Page 41 of Mermaid on Heels
Liriya dropped her gaze and bit her lip from smiling. “No one can tell that.”
Cedric snorted a laugh. “Oh, trust me,Ican. And on the day you’d become so, I’ll remind you this. I know my brother like the back of my hand, milady. Now, if you can’t dance, I’ll simply escort you to the other side and wait until our cue. Come on.”
Cedric shouldered past the people, pulling Liriya along with him, and swayed their way to the other side crossing the dance floor. He led her to the doorway King Luke mentioned and stood in front of it, waiting for the next dance to begin.
Standing there with Cedric, Liriya had to admit that she had never been in such an enthusiastic male company before. Even her merman friend Abacus wasn’t as enthusiastic as this. Cedric kept making compliments seeing his brother putting up with Lady Hannah’s endless talking, as though Liriya wasn’t a stranger but someone he had known all his life.
Liriya was grateful that she had found another friend amid the fakers and strangers present.
The dance ended and the partners bowed to each other. King Luke looked over to them as he straightened, and caught Liriya’s eyes. He smiled before his eyes moved to his brother next to her, giving him a very slight nod of his head that no one would not have noticed unless they had sharp eyes.
Cedric however, didn’t seem to need that. Just as he caught his brother’s gaze, he turned to Liriya. “Mission accomplished, milady. Let’s get you out of here.”
Liriya accepted his arm and turned on her heels, walking towards the doorway guarded by two guards on either side. With one last look over her shoulder at the young king, she followed Cedric out.
Chapter 10
Liriya didn’t know what she expected when Luke mentioned the library; it was clearly not what she was looking at now. She stepped into the room with Cedric, her hand dropping from the crook of his arm as she glanced around in awe.
The vast expanse of the royal library unfolded like a dreamscape. Ornate bookcases of dark polished wood lined the walls, their towering shelves holding a multitude of books, scrolls, and manuscripts. The room seemed to stretch infinitely, its ceiling lost in shadows, and yet every corner was touched by the gentle, warm light of countless chandeliers suspended above.
“I take it you haven’t seen a library before.”
Liriya turned to Cedric, her eyes wide with wonder, and found his gaze already on her. A small smile curved his lips as if he knew exactly the effect this place would have on her.
“I have, but not one like this one.”
“You have a libraryunderwater?” Cedric’s eyes bulged in surprise.
Liriya stifled a laugh at his exclamation. “Yes. But as I said, not even close to this one—this is magnificent. And, we have kelp scrolls instead of books,” she explained, before asking, “Though, how do you and your brother know about us, about Pearltuna at all?”
Cedric flashed her a grin. “It’s a long story, milady. As much as I’d love to tell you, I think I should leave the honor to my brother; likewise, as I am curious to learn more about you myself, my brother should be the one to have the honor first.”
Liriya smiled, and she couldn’t help but compliment him on their brotherly bond. “I admire your relationship with your brother, Lord Cedric, it is special. I am sure he is lucky to have you.”
Cedric dropped his eyes briefly to the marble floor as he chuckled and then looked up at her. “Thank you, Lady Liriyalda.”
“Please, Liriya would be fine.”
“Ah,then you’ll have to call me Cedric.”
“Then Cedric it is.” Liriya laughed at his sarcasm. “I have a small doubt though. Are you not supposed to be calledPrinceinstead ofLord, since you are… a prince?”
“Ah,” Cedric mused, his lips twitching into an amused smile. “About that… Luke and I are cousins actually. Though, I would say we are closer than most cousins, since childhood. Alas, that’s why I’m not a prince.”
“Oh.” Liriya was surprised to learn that. “I must say, one would never presume. You two are really close.”
Cedric winked. “I’m glad to know evenyounoticed.”
Liriya shrugged. “I have two younger sisters, so it is not that hard to notice.”
Cedric’s jaw dropped in astonishment. “Your sisters? Are they here, too?”
“At the castle, no. On land, yes. The youngest one is underage to attend the ball, so my middle sister volunteered to stay behind with her as much as she wanted to come. They are at my friend Bianca’s house, with her younger sister,” Liriya explained, a tad amused to see her words making him more shocked.
“Gracious heavens! How many of you are here that we have missed?”
At those words, Liriya remembered the seashore conversation and chuckled. “Just the three of us, I assure you. Bianca is a human. We befriended her the same day we came to the land, and became friends.”