As Blue As The Ocean!

Chapter Nineteen

"They has been waiting for my return!"

I had not made up my mind to date anyone. Though the pressure was real now. To get to know Mortal better. He was a very nice merman. I enjoyed his company. But he was not Kavan. Not in any way. Kavan could be easily replaced.

Not at all in my heart. When you say Mortal's, name was not like Mortal you live forever. It was like Mor-Tall in ways. People had some odd names here under the sea. I had yet to meet a simple Jenny or Mike down here.

I was to be introduced to my people in a ceremony this afternoon. Father had prepped me on what to say to them and what not to say to them. They were expecting me to marry Mortal because Kavan was not around.

And to run a kingdom. And I was not sure I wanted to do that either. All the mermaids who helped me get ready were fawning all over me. Waiting on me hand and foot because I was a princess.

I was also not used to that either. I had a lot to deal with.

And no Kavan to lean on. It was hard.

He could have really helped me right now. I could use a friend to help me decide on what to do.

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"How are you princess?" I hear someone ask me again that day.

I turn to look to see who was talking to me.

Kavan's true love. Seiren.

"Hello!" I greet her.

She bows before me.

"Oh, please no need for that" I laugh nervously. I was not used to that.

"We are supposed to bow" she worries.

I hold my hand to shake hands. I teach her how. "Where I come from, we all shake hands" I say with a smile.

"I see" she laughs. She smiles.

I smile back.

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"I was curious have they found Kavan? To return him home?" she asks softly.

I wish I had answers for her. "I am sorry no they have not found him"

She winces. Tears shine in her eyes. "I see" she tells me. "I guess you are going to marry Mortal and not Kavan he is next in line for your hand princess"

"I am not sure about marrying anyone. See where I come from, we are allowed to marry whom we chose to. Well whom are heart choses. I am not sure I want to run a kingdom" I worry. "I am home sick" I admit to her.

"I am sorry. Are you returning to land?" she asks me.

I was not sure of that yet. "No not yet. I want to get to know my father. And my people" I tell her.

She nods. "If Kavan were here he would talk you into staying" she laughs. "he would make you see being here is the best place on earth" she brags. "he loved his home. And his people. He loved working for your father. He was very proud to"

"I could see he was. I wonder why before he did not tell me he knew who I really was when he found me" I say to her. She knew him. She could tell me why maybe.

"He did not want to scare you off. You have had no idea whom you are or where you came from. He was looking out for you" she mentions. "He told the king that was best. That you had no memory of your past life with us"

"I did not. The witch erased my memory when she cursed me to land" I tell her.

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So Kavan had not wanted to hurt me. I got that. But he had hurt me by lying. Keeping secrets from me. Big ones. And making me think I was someone I was not. I never got to confront him on that. I wish I could have. And heard it right from his mouth why he had chosen to do what he had.

"We are waiting for your princess" Mortal orders as he swims inside.

He offers me his arm to take. I do so. Then we swim off. Look back over at Serin. She looked so lost and sad. How I felt right now inside. Broken. We were both broken without Kavan and his guidance.

I really wished he was here to tell me what I should do or should not do. How to act. What to expect. I suppose that Mortal could help me with all that. In time, right? I meet my father with Mortal. I take my father's arm. Then we all three lead out to the balcony where our people are waiting.

Cheering rises.

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Father waves his arm out. More cheering. "Hello my people"

Louder cheering for us.

So many merfolk out there. Much more than I ever knew possible. Kavan was right. There were so many of them! I was amazed by how many were before me. I had no idea! These were my people who I was supposed to look out for. They were going to depend on me. Panic rises in me.

I go to leave. Mortal places a calm hand on my arm stopping me from leaving. He nods then smiles.

I stay.

"Today is a proud day for us all! We welcome home our princess! We honor Kavan. He saved her brought her home as he promised before he would! Let us take a moment of silence to honor him. Bow our heads in honor of a great warrior" orders my father.

Everyone was bowing. I hang my head. I get teared up for Kavan. How loved he was. By everyone here. Even my own father. He was such a wonderful merman. I was blessed just to have known him. Tears water in my eyes. How touched this moment was. I wished he was here to see how his people loved him. How grateful they were for him.

Soon we look back up.

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"We are doing all we can to bring his body home for us. Kavan had died to save the princess. And she is here. Waiting to meet you all of her people. Let us welcome Princess Elissa!" father calls out. "Soon to be queen of the sea"

I shyly wave as cheers rise among us all.

"Next in line as you know to marry my daughter is Mortal. Who has also served you well over these years. He has brought honor to my family. And I would be proud to have him in the royal family. He helped bring home the princess as well. Mortal" orders father.

Mortal bow's before the people. They all cheer.

"When is the wedding?" someone yells.

"Wedding!" is chanted in the crowd.

"We are not sure yet when the wedding will occur. Soon my people soon! We celebrate my daughter! Our princess is home!" hoots my father as he holds my hand up with pride. Everyone cheers.

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Then we swim back inside. I hear music outside under the palace walls.

"Wow everyone was thrilled to have me back" I laugh nervously.

Mortal smiles. "We do need to pick a wedding date" he jokes with a wink. "I am ready when you are princess"

I am blushing now. "Ah, about that" I begin to say.

"The food is ready sir" someone tells the king.

"We eat! Come daughter" orders my father.

We head to the table. Where a large feast waited for us. Mortal sits on my other side. I knew that Kavan should be seated up there with us. That this was a high honor for Mortal as it would have been for Kavan to.

I was spending my celebration trying not to cry over the loss of Kavan. My heart was not over him. I was not sure if I could ever learn to love Mortal as he should be loved. I head back to my room to be alone as soon as I could. I have my cry over Kavan. I dry my eyes.

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"Princess I do know you don't love me. I do not expect you to. But I think we would be a fine match up and in time you can grow to love me" Mortal says as he looks at my reflection in my mirror. He touches my chin with his hand. "We will rule this kingdom as it always have been ruled. And I vow to bring you and our people honor. In Kavan's memory" he vows.

He hands me another tissue to cry on. "Thank you I am trying. I am not sure what I want. I am sorry" I tell him with sorrow in my heart.

"I understand princess" he answers. "sweet dreams" he says before leaving the room.

I sure had a lot on my mind. I just wish Kavan's body was returned home to us. And I would have the proper answers my heart longed to know. Then my spirit might be able to move on.

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