𝐻𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑆 𝑂𝐹 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑇𝐻𝑅𝑂𝑁𝐸

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝟓

-SERAPHINA-

"I better get going too," I said to Thalasia and Finnian. "It looks like my carriage is here."

As I made my way to the gates of Thalasia's mansion, I noticed the same silver-haired faerie who had been dancing with Elowen standing there. He was tall, with ethereal silver hair that seemed to shimmer under the moonlight, his features both strikingly handsome and eerily otherworldly. His cold, distant expression was fixed on the carriage where Elowen lay, drunk and asleep.

I paused for a moment, taking in his appearance. I was pretty sure I had never seen him at school or at any of the parties we had organized. He didn't quite fit in with the usual crowd, and his demeanor was unsettling. But I shrugged it off, attributing his cold look to sadness over Elowen's departure.

After all, who wouldn't be disappointed to see her leave?

I climbed into my carriage after bidding farewell to Thalasia and Finnian. The plush seats were a welcome relief, and I let myself sink into them, feeling the exhaustion of the night catch up with me. The soft sway of the carriage as it started moving was almost hypnotic, and I closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift into a peaceful slumber as we made our way back to the Underwater.

The gentle rocking of the carriage lulled me into a light sleep, the events of the evening playing through my mind in a haze. The lights of Thalasa's mansion faded into the distance, replaced by the soft glow of the moon and stars above.

When I opened my eyes, we were nearing the entrance to the Underwater. The carriage slowed, the sound of hooves muffled by the lush, damp ground. I stepped out, feeling the cool night air brush against my skin. The knights stationed at the main gates greeted me with respectful bows, their expressions neutral.

I made my way through the grand halls of the Underwater palace, the opulence of my surroundings almost routine to me now. As I walked, my thoughts drifted back to Lysander, to the moment we shared in the garden. There was something about him that always made me feel... different.

Shaking off the thought, I finally reached my chambers. The familiar sight of my room brought a sense of comfort. I slipped out of my dress, letting it pool around my feet before stepping into the warm, welcoming waters of the Underwater. My transformation was immediate, my legs merging into a sleek tail as I submerged myself completely.

I swam gracefully through the palace corridors, the water buoying me up and making me feel weightless. The day's events had drained me, and the soothing embrace of the water was exactly what I needed. Finally, I reached my chambers and sank onto my bed, the soft seaweed cushions cradling me.

Sleep came quickly, wrapping me in its gentle embrace as I drifted off, the promise of tomorrow lingering in the back of my mind.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

In the morning, I was awakened by the soft hum of the mermaid faeries. Their delicate wings fluttered as they moved gracefully around my room, preparing my clothes for the day. Their iridescent scales shimmered in the morning light, and their long, flowing hair cascaded down their backs like streams of water. Each of them had a unique hue, from pale lavender to deep sea green, adding a touch of magic to the mundane morning routine.

"Good morning, Princess Seraphina," they chorused, their voices melodic and soothing.

I stretched and reluctantly left the comfort of my bed, feeling the cool, smooth texture of the marble floor beneath my feet. The mermaid faeries flitted around me, gathering my belongings and leading me to the bathroom.

As I stepped into the bathroom, the maids were already there, ready to wash and dress me. "Good morning, Princess," one of them said with a polite bow. "Shall we prepare your bath?"