Beyond the Shallow Waters ★ Maylor

Chapter 3

Roger's POV

This morning, I woke up on my own accord. I planned for no pillow fight today, unlike yesterday. We are not teenage girls.

I made myself some want presentable. There's only so much you can do underwater, especially with hair. It just floats around so no worries in trying to fix it.

I made sure no scales of mine were upturned. Every merperson has a tail that matches or corresponds with his or her eyes. Mine, for example, is blue with a hint of green in the right lighting. It corresponds with me, in the words of Freddie, ocean eyes. Fred's tail is a spectacular golden color to complement his warm chocolate eyes, as he puts it.

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time before leaving my chamber.

As servant, assistant, whatever (and best friend) to the prince, Freddie has made sure that I'm treated with the highest respect or else. I guess also why the King and Queen treat me so well is because they took a liking to me after my parents died. I was just a pup when I found.

I don't remember anything else but I do remember how caring Fred was when he found me. He was out with his parents in the lower part of the kingdom going for a swim. He was only about 6 at the time and kind of swam away for a few minutes. He found me alone crying and asked me if I were okay. I told him about how my parents were gone and I had no one or any place to go anymore. He wasn't going to have any of that though.

I guess it was like a child that brings home an eel and asks his parents if he can keep it. Freddie being that child and me being that eel. He brought me back to the king and queen and told them what happened. I'm still so thankful the queen was so caring and allowed me to live in the palace, practically raising me.
    
The Kingdom of Trinia is incredibly prosperous. Not many are poor, but a four-year-old pup would survive well on its own. I owe my life to Freddie.

I nodded to the guard outside Freddie's chamber door before entering.

He was still fast asleep when I entered. I thought to hit him in the face with a pillow-like he did to me, but I didn't want a repeat from yesterday. I decided to mess with him another way.

"Freddie, I can't believe you, you've missed the human thing. You've slept for nearly two days now." I whispered to him, getting right up to his ear, making sure he'd hear me.

"I DID WHAT?!" He bolted right up, his breathing picking up pace. He looked almost pale, like he was going to be sick.

I couldn't help but burst out laughing. His brows furrowed and a grimace set on his face.

"You're not funny." He threw a pillow at me but I ducked just in time.

"No repeats of yesterday." I warned him. He rolled his eyes and got out of bed.

"Well don't cause me to panic. You actually made me believe I missed it. I'm so excited about it." He hissed before swimming over to his own mirror.

"Speaking of it," I started, swimming closer, "How are we going to go without anything noticing?"

"Leave that to me. I'll tell them we are going to stay with Mina." Freddie smiled, sliding on his gold bracelets on.

Mina is a kingdom elder, magic woman. She is like a grandmother to Freddie and me and is a very lenient person. She taught us the most about what we know about humans. Secretly, of course.
    
A year before Freddie found me, she gave him a necklace. He never takes it off. It hangs around his neck on a long, golden chain-like thing and has a smooth, round, green stone. It's almost like an emerald. I've sworn I've seen if glow sometimes, especially once when we were pre-teens and getting chased by a shark. I was probably just seeing things.
   
"You sure that will work?"
   
"Of course it will darling! Why would it? They've let us stay with her before. It's not like she's a criminal, she's a highly respected woman." He assured, finally ready.
    
"I guess you're right, now come on before we miss breakfast." I playfully hit his arm before moving to the door.

———
    
When we got to the dining area, only the Queen and Kash were there.
    
"Morning Mama, Morning Kash." He greeted making his way to the table.
    
"Good Morning, Farrokh, Roger." The Queen smiles at us. I nod back in retaliation.
    
"Morning boys!" Kash grinned taking a bite of shrimp.
    
"Good morning, your highnesses." I sit down alongside Freddie. 16 years of doing this and I still haven't become very comfortable. I still feel a little out of place. Freddie would have it any other way though.
    
I grabbed some tuna and dug in.
    
"Mama, I wanted to ask if it's alright if Roger and I stay with Mina tomorrow?" Sure we were both adults now but we still have to ask permission.
    
"I'm okay with it as long as your father and Mina are." Her response sparked excitement in Freddie's eyes again.
    
"Thank you, Mama." About that time, the King entered. I straightened up and glanced over at Freddie. I watched as he gulped.
    
"Good morning." We all responded to his greeting.
    
"Papa?" Fred started, to get the attention of his father.
    
"Yes, Farrokh?" The King had just started to make his plate.
    
"Is it alright if Roger and I stay with Mina tomorrow night? It's been a while and I'm sure she could use the company." Freddie stared at the table and didn't make eye contact with his father once. The king slightly sighed.
    
"I suppose that it is fine. You should go ask her first before you invite yourself."

"I will, Papa. Thank you." Though he didn't show it, I could tell he was absolutely beaming. It's like his aura has just smacked me in the face. That's how strong I can tell.

After we finish up, we say our goodbyes as we all part ways. Freddie ends up grabbing my wrist and dragging me alone. He was so eager. A giant smile now rests on his face. Before I know it, we're almost at Mina's.

As soon as we're in front of the door of her house, Freddie finally lets go of my wrist. He knocked on the door and we hear her call back.

"Coming!" She throws open the door and a smile grows on her face. Her green eyes lit up with glee.

"Boys! It's nice to see you visit me again! Next time, visit me sooner." We all laugh. She moves aside and lets us in.

"Come in, come in!" She exclaims as she shuts the door behind us. It's been a long while since we've seen her, too long.

"Oh, I've missed you too. It gets lonely around here." She pulls us both into a hug that lasts only about a few seconds.

"We've missed you too. We've been meaning to visit for a long time, but we haven't had the time recently. I'm really sorry." Freddie scratched the back of his neck.

"Don't be sorry, you're a prince! I understand you've been busy." This woman could always light up a room with her quirky personally.
    
"Thanks for understanding." He genuinely smiles.
    
"Now what's up? You're very excited about something. Your aura is going crazy so much that it could slap Roger in the face."
    
See, told ya
    
"Well... there's a human festival tonight." He began to rub the back of his neck again.
    
"Ah yes! It's the Fourth of July, America's Day of Independence." We both looked at her shocked and eyebrows raised. I was quick to blurt in.
    
"How come you never told us?" My voice raised a little higher than it should, but that didn't phase the older merperson.
    
"You weren't ready to know, you two are now old enough now." We were still in surprise.

"Really?" Freddie and I retorted in union. Mina nodded and motioned us to come to sit at her table.

"Come sit and I'll tell you more."
———
That's it for this chapter. I tried my best to focus more on Freddie and Rog this time. Hopefully by next chapter, I'll have my fan art of them so y'all can see how I envision them 😗✌🏼 -Lee