Chapter 21:

Prince of Midnight Meetups

There are times when I think to myself late in the night, what is the meaning of all of this?  Why should I keep going to please wishes of ones who probably could care less about me?  Look at everyone wanting to look good to please the council.  But does the council really care?

 Some just wait for the one moment, one second for you to mess up and then they can spread the news like wildfire.  If they really cared, they would keep  your mistakes to themselves, and they would try to help you overcome your weaknesses.  Not shove it in your faces, laugh about it with everyone else, and bank off the drama.

 There are many others like me.  I remember when the council members were discussing what to do with some of the royals, I could see it in their eyes... In their faces of how annoying the council members were.  They thought if they left, everyone else would harass them about that and it would be their mistake.

 And somehow I managed to play the cards correctly.  I took what was given to me and cherish the pain, which made them not view it as a mistake.

Alas, I swim through without anyone seeing.  To them it is like serpents swimming through.  I head to the library of our own and maybe this way, it be like I fell asleep studying late.

Two blinks, and darkness engulfed me.

"Y-your Highness!" I looked up at my surroundings of what seemed to be the study room?  Did I fall asleep or... Then the memories of yesterday came back to me.  Sweet times, but never sweet days when I feel like I just fell asleep.

"What is it you have to say?" I muttered not even looking at them.

"H-his Majesty requests your presence."  Ah, of course.  And because he wanted to do other things while he was waiting, he sent this lowly servant.

"Is that so?  Then why did he not tell me himself?"

"Well that is because....b-because, His Majesty is quite busy with His work.  Y-you are coming, right?  Your Highness, Y-you have to come!  I c-cannot go and tell him otherwise."  Did he have to send a stupid nervous one?

"It would greatly upset His Majesty, am I wrong?  If I did not come when he asked, it would certainly be thrilling.  If I took my sweet time, it surely make him furious." I grinned while the servant gasped in horror.

"Wait...." The servant trailed off with a puzzled expression.  "You must go!  Please Your Highness, His Majesty Himself told me how great and important this is that you must come.  He told of some important talk you both have, so I must beg you...Please come!"
          I shut my eyes.  How annoying.  And some stupid talk?  What now trying to change my mind about desires?  Well, that never happen!  He will not be the one to.  But Isa told me....Ugh never mind.  I will just go.

"All right, all right.  I am going.  Now leave!" I sighed.  Though, I am sure His Majesty will hear about my delay.

