Avoid The Lead! [[COMPLETED]]

36. Princess Larya

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The next day, Celia sought out Princess Larya, who sat at the tallest spire, staring at the Star Crystal with a somewhat lost expression.

Celia quietly joined her, and they sighed in unison.

"I'd offer a pouch of gold for your thoughts, but as a princess you can outspend me."

"Uhm." Princess Larya responded, her eyes never moving from the crystal.

They sat in silence for a while, before Princess Larya suddenly turned to Celia.

"You have some experience!" Her deep blue eyes were suddenly wide and uncertain, making her seem childlike. "Tell me! What is it like between you and the Crown Prince?!

"In school, I caught both of you sneaking off so many times." She said point blank. "I've noticed the same here... Have you mated already?"

Celia gasped at the intrusive question, which sounded as innocent as asking her what type of tea or cake she liked!

A fine colour rose to her cheeks, but she chuckled in understanding.

The Merfolk were as free as the water they inhabited. If two merpeople identified themselves as mates, they would simply swim off somewhere and get the deed done! The Celebration came afterwards, as a way to inform friends and family!

"Why is your face so red?" Princess Larya asked with the same directness.

"Ehehe, you've asked me something embarrassing! But things don't work that way here. Here, we can't do anything until after a formal ceremony binding us together. How do I put it... I want to, but I won't. He also wants to, but won't."

Princess Larya sighed. "This doesn't help me... We're different in and out."

Celia shook her head. "We're not so different. Even if we can't 'swim' into seclusion and tie the knot, the feelings should be the same, right?"

Princess Larya nodded. "Then-... Then what does it feel like?! You and the Crown Prince act like one can't breathe without the other! I've seen the way he looks at you! Whereas ..."

She sat back and folded her arms in a never-before-seen pout!

Who was this child-like beauty! In all her lives, Celia had only seen the confident and domineering side of Princess Larya!

She coughed. "Ahem! Why not talk to me? You're clearly like this because of the First Prince, aren't you?"

Larya gave a grudging nod.

"You love him, and you're sacrificing a lot to be here..." Celia put in and Larya stared at her in surprise.

"Don't ask how I know!" Celia raised a hand. "Perhaps I read too much for my own good! But I do know...

"Merpeople can survive out of water by surrounding themselves with an extremely thin layer of water, which constantly absorbs more water from the air.

"At night, you return to your dormitory, or your quarters in this case, where there's a large vat of saltwater waiting, and you sleep in it to refresh. But it's not the same... There's a constant ache, the further you are from the Sea.

"Also, if you surpass your brothers in strength, which you most likely do, you stand a chance of ruling your kingdom, but if you mate with a human on land, you lose your tail... the symbol of pride for all merpeople, and you lose almost half your magic power, since it's borne of the sea.

"Yet you're willing to spend a lifetime like that for the First Prince. In your shoes, I would be worried as well... Especially if he secretly professes love, but hasn't taken any reasonable steps to ask you, your father, and even his own father for your hand."