The day that the Sea King died had been a great loss to the entire Sea Kingdom, although it hit the sorcerer and his familiars particularly hard.

Meikai spent his time on this day down in the living room, sitting in a chair next pulled up next to his egg, whispering something every now and then. Old and Tatsumiya, on the other hand, spent their time in the bedroom, each one of them on their own bed. Old was laying face-down onto his pillow, muttering things along the lines of "this is bullshit" and "what the fuck". Tatsumiya curled herself into the fetal position with her face in her knees, trying not to cry.

She always was an emotional person, a lot more so than Meikai and Old, at least, but she always tried her best to seem neutral and relaxed around others. Meikai and Old were the only people she felt comfortable enough with to let see her cry.

That was another thing Old liked to tease her about. There wasn't much that he didn't tease her for, honestly.

But there was no teasing today. After all, the three of them had been well acquainted with the Sea Kingdom's royal family, as the Sea King would often employ Meikai for his services. They were always special guests at banquets. They were sometimes invited to the palace just to sit and talk over tea. He liked to pull Tatsumiya off to the side sometimes, just to tell her that he was cheering for her and Meikai.

The Sea King was such a kind, kind man, even if he did seem a little quirky at times.

As her shoulders began to tremble, there was a dip in the bed next to her, and an arm was brought around her shoulders, pulling her against another body. Peeking out, Tatsumiya found that it was, unsurprisingly, Old. He was trying his best not to look at her and instead keep his eyes on the stairway in the corner of the room. He was failing rather miserably, though, and kept glancing back at her.

She couldn't help but let out a choked half-laugh, half-sob.

She always knew that Old cared about her and Meikai; he just never showed it. So when the days came that he did let himself show a little bit of affection, Tatsumiya couldn't help cracking a smile.

He took another glance at her as she wiped her eyes. "You still crying?"

Tatsumiya shook her head. "I think I've mostly got it out of my system... Thank you."

His gaze lingered on her for a few more seconds as she closed her eyes. Then they darted away again. "For what?"

"For being sweet."

He huffed, but didn't let go of her. "So, what are you thinking about Uomi?"

Soon after the Sea King's death, it was announced that he said in his will that, of his two daughters, he wished for his elder child, Uomi, to be the new ruler.

"Princess Uomi is a clever and kind girl," Tatsumiya said carefully. "I believe she'll make a fine leader for the kingdom."

"I think it's bullshit."

She opened her eyes and looked to her friend in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Old clenched her shoulder tightly. "I mean, Mikotsu was always the kid that respected the old man more. Never argued with him once. Why the hell'd he pick Uomi?"

"Well..." Tatsumiya trailed off, trying to craft her words carefully. "I believe that's exactly why he chose Princess Uomi. Princess Mikotsu, while very doting on her father, never really stopped to think for herself; she always followed him blindly. Princess Uomi, on the other hand, would always carefully observe her father's decisions and decide how she felt about them on her own. She always pushes for what she believes is best for the kingdom."

"She doesn't show loyalty," he spat.

"Sometimes the best show of loyalty is to let someone know when you think they are doing wrong."

"It's bullshit," he insisted.

Old always was rather stubborn.

Chuckling, Tatsumiya pushed him away from her and laid down on the bed, watching the ceiling. He was still sitting beside her, watching the corner of the room. Slowly, her smile melted away. "Either way, I feel bad for both of them. They're such sweet girls. And both so young."

Old didn't say anything, and she took this as a sign that the conversation was over.

Tatsumiya closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.