Chapter 25:
Prince of Sacrifices

I have nothing left.  Everything is gone.  I feel awful.  Everything that happened is all my fault.  I wonder what the council will think. 

They surely hate and imprison me for doing that.  But why do I care what the council thinks.  When I enter into my kingdom, of course voices question me as soon as I enter our home.

"Your Highness!"

"A-Are you okay, I heard what happened, Your Highness!"

"Your parents... What is the fate of them?"

"Why is the crystals' glow around our kingdom dim?"

"Will you be taking the place of your parents, Your Highness...or should I say Your Majesty?"

"I am glad you are alright, Your Highness.  I heard You were recovering from your injuries at a distant village."

"Is it true you swam off to elope with a ordinary civilian, but they broke your heart?"

"Have you decided on a desired, Your Highness?"

"Who says I was hurt," I laughed dryly.  "I can ensure everyone I am perfectly fine.  Please get a few members from the council that usually looks over our dear Kimoshei." I waved my hand to a servant answering.

Some of the things they come up with...

I mean how do they even think of those things?

And now I just pretend I am alright, I cannot show weakness... Especially now.

I do hope the members comes soon.

I chuckle to myself, this is the only time I care for that wretched group, because without them I cannot resume anything that my...I sighed.  Everyone is wrong. 

Everyone who told me otherwise.  It is all my fault, but their deaths will not go by without me doing anything.  I will avenge them.  I make sure all humanics pay.  And without the members, I cannot properly reclaim the title and wear my crown.

Everything was just how it was...how it suppose to be.  I silently sobbed.

All except...

How could I be such a fool!  Why did I not research enough?!

I should of learned more about them.  But nothing that I saw or learned was ever talked about.

"Prince Mivozene..." Zuri approached me.  "What is going to happen now?  I actually never told your sister..." So she does not know.  

I shook my head and formed a serious expression on my face.

"I do what I am meant to do." I sighed, "You know, you should not ask stupid questions."

"O-of course, Y-your Highness!" Zuri immediately bowed in nervousness.

"And as for Mina, please never mention it to her.  She be happier this way." Azurine nodded as usual.

Even though, I mean no harm, she always ends up being nervous or fearful when I ask her something.

It is like she is hiding something.

"Your sister, you think she will be happier hmm....?" Azurine stated by the halls.

I raised my eyebrows at Mina's guardian, "Yes, for knowledge is painful.  Oblivion, you can live freely in a world you actually like.  But knowing knowledge and truth comes with a price.
          A price of this cruel and hurtful world and I do not want to bring her into a world like that...." I sighed and felt my hair with my own hand, "I just want her to live her childhood with freedom and everlasting peace at one's soul and mind."

"But Your Highness," Azurine frowned, "do you not think that-"

"-She find out?" I finished her question.  I shrugged, "Of course, but when she is older and much more prepared.  I tell her sometime after she is a full fledged mermaid."

Zuri sat there and stared at me.  "Alright," She inhaled. "I will make sure nobody speaks a word about it to your sister."

"Excellent." I pressed my fins together, "And if anyone does, they be sent to prison or become an outcast for a long, long time."  I grinned thinking how I could finally punish anyone who hurts my sister much more to my liking.

"You make a ruthless villain in another life." She dryly muttered as she was about to get my sister.  I looked at her amused.

"No, Zuri...  That is what everyone is afraid of I am becoming.  Of course I am sure the council would not mind." I shake my head and leaned back against one of the columns.

I need to also know about my seas and their ways of travel.  That way I can get a proper revenge.  And Zuri can cover for me whenever I am away.  No doubt, the council might be persistent about a desired one as well.  But they cannot force me....

No one can now.  And that perfectly fine with me.  I do not plan on doing it with anyone.  It will not make me oblivious to my behavior and over-the-edge-protective.

I can have a free will without being tied to someone.

Suddenly, I thought of Isa.  She will be disappointed.  But I already told her to not wait for me.  I probably just hold her back.  And I definitely am not ready and I probably never be.  I care for her a lot, yes...

I also probably get upset if she with another.  Why did I tell her to do that?  But I cannot give what she wants.  She said she never swim away and leave her parents.  It nothing wrong with that, but still...

