Señorita Pufferfish | ONC 2020

Chapter 12 Hippy Queen

Sapphire's POV

In the past month, Sapphire had learned two crucial life lessons. First, James' guppy eyes were formidable. Being that adorable and persistent should be illegal. Thank Poseidon the merman was a Calidum and not a Bellator or they all would have been doomed. The second thing was wedding preparations were a royal pain in the tail.

Still, it had been worth it. Even Sapphire couldn't deny she was impressed by the sheer grandness of it all. Calidums were nothing if theatrical.

"Come, Mistress. It's almost time." Milly smiled at her, clutching a basket full of sea anemones in her mouth. All the while the sea serpent swayed to the music.

Everywhere Sapphire looked, she saw merpeople of every species, age, and gender lined up along the capital's streets. There had to be tens of thousands of them and that wasn't counting the marine life. Sharks, dolphins, squids, jellyfish, turtles, and more competed for space.

"Yes, Mistress. It wouldn't do to be late for your own wedding." Steven smiled, a collar with ethereal ring adorned his neck. The skittish sea serpent beamed, pride radiant from his entire scaly being at his new role. That of a ring bearer.

James had spared no expense. Lovely sea anemones, dazzling jewels, and enchanting banners had been strung up everywhere. The Calidum Kingdom now sparkled as if it was a sea of stars swimming along the sky.

Music serenaded all their guests. Poseidon bless him, James had managed to convince all the musicians to play the same song for once.

"It just had to be sappy, bubbly pop." Sapphire rolled her eyes, an amused huff escaping her lips as she swam forward.

There was scarcely a single song that wasn't about dancing, kissing, and love. Each one blended into the next in a charming fashion. It didn't matter whether it was romantic or just a musical sugar rush. James really was such a Calidum.

"She looks beautiful. I wonder how King James talked her into wearing the white seashells, though." A chubby looking octopus tapped his tentacles under his head in amazement. "She never seemed the traditional type."

"You'd be amazed at what a mermaid will do for love, Alfred." An ancient looking Protegere patted his head.

They were far from the only ones wagging their tongues. Here and there Sapphire caught bits and pieces of chatter intermingling with the music. Some boasting how they had seen this coming long ago. Others perplexed or even concerned by the matter.

Not that it mattered. None of them had James' guppy eyes. They weren't talking Sapphire out of a damn thing.

Vivian smiled at Sapphire as she approached the trident statue. The ghostly beauty had decided she'd preside over the ceremony and no one had been foolish enough to argue. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of King James and Sapphire. If there is anyone here who believes these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Sapphire glanced at James. He was wearing a golden crown so glorious that even Alexander was looking at him with envy. Poseidon only knows how, but apparently he'd also found the top half of a 'tux.' It should have looked ridiculous on a merman, but instead it was 'cute' as the hatchlings would say.

"I really wouldn't recommend it, though." Adam perked up, an impish smile spreading across his face. "Sapphire would like suck all your magic dry and turn you into a husk. Then the Hippy King would decorate your corpse until it was pretty enough to be hung on a castle wall somewhere."

Marcos laughed, nodding in agreement. "That, or King James would amplify their magic until they exploded. It's always the quiet ones."

Bubbles swam over to Adam and covered the snickering vampire's mouth with his fin. Aqua followed her mate's example and muzzled Marcos.