A Hundred Pendants On the Sea Bed

(4)Friends

     You were being escorted down the halls in a different direction then before. You realise they were likely taking you to where Parlor's assigned room would be as he had to have his own room for convenience considering the palace is far out of the way. The guards suddenly halted, as did you, when one of the princes, you assume, was headed towards them.

"Prince Fukaboshi! What do we owe the honor to your presence?" The guards all stated at once. To show a little respect you slightly bowed.

"Yes, just who I needed to see. You are the royal inventor's niece, I presume." The prince spoke out.

"Yes sir, I am." You at least tried to be respectful, you always had the tendency to be casual around almost anyone.

"Great, my father needed to speak with you."

   This was a surprise, and not at the same time. He was likely curious and concerned on how it went between you and the princess.

   

   You followed him, though he requested the guards to go back to their working area as they where not needed at the moment.

   "So I heard you went to see my sister, is that correct?" The prince questioned, not completely believing it.

"Yes, I certainly did." You said quickly as you struggled to get the bubble ready heading into a section of the palace filled with water. The prince gave you a quick glance though paid no heed in asking in another's affairs.

"I can only assume that is what father needs to speak with you about. He most definitely wants good ties with his families and the workers in the palace." He came to a stop, soon finding yourself standing in front of the king once again.

"Brilliant job Fukaboshi." He chuckled then dismissed his son. "I heard it went well, jamon." He then began stroking his ginger beard in a humble manner.

You questioned how he heard the news so soon, considering you and the prince went ahead of the guards, though you figured he had his ways.

"I think that would be for Shirahoshi to decide, not me. She didn't seem apposed to me and... I definitely will say she was nice company for five minutes and all."

"I'm putting all of my trust in you. I can permit you, and only you, a bit longer." He hesitated saying the last part, slightly growing more concerned for his daughter. "An hour at best." The king finally decided on. He would have decided on ten minutes if it weren't for how much that he heard from the guards. His daughter genuinely smiled with tears in her eyes, the happy kind with no presence  of sadness. After all she needed a friend.

"Thank you!" You practically shouted, the feeling of seeing her grew stronger and stronger the more you thought of her.

    "May I intervene on your situation for a minute?" The kind questioned as you answered back an acceptance. He was talking about not hiding the fact that you were human. It's been so long though, since you took actual note into being human.

      "I'm sure I will eventually... It's been so long, I'm not sure how I'd handle revealing the truth. It would make things worse for everyone, wouldn't it?"

     The king processed the honest question, letting certain situations and circumstances flow through his brain.

      "I can see your concern. Just know, I see you being no different in mind from us fishmen and merfolk. I have seen, inside, that you are a pure hearted individual. Much like my wife was, I wish to make piece with humans as equals." The king's expression changed from a normal one to a a more saddened one at the state of the two races, and the tragedy fallen upon by his wife.

"Thank you, for believing in me, king Neptune. I too wish that one day humans and fishmen would get along. From the beginning I never understood the fight between the two, just that both are to blame for their actions."

That night you tossed and turned in your bed back at home, thoughts kept you awake. Most of you urged to see the princess for whatever reason. Numerous times you woke up in the night. Once, you slightly opened you eyes, not fully. On the desk in your room, you could have sworn you saw the pink amulet you always wore on a long chain around your waste, glow.