I am a terrible merphan.  I feel like I am kinda using her and she just get in the way.  Plus, I rather she not get hurt.  With everything going on, that would definitely happen if she is with me.  Maybe I should just end everything...

No, but I still want to maybe possibly in the distant, long future I might.... Ugh this is all very-

Then the voice of bells and angel blessings' wakes me from my thoughts, "Mivo!  Mivo!" The vi-purple haired dash of a sister, whose Siren's voice reflects through her left eye calls to me.

"Mina!" I swim over to her.  "Sister, look at you!  What have you been doing?" I smiled.

"Guess what I found some new interesting stories!  Some of the servants been telling me!  They are so, so, so incredible!"  She spread her arms out wide and grinned.

"Oh really?" She was just a bubble of emotion.  "I be they were fascinating."

"Yep!  There this one about this mermaid cursed to sleep 100-000 meris!  And she was to be awaken by a prince!" She clapped with glee.  100-000 meris of no work?  How frustrating is that?  Regardless, I smiled.  She always loved stories.

"Good thing it is just a story...  Someday when we have time, I read whatever story you want." Mina's eyes lit up.

"Oooh really?  Could you read me the one that one of the servants found and gave to me!  Der Froschkönig: the frog prince!  But they are humanics!  How crazy and wonderful is that? 
       Humanics are just some of the most fascinating things in this world.  Other than stories, that is, brother." I slightly frowned.  Why does she like humanics?  If I tell her what they did, it ruin her.  

But how do I make her understand their evil intent.

"But there not from our world." I simply said.  "Besides many humanics are bad and do terrible things to any mermaid they come across.  And that is why I have you stay here, unless I am with you." She tilted her head, and when she tilted it... It reminded me of a certain someone.

"Oh..." Mina looked down, "But how could they.  These books never talk about that though." She looked a bit sad.

"That is because it is just recently happening!" I glared off into the distance, "Recently...many mermaids were captured and taken in.  Ones nearby...but their life was taken from them by humanics."

"How terrible!  That is not right!" She put her arms to her sides and frowned.  "We need to do something!"

"Yes, and I am working on that."  I muttered as I looked through scrolls.

"Can I help?" She instantly asked.  I was about to answer to keep her safe, but then I paused.

"Actually... If you do exactly as I say you can." Her eyes lit up.  Why is this exciting for her?

"But only the bad humanics!" She grinned.

"Yeah.." I trailed off.  But all humanics are bad.

"Hey, brother?  Where is mother?  And father?"  I looked away and sighed.

To tell or to not tell.

"They...they... ummm they-" My words kept getting choked up in my throat and the look Mina was giving me was not helping either.

"Yes?" She looked at me innocently with her marine eyes.

Just stop it.

"...they left.  They left for awhile for ... Council!  Yes, the council wanted them for a mission, but they were also discussing other things and decided to go off for... for many, many years!  The council sent them away.  So they want me to wear the crown now..." I said the last part quietly as I looked at her.

"Oh wow!" She clasped her hands together and grinned. "I always knew you would be an amazing ruler!"

