SO𝕽A I𝕾 W𝕳AT SIREN𝕰RA TR𝕴ES T𝕺 B𝕰

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We ride to Sienera on stingrays. It is a half an hour ride from where ever I woke up.

Mingyu doesn't speak much as we hold on to the fish. I didn't know that stingrays could be used as horses, perhaps because I never considered living underwater. I always thought of them as food. I had tried stingray meat once, a consequence for losing a bet. It isn't as bad as one might assume. It was mild and chewy, with a hint of sweet.

The stingray has a terrible sense of direction. It dragged me through a three schools of fish and we nearly crashed into a coral reef. Mingyu chuckles to my near-death experience. I am disappointed. If the stingray wants to kill me, it isn't doing a very good job.

When we reach Sienera, it is not what I image a fish kingdom to look like. It strangely reminds me of Sora. If the buildings were more and the streets wider, I would be back home.

Unlike Sora, the crowd is sparse. People were always lining the streets, irrespective of the sun's position. Shops in Sora would be open till late to cater to the ever-multiplying footsteps.

My house isn't near the main street, yet I would hear drunkard people through my window. The bustle of the city readily flowed through my bedroom window at all hours of the day.

The Crown washed the buildings in white and feigned innocence from their oppressive rule. The Queen bears the torch of responsibility, which is being held at arm's lengths by her army of blind followers.

On land, the only information taught about the Siren Kingdom was tied with the Siren War. The war was fought by all the kingdoms on land under the Zuar Empire and the Siren Kingdom. It didn't mention the history or the formation of the Siren Kingdom. The reason for war was the Sirens claiming human ships were trespassing on their territory. The Zuar kingdom didn't like this and, after failed negotiations, they launched an attack.

Eventually, after an immense loss on both sides, they returned to negotiations and came up with the Merchant Agreement. This allowed merchant ships to sail after the payment of a fee.

"Tell me about the royal family," I say.

"There is the Queen, Jessi, and her son, Beomgyu. The King is dead. Some say he killed himself because of unhappiness in his marriage. Officially, he was battling an illness privately, which led to his death."

"If he was unhappy in his marriage, why didn't he simply get a divorce?" I ask. "Can you do that here? Or I am trapped in some backwater hellhole?"

"You can get a divorce. As for the King, the Queen didn't want a divorce, and the courts would rule in her favour. They don't have an independent judiciary- they aren't even familiar with the concept. The Queen is said to be domineering. Never met her. Yet, it doesn't stop me from hating her and everything she stands for. Jessi is a cold and authoritarian ruler. Are you familiar with Hyungho from Scuace?"

I nod. He was a terror for the people of Scuace. Eventually, a mob of radicalised political leaders overthrew him.

"She is a siren version of him. She is discreetly stripping away the sirens' limited rights to ensure her foothold on them. Few years back, the sirens held demonstrations against her. They were violently repressed. Apparently, she isn't the most popular leader." The corners of his lips quirk upwards.

"Apparently not," I murmur. "What about her son?"

"Beomgyu? Yeah, he is quiet. Timid. Lives under his mother's thumb. He trains with the army occasionally. Maybe you will see him there."

"That's it?"

"There is not much to him. He might succeed Jessi; he certainly is more popular than her. Empathetic, helps people in need."

"What do you mean might succeed?"

"Here, the current ruler chooses an heir at the end of their reign. Succession isn't limited to family- the queen can choose anyone as her successor. The members of the court unanimously approve her decision and the heir is crowned. Beomgyu is popular amongst the lowly public, not the court. If crowned, they fear, he will take away their privileges and try to establish a more equal system."

Land is not so different from the sea after all. Corrupt systems of power exist everywhere. People weren't killed for protesting on land- for the most part.

"What would happen to him if he isn't made the heir?" I ask. It is unlikely that someone who knows nothing but privilege can live like an average person. Most people can't. I push that thought away. It's too painful to think about him.

"Use his wealth to travel the world, perhaps. Maybe even live a luxurious life on land- outside his mother's grasp."

"Take me to the treasury," I say. Mingyu looks at me, puzzled. "I want to see where these cowards are hiding my treasure."

"You think they are just going to let you walk into the royal treasury?"

"Yes," I reply, assuming it is similar to a bank.

"It is inside the palace and you aren't allowed in unless you are summoned or are really important. If the guards catch you lurking, they can arrest you."

"This place is a hellhole," I mutter.

"The Lieutenant is waiting for you. If I'm still around, I will show you around Sienera, if not asking someone to show you the military colonies." He pauses to give me a stern look. "An advice, you have got half a chance to live some shamble of a decent life here, make sure you use it wisely."

. . . ★ . . .

Mingyu drops me in front of a marble building. Ironic.

Sirens with weapons line the walls, trying to see beyond the horizon. The guard tells me to follow her after Mingyu gives her a shell. For a minute, I thought I was back in my university, entering it for the first time. The open hall with different hallways leading all over the campus.

The walls are adorned with weapons and newspaper clippings, and medals. There are a few people sitting on the chairs in the corner of the hall.

We walk past them and turn right. All the soldiers walk in a perfect line, their gaze never flatters. Their eyes don't wander to inspect their surroundings. They stay staring at the back of heads.

The guard leaves me with another siren. He has voluminous violet hair which flow down until his shoulders. His scaly tail swirls into an ombre of purple and pink. He is a siren- beautiful but eerie.

"Hello." His voice is smooth as water. "I'm Chris. Pleasure to meet you. Please follow me to meet the General."

I follow this fine specimen down a maze of hallways. He stops in front of a door after a few minutes of swimming.

The door looks like stone, but I can't be sure. Etched into the surface is a siren. Their hand is reaching forward to grab something which looks like a conch. Sea creatures surround the siren as if waiting for a miracle.

Chris opens and door and motions for me to step in. I oblige.

The room can fit an entire deck. It feels more like a small theatre than an office. A shelf of books is shoved far away in a corner. Swords and shields hang from a wall.

In the centre of the room, a middle-aged siren is sitting on a plush emerald chair.

"Mr. Yeonjun," his voice rumbles. "Please have a seat." He gestures the seat opposite to him. It is separated by a coffee table.

I do as instruct and wait for him to speak.

You have got half a chance to live some shambles of a decent life here, make sure you use it wisely. His words echo in my brain. I am really going to spend the rest of my life here?

︶꒦꒷. . . ★

hi back after a while cause of exams.
uni has left me with no time. 

nonetheless, how was the chapter? 
what was your favourite part?

vote if you think yeonjun should stay in sienera. 
thank you so much for reading! 

💙