Alexander pov~

I was pissed. He wasn't even my father, yet he tried to act like one. Just cause he adopted me doesn't mean I like or want anything to do with him. I swam hastily into the courtyard where my friend Maria was waiting, like she does every day. I went over to her and sat down next to her.

"You're angry." She commented.

"Indeed I am my dearest Maria." I chuckled.

"What is it this time."

"Stupid King said I couldn't go near the shore anymore. Says I have to focus on getting a wife." I scowled at the word 'wife' and Maria laughed.

"I could help." She smiled, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh please, we all know you'd hook me up with someone you like and secretly date her because she'd always be around." I paused. "We also know I wouldn't care if you did."

She grinned mischievously and moved so she was facing up at me with innocent eyes, batting her eyelashes. Maria had gotten really close to my face, to anyone it could have looked like we'd kissed. But she's to gay for that, and I'm bi but I really prefer males to females. Also, Maria had her eyes on someone; Peggy Schuyler. They loved each other so much, but neither had the guts to confess.

"Buuut, I'm sure I could get you with Peggy." I winked at her and her face went as red as her tail and lipstick.

"Shh, we don't want anyone to hear." She hissed, pressing a finger to my lips.

"Yeah yeah. You're really very obvious you know. I'm sure most of the castle's noticed at least one moment where you two stare at each other with the most love-filled eyes I have ever seen."

"But she's a lord's daughter! I'm just a commoner!" She frowned.

"Have you ever read a cliché romance novel set in the Old Days?"

"Why? No, I haven't."

"Because what you just said is literally the line that every one of those characters uses." I chuckled.

"Does it turn out well?" She batted her eyelashes again.

"There's usually some shallow drama, but then they get together in some sappy conclusion, where they toss the rules aside and everyone is suddenly accepting."

"How many of those have you read?"

"Too many."

"Why?"

"Because they interest me."

"But they all have the same plot?"

"Pretty much."

"But you still read them individually?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"This is going in circles Maria." I sighed.

"Shut up Hamilton." She pouted and I laughed.

"I rejoice in your confusion." I told her.

"I can tell."

We sat in silence for a while, each thinking our own thoughts (Maria was probably daydreaming about Peggy) a female passed, doing her own things and not caring about our existence. Perfect.

"I want to go to the shore." I said suddenly.

"Weren't you upset because your dad--"

"Not my dad."

"Right. Weren't you made because the King said you couldn't even go near the shore?"

"Yeah."

"You're going to disobey his orders?"

"Yes. He told me to focus on finding a wife instead. I would rather a husband, but all the males here are annoying anyways."

Maria's red lips curled into a smile. "Well let's go then. We'll sneak out through the servants' passage."

"Thanks Ria."

I followed her down the halls, winding through narrow passageways and finally down the servants' hall and to a small door. Maria pushed it open and smiled at me. I stared out at the village and, far away on the horizon, the shore. I grinned at her and hugged her appreciatively, then swam out into the open water towards the shore. I felt safe as I moved through the currents, no one would notice me up here, and if they did, I wouldn't be bothered. The currents weren't too busy right now, because it was pretty late, but they weren't completely deserted either, so I could go inconspicuously. I loved the feeling of the water against my scales and skin, pushing me forward towards the sandy beach.

The current grew less and less populated as I made my way closer and closer to human land. I noticed the water getting pretty shallow and broke away from the current, heading closer to the bottom.

I noticed the tiny fish that lived around here, streaming through the long tendrils of algae with them. I put my hand out and felt the mossy rocks, marveling at the different scenery around here. The village was wide open ocean with soft sand, strong currents and coral reefs here and there. It was so packed around here, with algae and fish and rocks and moss and the ever-raging tide that washed up onto the beach before retreating into the water where it belonged. I let said tide wash over me, laughing a bit as I was pushed back and forth from the strength of the ocean. I swam to the surface and stuck my head out, gazing at the beautiful night sky. It was clearly late; there was only one human out, and he seemed too captivated by a crab to notice me. I saw the human put away a human book and roll up it's second leg skin. It walked into the water laughing and looking genuinely happy.

I snuck back under the water, keeping low to the ground as I swam closer to the human, who was now paddling too far for it's funny legs to reach the seafloor. I snuck closer and cocked my head, examining it's odd swimming pattern. I was swimming farther, to look from afar, when I felt my tail get caught on something. Suddenly there was a weight on me, and I sank deeper. I felt a sharp pain as I hit myself on a jagged rock. Then my vision went dark and I slipped into an unconscious state.