<At shore...>

Moon's POV

Moon: "Phew...we made it! Thanks Orion, for accompanying me back..."

I said with a sigh of relief.

Orion: "No problem. On top of that, it would be far too dangerous for a maiden like you to swim back alone."

Moon: "*Laughs* I appreciate your concern but I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, you know?"

Orion: "Says the mermaid who got herself tangled up in some harmless sea plants."

Orion joked.

Moon: "I beg your pardon? You were the one who tricked into thinking there was a shark!"

I exclaimed, trying to defend myself with some valet evidence. Out of the blue, Orion suddenly burst out laughing at my comment.

Seeing him in such a joyous state caused me to smile and I was unable to hold back my laughter as well.

Truth be told, whenever I was around Orion, I just feel like myself. I had no boundaries nor conflicts when it comes to interacting with him. He was like a star that guided me through the dark night and I like that about him...

Orion: "You are just so gullible sometimes. You should lighten up a little."

Orion said as he patted me on the head.

Moon: "Orion...I'm not a child."

Orion: "Well, as the older one here, I have the right to educate you."

Moon: "You are only three years older than me!!! You sound like my father whenever he talks to me."

Orion chuckled and crossed his arms.

Orion: "Speaking of your father, how long are you planning on hiding this secret from him? I know you are not going to like what I'm going to say but...your parents are eventually going to find out, am I right?"

Upon him stating this, I felt my eyes drifting away from his and my heart suddenly becoming heavier.

Even though I didn't want to believe it, Orion did have a point. I can't keep this secret for long. There was going to be a day when I will have to confess to my parents, and having the possibility of...finding out more about my mother's past...

Moon: "I-I will tell them when the time is right. For now, I will just think about a way to tell them about all this..."

But then again, I don't want my relationship with my parents to fall apart. That would be the worse case scenario. Or even worse, those close to me finding out about my mermaid form...

Orion: "Why are you always dragging the truth from the ones you love?"

Hearing his comment, I stared at him in confusion.

Moon: "I am not hiding this secret on purpose....its overwhelming just thinking about everything that has been going on..."

Orion: "I understand how you feel, which is why I'm encouraging you to spill the truth. Yes, your parents will be upset with you but they have no reason to forever feel that way. Especially since you inherited your mother's mermaid form and you were gifted with it. They probably have their own reasons for not telling you sooner so stop overthinking the consequences."

Wow...I didn't even know Orion had this empathetic side of him. It's fascinating, really. Not knowing how to contradict, I just smiled and nodded.

Moon: "I know they do...which is why I will keep an open mind about it..."

Orion: "That's good."

Moon: "However...in addition to that, I'm curious about what my aunt said to you back at the castle...what did she say?"

I decided to change the topic and was eager to know the answer he was going to give.

Orion: "Well...she did asked me about my connections with you. But I told her we were acquaintances that happened to stumble upon each other one night. Nothing too important though..."

Moon: "Oh I see..."

Orion turned to the horizon and spotting the ray of sunlight emerging from the distance.

Orion: "You better head back now, the sun is rising soon."

Moon: "Oh..right, but what about you?"

Orion: "Me? Heading back home obviously."

Moon: "Oh, of course! Your mother must be worried sick about you!"

Orion: "Pft..I wish, I bet she's too busy to notice I'm even gone."

Now that I think about it, Orion hardly ever talk about his mother nor his family background. He had been so silent and secretive about it despite knowing so much about mine already.

I open my mouth to ask him about his mother but the words were stuck in my throat, forbidding me to let it be heard.

I took a deep breath and said.

Moon: "I hope I can meet her someday..."

At that very moment, I tiptoe to reach his height level and planted a small kiss on his cheek. My cheeks was firing up, and so was Orion's.

His eyes widened at my action.

Moon: "I will see you soon."

My last words were like a tease to him as I effortlessly climbed up the rope to my room. I could feel his eyes on me but I purposely didn't look back.

I didn't know what came over me but...I feel I had to express my gratitude to him for what he had done for me...I was genuinely having strange feelings for him...

Orion paused for a second and he touched his cheek. He couldn't not stop his helpless heart from accelerating even further...

<Hours later...>

Back to Author's POV

Not long after the sun risen to the sky, Moon got up from her bed with a trillion things in her mind. She carefully walked over to her dressing table and start to comb her hair.

She stared at her reflection and let out a loud sigh.

Moon: "I look like a panda..."

