Siren's Song: Aridia

Chapter 2

It had only been a week since Prince Malichi visited the shop, but orders were coming in so much we barely had enough flowers to fill them. Most of the orders were for us! After it had gone around about the three us of going to the castle, everyone in town felt the need to send us flowers. We had to start making sure who the orders were to, just so that we could fill the orders for the costumers.

Mother had finally told me that we were leaving to go to the castle in a couple of days. Blanca was more excited than I was. I still don't know what it meant when Prince Malichi smiled at me as he left the other day. It was always on my mind wondering what he thought of me. Was I ugly, too plain, something in my teeth? Or maybe he thought I was attractive, or somewhat nice or pleasant to look at. The more I thought about it, the more Alina crossed my mind. Did Lina and Malichi share feeling for one another?

I busy myself with planting more roses, tulips, and sunflowers. Work always took my mind off of things; whether it be a break up with some boy, a bad grade at school, or if mother fussed at me. I threw myself into work steadily six years ago when my father passed. I miss him every day and start to hum to the song he sang to me as a child.

"What are you up to, little sister?" Alina comes up behind me, startling me from my thoughts.

"Just planting more flowers for all the orders coming up."

"I see," She says. I nod and she walks past me to the empty pots. "Are you nervous?"

"Hmm? What do I have to be nervous about?"

"Our visit to the castle."

"Oh, I guess I am a little. I've tried to not think of it too much. I'm more worried about the shop, to be honest with you. What do you think the castle will be like?"

"You forget, I've been many times, but it certainly is worth the trip." She told me in a secretive way, trying not to give anything away. She gave me a wink, then frowned "I wished we wouldn't be going on your birthday, I was wanting to spend all that day in town with you, going shopping, having a day for us. I can't remember the last time we spent time together."

"Oh, Lina, you know it is not that important." My birthday had been coming up, though I hadn't thought about it. I was only getting a year older, nothing to stress over. The bell over the door chimed. Mr. Chung came in with his sad smile. His wife had passed about a year ago, but he never failed to get her pink tulips every week. I think this was the one year anniversary this week.

"We will discuss that later," Alina said before she turned to tend with Mr. Chung.

 I was left with my work again, so I hummed a soft tune. The flowers grew faster if I sang, but all I could manage with the customers in the store was a soft hum.

Keeping tend to flowers and costumers, the days had passed by fast. Alina nagged me about my birthday so I finally agreed to go to town with her after we returned from the castle. We would have more money and time to spend together then anyway.

It was finally the night before we left for the castle. My nerves were now on end. Our transportation was due first thing in the morning, so I slipped into my large bed and under my covers. I brought my book close and read and read.

Contrary to popular belief, sirens were a crossbreed between women and birds. Mermaids were breed between women or men and fish. Sirens could only be female while mermaids could be male or female. Mermen would find the sirens hideouts and mate with them, resulting in a new breed. It was said that the boats or ships that passed by would be lured to the rocks that the sirens sat upon and the boats would get stuck and the sailors and shipmates would either drown or starve to death. Sailors later learned how to stop the singing from luring them and would capture the sirens. They would use them for profit in one way or another.

I slept of sirens once again. They were singing to me, telling me they were always with me. I was frozen in shock and surprise; they were all so pretty and loud. One stood out to me the most. She had dark chocolate hair and bright amber-brown eyes. She looked a lot like my mother, from the pictures I have seen from when she was younger. She was so pretty, and she had the best voice of them all. The others were beautiful as well, but that one stood out to me the most. I woke up still in the trance of all of the sirens.

"Amelia! Come on, you have to hurry to get ready!" Mother yelled out at me.

"Yes, Mother! I'm hurrying!" I grab the clothes that I sat out before laying down last night and rush to the restroom to change. My pajamas get left behind as I race to the eating room. I hurriedly sit down and munch at food. My stomach was still asleep in the bed and I was excited and nervous to visit the castle. I lightly ate some fruit and some grains then finished getting everything ready.

"Am! There is a carriage! Hurry up now!" Alina yelled out while I finished tucking my things away.

"Coming!" I scurry down the stairs, dropping items than having to go back and pick them up again. I set my items by the door and fix my attire. Mother was outside with the carriage and the driver of the carriage. I peered out the small glass window in the door and the carriage was just spectacular. It was white with gold trimmings creating designs on the plump body it had. There was a small storage carrier behind the carriage, I assume to carry our things. Four beautiful stallions were at the front of the carriage, white as well. Their manes were braided away from their eyes and swept to the same side on each horse. I admire them a moment and then I sweep away for a second to grab a book I forgot and hurry back.

When I come back, everything had been stowed in the carrier following behind us, and we were getting settled into the amazing carriage, ready to be sent to the castle to whatever may await us there. I was still a little sleepy, so I tucked away into the corner with my book and went into a light sleep. When I awoke, we were still a ways away, having lived a full days trip away. The daylight had shifted and was just above us, signaling about one in the afternoon, maybe even later; it was hard to tell. In my light sleep, that dream seemed to have followed me. It was the most vivid it had ever been. I was now starting to wonder what it meant. Maybe I should talk to my mother about it. I decide at a later time I would do so, as to not bring Alina into it. The scenery from the window I was by showed beautiful grasslands and trees. I saw a flock of small birds pass by and I gaze in awe. The nature surrounding me was just spectacular and overwhelming.

The carriage comes to a halt and we all take a look to see why. We have come across a rest stop. I assume the horses need a break from time to time and I smile, needing to stretch my own legs. Mother, Alina, and I all step out of the carriage and walk around for a little bit.

"Are you still nervous, Am?"

"No, I don't think I am. I'm really excited. It's not every day someone is allowed to see the castle."

Alina laughs at my remark, "You do remember I am welcome at any time?"

"Yes, I remember..." Her comment saddens me, as once again she has proven to be better than me. There was so much she could do that I wasn't allowed to do. I always felt lonely when Alina was around. The spotlight was always on her, and no one cared about me until she left. Other than dad, he loved me all the time. A tear starts to form as I remember dad. Any happiness I had in excitement is gone now.

"Well, ladies, let us be off again." The drives says out of nowhere. We nod and gather back in, heading back off towards the castle.