But that is fine with me.

~~~

"Your Highness..."
"Your Highness..."
"Your Highness..."
"Oh Your Highness, you look stunning today."
"I am sure your desired will look as stunning if not more."
"Please Your Highness, I offer everything and let me be Yours, truly."

That is what each merphan I passed on my way to Father and Mother's chambers would say.  The merphan would be stuck in a bow until I nodded and moved on.  It was a stupid rule.  I wish it would be that they can now and then lift up once I passed or allowed them to so.

 But they forever stuck to a bow until I, Mina, or my parents allow them to do so.  It wastes my time really.  But if I really do not like a certain one... Well let just say they be in a position for awhile.

And Mina always laugh about it.  She would be no help either.  Usually Mother would be the one to let them breathe.

"Mivozene, sweetheart...." Mother stood there outside of her and Father's chambers.  She actually put her arms around me.  I felt awkward and weird.  Why was she doing this?  Usually she was with Mina and never was around me.
         I am anxious.  Why is she doing this?  I do not understand.  Why?!  "Your father wants to speak with you.  Please try not to upset him." I eyed her suspiciously.  Why did she care?

"Uhhhh....", I muttered, not having a single clue.  "Ummm Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

"Did he really still tell you to refer to us at that....That Ray!?" She muttered to herself.  "I am going to..." She sighed.  "Listen, please try to remain calm and not upset him.
         I want to make sure you are okay with everything that been happening.  I know how you doing that for yours sister was hard wh-"  I sighed.

"I will not if you do not leave.  Apparently this is very important, now would you excuse me."  I had no idea why I was acting like this.  Maybe I was just upset she was acting like she cared and being nice to me.
          She was never with me when His Majesty done and did all of that.  She never once came and asked if I was alright and now she just hugged me and told me to try to not make him upset?!  And then she dared to mention Mina.  Sweet Mina.
Argh!

I pushed her away and went to 'His Majesty'

"Wait!  Mivozene, please..." But I ignored her.  I cannot trust anyone.  She just as fake as the rest of them.  Why does she act like she care now?  Years and years she was never there.  She always never there for me.
        What she did few minutes ago, she should of done then.  NOT NOW.  It was always Him...Him....and only Him.  His Majesty and what he put me through.  I mean he is right, but sometimes you want a break of training.

     Being stronger than anyone near your meris is how you show everyone and prove your repetition to them.  Those words are true.  Too many Feelings and Emotions are weak.  Those ideas are the same way.  But too little shows you can be controlled.  I seen it from myself, I remember it...

             I remember when she, too showed me and I realized it was her that held the powers from the legend.   And it made me not care on what I did, I just followed orders like a puppet being told things.  No question, just obedience.
             But worse than being blessed with absolutely no or little emotion, is having emotion taken away and in a way where you, yourself long for that feeling again.

"Mivozene... Where were you?" I blinked, he knows!

"Oh Your Majesty!  I been making my way here." I leaned my head back.

"You stalled and delayed.  You were not present in your room."

"Stalled and delayed?" I chuckled, "Now, now Father... Why would I do that?  Especially when you sent a lowly scared servant instead of yourself?" Ignoring my Mother's request, I threw the bait.

"You, Prince Mivozene de Kimoshei Pacific Kingdom, know exactly what I am talking about.  I have been very busy all morning and could not tell you myself, and stop messing with the servants just to stall and delay things." His eyebrows arched as he glared a piercing stare.

I faked gasped. "But why would I ever-"

"Did you honestly like studying that much you fell asleep in there as well?"

"Father, do you think I," He grit his teeth when I said Father.  "Your Majesty...do not preferring studying?"

"I know you been going somewhere.  Where, I cannot say.  But if I ever catch you slacking off on any of your assignments or doing something that would jeopardize anything....That will stop.  I will even send guards to you."

"I can outswim them.  And I have you know my studies are the highest of many meris even older than me." I crossed my arms, "Is this all you want to say?"

"You need to choose a desire!  I gave you several good options!  At least try to.  Mivozene, you can even meet someone not on the list as long as their records are bad.  You must!" It was the first time I seen him almost desperate.

"No. I told you I-"

"And I said to you to choose someone.  What about Her Hig...er....Majesty, Kaikuriza's daughter?  She nice and you both seem friends I think.  You like her so why-" I turned away from him, so he could not read me.

"I told you I cannot handle what desires do to merphans!" But my words were meaningless.

