The Mysterious Mistress Zestrella

I stared out the window through the night air.  I saw a woman walking past the pier.  Dark velvet dress and a hood was covering the back of the head.  However, dark wavy hair came out from under the hood.

Oh, it was Zestrella.

I smiled lightly.

I should check on Levy.  I haven't talked to her nor seen her since we got back.  She headed off without a moment to spare, not even giving me a time of day.

I headed to Levy's room and knocked on her door.  I didn't wait for an answer when I opened the door.  There she was huddled on the bedsheets with the human shoes and socks off.

I stared at her deeply saddened.

Her feet were red and she seemed to be in pain.

I knew it.

My eyes furrowed, "Levy I-" I begin, but she gave me a look to shut me up

It was as if she said, 'Don't,'
Levy sighed as she began to write,  'I know what you're going to say.  You don't like him.  I know that, but I think you're just worried for me.  He is actually one of the most caring person out there,'

"Are you okay?" I asked instead, "Your feet and legs, they must hurt a lot.  I still think we all should have took a break.  It wasn't fair to you."

Levy lowered her head, 'I don't want to be a nuisance.  I don't want to be constantly helped because I can't do anything by myself anymore.  You carry me and allow myself to lean on you, but I shouldn't.  You're the closest one I met and I want to stay that way.  I don't want you to be my caregiver Lehz,'

"Levy, you're anything but a nuisance and I do all that because I want to.  I do that because I... I care about you and your well-being.  Because if I don't who else is.  Lucino sure won't," I stated a bit bitterly, "he doesn't think of that," I crossed my arms.

Levy lowered her head, "Lez I'm sorry.  I didn't want to worry you or anything.' She frowned before turning to me one last time, 'Can you stay with me please?'

I smiled, "Anything for you, Levy." I pressed my head on her shoulder, "No matter what, I'll never leave you.  That's a promise."

She smiled back at me in response.

The days went by and I kept at her side for the most part.  There was the times where she spent her days with Lucino, of course, much to my demise.  Still, he seemed to suddenly care for her out of the blue.  I didn't understand what changed.  It was odd and strange.

However, the next morning was when everything started to slowly fall apart.

If only I knew then, I would have prevented so much more.

I would have traded my own so that in time it would be she....

The morning came like a warm breeze after endless sorrows of guilt.  The sun was shining gold and the sky held a pastel blue hue.

I was still with Levy and it almost felt like we used to be.  Those hurting feelings were still visible, but it was almost like I could ignore them.

She stared back at me.

"Morning Levy," I told her.

Levy wrote on the notepad, 'I think we will get married soon.  I just know it now.  I overheard him saying that too,' Levy just grinned at me.

Her words brought be both sadness and relief.   Sadness because I didn't trust him nor liked him at all for Levy.  She deserves someone much more, abyss, I didn't even deserve her.  But someone even greater than myself.
And relief that she won't have to die if all else fails.

"Well at least he has been starting to actually pay attention to you and what you like," I told her matter of factly.

Levy nods, 'Yeah, he is sweet.  I'm going to go see him now.  You can watch to if you want.'

I smiled.

I'll do that and in case anything happens I'll be nearby.

Levy decided to meet the prince as she usually did.  I stood a good distance away, but still close just in case.  Levy told me-- well wrote that she liked to know I was always there if anything happens.

She could always count on me and that will never change.

She walked through the palace waving to servants and other passerbys.  She seemed happy, I felt bittersweet.  I could tell joy filled her aura.

I also knew it did have to do with the fact she was going to marry like she always wanted.  She never mentioned much about love or relationships much when she was younger, but the fact both of her siblings were-- it made her want to experience it too.

I wondered how they took her disappearance. 
She told no one.

Not even Laiken or Lysandria.

And I knew it wouldn't take long and her brother would demand an entire search that he would stop everything for her.

That was the kind of being he was.

I was lost in thought when I suddenly looked down from below the stairways and courtyard.

There Lucino was with another woman and envy filled Levy's face no doubt.  She was comparing herself to her and must have been wondering who she is.  The woman had dark, long, but wavy hair.  I recognized her instantly.  Zestrella.

I was confused.  Why was she by his side.  Was Lucino just talking to her.  To me it sounded like Zestrella didn't care for him much, but here she is.

The prince paid no attention to Levy for the longest time and it made my blood boil.

Finally after what seemed like eternity, Zestrella got his attention and he finally looked up.

The abyss, the abyss!

When the prince noticed Levias, he smiled.  Lucino turned to Zestrella and she nodded her head.

"Hello Levias was it?" She stared with a smile, "Lucino was telling me all about you.  I'm Zestrella, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Levy seemed to not know how to react.  I could tell she was upset with the situation.  If I were in her place, I would.  If I thought Levy was going to make me hers but then some other mermaid came, I would be beyond mad.  But who knows if that is the case here.