All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door which startled her.

Moon: "Co-"

Without her consent, the door flew open and Harmony popped up from outside with Maid Marie tagging behind her.

Harmony: "Rise and shine, my princess! Today is going to be a busy day!"

Moon: "Aunt Harmony?! Could you at least wait for my answer before entering?"

Harmony: "No can do! There's no time to waste!"

Just then, Maid Marie entered the room and she was accompanied by several other maids holding some garments.

Moon: "Hold on, what's going on??"

Harmony: "My King brother have invited a few guests to a banquet later on at noon! I heard they are acquainted to King Arthur and Prince Aiden."

Harmony excitedly walked over to Moon. She took the brush from the princess' hand and assist with combing her hair.

Moon immediately took the necklace around her neck and stuffed it into her clothes.

Moon: "Who are these guests if I may ask?"

Harmony: "Oh I knew you were going to ask that! The special guests are the Duke and Duchess of Dawnville, the couple will also be bringing their daughter along with them."

Moon: "Clarissa..."

Without even knowing, Moon recalled the name of the girl she met at her 'Coming of Age' ceremony.

Harmony: "Clarissa? Is that their daughter's name?"

Moon: "Y-Yes, I met her at my 'Coming of Age' ceremony! She was apparently a good friend of Aiden's..."

Harmony: "That's wonderful! I bet you all can get along just fine! It's about time you have a good 'girl' friend to talk to!"

Moon: "Oh um right...a friend..."

Despite attending many social events in the castle, Moon wasn't able to make one loyal friend till now. The people of high statuses only look up to her talents and skills, not her as a friend.

Being confined in the castle as the only princess for her whole life means that Moon didn't have time to think about her social life or even interact truthfully to an individual.

That was until Aiden walked into her life.
Ever since Aiden became a guest, she thought he was only wanted to be her friend for the sake of putting a good impression in front of everyone. But, she thought wrong...

Moon didn't want to lose her only friend to something nor someone, even it also meant hiding her true identity from him...

Moon: "Aunt Harmony..."

Harmony: "What is it, dear?"

Moon: "Have you ever wished to live a normal live? Without any royal duties or rules to uphold?"

Hearing the question, Harmony stopped what she was doing and gripped onto the comb tightly in her hand.

She smiled gently and focused her gaze at Moon in the mirror.

Harmony: "Of course, I have. I held onto that wish for as long as I can remember..."

Moon: "You have?"

Moon turned her entire body and faced her aunt.

Words could not explain what Moon saw that was written all over Harmony's face. She knew her aunt had a tale to tell.

Harmony: "When I was just a young princess like you, I despise all the workload that was given to me. Reading a stack of books about the royal history...learning the proper etiquette and table manners...memorising all the steps of a waltz...I hated it all. Hah...I even remember the times when your father had to assist with my paperwork."

Moon smiled slightly as she could sympathise with Harmony's dilemma.

Harmony: "That all change when I decided to work as a court herbalist in the castle...I fell in love with the art of creating medicines out of precious herbs and the idea of helping others in need. I realised that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life..."

Moon: "Oh...but...did your parents agree with your decision?"

Harmony let out a pained laugh and shook her head.

Harmony: "No....both my parents were against the idea of me degrading my position as a princess to a herbalist. However, it was your father and a significant other whom persuaded my parents to give me a shot of a different lifestyle. They came around...but were still disappointed. Thus, they banned me from involving myself in any political matters before allowing me to learn the ways of a herbalist. I may not hold a high of a status like your father but I never regret giving up my position at all."

Moon was surprised while listening to Harmony's background story. Her aunt gave up her position as a princess just so she could achieve her dream of being a court herbalist.

Moon: "Aunt Harmony...I wish I could be like you."

Harmony: "Hm? Why do you say that, my dear?"

Moon: "Your bravery to stand up to your parents...is truly admirable. I hope I could be as daring as you to stand up to my parents.."

Harmony: "Moon dearie..."

Harmony took me by the shoulders and we both stared at our reflection in the mirror. She understood where Moon was coming from.

Harmony: "You are the heir to the Clarines throne, a title that was already given to you since birth. I may not know what your intentions are but your title that doesn't define you as an individual entirely......

You don't have to follow the path you are told to walk on. I rather you feel happy with who you truly are instead of feeling forced into it. I'm forever thankful to my brother for encouraging me and I know he will support you no matter what. I, too, will be on your side..."

