Kingdom Of Aquablue

Rriel's Point of view

My feet fly across the floor as I race to meet my father. My name is Rriel, and I am next in line for the throne. Deep under the water is a Kingdom grander than any other.

We are not precisely mermaids, though we look pretty similar. We have a body like an ape and a tail like a mermaid. I guess a human would call us swimming monkeys.

The Kingdom of Aquablue is led by King Leo. He is courageous and powerful. I look up to him for always doing what's suitable for our Kingdom, no matter the cost.

"Yes, father, you called for me?"

"My boy, at this ball, you must find a mate," he tells me with a grin.

I let out a deep breath. Frustration doesn't begin to describe how I feel. "I am trying, dad."

He nods his head. "I don't want to see you run this kingdom alone," he says.

"I won't be alone, and I have the council."

"Women's advice is the best," he chuckles.

"Then I'll add some women to the council." My father laughs. He folds his arms over his chest. "Someday, a girl will sweep you off your tail," he tells me.

I highly doubt that. I smile and nod. There's no point in arguing. I watched my mother die at a young age. Love hurts, and the more people you love, the more fear you'll have of losing them.

Being a Prince is remarkable. I love protecting the citizens of AquaBlue. There is some major downfall. I have strict rules I have to follow. We are never allowed to go above the surface or interact with humans. A human killed my mother, so in my father's eyes, they are all bad. For a while, I hated humans. I feel like some of our monkmaids make bad decisions, and so do humans. Does this mean all humans are imperfect?

Swimming outside the castle, Many schools of fish swim around. They sing beautiful Melodies as they pass. The fishes feel scaly as my hand pets them. Fish are like our pets. We live peacefully side-by-side. Monkmaids eat mainly seaweed, kelp, and bacteria that live at the bottom of the ocean.

Monkmaids also have magic. Anything in the ocean can be ours. All we have to do is make a wish. Everyone in the Kingdom has magic. It is such an ordinary thing that the excitement for it isn't there anymore.

"Rriel," I hear my best friend Emmy behind me. Her eyes were crying. I hate seeing her upset. It's like someone took an arrow and stabbed me in the heart.

"Why the tears, Beautiful?"

She looks down, not meeting my gaze. I swim closer to her, wrapping my arms around her. Placing my hand on her chin, I lift her face so I can stare into her eyes.

" What's wrong?"

"You never asked me to be your date to the ball, don't you like me?" she asks.

Women are just complicated. I don't see how they would give any good advice.

"Emmy, I should have. I am sorry."

"I understand if you're taking someone else," she says.

"I am all yours," I say. I place a kiss on her forehead. It was no secret Emmy liked me. I care about her so very much. She is a sweet girl. I don't see her as my queen. I don't love her the way she needs me to, but I do love her as my friend.