Will Of A Deity

57| Traitor

6:13

Shore
Merina Lilienne Amelia Neris

We got ready early in the morning. The people in the village who accomodated us these past few days lead us out of the forest. And now we're by the shore, ready to go back in the ocean to finish our business.

"Thank you for taking care of us for a short time, Odette." I told Odette.

"No problem," she smiled at me. "Be sure to visit us again if you have the chance, okay? The forest will guide you."

"Of course."

"And Ace," she turned to Ace and squint her eyes on him. "You better make sure that Merlia is safe." The latter just nod and didn't say anything.

"Saglit!"

We heard Ezmeralda rushing out of the forest and running towards us. "Ang aga niyo namang umalis, kakagising ko lang eh!" She whined.

She immediately went to me and gave me a tight hug. "Bye, Merlia! Mamimiss kita kahit ngayon-ngayon lang tayo nagkakilala." Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya.

Bumitaw na rin siya at tumingin kay Ace. "Oo nga pala," sabi niya. "Pakisabi doon sa blondita mong kaibigan huwag na siyang bumalik sa Lost and Found ha."

Blonde? Natasha?

"Sabihin mo wala doon ang dignidad niya." What in the world...? "Atsaka pakisabi hindi Marites ang pangalan ko."

I turned to Ace with a creased forehead.

"Natasha tends to...do the most genius yet stupidest things when she's drunk. A few months ago she went to the Lost and Found looking for her dignity." Ace narrated without me asking. "We have to drag her back to the academy after that."

"Pakisabi sa kanya yun ha! Jusko yung batang yun kung anu-anong hinahanap. May infinity stones, dragon balls tapos iba pa. Malay ko ba dun!" pailing-iling na sabi ni Ezmeralda. Did Natasha really did that...? I mean, not surprising. "Prinsesa pa naman siya, naku!"

"Princess?!" Di ko mapigilang magtanong. I turned to Ace. "Natasha is a princess?" Just like me?

Saglit silang nagpalitan ng tingin.

"Yes, but please don't take advice from her." Sabi ni Ace. I mean, I won't. But it's so cool to meet other princesses. I wonder, what kingdom she comes from. I should ask when we get back.

After a few more goodbyes we finally decided to part ways. My eyes went to Raiver. He's still avoiding me, he doesn't even look at me and stands far away from me. We went back in the ocean afterwards and starts going to the direction of the location with Ace leading the way. We also asked about the other merpeople included in the expedition to the passing mermaids. They said that a group of knights were sent back to the palace and they were still unconscious. But thank goodness, they're safe!

We went on our journey and travelled to Marianos city. The trip was awkwardly quiet. One, because of Raiver still not talking to me and two, because of what happened between Ace and I last night. It still baffles me why he would say that. I tried talking to Raiver but he just continue to ignore me. I feel hurt by the way he's acting but I decided to not let it show and just give him space for now. I promise to fix everything between us after all of this is done.