Layla the dragon princess

Chapter 2 - The choosing.

Layla's P.O.V

The morning air was cold as I walked to the barn to feed the animals.

Aunt Sarah made it clear from the day I was old enough to think for myself , that I would not be treated as a family member . A slave sounds about right if you knew about all the jobs she made me do.

Sometime I felt like I had a better relationship with the cows and chickens than I did with my own family . But that was okay with me , at least I never felt truly alone.

I walked along the hay path feeding the animals and singing a song ,

"Come lay down your head
On my lily white breasts

And hear my heart beat
With my last breath

Slow down this precious memory
And hold the devastating discovery

For no matter how hard you try
I can't stay away from your mind's eye..."

I was so lost in my song I was startled by the sound of the barn door bursting open and came face to face with an angry Aunt Sarah.

"You useless child , where is our breakfast huh ? What have you been doing in here ? Talking to your animal friends again ? Pathetic. You ungrateful watse of skin..."

I stayed quiet, letting her finish her blabbing and just looked at her face. She looked nothing like me with her brown hair , where I had a very uncommon white ash color . She had hard , cold green eyes and I had ice blue . She had a rounder face to my slim defined features. 

Are we really related ?

Realizing she had finished with her scolding session I quickly said , " I'm sorry Aunt Sarah , I'll get right to it."

She gave me another hard stare and said, " You are lucky you are my brothers daughter, I would not have treated you so kindly" I almost wanted to give a humorless laugh at that statment . Never in my life has she treated me with any kind of respect or kindness .

"When you are finished go wash your filthy self , we will be going to the town square for an announcement, I would leave you here but it is expected that everybody in town be present."

I didn't wait for another word out of her mouth before I dashed back to the house and started my duties as maid.

After my bath I went to my wooden chest at the foot of my bed and got my most presentable dress out . Aunt Sarah gave it to me because she said and I quote " I will not be seen with a troll looking girl , atleast this dress will ease the pain of looking at you"

So now I stand in my baby blue dress with long sleeves and lace detail on the bodice. I also braided my hair to make the mass of hair look neater.

Going down the stairs I met my Uncle Jack , my nephew Charles and my niece Jaqulin. Aunt Sarah gave me a once over and said, " you'll have to do".

It was a ten minute walk from the house to the town square and I took the time to appreciate the winter beauty. The crispy breeze beating my face till it's numb , the Robin birds nestling together , the icy lake reflecting the early morning sunlight. 

We reached the square and saw a stage near the middle so we made our way closer.

Just then an old man made his way onto the stage alongside a very attractive young man . My breath hitched as I took in his beautiful face , sharp jaw with light scruff on it , midnight black hair framed his face with high cheek bones . But what caught my interest the most was his piercing gray eyes that roamed the people.