Tails of My Life

Tails of My Life Chapter 9

Chapter 9

‘Good morning Princess, your father requests your presence in his study before breakfast.’  A maid told me, waking me up from a good dream.  I don’t remember quite what it was about, but I do know that it was good!  I groaned and buried my face under my blanket.  ‘Princess, I didn’t want to do this but it seems that you’ve forced my hand.’  Suddenly my blanket was pulled off of me.  I groaned again, trying to hide my face from the little light in the room.

The maid went to each of the windows and threw back the curtains, filling the room with blinding light.  I groaned again as I sat up, looking for the maid who wanted to torture me. It was my friend Jess.  She was one of my favorite maids but she thoroughly enjoyed making me squirm in the mornings.  She was pretty with dark black hair and bright blue eyes, wearing her maid uniform neatly.

‘Do you enjoy watching me suffer Jess?’  I asked as I pulled myself out of bed to get dressed.  Thankfully, I was no longer expected to wear a dress, so my tail could go free today.  Instead I pulled out a pink silk top that looked formal enough to please mother but not so much that I felt weird in it.

Once I had gotten my shirt on Jess sat me in a chair to do my hair and makeup.  She curled my hair and left it down, pulling only part of it back with a small clip.  As for my makeup, it was very light.  Jess always knew how I wanted my hair and makeup, thankfully.  That’s one of the reasons that she’s my favorite maid.

When I was completely ready, Jess pushed me out the door with the instructions to go to Dad’s study.  I sighed as I swam down the empty halls in that direction.  I knew that we would be talking about the engagement, and the upcoming trip to the mainland that I knew next to nothing about.  I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be enjoying this meeting at all.

Soon enough I was standing in front of the study door, wishing that I didn’t have to go in at all.  ‘Marina, come in dear.  I know you’re there.’  My father said in my mind.  I groaned and pushed the door open, stepping inside.

My father was seated at one end of a rectangular table that had been brought in for our meeting.  At the other end of the table sat King Dorsel.  On my father’s right sat Pierce, and next to him sat Brooke, who was smiling at me.  Across from Brooke and on his father’s right sat Tyson, my fiancé.  I sighed when I noticed that the only empty chair was the one on my father’s left; right next to Tyson.  I should have known that they would have me sit next to him.

Sighing, I swam over to my seat, tucking my tail underneath the chair so that it wouldn’t touch Tyson’s.  That would be a bit more awkward than I was aiming for.  Across the table both Brooke and Pierce gave me reassuring smiles.  Tyson also turned to me and offered a soft smile.  I shook off my nerves and smiled back at the three of them, trying to look strong.

‘Great now that you’re here Marina we can begin our meeting.’  My dad said with a soft smile.

‘Oh, I’m sorry that I kept you all waiting.’  I said with another smile.  I wanted to look strong in front of the other king, as though this engagement wasn’t affecting me. 

‘Quite alright, we haven’t been waiting long.’  King Dorsel said with a smile.  ‘Now, you all know that Tyson and Princess Marina are going to spend some time together on land before the wedding.  This has been decided because we would like for the two of you to get to know each other a little more before you get married.’  He looked directly at Tyson and I with his words.

‘We have bought a large house for you to use while on land.  It has plenty of room and is close to the beach.  It also has a large swimming pool and yard.’  My father said as we all turned to look at him.  ‘In the home’s study you will find the information for a bank account with both of your names on it.  You will use that money to spend however you both see fit.’

‘There are also two vehicles located on the property, with the keys also in the study.’  King Dorsel added.  It was as if he and Dad had rehearsed this entire speech.

‘I’m sorry to interrupt your highnesses, but why are Pierce and I here?  I’m sure that we could have learned all of this from Marina and Tyson.’  Brooke said politely.  Silently I agreed with her, I had been wondering the same thing.

‘Oh Brooke, I’m sorry we forgot to clear that up.’  My father said.  ‘You and Prince Pierce will be staying on the mainland as well.  The two of you will also share a bank account, as well as one of the two cars.  We both thought it would be better for everyone if the two of you stayed with Marina and Prince Tyson as well.’

‘Thank you Dad, and King Dorsel.  This will truly make everything a lot easier.’  I said with a grateful smile.  Tyson nodded and agreed.

‘Everything has been arranged for the four of you to go to the mainland.  Pack very light; you can but new clothes on land.  Oh and Brooke, your parents have already agreed to this so you don’t have to worry about that.’  My father said with a smile.

‘When exactly are we going?  And where?’  Tyson said, a bit apprehensively.

‘Not very far from where Pierce and the girls first met.  I’ve been told that it’s actually within walking distance even.  But you will be leaving right after lunch today.  So after you all eat breakfast I would advise you to go pack anything that you might want with you.  You will be there for a month after all.’  King Dorsel said.  I was a bit shocked, but I felt like I should have expected it.

‘Not much time Dad.’  Tyson said with a frown.

‘I’m sorry son, but it’s for the best that you leave as early as possible.  Why don’t you four head off to the dining hall?  Breakfast is starting soon, we’ll be there not long after you.’  King Dorsel said, waving his hands in a shooing motion.  Sighing I got up from my seat and swam to the door, turning around to see the others following me.

The four of us swam to the dining hall in silence.  It seemed that each of us had something we were thinking about.

‘Do you guys have a small bag you can use?  This time no one is going to be carrying your things, you’ll have to.  It’s a pretty long trip too, and a big bag would be pretty noticeable coming out of the ocean.’  I said, looking over at Pierce and Tyson.

‘Yes we have bags.  We’ll be fine.’  Tyson said with a sudden glare.  I glared back, I was only wanting to help them!

‘What’s with the sudden hostility?  I’m only trying to be helpful!  I was only seeing if you had any easy was to carry your luggage!  If not I was going to give you something to use!  But don’t take anything for all I care!  I didn’t choose for any of this to happen, so you don’t have to take it out on me.  Just so you know, Prince Tyson,’  I said making sure to enunciate the word Prince, ‘you are a real royal jerk!’  With that I quickly swam away into the dining hall.

Luckily the hall was already pretty crowded when I swam in.  Even though I knew that Tyson would be sitting next to me, I also knew that he had been raised not to make a scene in front of people.  He, Brooke, and Pierce swam in not a moment after I did.  Tyson took his seat next to me looking beyond angry, but I ignored him.  I would have more than enough time to listen to him on the long swim to the shore.

When the kings arrived a few moments later, breakfast finally began.  My friends and I ate in silence.  Every now and then Tyson would look in my direction, but I refused to look back at him.  I had said all that I was going to say to the prince.  I just couldn’t wait for breakfast to be over so I could retreat to my room on the pretense of packing.

Eventually my wish was granted when breakfast began to wind down.  The minute that people began to leave the hall, I sprang from my chair and grabbed a hold of Brooke’s arm.  Quickly I pulled her out of the hall and into an abandoned hallway.  ‘When you’re finished packing come to my room ok?’  I asked her quickly.  Her parents would come for her soon if we didn’t hurry.

‘Ok, I’ll try and hurry.’  Brooke said with a smile.  She gave me a quick hug and left to pack.

After Brooke left, I quickly swam up to my room in order to hide from everyone.  I grabbed my magic pouch from where I had tossed it yesterday and hung it back around my neck.  It was perfect for the kind of packing I needed.  It was also what I would have given Tyson and Pierce if Tyson hadn’t freaked out about it.  I have two extra pouches that, although girly, would have worked just fine for them.  They’d figure something out.  In the meantime though, I had to pack.