The Pirate and The Merhog

The Sol Kingdom Festival

"King Leonardo, since you're here why don't you stay to enjoy the Sol Kingdom festival with your youngest daughter and Colonel tonight?" King Pyro suggested to King Leonardo. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to see this festival." said King Leonardo. "You, your daughter and Colonel would be our honorary guests during the festivities." King Pyro told King Leonardo. "Aleena and Arthur, please invite and bring Jules and Isabella with you. I'm sure they'll enjoy the festival while being at your side while being in our personal company." Queen Flama said to both Princess Aleena and Colonel Arthur. "We'll go get them right now, your majesties. come on, Princess." Arthur said to King Pyro and Queen Flama before turned to Aleena. "Coming, Arthur." Aleena said to Arthur as she and Arthur soon left to go get Jules and Isabella.

Jules and Isabella were with Charles who was explaining to him the progresses of all of the hard work that was being accomplished with the workers and builders. The spirit of enthusiasm was clear as day in Charles' demeanor. But when someone has royal financial support, who wouldn't be? "I'm still surprised that Charles managed to get it done in just a week." Isabella said to Jules. "What can I say? My older brother and I aren't called the fastest things alive for nothing." Jules told Isabella. "He was never this enthused during our time as pirates." said Isabella. "I wasn't either. My brother and I just lived with it out of necessity since we had nowhere else to go." Jules told Isabella. "So you don't miss being a pirate?" Isabella asked Jules. "No. Charles and I won't return to that life." said Jules. 

"That explains a lot... you and your brother lost both of your parents when you both were really young..." said Isabella. "Pretty much but that's all in the past now. I live for the future." Jules said to Isabella. "As we should," came a male voice. Jules and Isabella turned to Charles who was returning to them. "With how great things have been going, Jules and I don't waste it dwelling on the past because there's a lot more we look forward to in the future." said Charles. "Especially when I was betrothed to a Merhog Princess out of all people." said Jules. "And speaking of princess, here she and Arthur come now." Isabella said to the two hedgehog brothers. Charles and Jules looked to see Aleena and Arthur making their way over to them. A moment later Aleena and Arthur arrived and joined the group. "Well, how did everything go?" Jules asked Aleena and Arthur. 

"Everything went very well between my father and the king and queen of the Sol Kingdom." Aleena said to Jules with a smile on her face. "King Pyro and Queen Flama asked the princess and I to invite and bring both you and Isabella to go see them." said Arthur. "You told the king and queen about Jules and I?" asked Isabella. "The conversation gradually led into that. First about Jules and eventually about you." said Aleena. "Long story short, my king, princess and I told the Sol king and queen about our personal love lives." said Arthur. "They have my father, Arthur, and I as their honorary guests during the festivities of The Sol Kingdom Festival tonight." said Aleena. Jules looked to Isabella and remarked. "Didn't I tell you it would be best to not act presumptuously and let Aleena along with her father and Arthur handle things and let them introduce us to the Sol Kingdom's royal family? Listening and taking my advice, again, worked out to our benefit." Jules said to Isabella. "Okay, Jules." Isabella said to Jules. "Charles, we'll meet you at the festival later tonight." Jules said to Charles. "Okay, Jules, I'll see you later tonight." Charles said to his little brother before he soon saw Jules leave with Colonel Arthur, Princess Aleena, and Isabella.

"I would have never in my life though that quitting being pirates would have led us to be in the company of royal families." said Isabella. "Just don't brag about it flamboyantly to Amadeus and Rosemary when we see them again. Modesty and humility bring their own rewards." Jules said to Isabella. "I'm not going to say that to them, okay?"‬ Isabella said to Jules. "Okay, I was just making sure." ‬said Jules. "But I will tell them about what really happened to Blackbeard and his crew and Hillside City just so they can know about the warning that the Sea King warned everyone."‬ Isabella told Jules. "No! I'll do that myself. And that's not up for discussion Isabella. Is that understood?" Aleena told Isabella. "Okay, Aleena." Isabella said to Aleena. "It's better if you leave the explaining to the princess and me." Arthur said to Isabella until they soon arrived at King Pyro and Queen Flama's palace where King Leonardo, King Pyro, and Queen Flama were waiting for them inside.

