2 Bella and Percy

CHAPTER 2

Bella and Percy Lucas pulled at the collar around his neck. His mother had asked him to dress in his finest clothes. His uncle and aunt, King Rufus and Queen Eleanor of Kestrel, were due to arrive at the castle shortly with their daughter, Princess Arabella (or Bella, as everyone called her). Lucas sighed loudly. He could hardly move in his starched linen undergarments and blue silk jacket. His jacket had the family crest embroidered on the front. Lucas looked at himself in the mirror. He had to admit, the crest made him feel important, but the rest of the outfit made him feel like a prisoner trapped in his own clothes.

"Mother, I can't breathe," he complained. "You'll get used to it," said Queen Tasha. "You have to wear your good clothes for Cousin Bella. Remember, she'll be dressed like a proper royal too." "Ugh," Lucas murmured.

"And please try not to ruin your good clothes this afternoon," added his mother. Lucas nodded, even though he knew that there was a good chance of that happening.

Then the royal trumpets sounded and the drummers began to drum. Lucas's family hurried to the great hall and stood side by side to greet their guests. Lucas heard a shrill bark. Yap! Yap! Yap! went the sound. Yip! Yap! Yip! Ruskin, Lucas's pet red dragon, cocked his head and began to growl. Smoke trickled from his nostrils.

"Easy, Ruskin," Lucas said firmly. "It's only a dog." Ruskin settled down at Lucas's command. King Rufus and Queen Eleanor entered the great hall, followed by Princess Bella. Bella held a small, fluffy white dog in her arms. The dog yapped all the way across the room.