fairly short. However, by the time we arrived I was shaking. Benedict reached over taking my hand. He, King Syrus, and Rowen were riding inside while the rest were on horses behind or in front. "You're going to do great. You have been raised for this. Remember to be you and remember that we are right here," he said squeezing my hand.

I nodded slowly. "Thank you. I just never imagined my duty as queen would start overseas bringing peace to our nations... I never imagined being a queen," I said, taking slow breaths. Soon the clatter of hooves stopped and Louis was opening the door. King Syrus exited first followed by Benedict and Rowen. I took a moment alone in the carriage to calm myself before accepting Louis's hand and stepping out.

King Syrus stepped forward offering his arm. "May I?" he asked.

Nodding my head, I slid my arm through his. "Thank you," I said knowing that he wasn't only doing this out of duty, but as a sign of comfort. We made our way up the cobble walkway. Standing at the entrance was the king himself, accompanied by a beautiful Nivetarian women who must have been Queen Layann.

"King Tathrow, Queen Layann. It is such an honor to be invited back to your beautiful home and nation," King Syrus said, releasing my arm and swooping into a bow. "May I introduce you to her highness, Queen Samantha of Auroja?" he asked, motioning me forward.

I stepped forward dropping into a deep curtsy. "It is a great honor to be invited into your home and your nation, your majesties," I said, slowly rising. Neither said anything right away. Causing me to start to shake inside. We knew that this would be a risk. From the reports we had received they were deeply hurt they had not been invited to the coronation. "May I offer my sincerest apology for any offense that we caused when our letter of invitation failed to make it into your hands. I was looking forward to hosting you and having you a part of my coronation," I said, taking a step forward.

"You are so young," Queen Layann spoke for the first time.

I nodded my head and smiled at her. "Yes, your majesty. I was crowned not long after my seventeenth birthday. Most who take the throne have their entire life to prepare. I was given less than two years," I said.

King Tathrow took a step forward. "And some who have been raised for this role, speak less eloquently than you," he said. He then turned to King Syrus. "It's a pleasure to have you back in our court, King Syrus," his eyes then turned back to me. "From the letters King Syrus sent ahead I hope that soon I can say the same about you. Now, enough standing around. Our chef has prepared a feast for the noonday meal," he said. Then taking his wife's arm led the way into the castle.

Slipping my arm back through King Syrus's, we followed the royal couple into their home. "Food is very important to the Nivetarians. It comes before any form of conversation or negotiation," he whispered to me.

I nodded in understanding. Rowen had done well in preparing me for meeting royalty. As we entered the castle, I noticed the stark difference between my castle and the one I was in. At home, the castle interior was lit by natural light let in by large windows and the walls were whitewashed to make everything brighter. King Tathrow's castle was made of dark stone walls and lit by lamps on the walls. We entered the dining hall where King Tathrow motioned for me to take the place to the queen's left while King Syrus was seated at King Tathrow's right. King Syrus pulled out my chair before taking his own seat.

Queen Layann smiled at me as I undid the napkin from its ring and sat it to my left as per their customs. "I see you have been preparing," she said.

"Yes, your majesty. I wanted to learn all I could to show that I value a relationship between our nations and ourselves," I said, returning her smile.

Dinner continued and the conversation stayed on the pleasantries. As we finished King Tathrow pushed back his chair and looked from his wife to me. "King Syrus and I have the business of nations to discuss. Why don't you ladies retire to the gardens," he said.

Rowen's words echoed through my mind. "King Tathrow is old fashioned, he still does not see a woman's place in business. He will try to pass you off, stand strong and you will earn his respect." I smiled at the king, placing my hands together in front of me. "I would very much like to see the gardens, as I hear they are some of the finest. However, seeing as I rule one of the nations that needs to be discussed I would like to be part of the conversation. If it pleases the king and queen I will be part of the discussion tonight and tomorrow morning have tea with her majesty in the garden," I said pointedly. Silence followed my statement. Worry entered my mind.

King Tathrow narrowed his eyes on me, remaining silent. He then slowly nodded. "I see you will not be one to be pushed around," he said.

King Syrus laughed. "If you thought that, you were very wrong, my friend. This young woman will put up a fight to keep her nation safe and get what she rightly deserves," he said with a grin. "I pray you are wise enough to realize that, sooner rather than later. I pity the fool that underestimates our young queen," he said, turning his smile to me.