 "Welcome back Princess Aleena and Arthur. Jules, it's a pleasure to see you again. And Isabella Mongoose, welcome to our kingdom." King Pyro said to Princess Aleena, Colonel Arthur, Jules, and Isabella. "I'm honored to be allowed to humbly be in your presence your majesty." Isabella said to King Pyro. Jules and Isabella turned to Leonardo and Flama. "King Leonardo and Queen Flama, this is Isabella Mongoose, she's a friend of mine who was formerly a pirate like me back then." Jules introduced Aleena's father King Leonard and King Pyro's wife Flama to Isabella. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Isabella." Queen Flama said to Isabella with a smile on her face. "So, you're Isabella Mongoose." King Leonardo said to Isabella. "Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you your majesty." Isabella said to King Leonardo. "Arthur admitted that he's very fond of you for...reasons." King Leonardo told Isabella. Arthur blushed in embarrassment at Leonardo's choice of words. Isabella looked at Arthur who was blushing in embarrassment. "Arthur, is everything you said about me true...? I'm just asking because no one ever said that about me once..." Isabella asked Arthur. 

"I have no reasons to lie in front of two royal families when I was questioned about you." Arthur said to Isabella. "He said he enjoy his time with you." Aleena said to Isabella. "W-well...we did have a good time last night..." Isabella said to Aleena. "He blurted and admitted to that too. We didn't ask for details." Aleena told Isabella. Isabella blushed when she thought what she said with the clear implication. "I said the wrong thing..." Isabella said to herself while she was blushing in embarrassment. "It's okay, it happens sometimes." Jules said to Isabella. "Well, let's not just stand around here. There's a festival for us to enjoy and everyone is waiting for us to join in on the fun and enjoyment. Water and fire are elemental opposites, but that doesn't mean they don't coexist with each other. Both have their purpose in life." King Pyro said to everyone in the room. 

Everyone in the room agreed with King Pyro as they soon left with King Pyro and Queen Flama leading the way. For Leonardo, this was a huge step for him. For years, he had hatred and disdain for the surfacers for the kidnapping and brutal murder of his wife and queen. But these recent weeks and days showed him that not all surfacers are wicked and evil and that there are those who want peace. "Daddy, is something wrong?" Aleena asked her father King Leonardo. "Nothing is wrong sweetie. Just momentarily reflecting on things and seeing matters for a better standpoint than what I used to believe." King Leonardo said to Aleena. "Isn't it amazing we've got to experience something this amazing?" Aleena asked King Leonardo.

 "It's an eye opening experience for me. As king, I feel it's my duty to see for myself what the nature and culture of some of the surfacers are. For too long, I've judged surfacers as all the same without getting to know any of them. Ironically my own power showed me this." King Leonardo admitted to his youngest daughter. "I'm really glad, Father. I'm going to check out the other festivities with Jules and the others. I'll tell you all about it later." Aleena said to King Leonardo. "Okay, but be careful, Sweetie." Leonardo said to Aleena. "I will." Aleena said to King Leonardo. The royal families were enjoying and watching the festivities with the townspeople, from the food, fireworks, to theatrical performances, hard crafted souvenirs and many more. Many were at awe at the sight of Leonardo's glowing trident as they heard many stories about it. While some of the townsfolk were in awe at King Leonardo's trident, others were serenaded by his youngest daughter's beautiful singing voice. 

"Aleena, how are you enjoying the festival? Everyone loves your singing!" Jules said to Aleena. "It's amazing, I loved the food, the music, the fireworks and everything else. It's a lot different from what my people and I have back in Atlantica and the cove. Also I'm really glad that everyone loves my singing." Aleena said to Jules with a smile on her face. "Who wouldn't love your singing? It's...beautiful just like you are." Jules said to Aleena. Aleena blushed when she heard Jules' compliment. "Thank you..." Aleena said to Jules while she was blushing. "My older sisters sing also. We got that trait from our late mother. She used to sing for father and my people. But certain songs she would sing only to my father. She would have love being here at this festival with all of the attractions here and sing for everyone." Aleena told Jules. "I'm sure your mother would've loved being at the festival with all of the different festivities and enjoying it with you and your family." Jules said to Aleena. "I think so too, Jules..." Aleena said to Jules. "But Arthur isn't used to attending festivals. He's always occupied himself with his work. I wonder how he's enjoying his time here with us and Isabella. Hopefully it's not too awkward for him." Aleena said to Jules. "I hope so too, Aleena." Jules said to Aleena.