EDITING■The Ocean's Voice- A Mermaid Story

5.5 The Imperial Order

Emperor Caesar was in his suite aboard the Felicity Marina, his best naval ship. The cabin was a luxioirous dark oak, detailed with fine scroll work. It was decorated with classic novels, globes, maps, weapons, and of course fine wines. The cabin emmitted an air of masculine power and intimidation. The warmest thing in that cold room was the portiat above his desk.

And the Emperor stood before the painting, reminiscent of his beautiful wife and queen.

Her cinnamon colored hair was in an elegant updo, with her crown atop her head. The elven tiara consisted of golden vines that criss crossed into a band, covered with leaves and small flowers. Her milky skin and bashful pink cheeks were that of a porcelain doll.

But he remembered, her hair was long and striaght, usually down when they were not out. It rested along her delicate neck and she smelled of summer rain.

The king sighed longingly and a pain came over him that gripped his heart tightly. Even though it was just a portiat he still couldn't meet her eyes. Her beautiful forrest brown eyes! Those that were given his child. He could barley look at his own son!

"Caesar, I - I loved you!" His queen cried. "I don't understand-"

"My love, I would never do such a thing! Please you have to believe me! You must!" He yelled.

His roar frightened her and she was intimidated by him. She swallowed hard, trying to steady her breathing.

"All the time away from me! From your son! For so long and now I see this?" She held up the letter. "Why!? Why should I believe you!?"

"Becuase I am your Emperor! And your husband!"

The woman closed her eyes in pain and looked away. He cringed, knowing that wasn't an acceptable reply. He just made her heart harden even more so towards him. With determination, he marched toward her and held her, against her will, in his arms. Caesar forcefully lifted up her chin to look into her eyes, so full of sadness.

"I did not betray our family!" He seethed. "And it insults me that you would even think such a thought."

"Mabey if you tried to be apart of this family then I wouldn't think such things."

Her words caught him off gaurd. She had never spoken to him in defiance. And she spoke to him with honesty. This burned him.

"Woman!" He growled, shaking her. "How dare you defy me-"

Just then the door burst open. "Get your hands off her you savage!" Edmond roared, as he charged at him, pulling him away from the queen.

"Stay out of this boy!" He commanded.

His son pushed him away.

"Edmond no!" His mother plead as her son helped her up.

"Look at what he did to us, mother!" Edmond snarled.

And the king would never forget the pain in his wife's face... in her eyes. Caesar knew she was right. He should have tried more. Although they were strangers on their wedding day and the marriage was arranged, he fell in love with her. And he did not show it as he should have.

The king never knew his wife returned his affection until that night.

Oh her eyes... those dark eyes of Autumn leaves... always so sad. Like a year that knows when winter is upon us.

"Alexandria," the king breathed, daring to meet her eyes. "I should have loved you when I had the chance."

Then the door burst open.

"Sire-"

"You didn't knock." The Emperor said sternly.

The messenger jumped. "My apologies, your grace."

"What do you want."

The servant swallowed nervously. "We have received urgent word from the prince."

"Let me see it."

The servant bent down on one knee with a bow and gracefully presented it the the Emperor, who snatched it up.

"At ease."The Emperor said. The servant stood up, and went aside, allowing Caesar some privacy. The letter read:

To Father,

I prayed that what I have experienced was a terrible nightmare. However, the disturbing thoughts of my encounter still linger... and my instincts tell me other wise. I believe what you suggested to me in the past is true. The sirens are real and I know the location of one. She is unaware of my true intention but nevertheless, does not trust me. The threat to end my life was true. I am ready to do as you command. Say the word and it shall be done, according to your will. I shall await your reply before I take action.

~ Edmond

Emperor Caesar breathed heavily, remembering his wife's words.

"Mabey if you tried to be apart of this family then I wouldn't think such things."

Many of the kingdoms allies were not receiving their trading goods. The Empire of Faelicity was also lacking supplies that other nations sworn they have shipped out. The productivity of the world's economy was at stake. Nations were losing billions worth of imports and exports. As a result, shipments and captains logs are kept very orderly, in order to find the misplaced cargo. But the organization wasn't the problem. The vessels were sailing off and never coming back or arriving at their destination. They vanished. Threats and accusations poured out from one kingdom to another. It is this mystery that drove the king mad. And his obsession with the myth of the sea demons drove him away from his family. Constant trips and renegotiation and searching for answers... killed his love.

Emperor Caesar clenched his fists. "Take up pen and paper. I wish to write a reply."

The servant already had the writing materials in his hands.

"Ready when you are, your highness."

♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