Under The Sea

Chapter Four - Unity Day

"Get up!" Finn shouted straight into his ear as she pulled the blanket from him.

"Why are you here?" Axel deadpans, refusing to open his eyes as he reaches out for the missing cover.

"Watch the 'tude," Finn scolds him, reaching over to grab his arm and yanking him from his pod.

He floated weightlessly behind her as she dragged him over to his vanity. Almost instantly, a barrage of servants rushed in to attend to his needs and prepare him for the day.

Axel had never liked all the attention he received because of his status. He was more than capable of dressing himself, combing his own hair, and selecting his own jewelry. But, despite his many attempts to explain that to his father, he insisted Axel couldn't be trusted to be on time, much less to manage his own wardrobe.

Axel sat silently as he watched the servants work around him, before wrapping up and stepping out of the room, only to be followed by another wave, bringing in his breakfast and tidying up his room. Them, he appreciated as he found it an absolute bore to clean his room.

He ate his seaweed, savoring the taste and remembering that Paxton has not yet had anything to eat since the seaweed he's left a few days ago, which had to have gone bad by now if he had not eaten it.

"I need a favor," he called to one of the nearby servants.

"Yes, your highness," the woman bowed, reaching over to clear his empty breakfast tray.

"I need a lunch packed for me today. I will be out and about and would like to have something available to take with me before I depart."

"As you wish," the servant once again bowed and then retreated to her station.

"You've never requested a meal to-go before," Finn quips, eyeing Axel suspiciously, "Do you plan to sneak off to the cave again?"

Axel's lack of a response was enough to answer her questions as their eyes met through the reflection in the mirror.

"It's Unity Day, Axel!" Finn exclaims. "You may not be heir to the throne, but you are still a member of the royal family and expected to represent as such."

"I've heard the speech a million times, thanks."

"Obviously it hasn't been enough."

"You only get away with this because you're my best friend."

"I know."

"Just making sure that's clear."

"Oh, boo-hoo, Axel can't take a lecture," Finn mocks, bringing her hands up in a crying motion, "why don't you go cry to Daddy."

Axel shot her a serious glare at the mention of his father and Finn got the hint, dropping the subject as the servants continued to work in silence. Axel knew he was in for another lecture about how he overslept as soon as he arrived at the Unity Day celebration and made his way to his family.

King Elias sat in the center, on his ceremonial throne, with Clara to his right, and Axel's empty seat to his left. To the right and left of their arrangements sat the chiefs of the other two tribes as the citizens came up to greet their rulers and enjoy the celebrations.

"I'm sorry," Axel offers as he takes his seat, too afraid to look at his father as he passes.

"We will discuss this later," King Elias's voice was serious, yet his face held a smile as he murmured so that only Axel would understand.

🐚 🐚 🐚

"Smile," Clara hissed at him as they walked together around the festival, "you don't get to show your emotions in public."