4 — Death
∾ 𝔼𝕡𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕕𝕖 𝟜: 𝔻𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙 ∾
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𝐄𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑 way to the Queen's room for her daily lesson. It had become a routine for her till the day she will be crowned. Queen Roseline had a reputation - she was like water. When calm she could be serene, but when she is angry, she will hit you like a tsunami. Esmeray was scared of her initially, but the Queen's motherly side had made her grow fond of her.
The guards and the workers bowed to her as she walked past them, she was a royal now after all. Everyone knew her name and her face. Triton and she had visited different clans after their declaration as mates, but there were many more to go.
When she neared the door to the Queen's chamber, she was greeted by the Queen's mermaid-in-waiting Elizabeth.
"Greetings, princess," Elizabeth said as she bowed to her.
Esmeray smiled at her and nodded. Elizabeth was a kind mermaid, with her hair as red as the sun during dawn and saffron eyes that radiated comforting warmth. But it was a wonder why someone as affectionate as Elizabeth would have tyrant children. Esmeray despised Thalia, Elizabeth's daughter, the moment she met her. Even though her mating with the prince was declared, Thalia would try to flirt with her mate. Thalia's intentions were clear - she wanted the crown prince.
Her twin brother, Thane, wasn't any better. The redhead looked like his mother but didn't possess a single trait of hers. He would shamelessly flirt with Esmeray and offer her a 'night of a lifetime'. She didn't know what went on in that perverted brain of his but she hoped that he would find his mate soon to straighten him up.
Elizabeth opens the door for her to enter after getting the Queen's permission. With a broad smile and confident stance, Esmeray made her way to the chambers.
The Queen's chambers were the most beautiful she had ever seen. Queen Roseline had an exquisite taste. A theme of rose-gold decorated the room, with white furniture. A sea-shell bed was placed in the middle and decorations made of diamond and pearls shone from the ceilings and walls.
"Long live the Queen," Esmeray said as she bowed to her mate's mother.
"Daughter, I have told you multiple times to call me Roseline in private," the Queen replied.
Queen Roseline swam to her with a bright smile on her face. She was a beauty to behold.
With golden-red tails and golden hair, she was the most beautiful woman across the seas. Her eyes were golden with a hint of red and her fair skin made her shine amongst the others. She was a confident and just ruler with Merfolk worshipping the sea-bed she swam on. The aquatic creatures adored her.
Esmeray knew it would be practically impossible for her to fill her in place. She had made her mark in the history of Merfolk and Esmeray was every bit scared that she wouldn't be even able to make a dent.
"I apologize, my qu- Roseline. It will take me some time to get used to it," she replied.
"Worry not, daughter. I understand what you mean. I remember myself feeling out of the place when I was in your position. It took me months to get used to the lives of the Royals. With Theodore's busy life, we experienced many hardships. But in the end, our love won," the Queen replied.
"I will remember that, Roseline," she replied.
"So, let's begin with our lessons, shall we?" the Queen asked.
Esmeray nodded, eager for the next hour.
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"𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 most important tool for a Queen. You are the mediator between the King and the Merfolk. Think of your role as a mother. The kingdom will be like your child. They might act all tough, but every single one of them requires love. They can rile you up, even challenge your decision. But deal with them with patience, because a calm mind makes the most beneficial decision," she replies.
Esmeray nods her head at every word the Queen says.
"So, we shall be practicing to build your-" the Queen says but before she could complete her sentence, a loud sound resonates in the entire castle.
The walls of the chamber are thrown off, and they fall on the Queen and Esmeray. An unbearable pain hits Esmeray as she is buried under the walls. She feels her bones breaking and her tail throbbing with the weight on it. Even though her scales protect her from the scars, her upper body is not so lucky.
She feels the urge to lie down and rest because the pain is too much, but her mind drifts to her mate. She needs to see Triton urgently.
With every ounce of energy left inside of her, she summons the power of water around her. She imagines the water pushing the walls away from her. The water obeys the princess, lifting her up from the sheet of bricks that enveloped her.
Esmeray finally lifted herself up, her blood swimming in the water. Her eyes urgently searched for the Queen. The doors of the chambers opened and the soldiers walked in. The wailing sound of a broken Merman surrounded the castle.
What was happening?
She didn't waste any more time as she summoned all her energy and started lifting the fallen wall. Her eyes searched for her Queen, her heart hoping that she was alive.
"Princess! The Queen is here!" one of the soldiers announced from the other end. She swam hurriedly towards him, her heart beating wildly.
But what she saw when she reached there was something she was unprepared for.
The Great Queen of the Seas, laid on the floor of broken bricks with a sword pierced in her heart. Esmeray remembered the sword adorning one of the walls of the room, but now that piece of the artifact was the cause of the Queen's death.
A loud cry escaped her lips as she picked up the Queen from the floor.
"Call a healer, now!" she ordered the soldiers.
But she knew that the Queen was long gone. Her red blood surrounded the water and her beautiful face was deathly pale. Esmeray took out the sword from her chest carefully. She felt her black spots greeting her eyes as she did so. She felt sick and tired.
"Roseline, please wake up. Please! Triton needs you! King Theodore needs you and I... I need you. I am not prepared..." she says.
But those golden eyes didn't greet her. Those lips didn't smile at her.
The Queen was dead.
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