MY STEP-MOTHER IS MY MATE

THE KING'S DECREE AND THE FOLKS REACTIONS?

"Lo, everyone! My son has returned, let us dine, dance and party in rejoice and jolly!!" King Rinus raised his drink in a toast to everyone in the hall. Caspian on the other hand stiffly turned to face the crowd with a forced smile on his face.

"ahoy!"

"Yeah" The crowd cheered cordially, the loudest specifically being the Tritons. At this point, few nobles had arrived, including the prestigious Royal Court members. The music resumed and everyone mixed into the party, dancing, conversing, and dining.

It was a glamorous event, even though it was organized in the last hour of Caspian's arrival. The star of the event- Caspian, was soon flooded by 'guests' from the Royal Court who questioned him than they should rather welcome him.

They had heard a lot about him and wanted to test 'waters' to see if he was a proper candidate for their respective schemes. That was the role of the royal court members in the kingdom after all.

"Prince Caspian, This is my first and only daughter, She just turned 228 crescents a few tides ago," said Lord Drake, A Minister of the royal council, as he introduced a beautiful mermaid with golden and pink features who stood behind his short but muscular frame as they discussed. The minister's flat lips curved into a smirk as received a glare of disdain from his peers.

He didn't seem to care, he believed that the early bird catches the worm, however, he knew not to count his chickens before they hatched. Although it might seem that his colleagues glared at him for being shameless and introducing his daughter when the prince had just returned, He knew that they were only truly annoyed that he took the chance before they could. Moreover, this only creates a slight chance and doesn't guarantee success, right?

"Greetings Your highness, I am Renata, daughter of Lord Drake. I congratulate his royal highness on his safe return" The beautiful mermaid swam into Caspian's view and greeted him in a curtsy. Her face flushed at the thought of the possibility that the opportunity her father had granted her could bring.

She wasn't at all ashamed, instead, she blessed her father in her heart with many praises.

Who wouldn't want to be the future Queen of Atlantis? There were no decrees restricting who could be the mate of the royal family members, as even the current Queen was once a maid...

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Renata" Caspian stepped forward and honored her with a hand kiss.

"As expected of the Lord's daughter. Your beauty is as rare as the Melo pearl found far away in the Southern part of the depths" Caspian commented politely.

Lady Renata's face flushed again and she lowered her head, just his sweet talks were enough to make her 'tide'.

However, Caspian was only being nice as he had his eyes on the princess, whose eyes held cunningness as she conversed with the nobles around her, all the time. She seemed to have them under her fins judging by the way they 'kissed up to her tails'.

He wisely excused himself from the lord and approached King Rinus who was having a joyous occasion.

" If you'll excuse me, your majesty, I'll be retiring to my chamber as I am exhausted from the long travel" Caspian bowed to the King as he announced.

"Ah, yes, go take a rest, my Son" King Rinus responded with a wave of his hand.

Caspian noticed how he seemed to stress the word 'son' as if he were bragging. But he shrugged at the thought since he was indeed the old king's son.

What Caspian didn't know is that king Rinus was extremely proud of Caspian's achievements as a warrior. And as a father, he couldn't help but want to show off since it was an opportunity to pass across the message of how promising and great the Miureadhach family will continue to be. Thus, increasing the belief of the Merfolks in his Royal family.

Staring with a smile at the back of Caspian as he left, an idea popped up in King Rinus mind and he stood abruptly to address the gathering, causing everyone to place their attention on him;

" I have decided and I hereby decree that anyone and everyone deemed capable by proven record now has the chance to challenge my son, Prince Caspian- The sole prince of Atlantis' capability to be the next King and heir to the throne for the next two crescents..."

The hall became grave as the King paused... Not even a rustle was heard.

" If there won't be anybody, the official Royal recess will be conducted after which he will be named the crown prince of Atlantis." The king said authoritatively and everyone expressed different reactions.

Most of the Tritons and noble knights had reluctant and hesitant looks on their faces even though they were actually going to partake in the event...

The aristocrats, titled nobles and ministers of the royal council either had a shocked expression or a smug smile on their faces.

The Crown contest should, by the laid down rules, take place 5 years after the heir's royal war training art to allow him Garner enough experience.

As to how they all reacted, it was either in hatred or fear that the monster and the cursed prince would reign as king over them, they couldn't bare to see him succeed the throne. However, the knights and Tritons who revered him were of different thoughts, they would surely follow behind anyone who proves his strength to rule, and Caspian was definitely a worthy leader to most of them.

Of all the reactions, Aerwyna's was the strangest. She wore an expressionless look on her delicate face as if she was not in a bit concerned about what was going on. However, the determined glint in her eyes could be noticed.

' Haaah! give me a break old man!' Caspian's complained internally. He didn't give much regard to the royal challenge battle that was now bound to ensue a few tides from this moment. Quite contrary to how he felt when he was younger. In fact, he saw it as a normal spar between warriors which he was confident in winning so far as he still wields the Will of Thalassa.

"As His Majesty wishes" Caspian turned around and responded with a short bow. The confident smile on his face sent a sense of concern to those who had different schemes.

"Now then, I'll take my leave" He resumed his stride towards his chamber steadily through the hall now full of whispers and inaudible murmurs.

Everyone was watching intently to find at least, a tiny trace of fear in him as he strode away but to their disappointment, he was being so casual about the whole charade. So much that everyone thought they could see him winning without raising than a single hand.

The party was shortlived as the star of the show had retired to his chamber, so everyone began to announce their departure. Seemingly in a rush, perhaps to prepare for the upcoming event that they surely didn't include in their plan or schedule.

The news had spread throughout the Kingdom before sunrise and everyone had a nervous and expectant look on their faces. This was the moment when almost all warriors and rogues hope spiked high. Could they be the next King of Atlantis? That was the question they asked themselves, even though they knew of the terrific strength the prince possessed.

...

In a luxurious and luminous room, A Merman clad in blue raiment that matched his deep blue hair that was tied into a ponytail with a golden hair accessory that prevented it from falling over his sharp-featured face sat on an antique chair as he stroked a slightly big, dwarf lantern shark on his lap. The dwarf lantern's skin was almost the same color as his blackish-blue merman tail. Melancholic music flowed around from the huge clam Phonograph in the corner of the room.

"DeVille, it's time to take back what was meant to be ours in the first place," The merman said to his beloved pet in a deep tone with a sad smile.

....

please read author's notes

Redemption code- M1XH490K. (first come first served basis:)