"Yeah..." I laughed awkwardly, "But first I have to wait for the council."

~~~

It was evening, when the members finally arrived.  They surely took their sweet time... So long, by now any mermaid outside o the walls of my kingdom knows.

"Mivozene, first blessed one.  Oldest sibling and only masculine of Rayquin and Lynira.   Are you prepared to wear the crown and protect Kimoshei with your hospitality?"

"I been prepared since the day I was blessed." I answered and it was basically the truth I been ready for a long time.  I was told about it and was preparing for awhile.

"We can have a ceremony and preparation 348 meris from now..." I could not help, but wonder.  Is that not a long time away?  I be 14-000 by then. 
       "But there might be a probably involving your sister, the siren." I had to restrain myself from not punching him for saying the siren.  She is like everyone else.

"What do you mean?  She is my responsibility.  I take full action for her!  I thought you blame me for their...absence.  Not this." I snarled, shutting my eyes.

"But can you really while you wear the crown?  We do not know what It is capable of doing.  Many of the members believe that siren should stay with us under lots and lots of supervising that way the....." But all I could here was Mina is leaving.

Mina is leaving me to...

Without her, life is meaningless, pointless.  What the point.  But I have to do this I been wanting to since forever and I never give it up, willingly.

"I can do both.  She is not leaving and stop treating her like she...she is..she is some kind of thing.  She merphan too, you know!" I glared at the member.  He was about to answer when another one popped up.

"Umm Sir, maybe you should consider what he been through.  It would not be fair...to umm take his only family left from him." The feminine nervously spoke. 

       She must of been a new member, most of them would never of said that.  She had short brown hair up together with seaweed among her darker flesh.

"What are you saying?!  He needs to know that it will not work!" I stared at him.  He is quite heartless. "Mivozene, you have until 39 meris to decide.  If you refuse than your sister instead will wear the crown." I gasped. 
         They can do that? "And you," He turned to the feminine new member. "Learn your place Latisha!" He spat.

"W-what...You cannot do that!  I never separate from my sister.  And I will be crowned one!" I shouted as the main member left and it was just me and that other new feminine member.

"Hey... If I may suggest..." She begin to say. "You have to give your crown to your sister though, become a council member under the man Lynzo.  Then you as a coucil member watch over your sister since she would be the crowned one. 
         And Lynzo.. he is better than most sections....And..I..I have to go." She then scurried away through the halls of my kingdom.  But I still could never give up the crown.

And that something people need to learn.

I dreaded the next few meris and the amount of interviews I have to do.  I sighed, what an annoyance.

"Prince Mivozene, we are here because we are permitted to interview you with everything." I sighed pulling the ends of my hair back.  Here were two journalist, each of opposing sexes.

And then I thought of something that I will announce to everyone.  If I announce it, than why would I change it?  Of course, the council will be utterly furious, but I can live with that.

"What happened... I blame only myself, I believe it only my fault to blame.  I could of done more and then maybe they would be here with us now.  I was too foolish, and it is the only mistake I ever made. 
        Before I resented those above with much more power, but use it in selfish ways trying to benefit others that wold just lead them secretly benefiting themselves."
          I looked and saw they were not writing it down.  I frowned and shook my head, "Please write every word I say."

"Y-yes, of course....Eeeek!" The feminine squeaked.  I sighed and shook my head.

Ugh, stupid merphans.

"But now I believe some of those truly wanted to protect and help others.  While the most obvious ones are the actual manipulative minds.  Everything what you have, appreciate it all.  But once the pearls shatter, that is when you truly realize you took everything for granted. 
            That when everything is only chaotic and everything must be undone for those new ties to begun.  And this is why I will wear the crown that I was waiting for since the day I was blessed.  I will protect my sister with the full amount now that I have control over all of the seas of the pacific.
           Anyone who harms her will face the most abhorrent crimes ever said yet.  I announce my sister will still stay with me and anyone dares to try to take her away because they deem it would be too much for me is a fool."

"Do you mourn Their Previous Mjesties, or do you think now that they are away that you can finally be where you desire: wearing the crown sooner?" I glared at the masculine journalist and shook my head.

"I would never wish for destruction on them." I shook my head, "I am sadden greatly, that I want to strike down the ones that did it to them and the other mermaids that also met the same fate in the same way."

"Hmm...Are you and your sister going to stay here together until she finds a desire?"

"Yes, absolutely, but I prefer if she not find a desire.... I think I am a bit over protective, but who can blame me, she everything I have left."

"I see...  Anything else you have to add?  Maybe any hints about desires?"

"Hahaha," I laughed in such a fake way, I wonder if they could tell.  "I thought you knew, it is quite rude to ask a masculine if he desired or not." The feminine blinked and blushed.

"Oh!" The journalist blinked, "I am...I never knew... Is that right, Koi?" She asked referring to the other journalist.

