Ursula's Beginning

26. But I know something's starting right now

"Why not?" Ganeon laughed. He looked dashing in his simple crown and wrist cuffs. The thin gold circle around his head was studded with gems of irregular sizes, as were the cuffs.

"You know! I half expected to get a message this morning saying I wasn't allowed to come to this, either."

Ganeon grinned as he raised his goblet and motioned for Ursula to do the same with hers. A thick pink cordial wobbled inside. "To us! Orchestrators of a new era," he said in a low tone.

"To our new king!" Ursula added before clinking and drinking. "That's delicious!" she exclaimed.

Prince Ganeon chuckled. "Let's get you more, then. And something to eat."

The two of them found seats and settled in, feasting and drinking with relish. Every now and then, they were interrupted by someone gushing over Ursula and thanking her for her bravery.

"How do you like being a celebrity?" Ganeon teased when there was a lull in admirers.

"Stop."

"What?" He was grinning from ear to ear.

"I meant to tell you earlier, Ganeon. You look nice in that crown."

"So do you," he said, squinting at the coral arrangement in her hair.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said loftily, reaching for more food. A change of subject was in order. "I haven't seen your mother anywhere," Ursula remarked.

"She's around here somewhere. She's the one that insisted I wear this stuff tonight," he said, presenting his ornamented wrists. "I feel awkward in it, but I humored her...I'm not her favorite child at the moment."

"She loves me, though," Ursula deadpanned. "I have just the thing for least favorite children. I'll be right back!"

The prince watched with amusement as Ursula retrieved a bottle of peach colored cordial and poured eight tumblers to the brim. She picked up six of them with her tentacle ends and two with her hands, and rushed back to his side.

"Drink," she commanded, emptying the first glass into his mouth.

"Wait---wait! Only if you'll do the same!" he gurgled.

"Sure I will. After you, Your Grace," she purred as she poured the second glass down his throat. Some soft music started up, and Ursula swayed her limbs to the beat as she fed Ganeon six more back-to-back servings of cordial.

"See? It's magic," she joked. "Makes troubles disappear like that!" She snapped her fingers.

"Time for a taste of your own medicine," Ganeon chortled. He filled eight tumblers for Ursula, overpouring the last two.

"Steady there!" she sniggered. She threw the drinks back one after another, trying not to crack up as Ganeon watched her all wide-eyed and incredulous.

"Let's go greet our new king," Ursula said suddenly. She pulled Ganeon up by his arm. They each grabbed two more drinks before joining the line that led to Triton.

"You royals sure know how to throw a party," Ursula sighed as she admired the room anew. As the evening deepened, the lights in the room had intensified. Everyone looked electric.

Ganeon nodded, gulping down his libations. "And like I told you, it's better with no sour faced Pacificans here."

"You're usually right," Ursula slurred.

"Ha! Can I get that in writing, Ursie?"

"Did you just call me Ursie?" she shrieked. The intoxicating beverages were kicking in and they were on the verge of busting up, all the while drawing nearer to Triton.

"Yes. I want you to put that in writing so we can confer...I mean, refer, to it in the future. Just think how much easier Father could have made our lives by putting his wishes in writing." Ganeon threw his head back exaggeratedly, polishing off his second drink.

"Whaa? How?" Ursula scrunched up her face. Her drinks were also gone.

"Shhhh. We're next. Very serious stuff," Ganeon whisper-shrieked to his friend. She elbowed him in the ribs, shushing him back. They moved to the front of the line.

The king was composed, regal. He looked happy to see them. The drunken pair lowered themselves before him—a bit too wobbly, a tad too slowly, but respectably enough.

He bowed his head. "Are you enjoying yourselves?" he asked as they rose.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ursula replied. This struck her and Ganeon as hysterically funny, but they held it together.

"Excellent. Brother, I'm glad you are keeping Ursula company tonight. Surely you know that makes you the envy of everyone here." Triton let his gaze linger appreciatively on Ursula's pearl necklace before meeting her eyes.

She looked at him with adoration. Triton, you royal flirt!

Ganeon went in for a hug in slow motion. It startled Triton, but he clapped his brother on the back good naturedly and reciprocated the hug. "The crown suits you," Ganeon said too loudly in his brother's ear.

"Thank you. Thank you both," Triton replied.

They floated on, grabbing two more bottles of spirits on the way back to their seats. One was deep red, the other purple.

"Cheers!" Ganeon blurted, knocking his decanter against hers. They began chugging straight from their bottles.

"Hey! Who's that?" Ursula sprayed an arc of violet droplets out of her mouth. An unfamiliar mermaid with stunning red hair was speaking to Triton. Two guards stood beside her.