A Siren's Call

"Don't let go! Promise me you won't!" Astrantia screamed as she grabbed her mother's hand, trying to pull her closer as the waves became stronger with each crash against them. There wasn't a dark cloud in the sky when Astrantia walked out onto her balcony this morning. She breathed in the salty breeze that came from the ocean that she grew up overlooking. She opened her wardrobe and pulled out a silky lilac floor-length dress with thin bejeweled straps that showed off her collarbone and toned arms, the dress hugged her curves at all the right places, and she looked at herself in the mirror and gave an approving nod before she heard a knock on her door. "Your Highness, are you ready for breakfast?", a small timid voice emerged from behind her closed bedroom door. Her personal and most trusted maid, Lyla, that she brought in from the village that was ravaged by the rebellion 5 years ago. Astrantia opened the door, which startled Lyla as she let out a tiny whimper. "Lyla, please try to speak up. The other maids will use you and take advantage of you." She couldn't help but worry about Lyla's timid nature. She had hoped that when she took Lyla under her wing, she would pick up her courage and learn to be more assertive. "I guess she still has a long way to go." She thought to herself. As she walked down the corridor towards the dining hall with Lyla at her heel, anyone whom she passed by stopped whatever they were doing at hand and either bowed or curtsied towards her. Naturally, they had to do that, she was the crown princess after all. "Stop throwing food at this instance!" She heard her father's voice loud and clear from inside the dining hall. She knew her sisters were throwing their tantrums again. Astrantia was the oldest of 3 daughters of the ruler of the Kaia Kingdom. Astrantia was the firstborn, followed by Serene, then Marina. Today was the day of Marina's coming-of-age celebration. It was a big deal for the royal family and the people because today anyone in the Kaia Kingdom and beyond can come forth to ask for her hand in marriage. However, the three sisters knew far too well that marriage was the least of their concerns. To be more precise, they weren't interested in romance at all. Instead, they looked forward to their daily combat training and indulged in their studies in history, literature, and geography. "Marina, you are the face of our family today. I hope to present you without any food in your hair or stains on your dress which we have very painstakingly ensured its safe arrival from the designer." The queen sighed as she watched her daughters still acting like children. Marina was dressed in a pink tulle dress with elegant puff sleeves off her shoulders, delicate flowers were embroidered on her dress and she wore a tiara embedded with beautiful pink sapphires. "Don't worry Mama! Serena doesn't have as good an aim as I have!" Marina laughed as she threw a grape at Serena across the table. Serena was the tallest among the 3 sisters, she was dressed in a powdery blue dress with golden leaves embellished around her dress, and a slit was cut into her dress to show off her lengthy and toned legs which every man would bend over for. "Astrantia dear, come have breakfast. We must be ready to meet our people with our hearts and stomachs filled" Astrantia strolled in and saw her mother who gave her the softest smile. It was the smile that won the people's hearts when she married the king. "I don't think anyone would want to marry a child, Marina" Astrantia chided her sister as she took her seat next to her after narrowly dodging a piece of bacon thrown by Serena. "I could say the same for you too si-" Before she could finish her sentence, Astrantia shoved a piece of bun into her mouth. Serena couldn't contain her laughter and snorted out loud. "Girls, whether or not someone presents himself today, we are to be gracious and respectably present ourselves." "Yes, papa" The 3 girls nodded their heads in unison. The Kaia Kingdom spread far and wide along the coast of the Pearl Ocean and the borders of the White Desert. It was a day of festivities and people from far and wide gathered in front of the palace today. The plaza was filled with people waiting to see the royal family and find out which brave souls would present themselves before the youngest princess and her family. "Presenting your Majesties, King Lyon and Queen Aria and Her Royal Highnesses Princess Astrantia, Princess Serena and Princess Marina." The trumpets sounded and the people started cheering as the family walked out onto the balcony which overlooked the plaza. Astrantia felt a tight squeeze as she held Marina's hand when they walked out together. She was nervous, and so was Astrantia when she walked out on the same balcony three years ago. She rubbed Marina's hand with her thumb, signaling to her that all would be well and that no matter what happened today, she still had her family. "My people, you have my most heartfelt gratitude for joining us today as we celebrate not only Princess Marina's birthday but today she has come of age. If there are any subjects here today who think they are worthy of being her partner, please come forward." King Lyon gestured to the people below with a warm smile and open arms. Just as soon as he finished his sentence, a loud crash of thunder resounded above the palace and a bolt of lightning struck the middle of the plaza. People started screaming and running away from the place where the lightning struck. From the smoke that was created, a man walked out and towards where the royal family was standing. Astrantia was ready with her spear at her feet. She was glad that her weapon was placed there beforehand in case of an emergency which seemed like one now. She observed as the man approached her family. He was wearing a white shirt where he left the top 2 unbuttoned and black pants. He had a strong chest with bulging muscles threatening to tear away the buttons holding onto his shirt and his biceps looked like they were about to rip the sleeves which were rolled up. "My dear King Lyon", the man looked up at the king with a sneer on his face. He looked at the three sisters and kept his eyes on Astrantia. She was not fazed by this at all. "I hope I'm not intruding on anything important today." "Gideon." The king growled at the man. "Leave at once." "I'm afraid I cannot." Suddenly, storm clouds started to appear in the sky, and the man, standing on what seemed like black clouds rose to the balcony, coming face to face with Astrantia. "Today, I have come to collect."