Tale of the Abyss

Chapter 5

"GOOD morning!" Aleena greeted the servants as she swam toward the throne room where her parents were.

Aleena stopped midway and paled upon hearing a throat clearing behind her. She gracefully turned around to see her mother, the Queen, eyeing her with her arms crossed.

"Come, follow me, Aleena," Queen Meridith sternly said. Aleena gulped and bit her bottom lip, noticing the servants wearing empathetic expressions as she followed the Queen.

"Mother…"

"Aleena, we haven't arrived in the room yet," Queen Meridith said, causing Aleena's shoulders to slump.

They arrived in the room, and the servants immediately exited upon seeing the two of them. The Queen settled onto the rock, sculptured into a chair and adorned with pearls and shells.

"Do you know what you have done?" Queen Meridith asked. Aleena swam toward her mother and placed her hands on her tail.

"Mother…"

"No, don't give me the look, Aleena. You broke the Kingdom's rule once again!" Queen Meridith angrily yelled. "How can you do that? Sneaking out of the palace. You're going to become a Queen! You should at least set an example for the young ones!" she added.

"I'm sorry, Mother," Aleena said and bowed. She admits that she was at fault, but she couldn't help it. Her being was being pulled to the land where humans live.

"Where did you go this time?" Queen Meridith asked. Aleena bit her bottom lip.

"To the East of the Kingdom, Mother. To where the mermaids said the most beautiful flower blooms," Aleena said. She has been practicing her reason upon her return. She couldn't possibly tell her mother that she went to the land because if she did, she'd be forever grounded with guards following her every move.

"Aleena…you know how dangerous it was! Oh, gods of the sea! What will I do with you?" Queen Meridith said and heaved a sigh as she put her hand on her head.

"Mother, I returned safe and sound, aren't I?" Aleena said and smiled. Her gorgeous dimples were showing.

"Aleena, my only child, I worry for you every day," Queen Meridith said. "I know I shouldn't blame your grandmother for this, but she indulges your curiosity. The sea is not safe like it was in the past, my child. That's why I don't want you to go out recklessly," she added and touched her daughter's face.

"I'm sorry, Mother," Aleena whispered and held her mother's hand. The Queen sighed once more and opened her arms. The Princess immediately embraced her.

"But you're still grounded. You have to do your duties for the week and attend your classes," Queen Meridith said.

"I will, Mother," Aleena responded. She doesn't want to upset her mother anymore today.

"Okay, you may go. I'll have to go to your father," Queen Meridith said.

"Is there something wrong, Mother?" Aleena asked and swam back. Her mother tiredly sighed.

"They found a merman's dead body in the South border. It seems that the rogues attacked again," she whispered. "So, please, my child. Do not go out unless a guard accompanies you, alright?" she added and looked at her daughter.

"I will, Mother," Aleena said and bowed her head.

"I'll see you in the dining hall for lunch,"

Queen Meridith said and left the room.

"Yes, Mother," Aleena whispered, and when she was sure that the Queen was finally gone, she heaved a sign of relief and leaned on the chair.

"I think I have to stay low for a while," she whispered and left the room.

As the Queen instructed, Aleena went to her classes. It was one of the few things she needed to do to become a proper future Queen of Askia Kingdom. Aleena gently knocked on the door and entered.

"Hello, teacher," Aleena greeted.

"Princess Aleena. I'm so glad you could join today." The teacher smiled at her and gestured for her to take a seat.

"I'm glad too, teacher Nympha. So, what are we talking about today?" Aleena asked.

"The achievements of your great-great-grandfather," Nympha said. "Your great-great-grandfather founded the Askia Kingdom by defeating the sea beasts and rogues. He not only protected the merepeople but also other tribes. When he was the King, the Kingdom thrived to where it was now and expanded. He was a great, strong, and brave King Merlin," she added.

"That's his statue outside, right?" Aleena asked.

"Yes, he has one outside with the heroes and inside the Castle," Nympha said.

"Teacher, do you think I have what it takes to be the Queen?" Aleena asked, which surprised her teacher.

"What question is that, Princess?" Nympha asked.

"I'm not great like my grandfathers or father. I am just me," she whispered. Nympha swam close to her and touched her shoulders.

"You're going to become a great Queen. You're doing just fine, Princess Aleena," Nympha said. "We're here to guide and support you, so don't worry too much," she added. The class finished after an hour, and Aleena left, swimming towards the throne room where she knew her parents were. She opened the double doors and found the King and Queen talking to the councilors of the Kingdom.

"We greet the Princess." They all said in unison and bowed their heads.

"Aleena." The current king, King Oceanus, smiled, seeing his only child. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"It's time for lunch, Father. Mother said we will dine together," she said.

"You did?" King Oceanus asked his Queen beside him with a warm smile on his face. The Queen nodded her head and smiled back. Seeing her parents still deeply in love after all these years warms Aleena's heart.

"Have I interrupted something?" Aleena asked.

"Oh, nothing, my child," King Oceanus said and cleared his throat. "We're done discussing things, right, my councilors?" he added. The councilors bowed their head.

"You may go now. We will resume the meeting later," King Oceanus ordered. The Kingdom's councilors left the throne room individually, and Aleena swam towards her parents.

"Shall we go?" Queen Meridith said—the three headed out of the throne room to the dining room.

"I heard what you did from your mother," King Oceanus said. Aleena groaned and leaned her head on his father's shoulder as they swam.

"Father, Mother scolded me enough today," she said and pouted her lips.

"No, I haven't. Please tell your stubborn child to heed the Kingdom's rules for once," Queen Meridith said, making the King chuckle.

"Aleena, you should follow what your mother has said. It's for your own good," King Oceanus said while looking at his daughter.

"I understand, Father," Aleena responded. She hoped the day would end with no more scolding.