Dragon God's Reject Has His Heir

Taya's POV

I notice my ugly reflection behind that of my stunning mistress, Princess Viyara, as we pass by one of the wide windows of the endless Palace of Havenswood. She made sure that I would look like a scarecrow following her, for some wicked reason.

I wanted to look good on our first day in this big piece of heaven. The home of the god of Havenswood, Namon, is a reflection of his might and glory. I thought the stories about the palace were embellished, but they in fact fall short of it's real vastness and magnificence.

There is enough gold to make entire pillars and doors. The sculpture of the emperor stands atop of the palace's tallest tower, gazing down at those of werewolf Kings and human servants kneeling in his presence, like his worshipers. Massive beasts stand guard at random spots, controlled by the Emperor's powers. I have heard that his command is impossible to defy, even for unintelligent beasts.

Spoiled Princesses nearly killed each other in the contest to be chosen as his queen. What other place would a woman rather be?

The gates were wide open when we passed, but guarded by two giant dragons, one on each side of the path. I have heard that there are many more somewhere within the extensive palace grounds. Their loyalty to the emperor is fearsomely astounding. What enemy would dare even raise their voice in presence of such might?

My mistress fiercely fought for the chance to become his queen, in a contest of royal women of good repute and stunning beauty. She walks with impressive grace and a charming smile as two maids who welcomed us into the palace guide the way towards the tallest of the Palace buildings, the one with the Emperor's statue at the top.

Tomorrow she will marry the Emporer, the god of Havenswood, in a grand ceremony that will be attended by all royals. She has already earned immense acclaim from winning the contest. She will be the most powerful and adorned woman once she married him, the man believed to be a god.

"Do not let my dress touch the floor, idiot. The fabric will wear and collect dirt. You must be wishing I were a filthy wretch like you," she retorts after looking back and noticing the long tail of her dress an inch away from the sparkling clean concrete floor of the path leading to building.

I force my tired hands to hold it higher. Soon she will have more servants and I will have less duties. As for my unattractive appearance, it's completely her fault as she insisted that I wear my oldest dress and leave my hair a mess. She stated that she looked stunning enough for us both. That the residents of the palace doesn't need more distraction. I wonder why she would even think that I can be a distraction if I wore something more decent.

"The emperor will grant you better servants. All you need to do is ask, Mi'lady. The gold and wealth you see is merely a fraction of what he owns," one of the maids tells the Princess in the sweetest of tones.

I imagine they are eager to gain her favour now that she will soon be their queen.

"How soon can I meet him? I am eager to see his reaction when he sees me," she asks.

We arrived late, mostly because she took ten hours trying on eight gowns and three hair styles, trying to ascertain that she was flawless in every way, except at heart.

"Umm . . . I am afraid that the emperor will not be seeing you today, Mi'lady. His interest must be caught in some other things. Your marriage is clearly a small matter to him. But your elegance inspires us all," one of the maid's hesitantly reveals.

Viyara's gracious walk falters momentarily as she hears the words she did not expect. The emperor may not be pacing his chambers while impatiently waiting her arrival. Why did he then allow the contest if he wasn't desperate for a proper Queen?

"You will win his heart easily if you conceive a child as soon as possible. We suspect that an heir is the thing he desires the most," the other maid informs comfortingly.

"He seeks a child? I would have it in me tomorrow if he would come to me tonight," Princess Viyara replies with eagerness.

I can relate to her desire to warm his bed. It is rumoured that no princess can match the emperor's ethereal beauty. I too have an unhealthy amount of desire to see the god. I wouldn't be allowed anywhere close to him of course.

"I am sure he will after the ceremony. He has enough time in his hands," the maid answers and the smile returns to the Princess's lips. We walk through the palace's golden doors and she finally gestures at me to drop the tail of her dress.

The inside has more gold on walls than there is in a mine. Cushions and window curtains are made of the finest silk. The Princess walks with even more measured steps as eyes of passing servants and officials turn to stare in her direction.

"Keep your distance! Dare not step on my dress," she warns in a low tone.

I keep my distance as the maids lead us through wide and curving hallways. They halt in front of a white door with golden frames.

"These are the best guest chambers, they shall become your Queen chambers after your marriage to the emperor. You will find everything you would need in there," one tells Viyara as her counterpart opens the door wide for us. "Your servant can find her way to the servants quarters which are behind all other buildings," she adds.

"At least I won't have to share limited space with the filthy thing," the Princess says before making her way into the chambers.

The maids turn and leave. I sigh, feeling free, but hear the Princess call in a sharp voice.

"Taya! Get in here and rub my feet!"

I inwardly groan as I hate the task. Rubbing her ugly feet like she is some tired knight. She loves all the luxuries she can get, and it is taking to toll on my back.

I stride into the room and get awestruck by it's opulence. There is so much guilded items and the bed that she lays on is unnecessarily huge.

"Can you not spot my feet with those big eyes?" she snaps impatiently.

"Sorry, Mi'lady. I just thought that you have nice chambers," I apologize.

"Yes I do. My beauty can get me anything. Wash your hands before touching my skin. I do not want it infected before meeting the emperor," she replies. "I am sure the bathroom is that way," she nods her head towards the other door.

I make my way to the other room, relieved to be briefly away from her presence. I clean my hands for as long as possible, exhausting her patience before heading back to the bedroom.

"Would you like me to sing, Mi'lady?" I question while taking my seat beside her feet on the bed.

She usually demands that I sing while kneading her feet. I am not eager to please her, but singing helps distract my mind from the disgusting task.

"No. I must never hear you sing in this palace. I am sure that the emperor has better entertainers," she answers.

I am surprised that she suddenly doesn't want me to sing, something that she has always preferred to watching entertainers. I nod and start massaging her feet nevertheless.

"Where did you get your eyes. They are the ugliest pair I have ever seen on a person's face," she suddenly says.

I have grown tired of answering the question. She claims that they are ugly, I think they are unique. Grey pupils with glowing rings of gold around them. I could claim that I got them from my parents, but I do not know who they were. I was raised in some werewolf's school of human servants since I was a child, then sold to her royal family as a well trained servant. The Origin of my unusual eyes is a mystery to me too.

"I wouldn't know. I never met my family," I give the answer that I have always given her.

She falls silent, closing her eyes as I continue massaging her feet. Relief washes over me when I notice that she has fallen asleep. I let go and make my way out.

I did my best to note the paths we took on our way in. But finding the servant quarters will definitely not be easy. It's already pitch dark outside.