OCEANA
EARLIER
"No, Oceana," I said to myself, putting down my skirt and returning to bed. But as I rested my head on the pillow, I realized I would be unable to sleep. So, I carefully opened the door and peeked out to see that my parents were sleeping.
They were exhausted from entertaining visitors from other kingdoms, so they went to bed early. I closed the door again and leaned back against it, my heart racing faster.
Four days had passed since the ceremony was canceled, and all I could think about was the surface. However, I was aware that my parents were keeping a close eye on me, making sure I did not go outside and expose myself.
They believed I would be cursed and as a result, despite my desire to sneak out, I didn't. However, my mother told me I could swim in the backyard a
