TWENTY ONE
She bowed on sighting their presence. The queen ushered her to sit beside her, the king's face brightened and wrinkles disappeared. He looked powerful - of course he is! His mermaid tail attracted authority, propelling up and down with force.
The queen was different - all calm and cute. Her golden scales gave out magical flame like golden smoke and her eyes emitted peaceful white beads. The beads were tears of happiness and it brightened the colorful arena.
Palace maids rushed to gather the bead tears. It was a rare gem and worth more than a thousand diamonds.
She stood up to reveal her full structure - an elegant lady. Hundred times a goddess like Merlin. She was a beauty to behold, her mermaid tail looked energetic as they propelled towards Merlin and her waist chains dangled making beautiful sounds.
Merlin bowed to the king after hugging the queen.
Let me Clear your confusion. She isn't the princess. No, not all. Princess Lilac died many years ago and Merlin was sent on a mission to avenge her death. They were best friends and Merl vowed to punish the offenders. Since then the royal household accepted her as a daughter.
She sat beside the queen and observed the open room. Strings of shiny overlapping crystals served as curtains. Maids and guards stood chest out, around the entire room. There was no roof or window since the room was guarded by a powerful magical force like the one at the realm gate. No evil could penetrate.
The center table had magical roses too like the one on the palace roadside but this one's were colorful and hence gave out colorful pollens. Each pollen dropped on the table releasing a water sound and disappearing. Those pollen could cure different illnesses.
The palace was magical indeed and little fairies served as guardian angels. The queen and the king have theirs but Merlin's guardian fairy was locked up in her waist bracelet. It protected her from harm and contained the magic in the beads. It would be released when her aim was fulfilled.
Group of maidens trooped in, walking in a dance-like manner and carefully swinging trays of cornucopia dishes above their heads. They lined the dishes on the royal dining and Merl started with a salivating tongue. How she missed those foods...
The dishes consisted of land meat ( the mermaid's decided to kill land animals since humans ENJOYED killing there's. The dishes were garnished with healing vegetables from their gardens.
They discussed it between dinner.
"Lilac would be happy wherever she is...my darling daughter. Her death was so-" The queen started trying hard not to sniff as tears welded up.
The king Herod held her hand, clasping his cold hands on hers and caressing it softly. "Violet...not now," He signaled her with a soft gaze. She nodded, wiping off her tears.
"How's the plan going?" He asked.
Merlin looked at him and then at his queen. Their eyes demanded answers - something she was ready to give.
Dropping her cutleries, she clasped her fingers. "Fine. He is a weakling, he's under my control already." She smiled.
"You mean you've used your magic on him?" Queen Violet asked.
She nodded, "The wedding wasn't a problem either. It was a perfect wedding night and he didn't even notice it."
The king's face brightened. His daughter was finally going to get just.
"I just have 4 more stages to go and princess Lilac's spirit will finally rest," She smiled, drinking the medicinal wine.
Queen Violet sighed in satisfaction.
"Good. How far have you gone?"
"Like I said, 4 more stages left :
1. He's in love with me already.
2. We are married.
3. He has broken his relationship with his Godfather.
4. He now trusts me.
I just have little things left. That's :
5. Break his connection with his friends.
6. Control his wealth and make him penniless. After these...we can finally kill him. I have to make him suffer before his death." She concluded, her hands forming a fist.
The king nodded with satisfaction. He should pay.
"I like the idea. He's useless without his friends, we can attack him using his weak point," the queen commented, nodding too. She was actually trying to hold her tears.
Merl rubbed her palms. "I promise to get justice for my friend. I will make James suffer," She comforted her.
"I think you should leave. Your husband would be worried," Herod replied jokingly.
Merlin stood up. "Typical husband indeed," She laughed, making her way towards the curtains.
"Take care dear," Violet gave her a hug. "I think you should have this too,"
She handed a lilac colored necklace to her.
Merlin's jaw dropped. "You sure?"
It felt strange that she was receiving Lilac's magical necklace.
"Yeah. Take her with you, she's with you on this," Violet replied stroking her hair.
Merlin looked at the king. He smiled, assuring her it was okay.
She hugged her queen once more and opened the curtains.
"Remember, mermaids don't bite unless we are bitten." King Herod said with strength and authority.
Merlin left, a smile on her face as she held tightly to the necklace. Now she wasn't alone on this journey.