Page 86 of Mermaid on Heels

“No. I simply thought to call you that because it was the mystery about you that lured me to the surface, and from there I have come to be here, now with you, riding on a horse.”

“Oh, Liriya…” He sighed deeply, a smile in his voice.

They explored the serene grounds on this side of the castle, keeping Ocean at a walking pace. Liriya relaxed into Luke’s embrace, feeling like there was no other place so heavenly on earth than in his arms. Luke held her close to him, leaving no gap between them. Then he nudged Ocean to ride through the spacious courtyard.

Liriya held onto his arms around her as they galloped, though no fear touched her. A grin made its way to her lips as the wind ruffled her hair and brushed past them. During the ride, Luke told her the basics of horseback riding and taught her while he dismounted and walked next to her, holding Ocean’s reins.

When it was lunchtime, they led Ocean back to the stable. A maidservant waited for them with a basket that held their lunch and carried a picnic blanket tucked under her arm. Luke took them from her and thanked her before sending her back to the castle, flushing. After watching Ocean unsaddled and fed by one of the stable hands, Luke led Liriya to his mother’s garden, which had now becometheirgarden.

After a delicious lunch, they lay back beneath a shady tree and told each other the stories from their childhood and other adventures they had had before they met each other. Luke also told her about his sailing adventures, especially the ones during his search for a mermaid bride over the last five years, where he was met with constant failures.

Failures that he didn’t count anymore.

Liriya didn’t realize how the time was flying until she noticed that the shadows had grown long. She sat up on the grass when they were done sharing their stories and saw the sky in a deeper shade of orange than she had seen it before. Noticing this, Luke stood and pulled her up with him. He brought them up totheirtower and watched the beautiful sunset sky together until suppertime.

When they entered the dining hall where everyone was present, Sessa threw herself into Liriya’s arms as soon as she saw her. Luke apologized to Sessa, rather playfully, for stealing her sister all day, before he moved towards his seat at the head of the table. Liriya sat between her sisters, flushed from the best day she had had yet, and didn’t fail to notice the aloofness beneath the smiles she received from the rest of the elites.

After dinner, Liriya went to her room to freshen up and change into her nightgown in preparation for her late night escapade with Luke. Susie informed her that she had a parcel from Bianca, pointing to the wrapped package on her bed. Liriya immediately reached for the envelope on the top, her third one from Bianca that week, and opened it.

Dear Liriya,

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to express my gratitude once more for everything you and King Luke have done for us. I know I have already thanked you, but you know, some things are worth repeating.

Speaking of things worth repeating, I miss you and the girls. Those two weeks that we spent together outweighed the months Kitty and I had been living alone since our father’s death. It is magical and surreal. It feels like we had been together forever and your absence has affected our lives more than we thought it would. Do not frown upon this, though. You are where you are meant to be, and we simply cannot wait to see you again!

Oh! Something happened yesterday at the Delkaria marketplace and I thought you and the girls should know about it! I happened to come across the triplet sisters as I was perusing the stalls. Where I thought they would leave me alone this time, it was no different, even after the king’s decree and our granted justice upon their father. Can you believe that? Well, wait for the best part, because I shall never forget this day, ever!

It was Hannah. She scoffed loudly when she saw me and murmured something to her sisters that made them laugh. I did not hear what they were talking about, but the woman who sold silk (Mrs. Presley, do you remember her?) did. She immediately spoke aloud, gathering the attention of her fellow shopkeepers and marketgoers, as she admonished the triplets. She asked them if they needed the king to make another decree as well, to punish those who act spiteful towards people below their ranks—despite their age.

Oh, Liriya! I wish you were there to witness it! I have never felt triumphant before; it was more than having her father giving me back the debt I paid him! They practically shrank, you know, going scarlet in the face, but of course, did not stop glaring because it was their only stand in that situation. I do not think they would ever set foot in the market again because everyone present there rallied to take my side. It was as if the whole marketplace united against their cruelty. It warmed my heart to witness such solidarity and kindness, thanks to your effort on telling King Luke what his court members were doing behind his back. No one would have risen to mine or anyone’s aid otherwise, fearing what these frauds would do to them.

Now, onto the real matter I had to write this letter. In the parcel, you will find your ball gown. I had kept it in my wardrobe after washing it and could not help but think of you wearing it for the banquet tomorrow at the Bridal Selection elimination. Okay, I know you have prettier gowns in your new wardrobe, but I am not going to take ‘no’ for an answer. So, do wear it—for me, at least.

I have my fingers crossed for you and His Majesty. Something tells me that he has found what he is looking for. Remember that romantic speech he gave at the ball? Oh swoon, he is such a romantic! Write to me about your elite-of-the-day adventures until your fingers wear off. Yes, I want every detail and I simply cannot wait until we next meet. Write to me after the elimination so that you can tell me who is eliminated as well. I hope that Garbian princess will be one of them.

Until we next meet, my best friend, take care.

With all my love,

Bianca

* * *

Liriya felt a tickling sensation on her cheek and stirred in her sleep. It was probably her blanket and she wasn’t going to let it scare her out of her sleep this time. How many times had the blanket she covered herself with brushed her cheek and she woke up in the middle of the night, thinking an octopus had invaded their new home—Liriya had lost count.

Despite the fact that it had nearly been a month since she slept in their underwater cave, Liriya still thought she was down there, until she opened her eyes.

The tickling sensation grew; it moved from her cheek up to her temple, then down to her jaw, her chin, and making its way to her ear, tucking a stray lock of her hair behind it. It felt good, yes, but she had to make sure—just this one time—that she wasn’t in their underwater cave with an octopus. Shehatedoctopuses.

Liriya opened her eyes.

She met with a pair of blue irises and her shoulders sagged in relief, heaving a deep breath and allowing her lips to rest in a smile.

“Bad dreams?” Her favorite voice in the universe crooned down at her, a smile in his voice, and his fresh breath brushing her face.

“Not really,” she murmured groggily, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Sometimes, I simply get the feeling that I am in our underwater cave and there is an octopus next to me.”

“Huh, my brave little mermaid is scared of octopuses? Never would’ve seenthatcoming.” Luke laughed.