Elaina's POV

The next morning Ella came by to help me get ready for the day. I would've dressed myself if I had the strength to do it, but I didn't.  Ella was a sweet woman and she was always there for me. Over the years we've grown quite close. She was the one who used to look after me and my brothers when my parents weren't around, which was very seldom.

"There you go, all done," Ella said as she finished tying my dress up. After that I had to sit down to catch my breath for a moment. This took so much energy. Everything that might seem like normal everyday tasks to a person was a big hassle for me. I had to struggle with everything.

"So are you going to the Ocean Palace?" Ella asked.

"I'm not sure yet, Mama said she would ask Papa, but we will see at breakfast." Ella nodded before she started to pack away my other dresses. Just then there was a huge knock on my door.

"Come in!" Both my brothers entered the room, followed by a very disgruntled looking Rhixton. Rhixton was my personal guard and close friend.

"I assure you, your highnesses that I'm perfectly capable of escorting princess Elaina to breakfast." He told my brothers who were giving me a group hug.

"We don't doubt your competence Rhixton, we just wanted to escort Elaina ourselves." Ethan said diplomatically. He was afterall learning to become the next king so he had to know how to handle all kinds of situations.

"And besides, we wanted to see how our little sister was doing after last night's ball," Eldrich explained further while ruffling my hair like I was a dog. I pushed him away before I gave him a playful glare which he smiled at.

"So malady, may we escort you to your breakfast?" Ethan said as he held out his arms for me.

"You may," I said as a tried very hard not to giggle at my brothers' antics.

Ethan quickly picked me up in his arms before we walked to the dining room. My father and mother were already seated and in a deep conversation. Probably discussing a new book or some kingdom business. After all these years they were still in love as ever and I could only wish for a love like theirs.

"Morning!" I greeted happily as my brother helped me in my chair. I've gotten use to their coddling and now I allow them to.

"Morning, how do you feel dear?" My father asked.

"Better thank you. So are we going to the Ocean palace?" I asked excitedly. 

"Your mother and I discussed it and we decided that it is a great idea," my father said.

"Yes! Thank you so much Papa!" I said as a beaming smile made its way to my lips.

"When do we leave? I would like to inform Sir Kingsley about our departure so that he can take over the training for me." Eldrich said.

"We will leave tomorrow night and we will be staying for a week. I'm sorry Elaina, but we have duties to get back to." My father said.

"It's alright Papa, I'm just glad were going!" I said as I slowly ate my breakfast, or least I tried but excitement was coursing through my veins.

I could already smell the salt in the air and feel the soft ocean breeze against my skin. I was completely in love with the ocean and I wished that we stayed a lot closer. I would sit on the beach the entire day if I could and I would swim in the deep blue depths if I knew how to swim. My father never taught me how to swim because of my condition. I wouldn't be able to swim with my condition.

"I will inform Tiberius about our little holiday." My father said. The rest of our breakfast was filled with small chatter but I was barely listening, my mind was to focused on the Ocean Palace.

When breakfast was done Rhixton came to escort me to the gardens. This was how I spent most of my days sitting in the gardens either reading or drawing. My activities were limited and I must say the restriction was tough. I wished I could get dancing lessons but alas that was not meant for me.

"Are you done, princess?" Rhixton asked and I quickly nodded. I bid my family a good day before Rhixton helped me to the door. I barely took a few steps before my muscles ached and Rhixton steadied me before supporting me. We walked slowly to the door when I finally allowed him to pick me up. Rhixton was like another brother to me. He cared for me like his own little sister. It must because we've grown up together.

"To the garden?" He asked.

"Yes, but I need to gather my things first in my room," I said.

"Don't worry, Ella already took it." He said and I grinned. The people in my life knew me so well and I was grateful for that.

Rhixton to me to the secret royal garden. The garden my mother restored for my father and the place where he proposed. I loved to hear their story and the secret garden was my favourite place.

When we arrived at the hidden door Rhixton placed me down before he opened the door. He was about to pick me up, but I quickly stopped him, "no, I will walk from here."

He supported me all the way to the pavilion where all my pencils and brushes were already arranged with a few snacks. Ella sure knew how I like to spend my days. I quickly made myself comfortable on the cushions Ella already set out.

"You can go now," I told Rhixton as I started to draw the Ocean palace.

"Princess-"

"Rhixton you know just as well as I do that this garden is well hidden and I'm quite protected here," I said with finality in my voice.

"But-"

"No buts, I know there is someone you're dying to see," I said with a wink. Ella's daughter, Ida was a beauty and I always noticed the looks Rhixton gave her. She was a cook in our castle and her pastries were to die for.

"How did you-"

"Know? I might be a weak little girl, but I'm not blind or dumb and you forget that we've grown up together. I know you." I said with a smile.

"Of course you do. Thank you, princess. But promise me that you would call if you need anything, there are always guards near by. Promise?"

"I promise. Now go get your girl." I said as Rhixton gave me a smirk before he dashed off to his sweet heart. When the garden's door closed behind him with a hard thump my smile slid from my face.

A sigh escapes my lips. I think I'm just not made for love. My heart clenches as I think about the love my parents share and the love in Rhixton's eyes shining bright.

I quickly clear my thoughts as I continue with my drawing of the ocean palace. My hand glided across the page as I drew every detail I could remember about the palace. I had to rest my hand from time to time, but nothing could deter my happy mood. Not even my stupid body that doesn't want to work properly.

We visited doctors across the land, but none could find a cause or a cure for my condition. It was utterly hopeless. And what made it worse was the fact that my brothers had legends, but I didn't. There was nothing about me.

I sometimes wondered why I was even alive. I made no contribution to anything and I couldn't do anything productive. Why was I here?

I didn't even have any powers. I couldn't do things my mother could and I couldn't change form like my father or brothers. There was nothing special about me. All that people thought was strange was my eyes. They weren't just green like my mother's or molten gold like my father's or brothers'. They were four different colours. Green, brown, blue and gold. All mixed together. They were the only thing I loved about myself. Except for my eyes I was normal in every other aspect.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't concentrate on what I was drawing. When I looked down at the sketch I've drawn, I noticed the little mermaid I drew in the sea and I shook my head at my silliness. Merfolk didn't exist. I guess I can blame my obsession for them on my father who read me stories about mermaids day in and day out and I always listened wide eyed. It was my father who nurtured this love for mystic creatures in me.

My head snapped up from my drawing when I heard the door to the hidden garden open.

"So this is where our little sister is hiding?" Ethan said as he walked through the door first.

"This is her favourite place afterall brother." Eldrich said as he patted Ethan on the shoulder.

"And how did you figure that out?" I asked my Eldrich teasingly.

"Because you're a faery and faeries love nature," he said in a matter of fact voice that made me laugh. I was the luckiest sister in the world with two great brothers.