Under The Sea

Chapter 1

It's the night of my eighteenth birthday my parents are throwing me a huge birthday bash which I don't really want I'd rather spend my birthday alone in the library reading a good book. 

"Can I have everyone's attention please!" my father shouted over the music. 

The music stopped the guests stopped dancing and turned their attention to my parents. 

"Thank you all for coming to princess Madeline's birthday bash my wife and I are pleased to announce that our daughter is betrothed to prince Bradley from the neighboring kingdom of Creoles." 

I felt the color drain out of my face the guests applauded and congratulated me on my engagement to the prince I forced myself to smile even though it was fake and thanked everyone. I grabbed a champagne flute off a serving tray and took a sip to calm my rising anger. 

"Hello future wife." 

"Go away Bradley!" 

"Is that anyway to speak to your fiancé?" Bradley asked hurt. 

"I'd rather die than marry you!!" I spat. 

"I'll see you at the engagement dinner tomorrow night." 

I drank the rest of the champagne I sat the empty flute on the table and ran out of the ballroom I raced out the front door of the castle I felt the crisp cool air hit my face I snuck around the back of the castle and walked down to the private beach. It's my favorite place to come at night I stood on the sand and gazed up at the full moon I felt my eyes burning with tears I refused to cry I heard movement coming from the ocean I stared down at the water and saw my childhood best friend pop up out the water. 

"Happy birthday Madeline." Ricky said. 

"Thank you, Ricky." I smiled. 

"What's the matter?" 

"I've been betrothed to prince Bradley!" 

I sat down in the sand and cried Ricky sat on the wet sand and held my hand. 

"I'm so sorry Madeline." He said softly. 

"I don't want to marry him I don't even love him but I'm forced to marry him because I have a duty to my parents and kingdom." I sobbed. 

Ricky stayed on the beach with me and comforted me. 

"Does your brother Jamie know?" 

"No, I'm sure he'll be here for the engagement dinner tomorrow night." 

"You shouldn't have to marry someone that you don't love." Ricky stated. 

"My parents were betrothed to each other and they don't love each other." I explained. 

"My parents love each other but they were never betrothed to one another my parents met at a party and the rest is history." 

I wiped away my tears and climbed to my feet I brushed the sand off my silk navy gown Ricky released my hand. 

"Chin up princess don't let them see you break I'll see you tomorrow night." He said. 

"I'll be here tomorrow night same as always give my love to your parents." I smiled. 

I watched my childhood best friend move back into the ocean Ricky and I met when I was three, I was playing on the beach when my ball rolled into the water. Ricky tossed me back my ball and we started talking before the day was over Ricky and I became best friends we've been friends ever since. I walked around the castle and walked back inside the castle I walked upstairs and walked down the hall to my room. I entered my room I closed the door softly behind me I got ready for bed I crawled into bed. I reached over and turned off the lamp and cried myself to sleep. 

{A/N: This is my first Merman story I hope everyone enjoys it.}