He sighed, "I do not want to do this, but.... You will desire one of them," Urgh... I felt it again.  "Besides Koitan and Her Majesty already knows they are a possibility.  Tell your friend now, another, or consequences will be made."

"But...but I....I, give me time, I need more time.  I just cannot all of the sudden....and I.." I needed a lifetime of time.

"I really do not see the problem, it is obvious you like her.  You have until you are 16-000.  Decide wisely." Then he dismissed me.

... Ugh what am I going to do?  I laid on a bed thinking with a scroll in my face in case someone came.  I see her soon and tomorrow.  I need to see her, she always make everything better.  And my arm it....urgh...  Urgh!  I am going to see her now.

Spirit form become one, I thought.  Serpents form from me.  And then I sneak away.

Into the seas of my endless kingdom, into the place that forms the Atlantic kingdom.  Into her waters, princess Kaisa of cold magic.  I waited on the outskirts of her kingdom and sent the signal.
She came immediately as if she was bored just waiting for me.

"Zen.." She grinned swimming up to me.  She always made me feel better.  Always had.  And she says a name no other had.  Well except Miza, but he was just mocking her.

I really do not know how she puts up with him.

"Shh, we have to be quiet.  Remember?" I pressed my webbed finger to her lips.  "Come here.  I want to show you something." I had her hold onto me and we swam away to our secret place.

"Zen!" She suddenly exclaimed.

"Hmm, Icicles?"

"Wait...Icicles?  Really?"  She threw her arms up in the air and frowned.  "Now that sounds just stupid!"

"Darling, it fits you," I purred.

"Uhuh....Just because of ice magic.  Jeez Zen." I chuckled as I saw her roll her eyes.

"What where you going to say?" I whispered leaning my face closer than I ever would to any friend.

"Oh how come you never told me you were coming tomorrow!?" She exclaimed.  I looked at her. I kinda wanted to surprise her, but now that did not work I am going to....

"You did not know?" I grinned.

"Zen!  You are suppose to tell me!" I laughed at her.  I really did cared about her.

"Am I obliged to?  I did not know that was a term in this..."I thought of what to call this, "....this secrecy."

She made a face.  "No, I just though you tell me."

"Well, Sweetfish, I am coming tomorrow.  And two meris from that and four meris from then and then as even meris later from that time and then two more meris and meris more days and nine more meris and-"

"Please do not tell me the entire 365 meris!" I grinned.

"You wanted to know and I gave what you desired..."

"Huh?"  She looked confused.  Wait...Why did I say that word?

The Desire word...

"Ahem, Umm Isa?  I....I do not know what to do to be honest." I sighed looking up.

"I...Did something happen?" She leaned her head on my shoulder in comfort, "Miza suspected something, but he never guess what!"

"Nothing important happened," It not important to me, at least.

"Zen, please...  You seem hurt.  Please...."  Stop saying please and insisting.  "Allow me."

"I am not.  Seriously I am fine."  Really, nothing I am not use to.  I sighed.  Besides it was not as bad as usual.

"Seriously?!  I thought we were through this.  I thought you tell me things and I be there for you.  Trust me.  I be there for you and whatever happens, I always will."  She cared way too much for me to understand.  A feeling.  Emotion.

I shut my eyes and stared above at the sea.  "All merphans are selfish fakes and sometimes doing the council's wishes not giving a second thought.  All except me and you....and Mina."

"Not all.  There are more and there merphans that care for you.  I am sure your parents do.  As much as they hurt and cause you pain, maybe they still do and not realize what they are doing."  Not realize?  They realize every single thing they do.

I sighed, "You do not understand, but why would you. You have everything. It simple and maybe that why sometimes I envy you. Your family perfect. Your servants admire you and like you for your personality, not your title. My Mother never was there for me and only did spoke to me earlier today. The first time in the greatest length of time. I hated her for it.

I hated that she wanted to be there just then and not before when I was hurting and in pain. And whenever I am with you I feel different and say whatever I want and now I feel emotional and great seas, help me!" I poured out yelling into the waters.

"Zen...  I...I did not know.  I am...Pardon me.  And just because I have everything does not mean everything is perfect.  All my life, I felt like I been missing something.  I felt lonely all by myself until....I met you." Oh.  I stared at her.

"I did not know...I thought..." She trailed off, "You are close to your stupid butler, are you not?" I pressed her to me and this time it was me who was hugging her.

"Zen... I met you first."  Really?  It made me feel good.

"Oh?  Is that so, Ice Flower?" I kissed the side of her lips.

"Uh...uh...uhuh." I shook my head at chuckled at her speechlessness.

"Catfish got your tongue?"

"Zen!"

"Wait, really!  Be still, and do not move, Snowdrops." And then I held her on top of me as she snuggled away in my arms.  I would whisper secrets to her as I felt her with me.  Her presence embraced me as I thought of everything.  And something I could never do nor forget, I never leave her behind.

