Richard moved away as she woke up, giving her space. He looked at her deeply displeased, not by her words but by how casually she approached to the fact she was almost killed. As the girl headed to her bedroom, Duke stood up and looked at the maid. "Take her to her room and do not allow her to leave under no circumstances. Understand?" He ordered with a cold and stern voice.

"Yes, my Lord." The woman bowed and rushed after the Princess and gently held her back. "Let me help you, my lady." She said as she accompanied the furious dark hair princess.

"N-No...I am go-good."

"But, my lady, the Duke said-"

"I-I don't n-need yo-you! I ai-ain't a ch-child!" she almost hissed to her as she opened the door of her bedroom and slammed it on the face of the young maid, not allowing her to finish her sentence as the doors were shut before her. Falling into the trap of the stupid mermaids. Creatures of sea. Intelligent, fast, and they were as sly as a fox. "Fuck ..." she mumbled, then let her body fall on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "I-I want...t-to go ...ho-home..." She stuttered with her voice almost cracking, and a small tear ran from the corner of her diamond eye.
The woman gazed sadly at the blocked entrance to Princess's room, feeling guilty she did not stop her earlier. She sat on a chair near the room and awaited when she could serve Aravis.

   Duke checked on his crew and healed anyone wounded. People he helped were thankful but also knew how displeasing it was for Duke to use his powers. Some felt that they failed him. It was their job to fight and protect their lord, not the other way around. In less than an hour, it was announced the danger was over, and the ship continued its journey, albeit slightly delayed. Using the remains of this power, Richard dried himself and headed to Aravis's room. He was angry, and his attempts to hide it were futile. The maid stood up from the chair when she saw him coming. He did not say anything. The Duke just gave her a cold stare, walked to Aravi's room doors, and knocked heavily three times.

"Princess, Aravis. I need to speak with you." He said with an upset tone.Aravis stood from her bed, fixing her dress, then slowly unlocked the door, opened it and suddenly those blues eyes like that could remind anyone the blue summer sky and the ocean were filled with tears

"M-My...lord ..I .." she mumbled. It was just a defense to be angry and not an easy-going person... Just to hide her sadness and how scared she was. It was one of the biggest lessons she had to be taught under the most challenging positions. Her hand was trembling like a living fish. She held his hand and hugged him tight, crying her heart out of the blue. It was a loud, clear cry. On the other hand, Richard was not moved by her tears and trembling. Like a statue, he stood there, looking sternly at the girl who suddenly cried. The Duke did not interrupt her, and as she held him, he turned his head to the maid.

"Leave us." He ordered, and the woman left, closing the doors behind them. Richard allowed Aravis to cry as long as needed, but he did not pity her. She endangered herself and the crew. Such behavior had to be appropriately addressed. It took her a while to calm herself down as she slowly broke the hug from him and sat on the bed, wiping the rest of her tears then looking up to him with a red nose, dark circles under her eyes... She didn't sleep properly the past nights, even under his protection; she felt like, sooner or later, everything would be ruined. Everything will be taken from her once again, no matter how strong she plays inside her. She was a broken child who needed help to stand on her own two feet.Duke looked at his clothes. He was displeased to see how her tears and snot stained them, but he did not comment. He looked at the girl, not saying a word for a moment, before taking a few steps to her and speaking. "May I sit next to you?" He asked politely, yet it was clear he was still upset.She just looked away from him, making space for him to sit.

"I-I know ...I d-did wrong... N-No need to sc-scold me. I-I just wa-wanted to protect yo-you by de-defending the sh-ship... I am..." she stopped the sentence, took a deep breath, and turned around to face him with tears. "I-I am a da-danger to yo-you ..and yo-your crew... S-So why di-didn't you ju-just gave m-me to th-them?" She asked, almost upset for not doing that and saving the most dangerous weapon in the whole world. Richard walked and sat down next to her while she spoke. He did not look at her, pondering how to deal with her almost grave mistake. He was glad she knew she did wrong and felt touched that she needed to protect the ship and its crew.

"Willingly giving you to the mermaids would be breaking the contract with your father and against my code." He said and looked at the girl. "If you keep making such stupid mistakes, you will endanger everyone around you. I hope you learned your lesson, Princess, and you will listen to me when needed." She just looked at her knees, then held tight to her dress.

"Ca-can you pl-please le-leave me al-alone now? I-I get i-it..." she said but didn't move from her seat. The past hours with Duke weren't the best times of her life. It was nothing to what she was used to. Having so many people around here, having the free will to speak, act and see... They were too much to handle at the same time. She thought it was easier when she couldn't do all that. It was less stressful for her. "I-I wi-wish to b-be alone..." Her voice cracked at the end of the sentence. She didn't like to be seen crying even though she shed tears in front of him. Richard looked at the girl.He felt more should be said but could not bring himself to lecture her more.

"Very well." He stood up and turned toward her. "But, this will be the last time I allow you to be alone. I do not appreciate you sending your maid away on your whim. I did not assign her to you, only to make her sit in the hallway. You think she is a sign that I treat you like a child, but that is further from the truth. She will provide you with anything you need to accompany you when I can not. Her job is to make your new way of life easier to adjust to. Treat her better, Princess." Richard finished his sentence and headed toward the doors. As he grabbed the handle, he turned to Aravis once more. "When you feel better, call her inside. Until then, I wish you good rest." And with that, the Duke left the room and headed to the captain to talk.

The minutes inside her silent bedroom were turning into hours. Aravis was sitting on her bed under the heavy warm blanket, sleeping or at least trying to sleep. She was not getting well with all this movement from the small waves due to the wind. It didn't take her long enough to run to the window and open it to throw out her guts. The maid heard the quick steps from the Princess's room and grew worried. But she was hesitant to approach the doors. The Duke informed Lily to give her time, but after she decided to call her, she was ordered to stay by her side and not leave, even if she ordered her to. So the woman was conflicted, still feeling guilty for not stopping the Princess. Suddenly the doors opened, and she saw the ill-looking Aravis. "L-Lily... I-I don't f-fell so well". Before the maid could ask why the girl felt ill, the Princess rushed back to the window. At that moment, the servant ran to another maid and demanded medicine for sea sickness. Afterward, she rushed to Aravis, standing beside her with a wet cloth.

"It's gonna be alright, Princess." She spoke to her with a motherly tone calming down Aravis's worried spirit. Lily kept rubbing the princess's back as she spoke calmly. "I asked for medicine. It will be delivered shortly." The woman reassured.