Beneath the Waves (Ocean Song Book 1)

*UPDATED* Chapter 6: The Prince

After Aaralyn shows Serena to her room, she promptly leaves right after only informing Serena to send for her if she is needed. Meanwhile, Princess Arcelia remains, and has made herself comfortable on the cushions in the spacious bay window.

She eagerly beckons Serena over, so she complies albeit a bit awkwardly. Serena knows next to nothing about having and keeping friends after being ostracized by the people at school. So, she has no idea how to even approach a conversation from this point.

Serena nervously settles herself amongst the various colorful pillows. Her mind pauses as she looks down at them. How is it that a pillow this comfortable exists? The pillows are so soft that they're reminiscent of a soft fluffy cloud. Not that she'd even know what a cloud would feel like, but she's certain it would feel like this. It makes her wonder if all royalty lived this way. Though they must for them to look as resplendent as they do. At least from what Serena has seen on TV and of the royals she's met so far, mythical species aside.

"How are you liking things thus far?" Princess Arcelia asks after a moment of silence. Her expression is an eager one, and her eyes convey the sincere effort she's making to befriend Serena.

So, Serena smiles softly. "Honestly? This is far too fine a lifestyle for me. That is to say," she pauses thoughtfully. "I'm not quite used to these kinds of luxuries."

Princess Arcelia smiles cheerfully. "I am certain that you shall grow accustomed to it given time. Admittedly, the life of royalty is cumbersome at best, and we are not quite free to do as we wish, but I hope you enjoy the benefits of it!"

Serena chuckles nervously. Of course, she knows how troublesome the royal life is going by history alone. Your life isn't your own, and every move is watched, everything decided for you. It's a life she fantasized about when she was a little girl, but it's certainly not a life she would want now, knowing what it entails.

Princess Arcelia remains blissfully unaware of her new companion's prolonged silence. The princess continues to chatter with a childish excitement that Serena finds rather endearing in her.

Serena lightly shakes her head as she tunes into Princess Arcelia's ceaseless chatter. It seems that the princess had been in the middle of a story about some mischief she got into when she was younger. Though Serena can hardly recall the conversation before that or how the princess had even reached this particular topic.

"Brother was so terribly angry that he saw fit to confiscate the entirety of my shell collection!" Princess Arcelia breaks out into a fit of giggles that sound musical to the ears. "After the fact, I had refused to speak to him for a week!"

A small smile slips onto Serena's face as she continues to listen to the princess's infectious laughter. The story dredges up some old memories that Serena, herself, has of her own older brothers.

A pang hits her heart right then. The thought of her brothers leaves a bitter feeling in her chest and she finds herself thinking about them.

Princess Arcelia is quick to notice the small frown working at Serena's lips as she ceases her animated chatter. "Do you have any siblings?"

Serena smiles then as she looks to her with a nod. "Yes, four older brothers as a matter of fact."

Princess Arcelia's eyes widen as an amused smile slips back onto her face. "Four older brothers? Good heavens! And here I thought myself to be having trouble with managing the one I have!"

Serena giggles as fond memories overtake the gloomy feelings from moments prior.

"Yes, growing up they were overbearingly protective," Serena chuckles. Immediately she recalls an instant in her childhood where Rodion chased off some poor little boy wanting to play with her. There hadn't been anything wrong with the boy, but Rodion simply stated that the boy had seemed too friendly.