I blushed ducking my head at the compliment. "I was raised to put others first. As a child that number was small. Now that I rule a nation the lesson taught still applies only to a larger number," I said.

"I have long respected your opinion, my friend, I hope that what you say remains true," King Tathrow said ignoring my comment. He then stood. "Tomorrow, you will have tea with Layann. Tonight, you will join King Syrus and me," he said, then started to walk away.

I quickly rose to my feet and followed King Syrus and King Tathrow through the dark halls and to his council chamber. He took the seat at the head of the table. He then pointed to King Syrus and the seat to his right and then directed me to the seat on his left.

"Syrus, our nations have had little struggle in the years that we have had a treaty. There is little that we need to discuss. If you remain content with our agreement, so do I," King Tathrow said, turning to King Syrus first.

King Syrus nodded slowly. "We remain pleased with our treaty. The horses that you send are a thing of pride and I hope that our lumber in return is providing much for you and your people," he said, speaking of the trade deal they had.

"Yes, our horses are the finest around. I am pleased to hear they are doing well for you. The lumber you have provided has gone a long way in improving my people's lives," he said. He then motioned a servant forward who was holding a tray with a paper and quill. The two quickly read over the treaty set before them, then each took a pen and added their signatures. King Tathrow then slowly turned to me. "Many years ago, our nations were on good terms. However, if you know your history, you know that those bonds were broken," he said.

Nodding, I showed my understanding. "And it is my hope that we can work together to start the process of mending those wounds. I know that my coronation was cause for a further wound and I humbly apologize," I said, bowing my head. "It was my desire to have you and your queen at my coronation, to show a new beginning. It wrecked me to find that the invitation never made it to you," I said. Tears threatening my eyes at the memories of my coronation and the loss that I faced came to the forefront of my mind.

"Why do you cry, child? Invitations are lost for many reasons. I understand that mercenaries from my land invaded, but the reports I received said there was but one casualty," King Tathrow said.

As he spoke I could no longer contain my tears. Nodding I tried to regain myself. "You are correct, there was but one casualty to our people. However, the man that we lost he... he was more than just a subject," I said hiccuping as my breathing became more difficult. "Orion was his name. He was the leader of the Red Dragons. He was the noblest and bravest man I have known besides my own father," I said, blinking as I tried to rid my eyes of the tears.

"The Red Dragons? That is your elite fighting force? From my reports, you are training as one. Am I correct?" King Tathrow asked. When I nodded his lips parted in thought. "As a Dragon, you became close to Orion," he said.

Nodding I let myself reach up and wipe my eyes. "He was not only my leader, but he took me in as his own daughter after La Fray had my father killed months prior," I said, the horror of my birthday and coronation now playing through my mind. "Orion not only trained me as a Dragon, but continued to train me as a father would. On the day of my coronation, he gave his life for the sister of one of my Dragon brothers. If it were not for Orion the mercenaries would have taken the life of a child," I said, tears now blurring my vision. "Orion made an impact on more lives than most have or ever will."

The room fell into silence. King Tathrow sat watching me. "And it was in my name that those spurious devils entered your castle!" he exclaimed, pounding his fits on the table, causing me to jump. "It is I who should be apologizing to you, for what those men did to you on a day of celebration," he said.

I smiled sadly at him. "Unfortunately, I cannot say that I am a stranger to days of celebration ending in tragedy, I still thank you for your apology," I said. With a deep breath, I calmed myself. "I hope that now that we are able to speak, face to face, that we are able to move forward in forging a new relationship between our kingdoms," I said.

He nodded and smiled at me. "I do hope so. Together, with our three nations joined, we could be a force to be reckoned with," he said, looking between King Syrus and me. "Now, let's move forward," he said.

With that, we spent the following hours negotiating treaties. "I hate to be the one to bring this up, however, our queen is young and treaty meetings into the dark of nights are not a normality for her. What say we conclude for the night and take it up tomorrow?" King Syrus interjected.

King Tathrow shook his head causing me alarm. "Tomorrow will not do. For tomorrow the castle will be a buzz with preparations for the ball in two days' time. I request that you take the day to enjoy my country. The queen will look forward to tea and then the day will be yours. The two of you will be my honored guest at the ball," he said, with a grin.

I smiled on the outside. "It would be an honor to attend," I managed to get out. Yet, on the inside, I was ready to die. The thought of balls brought up two things that brought dread to my very being, dresses and dancing.