Violet
When the sand had settled in my mind after Louie left, I felt bad about what I had said to Isla. I found her by some coral, holding her new baby tightly. She was crying. I felt a ping in my chest. I was cruel and I needed to apologize. "Isla..." I said with sincerity in my voice. She didn't look up, she just continued to sob. "Isla," I said again, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have judged you."
"No you shouldn't have." She whipped around quickly. Her face was accusing, but that soon wore off and all I saw was the hurt and puffiness from crying. "You have no right to judge me. Everyone knows what you did."
My heart sank into my stomach. She was right. Who was I to talk? "Listen..." I offered. "I want to change the way the kingdom is run and I also want to change myself for the better, and the way people think. I don't want to place judgment on anyone that has had," I cleared my throat, "Interactions with people from outside the ocean. However, I now understand, due to my own actions, why my father put that rule in place. It is not safe to mix with humans, or any other land or sky species. And that rule will remain in place from now on." I paused, "Now. If your son's father would like to visit him, I can grant a special warrant, under the circumstances."
"He is dead. I didn't lie about that." A whimper resounded from her.
"Sorry." I felt her sadness, I really did. "Isla, that rule applies to everyone. Me as well." She softened a bit, giving me her free hand.
"Louie," I smiled at him weakly, wondering if he was going to cancel the wedding and tell me he hated me forever.
"Hi," He said lightly, not giving any indication of his decision.
"Hi." I repeated.
"So you have some secrets..." he moved closer until he was standing in front of me in my room.
"I would have explained to you all of my secrets once we were married. You can understand that surely." I offered hopefully.
"I promised you marriage. Is that not enough for you to trust me?" His features were pulled in accusingly. His reaction made me feel guilty and dirty like I had no right to keep my life's secrets from him.
"I am new at relationships. I don't know how this works. I am also royalty so I am trying to figure out what I should be telling people and what I should be keeping to myself."
"You should keep nothing from your husband, Violet. I can tell you that much. I am new to relationships too but I know that."
His words felt manipulative but I couldn't know for sure. I did know that I didn't want to lose him. "I'm sorry." I hung my head low in shame.
"Violet," He got on my level and lifted my chin to him. "I still want to marry you, but you need to tell me everything before I do." His tone was softer now.
"But what if what I tell you changes your mind and you don't want to marry me anymore?"
"I made a promise to you, Violet."
Manipulation or not, I told him everything - from birth to now. Every adventure, every miscommunication, every bad doing and every good, and he stayed with me anyway.