 I always be there for her...Even in her darkest moments....Even if it another she is after, I will always be there for her.  And these thoughts almost make me want to do it with her and be her desired.

So I too, rest my head with hers and the cool waters of the night embrace us...until it was time to leave

...

"Prince Mivozene, Your Highness," I heard a cheery voice, "We serve Aleutian kelp this morning!"

"Urgh...."  I lifted up my arm and fin.  The maid then set the kelp on my fin.  And with my palm, I bit into it and pierced it into pieces.  With one bite from my sharp teeth that happened.  "Ah, there nothing like exceptional kelp!" I grinned biting it even more.

"Your Highness, I am glad you enjoyed it.  Are you ready for today?" She suddenly asked.

"What....What do you mean?" I pressed my lips together in wonder.

"You are going to the Atlantic Rivalkai Kingdom!  It going to be so exciting!"  Oh yeah!  How could I forgotten.

"Oh of course!" I grinned, "Tell them I be on my way to get ready."  Whenever I went to her kingdom I look how I did when going to any council meeting.  Hair up.  Crown on.  And exceptional vourset.

I get to see her again and I am glad.  She...she feels me with warmth and, I smile, but only so slightly.

We prepare and swim to the kingdom of Rivalkai.  The merphans greet us with lullabies and songs as we arrive.  When we go in, her parents greet us.  And as usual I go off to 'study' except this time, I go to her lovely Highness' room.

I poked my head in and she was still sleeping.  Sleeping, when I arrived?!
How could she? 

Though, she does look so pretty while sleeping with her arms folded on her chest.  I swim to her and smile down at her.

I felt and heard her stir.  "You know princess, it is really cruel to sleep while guests are over." I lean close to her ear. "Also, you look really pretty today." Then I snapped my fingers allowing my spirit, sea serpent to shut and block the entrance of her room.  

"Z-zen!  What ...I......hi" She smiled.

"Did you sleep well?" I put my arm around her.

"Wait did we fell asleep?!  And then you...Wait you went into my room!" I chuckled at her assumption.  "If Miza and my parents...." She then noticed my expression. "Hey why are you laughing!?"

"Princess, I just arrived with my parents.  We are visiting or did you forget that too?" I press my fingers against her face, feeling her cheek softly.

"Oh....Oh yeah!  I just assumed, last we were together and then now we are here." She grinned sheepishly.

"My iciling, please I..." Then this time she kissed me.  I held her tightly against me urging her more closer to me.  "Isa....."  I kissed her again.

"Hey princess Kaisa!" We both heard a voice and immediately backed away.  Miza, that stupid merphan always getting in the way.  "Kaisa are you still....Ahhhhhh!" He screamed.  Oh it was because I was here, but I made sure I was not too close.

"Why are you screaming, you idiot butler?" I crossed my arms, frowning.

Go away, go away.

"Well...uhh you are here!" He screamed in excitement.  This masculine needs to chill.  "In here with Kaisa the beautiful!" The beautiful?  It is like she is the famous merphan that traveled the seas, Alekevenzer The Great.

"Yes, yes...", I waved my arms down.  "I know my presence is quite shocking, but please keep the screaming to the minimum, we really do not want anyone to get the wrong idea." I grinned.

"You two...In bed?" Miza grinned.  He such a blunt butler.  The audacity!  How does she put up with him?

"Ugh Miza do not get the wrong idea we are just-"

"Now Isa, you really do not want to make Miza jealous." I faked affection towards Kaisa in a dramatic manner by softly touching her cheek.  "Besides it looks like we been found out." I winked at her indicating I was pretending.

"What?  Are you actually-" Isa looked at me in disbelief.  But Miza interrupted her.

"Found out?" Miza's eyes gleamed.  "Are you two...."

And then the princess hit Miza on the head.  "Do you honestly believe him?  He just.....just..uh.." She was terrible at lying.  That is something I need to teach her.

"Oww, you know that hurts, Your Highness.  But about me being jealous... Nah it more like the other way around!" Miza grinned, "Hey Pacific, I have a lot to talk to you about.  Would you mind leaving her for a bit."

Leaving Isa?
What why?
The nerve.

"No, I like to stay here.  It is quite comfy here." I spread my arms out on her bed.

"Yeah, Miza.  I prefer if you did not!" Was she hiding something or was she afraid he find out?

Then Miza decided it would be good to be right next to us. "Oh why?  It just might help realization..." I just pretended I was stupid.  But it was funny how obvious he was, I had to cover my chuckle with a cough.

"So is this butler being here next to me, going to be permanent whenever I visit?" I eyed Miza who nodded just eagerly.

Ahh just great.

AN// This is longer than I expected it was.  Also I kept forgetting to edit and press publish and I finally have.  Also I'm having a blast writing the most recent chapter.  If you seen my instagram legendaryfever, you know what I'm speaking of.  This chapter is so beautiful it makes me sad what will happen in the upcoming weeks.