"Maybe in this kingdom or we are just fouled knowledge.... I know it rude to do this but please, forgive us!" And they bowed their heads down low.

"Whatever, are we finished now?" They eagerly nodded.

"We will put e-everything like you s-said, in the report.  We send you a copy too." I shook my head.

"Please there is no need, do not waste your time on that."

"Thank you, Your Highness for have....Oh wait I mean Your Majesty!  You are not mad are you?  I am incredibly terrible for doing that and." I put up my hand and silenced the foolish merphan.

I tilted my head while putting both my arms on each side of my face and grinned, "Technically I am not wearing the crown just yet, but if I was...."
        I trailed off just for the affect, "I would kill you." They soon turned paled and I laughed dryly, letting them know I was not serious.  But they soon swam off.

"Ahh!" I breathed out and laid down, "I thought they never leave, huh Silas?"  I looked at my spirit who was darker and sadder than usual.  I mean our spirits reflect who we are and how we are feeling. 

        And mine who takes the form of multiple sea serpents felt off, but knew me exactly.  And I was feeling that exactly.  Off from my usual self.

Silas surrounded me in response.  Its ghostly silver form spun around my arm and I laid down.  "Make sure no one bothers me.  I really do not feel well.  It probably everything and all this stress.  My sister must stay, but the stupid council is bothering me wanting to take her just because she different. 
        Those journalists... Then everyone insisting it not my fault when it is.  You know it too!  You know the truth, no one else does.  And I get revenge, I kill them.  I kill them all.  And no one else get hurt..."
        As if a whisper the words appear within my eyes, "Heh?  What that?  You believe me?  Yeah, I know."

A voice called out to me, "Y-your Highness." I sighed, peace no more.

"What is it?  I do not want to be disturbed right now.  Is it an emergency?" I asked with my eyes shut and not even lifting up.

"Well no...Well I have no idea...It is just some voice bubbles directed to you." I blinked and actually lifted up.

"Did you listen?"

"Umm... Your Highness, I cannot listen to voice bubbles that is not directed to me." I slap myself on my head.

How could I forget?

"Send it in and no more disturbances." I sighed and waited for a few minutes so he would not overhear.

It was Isa.

"Kaisa here...or well your Isa, umm well I..I really never done this before, but Zen I wanted to make sure you were doing alright.  To tell you the truth I am worried for you.  Miza was making a big deal when I asked him how to do one of these bubbles.
        He thought something was up, hahaha.  For being stupid or an idiot, he still knows how to figure things out, right?  How is your sister?  Does she still despise me?  I really wish she would not.  I wanted to get along.  Maybe some time I could come and see you or her...
          I always wanted to go inside your kingdom.  But only if your alright.  I am just trying to distract you.  I have an idea what you are feeling.  You know trying to make you feel better?  Is it working?  I know you probably will not come as often, but still send me one back.  But please do not get hurt anytime soon, I might of ran out of flowers. 
          But I demanded Miza to get me more, so he be back in a few weeks...I mean 7-9 meris.  I been listening to Miza way too much.... But I want to say, I am here for you.....for...you...for...you...for....you......for.....yo....u..u.....u" Her last two words echo out for awhile until ending.  As much as it did help, I could not send one back.  

I had things I had to work on.

And that mean I could not be distracted.  I could not get her involved.  If the council knew of our relationship, they would threaten her to try to control me...Just like they are doing to my sister.  That is why I must distance myself from Isa and keep her safe. 
         Except I think I need to finish the lie about our parents to her.  They did not just go on a mission by the council.  The council banished them and they now reside at the place where all the banished merphans go.

I swim across the halls and courtyards until I found my sister with her head starring intensively at some scroll or book.  It was probably a story she likes.  "Mina.." I say, "I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" She innocently turned around and stared at me with her child-like, but also marine-magenta eyes.

"We cannot trust the council.  They do evil and terrible things.  They threaten and hurt us and now I just realized it.  They...they, you remember the mission?  Our parents were trying to dispose two researchers that were involved with the attacks...And well.." I tried not tearing up as my voice begin to break. 
         "They must of found something out or I really have no clue because they.... they banished them to the isle."

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" Mina exclaimed with her eyes widening, "How could they?  They were so good to us too... They did nothing wrong!" Mina frowned,
       "That is not right." I felt a little bad for making her believe that, but the council would do something like that.

"Remember when the council threatened me and you revealed who you were?  They hurt me afterwards... That how cruel they are.  And that mermaid who helped you.  They wanted to take her away and struck her for leaving. 
        That all the council's evil doing. They are not good and I want you to be weary of them and never trust them with anything.  I want you to stay by my side." She nodded agreeing.  It made her fearful and distrusting of the council. It made me happy that she understood and I could now count on my sister to be safe.

And it was the first time I manipulated her, but it was not the last.  It was the time everything first begin to happen including the start of the downfall of our relationship...