Chapter Three : Let the party begin

As we entered the cave we were welcomed by group of clown fishes and dollar fishes. They were dancing around us. Sea urchins were glowing and moving like waves gleefully. We passed the cave and when we came to the end instead of darkness the end was glowing luminously.When I looked in front there was an unmitigated different world.

The world where I actually belong.

I was so damn excited, thrilled, nervous... actually I don't know how to explain this feeling.

As we moved further we saw a group of people waiting for us (I mean group of mermaids and merman).

In the centre my grandmother and grandfather were standing, beside them were my cousins, uncles and aunts. I ran towards them (actually swam) and was taken in embrace by my grandmother. She placed a flower tiara on my head. It was made up of colourful flowers and they were absolutely beautiful.

"Hey! I'm also here,"my little cousin shouted.

"I know my baby doll," I hugged her and placed a kiss on her forehead.

We exchanged greetings with everybody. My eyes were searching for Arnold but he wasn't there. Why he is not here? I think he must be planning for a surprise or something.

We went towards our castle. "Castle of Kingdom Pleione" deep down the ocean there was a magnificent golden castle beautified with precious stones. It is the epitome of water kingdom. The foundation of castle is given upon fifty five pillars to hold the castle above the ground level. In front of the castle there was a bed of flowers and other stunning aquatic plants with the beautiful arch entrance welcoming all with the row of ferns . Looking around I saw huge walls with huge gate at its center. The walls trailer up to god knows where.

As we reached the castle Nancy, Eve and Amelia were standing at the entrance I rushed towards them. We did a group hug and they wished me. I just missed these girls.

"Where is Arnold," I asked them, after hearing this they started looking at each other, their faces grew expressionless.

"Is there anything wrong? Com'on tell me?," I started feeling nervous.

"Ahh nothing at all. You know him, he'll be here any second it's just that we didn't see him from morning so we were confused. He must be coming soon," Nancy said with a fake laugh.

I can clearly see she was lying. I don't know why they were behaving like this.

"Are you still love Arnold? Aren't there any handsome guys in your college?," Eve started teasing me.

"No, He's my first love how can I leave him?," I said winking at her and we all giggled.

"Girls what are you doing here? It's getting late for the celebration, com'on take Xia to her room let's her have some rest and then get her ready," Grandma said patting on our back.

"Yes, Our Majesty," three of them said in unison and we swam to my room by passing few corridors. Corridors was long and it must have atleast twenty different doors.

My room here was decorated by my grandmother, she is amazing at interior designing. As I opened the door welcoming by several large sofas that were decorated with giant fluffy cushions and shimmering velvet throws.

I just jumped on the sofa and relaxed myself, I was really tired and needed a power nap.

"Hey only fives minutes for rest after that we'll help you in dolling you up for tonight's celebration; It's morning you can't sleep now," Amelia said in annoyingly. "Okay boss," I said saluting her.

"C'mon get up you lazy potato," it was Eve punching me on my belly.

"Yeah yeah!! Say what do I have to do?," I said yawning.

"First go and freshen up then we'll tell you," they pushed me.

I reluctantly got up from the sofa and followed her other side of the room, where there was a pretty hanging landscape of a valley, I opened the door forward and white silvery light came pouring through the window. I peered in and saw the moon shining and lighting up entire room. What caught my attention next was a bookshelf on the right side of the window which was modestly sized and filled with books,magazines and journals. There was a huge master bed with four poles where curtains were draped around it. Vintage items decorating the room added more elegance.

I crawled to the washroom and took shower cleaned myself and came out. They took me to the dressing table. Nancy combed my hair and made side braid and decorated it with shinning flowers.

"I love this rainbow coloured strands of your hair," Nancy said clapping her hands.

"Sometimes I feel it's strange my whole hair is black but few strands are of rainbow colour," I said pouting at her.

"Oh c'mon that is what makes you unique, beautiful in your own way. You look damn pretty baby," Amelia said gleefully.

"Wait a second, here wear this new blouse Empress gave it for you," Nancy said passing the golden blouse to me.

It was damn beautiful studded with beads which were in star shape. "This is awesome," I said happily and took it from here and went to the washroom to change.

I came out and looked myself in the mirror, I was looking quite.. pretty blouse fitted me well and complimented the colour of my tail which is golden not that too bright but kind of golden, my hair was neatly done and my tiara was placed on my head. I was minimally accessorised with a simple pendant and earrings and one bracelet on my right hand. I was so excited. I wanted to meet Arnold and confess everything to him.

"Why he is still not here?," I asked in a sad tone looking at three of them.

"He must be on his way or may be he is planning to give you a big gift that's why he is taking time to come," Eve replied smiling at me.

"Yeah! A very huge gift, brace yourself for that," Amelia interrupted laughing awkwardly. I simply nodded.

I peeped through the window and saw crowd of people busy in preparation. Sea horses were arranging flowers. Star fishes and jelly fishes were dancing on the music of crabs and octopus. Sirens (singers of sea) were singing melodies song. Fiji mermaid ( half monkey and half fish) were making sitting arrangements. Selkies( seals in Sea and humans on land) were welcoming the guests.

Suddenly there was a knock on my door, Eve opened the door and it was Zack.

"Hey Xia, Happy birthday," he entered and gave me a bear hug.

"Thanks man, how are you? And where is Arnold? Don't tell me he forgot about me?," I replied annoyingly.

"Oh gosh! He's very busy these days you know ... Even I haven't seen him from morning. He didn't tell anything about his new duties? He said with a smugly face.

"What business? And where he is so busy that he forgot to meet me?," I was on the verge of crying.

I don't know what the hell is going on. Where is he!!

"Relax girl, let him come and then you can shoot your questions! Spare me please," he replied chuckling and raised his hands in defense.

I gave him a *if looks can kill*look. Urrgghhhh!! how much I hate Arnold now. Where the hell he was? I hope he comes soon. I was continuously thinking about him.

******

After few minutes a guard came and informed us that Grandma is calling us downstairs. We went to the hall. Mum and dad were already there and were talking to Grandma and Grandpa.

"Hey everyone" I greeted them and their attention shifted on me. Grandma hugged me and a few tears fell from her eyes.

"Grandma what happened?," I asked in confusion.

"Nothing my sweetheart, you're looking splendid, I can't believe my little princess is now a grown up lady," she said once again taking me in her embrace.

Grandpa patted on my back and smiled at me. Mum and dad were also looking very happy.

"C'mon darling, our people are very eager to see their princess and wish her," Grandpa said taking my hand.

To be continued.....