Under The Sea

Chapter Seventeen - Normal

Samuel had never been one to shy before authority. He had grown up with his father, the King, after all. He faced the scrutiny and teasing of all the sailors that doubted his ability and skill, and he always coming out on top. Yet, following behind Bast down the hall to the throne room, all he could feel in the moment was nervous.

From the minute Bast had arrived at his door and advised that the King had requested to speak with him, Samuel's entire body had gone stiff. His mind alight with everything he could have done to be summoned before the King.

"Are you sure you can't te-"

"For the last time, no," Bast deadpanned, his tone making it clear he was tiring of Samuel's insistence.

As they rounded the corner, the large ornate doors of the throne room appeared before them. He led Samuel past the guards on duty and into the room, the large doors closing behind them as Bast ushered him forward while he and the other guards remained behind.

Samuel scanned the large room, and his eyes fell on the King's massive figure, standing with his back to him. The King's arms crossed behind his back with the scepter held in hand. Samuel swallowed the lump in his throat and moved closer until he came up beside the monarch.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" The King's voice came soft, yet heavy, as he remained still in place.

"Y-yes, your majesty," Samuel returned as he glanced out, taking in the Kingdom below.

"Elias," The King spoke, turning to face him as he swam back towards the throne, "your majesty was my wife."

"Sir?" Samuel spoke, following behind him as the King took his seat, "why am I here?"

"I must apologize for my behavior upon your arrival," the King spoke, his gaze downcast, "it was... unacceptable."

"You do not need to apologize to me, Sir," Samuel spoke, "you did nothing against me."

The King listened as he spoke, but Samuel's words seemed to go right over him as he averted his gaze.

"Anyway," the King continued, unbothered by Samuel's response, "there is to be a celebration in your honor in two day's time."

"There's no need for another-"

The King held his hand up, and for just a second, Samuel could see how similar he was to Axel, at least in appearance. He had long, flowing auburn hair and the same twitch in his jaw, yet his eyes matched that of his daughter.

"There is nothing I can do about it," the King deadpanned. "The townspeople insist on properly welcoming you after the events of the last celebration."

"I understand," Samuel sighs in return, giving in to his words, "thank you for informing me."

The King hummed in response, barely moving to glance at him, "you're dismissed."

🐚 🐚 🐚

"You can't be serious?" Samuel eyed Axel and Finn with disgust, clutching his abdomen as a wave of nausea washed over him at the sight.

"It's delicious, Sam," Finn quips, taking another bite off the skewer, exaggerating her action in his sight.

"Come on," Axel joins in, holding out his own skewer to him, "just a bite."

Samuel continued to stare in disgust as Axel dangled the skewer impaled on a line of raw meat.

"But it's raw and... fish," Samuel gets out, struggling to keep his bowels in check. "And you're fish."