But above all I could tell Levy was confused about Zestrella's feelings.  I could tell she didn't understand why Zestrella was nice to her.  Suddenly Zestrella pulled Levy away.

I didn't know why or what the exact reason was for.

Levy shook her head trying to point back to Lucino, but Zestrella ignored her demands.  I didn't know what she wanted, but it also made me realize she left her notebook back when she was back in her room.

I had to catch up to her then.

Levy looked down is sadness.

Zestrella looked amused at her expression.  "What don't tell me you have no other friends?"

Levy stood their in shock and shook her head.  One would think she was shaking her head as if to say I have more friends, but that wasn't the case at all.  Then afterwards she held up one finger to indicate she had one other friend.

Me.... And it let a bitter taste in my mouth.

Lucino was no friend to her.  As bitterly as I am about it, Levy thought of him as more than that.

"Lucino mentioned how you are a mute.  You know how to read and write, yes?" Zestrella asked her after unable to understand her.

Levy nodded her head and put her hands in the shape of a writing tool and pretended to write on her hand.  She then smiled as if to say I can.

Zestrella then whispered something to her that for once my Ardizevepa hearing failed to understand.  I only caught the ladder when Levy smiled and put her hands together.  She put them flatly besides each other and over her head.

Her expression held a dreamily look.

"Yes, he is quite handsome," she smiled sadly.  "I am doing this because I don't want to hurt you but you must l-"

However, that is when I decided to finally make my appearance.
"Levyyyy, you forgot something!" I grinned.  "You've gotten careless.  Leviathan Levitias, Levias, Levy!" I exclaimed holding up her notepaper and feather.

Levy turned to face me instantly, making a scowling expression after the last line I said.

Her eyes turned brighter and she made an expression that would hiss if she was back underwater.

"What's that, only I can call you Levy?" I laughed and then handed her the paper.

There she wrote
stupid Lehz the dumb Ardizevepa

I laughed at her statement before meeting eyes with Zestrella.

"Zestrella."

"Alehkzir."

We both state with the same atmosphere.

Levy stared at us if to say how do you both know each other.

"I saw her in the halls.  I was bored.  You were with Lucino." I shrugged.  "She talked about her brother a lot." I stated just for Zestrella's sake as I watched her expression turn into dullness as she just shook her head.

"Oh no you're not talking about that," she stated, but behind her words I felt a hidden cold emotion.  At once I feared what she once told me had happened.

I widened my eyes and she stared sadly.

"Are they d-" I tried to ask, but she soon shook her head.

"No, not yet but something bad is going to happen.  I beg of you.  Please you must leave." Zestrella seemed to be pleading more than anything.

And risk Levy's death?!
Never.

I shook my head.  "We're staying.  Sorry for the inconvenience," I rolled my eyes, "What's your angle really?"

She stared at me drastically, "All those they seem worthless, strange, or... or not the usual relationships will be put to the test of the fire.  The flames then will judge if they're worthy of living.  Those who survive will be."

I stared at her and shook my head.  Levy frowned.

Levy then wrote Lucino invited us here, we are safe from any of that besides if anything happens I have Lehz.

Zestrella stared at us and shook her head, "Agatha, that's her name.  She was found out, but they don't know it's me." She whispered.

I stared back at her not knowing what to do.

"What will they do to her?" I asked once more.

"Adultery. Nonconsensual forced acts to make her right," Zestrella sobs, "And lastly flames if they see no purpose for her."

I stared at her, "Flames shall not rise not near nor far for over a month." I told her gently.

She shook her head, "As if those words you state to comfort would be true.  It isn't that easy.  I already know my life is hard, I accepted that.  And that is why I ask you both to leave.  Lucino can't protect you when it was he himself who made those laws."

And at those words Levy stepped back and I put a hand to my mouth.

....

"Flames zayhrk Zeke mrek high up
Karz frejik in the air
Never shall zekon kruzi betowed
Kado zyrako shiyeza," I can't one moonless night where the ocean was darker and deeper than usual and sorrowful tears had shed.

I stood by the sea and with a handful of the sea and one of my sharpened tooth I made no fire able to be flamed for over a month.

Agatha will be safe.
We will be safe.

...

Those days forward, however, Lucino always had Zestrella by his side.  I couldn't help but wonder if he knew and was threatening her.

Because now, he seemed only interested in her.

Levy noticed this as well and felt sadden.  She befriended Zestrella, but she never had any time alone with him again.

Sometimes Zestrella seemed uncomfortable, but I couldn't be sure.

I was sitting in my room staring out the window when I saw Levy suddenly drastically rush towards my side, her face pale and eyes showing a sorrow expression all over.

What she said next however made everything changed.

"Lucino loves...

//Legend here, yep that seems like a good stopping point right before the cliffhanger.

Literally.
I'm dangling from the cliff.

Took like 1-2 days nice.

Nah I'm kidding, I'll finish it\\

"Lucino loves... Zestrella."