Saying that, Harmony passed a bottle of Moon's favourite rose oil fragrance to her niece.

Her aunt's words and gesture lit a fire that was in Moon's dull heart. She gave Moon the hope and aspiration she needed at that point of time.

Moon: "Thank you, Aunt Harmony. I could never ask for a better aunt..."

Just as Harmony was about to response, Maid Marie called out in an anxious yet mild tone.

Maid Marie: "Ahem. I'm sorry for intruding your highness but I think we have to hurry and prepare the princess for the banquet."

Harmony: "Oh, alright. Sorry, my dear. I tend to run my mouth a little too much these days. I will be on my way now."

Moon: "Wait!"

Moon called out to Harmony as she stopped on her tracks.

Moon: "You mentioned there was this significant other...who is this person you are referring to..?"

A sad smile appeared on Harmony's face as she let out a sigh. Moon bit her lower lips as she feared she had touched on a sensitive topic.

Harmony: "He was a court herbalist, a teacher and a good friend of mine...he was the one who inspired me to become a herbalist like him and...the one I-I..."

Harmony stuttered on her words and was unable to put her words to complete her sentence. She immediately snapped out of her thoughts and said in a cheerful tone.

Harmony: "Nevermind! It's a tale best told another time! Please focus on getting ready, Moon..."

Without a single 'goodbye', Harmony left the room in a hurry with her eyes glued to the floor.

Moon: Aunt Harmony...?

Her aunt's sudden change of mood left Moon worried. Who was this man Harmony was referring to? Was he a man of importance to her?

Also...her aunt used the word 'was' instead of 'is'....what happened to him...?

Maid Marie: "Should we assist you with your morning bath, your highness?"

Moon turned towards Maid Marie and waved her hand in disagreement.

Moon: "No, no, it's fine. I prefer bathe myself! I will call you if I need any help!"

Maid Marie: "If you say so, your highness..."

Maid Marie said as she hand over a towel to Moon. The princess smiled before entering the bathroom.

<In the bathroom...>

When Moon closed the door behind her, she sighed loudly once more. She hanged the towel on a rack and started to remove her night robes.

The large bathtub was already filled with water and a few rose petals floating around. Before dipping into the lukewarm water, she stood still and stared at her reflection like before.

Moon: "I thought Aunt Harmony was honest, but I guess I was fooled again..."

This very palace was full of secrets and were trapped behind close doors. Even the ones she used to trust, have a secret of their very own. They locked their truths away with their forced smiles and expect everyone to believe they are not hurt.

Moon: "*Sighs* But I can't say I being truly honest as well..."

A light blue spark appeared on the surface of the water. Moon looked down and found the barrier crystal around her neck to be glowing.

Moon: "It's glowing?"

She rested the crystal on the palm of her hand and investigated every inch of it. Her curiousness about the magic contain inside was flying off the roof.

Moon: "Was what Aunt Ariette said was true? Does this small crystal really contain some sort of powerful magic?"

Moon said as she went into the bathtub. She submerged her body into the water and all of a sudden, her tail reappeared.

She couldn't risk having the maids in the castle know that she was mermaid. So, she ordered that she took her own baths instead.

Moon: "I'm still under this curse..."

The princess looked down at her necklace once more and thought of an idea.

Moon: If this crystal really does contain some sort of magic, then it must be powerful enough to transform me back to human form again!

She immediately closed her eyes and grasped onto the crystal tightly.

Moon: "I wish to be a human!"

Moon exclaimed, hoping the magic will do its own trick. She peaked open her eye but...nothing changed. Her tail was still on her.

Moon: "Urgg...what's the point?"

As Moon lay back deeper into the water, a flood of emotions washed over her.

She thought about what was going to happen later at the banquet. She could imagine how awkward it will be between her and Aiden. Adding on to that, Clarissa will be there too...

Moon: "Why do things have to get worse and worse when I least expect it?"

Moon said in frustration.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Moon: "Huh? Who's there?"

A male voice could be heard was the other side of the door...

???: "It's me, princess...."

To be continued...

Hey guys! It's Chewy here! It has been a very long time since I last updated this story and I sincerely apologise for that. A lot of things have been going on and I could not bring myself to write anything at those point of times. And also, I needed a break from writing since it's the holidays. I'm going to spend some time writing the next chapter so please don't get mad at me if it is not out soon! I'm trying my best to plan and write out the story line with the time I have. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I will see you in the next chapter! Love ya! ❤️