It was long past lit-up water-surface, the empty hallways of the palace lay still. The crown-prince, still inside the enchanted library, was browsing through old, forgotten and dry books and tomes.
„What a fascinating place this even is...„ he chuckled. His bare feet were cold against the stone floor, yet he keept on walking from shelf to shelf, each more grandiose and ornate with beautiful books than the other. The grantee reached out for one of his favourite books, one that simply smells of unknown and looks of magic, a great old work that sums up pieces of writing from tens of explorers who, so it is said among the messy notes, had made it to a land occupied by creatures completely unknown to the merfolk, creatures that were named ”fairies”. A smile crept onto his lips as he flipped through the pages, stopping at his most cherished chapter, where lay a couple of envelopes, stuffed with pieces of paper, holding a great secret. The ink was smudged, the wiring hard to make out, but the few readable words there were enough of a clue to him and the royal librarian to understand one thing: the crumpled pieces of paper there were the key to a ritual. What for, they couldn’t grasp, but the thrill of the unknown is what filled the prince with excitement and curiosity.
His cold blue eyes darted up towards the seal-covered window, to take in a completely dark mass of water that stretched ahead. It was late, so it seemed. He ended up spending too much time in the athenaeum again. The throne-heir placed the tome back on its designated shelf and headed towards the exit. On the other side of the door was where the magically sealed area ended and where the swap between air and water takes place when one desires to enter this goldmine of ancient knowledge. He waited to be enveloped by the magic, as his body reverts to its original form and water fills his lungs... his plain legs now turned into a cerulean tail with scales blooming up on his frail form.
The door ahead of him opened just as the alteration process is done, a worried maid exhaling in relief: „Your highness! I am so glad to have found you here! Please, her Majesty, the Queen awaits for you at the dinner-table.„ She bowed, waiting anxiously for a response.
„Thank you, Noelle. I shall be headed there now.„
No sound perturbed the ethereal silence of the castle corridors on the way to the Great chamber. The prince continues onward, his mind lost in thought, but was quickly brought back to reality as his mother called for him.
„Dear Matt, you have finally decided to grace us with you presence, I see. Come, join us„ gesturing to the delicacy-filled table, she added, „Help yourself.„
„Thank you, mother, father.„ Matt politely bowed his head towards both of his parents and took a seat next to the head of the table, opposite his father, a very awkward silence set over the dining table...
„Say, Matt, how was your afternoon? No one has seen you around the palace in half a light cycle...„ the King’s curiosity had the best of him. „I was in the library, browsing through books...„ came the reply from the young prince. „Reading those fantasies again-„
„I am focusing on my studies and the teachers are quite pleased with my performance, I promise!„ Matt interjects, in a rush to explain himself. „Besides, I believe I’ve found more insight on the ritual-„ he tried to add after a brief pause, ever happy to talk about what he enjoys, but was abruptly cut off by his father’s angry booming voice: „I thought I had made it clear, you are not to ever try such witchery or read into it again!„
„But father-„
„I will not have my only son disobey me. You are to inherit the throne, you must be an example for everyone in this kingdom after I pass-„
„Oh, believe me, you still have quite a few years to go-„ Matt grunted, barely audible.
„You must learn to be more responsible and mature. And I trust you can do that without being forbidden to enter that - that dry and awful room.„ The king put an end to the discussion, slamming his fist into the table. The cutlery clinked as a heavy silence set itself over the room. The palace was once again still and quiet.
After having finished his dish, the prince excused himself and headed up to his private chambers. „I’m too young for this, I should be out, swimming with my friends and having fun, not worrying about having to take over an entire kingdom!„ he thought to himself as he flopped down on the bed. „Hm... If I so wish to speak to someone about this, it should be someone who would not dare tell my parents, an outsider of the palace...„ he began to fidget with the algae blanket while his brain worked trough the small number of kids that he was even remotely acquainted with. A warm sensation bloomed in his chest as the realisation hit; „Lev. I ought to go out and look for Lev on the cliffside tomorrow.„ With a giggle, Matt made himself comfortable and peacefully drifted off to sleep...
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