When I woke up this morning, Cadfael was nowhere to be seen. I wondered if he even came back last night. I hoped he had a place to sleep if he didn't. Our mating ceremony was next week, and I hoped he wouldn't postpone it. I didn't know if he could do that, but I hoped he wouldn't. What will I say to my parents and everyone else? I will be a disgrace. I never heard of anyone going back because their mate didn't want her or him. I could already see it, the first merman ever to come back because his mate rejected him.
Breakfast was served, and my mate still didn't come back. Alone, I ate in our room. Without him with me, it was even more uncomfortable to be in such a spacious bedroom all alone. When I finished, he still didn't come back, so I offered his food to Hiro who gladly devoured everything.
"Let's go take a walk in the city," I mumbled to myself and to Hiro who jumped up and down excitedly.
I got myself presentable and opened the door. On the other side, two guards looked at me. That was new.
"Do you require anything sir?" one of them asked.
"I want to go take a walk in the city... Is that not allowed?"
They had looked at each other before the one who just talked nodded as the other swum away. "Where in the city do you wish to go?" Then, he saw Hiro in my arms, "Do you wish to bring him too?"
I nodded and followed the man who will be escorting me all the way, "I don't know. Any places you recommend?"
He thought for a second as he unlocked a door for me, "Have you ever been downtown?"
"Not yet," I replied as I looked around. Had the castle always been this calm and quiet? "Is something wrong? I never saw the castle this... Lifeless."
I saw the guard tense before forcing a smile, "Please do not worry about it. Everyone is just busy today."
He pushed open another door for me and Hiro squirmed out of my arms. I allow him to swim around knowing that he wouldn't go too far away. He led me to a seahorse and when I was settled, he mounted another one just in front of mine. The guard led the way as I followed him. I looked at my surroundings and saw children playing and people laughing as we moved away from the castle. Soon enough, I forgot about my insecurities and just enjoyed my little adventure. I jumped off the saddle and just went mingle with the townspeople. The guard followed me from a distance and only stepped in when people started to get too clingy or were going wild.
I didn't why know I was so popular? Was it because I was the mate of the future King? It must be so because I never saw these people before. Some of their smiles were creepy, and I had to request help from the guard to get some of the people from me.
Finally away from the crowd, I asked as I took Hiro into my arms, "Can we go somewhere else less crowded?"
"Of course, this way sir."
We swam in the opposite direction as he guided me to a small shopping district. The atmosphere was completely different from the one we were before. It was small but lively. It reminded me of my home. There was a similar shopping market like that back there. I looked at the products they had on the stands and saw a little jewelry that caught my eyes. It was a necklace. It was simple but elegant. It was a small polished blue rock. It was slightly glowing like the stars we saw the other night.
It was decided. "I'm buying this necklace," I mumbled to myself as the sale's lady came to me with a smile.
"Is it to your liking sir?" she asked with a courteous smile.
"Yes, how much for this necklace?" I showed her the jewelry that I was holding.
"It'll be five shells."
I nodded and gave her the credit shell. She looked at it before apologizing because they didn't accept it. I didn't possess any money on me. I thought they would accept my credit shell everywhere. Sadly, I put the necklace back down.
"Here you go miss," the guard gave her the money. I couldn't even refuse his offer since the woman already enveloped everything up.
"Thank you for your patronage!"
I smile back at her as I collected the little gift before swimming away. When we were back at the seahorses, I tugged the man's arm. He stopped and turned around, "Sir?"
"Umm, thank you," I shyly said with a smile.
"You're welcome sir," he smiled as he prepared my saddle.
"Please allow me to pay you back. It's almost dinner time. What do you want to eat?"
"It's not necessary sir. It was only five shells."
"But I want to. You must be hungry... Please?"
He looked hesitant, but he ultimately accepted. He showed me the little restaurant he usually ate it. To my surprise, I had to implore the man to eat a full meal and not only a snack that cost the price of my necklace. I never witnessed someone who worked so hard for so little. It wasn't his primary job to babysit me or to pay for the necklace and he still refused any compensation except for the food. We talked over dinner, and I was relaxed to see him consume a generous meal. I asked him about my mate and if he did come back into our room last night. Regrettably, he didn't.
I sighed, "Why were you in front of our room? I usually don't have any guards watching over me."
He tensed once more, "It was on the Prince order. He wanted us to guard you."
"From what?"
"Llyr," a voice called my name, so I looked up only to see my mate.
I smiled happily. It is so good to see him. Simultaneously, the guard rose and excused himself before disappearing with the other guard that came with my mate. "I thought you were busy?" I said with a frown.
"I finished early," he sat down where the guard was sitting earlier. "What are you eating?"
I gave him some of my food, and he ordered some more. He ate in silence as I stole a few bits and pieces here and there. I didn't know how to really act around him. Were we still good or were he only here to maintain the appearances?
When he finished, he paid for the food before I could say anything and put his hand around my waist as we walked out. He aided me up on the saddle of the seahorse before climbing up himself.
Should I ask him? Or let it be and see how everything will go? He didn't give me a satisfactory answer when I asked him what was wrong. I didn't know what to do anymore... I was so confused...
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