Celestiel woke up alone in her bed to an empty room. She touched Sebastian's side of the bed instinctively and surprisingly, she found was warm. She looked out the window by the bed and realized they weren't moving anymore.
Celestiel instantly jumped off the bed, got ready for the day and made her way out. She wore trousers for the first time and she was surprised at how comfortable they were.
Icarthans always called the female pirates slurs just for wearing them. The Icarthans believed trousers and shorts were for men and if women wore them, they were prostitutes and attention seekers.
Celestiel made her up to the main deck, expecting to see the king on the helm of the ship, navigating the Sweet Lillian. But he wasn't there.
"Are you looking for the king, Celestiel?", came Aletta's voice. Celestiel turned to find the brunette behind her.
"Do you know where he is?", Celestiel asked.
"He and his second and third in command went into town to deal with something", Aletta explained. "Atleast that's what i was instructed to tell you."
A shiver ran down Celestiel's spine at Aletta's words. Was the king going to beat someone else up? She was curious but she was afraid to know.
"Will they be back soon?", Celestiel asked.
"I don't know, your highness. Forgive me", Aletta shook her head. "Speaking of which, i suspect the twins aren't like everyone else, are they?"
"Leonore and Reagan?", Celestiel asked. She instantly remembered the first time she had met them a few days ago. "I suspect all of them are like that...including the king"
Aletta laughed. "Yes. Seems so"
"What's the matter? Why do you ask?", Celestiel asked with an intrigued smile.
"Oh it's Reagan. He's rather...annoying", Aletta sighed, a defeated expression on her face.
"Reagan?", Celestiel was surprised. "He's the quiet one"
"Quiet!", Aletta scoffed. "He's a pesky, little-"
"Aren't you sharp-mouthed?", a new voice entered the conversation. Aletta instantly paled.
Turning to meet Reagan's bored and unamused, emerald eyes, she smiled awkwardly.
Reagan ignored her smile and turned towards Celestiel, bowing. "Good morning, your highness"
"Good morning, Reagan", Celestiel greeted back with a gentle smile. "Is the king back as well?"
"He'll be here shortly", Reagan replied politely, before turning his attention to Aletta. She instantly stiffened. "Come with me"
Aletta stepped back, wary. "No. Why?"
"It's quite important", Reagan coolly replied. "I was instructed by the king"
Aletta turned to Celestiel, muttering, "Don't let him take me. It's a trap"
Reagan turned to walk away. "Don't keep me waiting"
"He's going to murder me", Aletta's shoulder sagged as she began walking after Reagan.
⚓⚓⚓ ⚓⚓⚓
Celestiel waited on the main deck for her husband. While she waited, a young, adorable boy approached her, holding a tray filled with food.
"Your highness, I was sent to serve you breakfast," the little boy said, his voice, timid and small.
Celestiel's stomach rumbled at the mention of food. "Thank you. What is your name?"
"Rory, your highness", he answered.
"How old are you?", Celestiel asked him.
"Seven", the boy replied, a small grin coming to settle on his face. "I turned seven yesterday!"
"Happy birthday then," Celestiel returned the grin. "Where are your parents?"
"Working...downstairs," Rory answered earnestly. He led Celestiel to the king's private study before giving Celestiel her tray of food.
"Thank you-," Celestiel began thanking Rory but before she could, he cut her off.
"You are really pretty, your highness", came his rushed words before abruptly running out of the room.
Celestiel stared speechlessly after the young boy. And then she laughed, a quiet, amused one, a happy smile coming to settle on her face. She took her seat and began eating.
The second she was done eating, Sebastian walked in.
"You seemed to enjoy your breakfast."
"I did. Thank you, my lord."
Sebastian stalked to his desk and took a seat, a sigh escaping his lips.
"Where have you been, my lord?", Celestiel asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.
But instead of giving an answer, Sebastian completely ignored the question.
"We'll leave for the fourth sea, it's not far from the third."
Celestiel pursed her lips. "Is the third sea like the first or second?"
"It's like neither", Sebastian replied. "It's more of water than land, the myriads reside there."
"Myriads?", Celestiel questioned, confusion clear in her voice.
"They're like mermaids...but more hostile", Sebastian explained. "They're less humane than mermaids or sirens."
"So there are three species of half human, half fish," Celestiel stated.
"Yes. The myriads share resemblance with the mermaids so it might be hard to tell them apart. So when we go into the fourth sea, stay close to me."
"We are going into the fourth sea?", an excited expression came to settle on Celestiel's face and Sebastian chuckled lightly.
"Yes. And you'll enjoy it."