Jessica's Point of View
Before leaving the dark corridor, I put the form changer bracelet on. As I came into the ocean, my legs turned back into my tail. Instead of or fabric on my chest, I had a pink seashell bra that looked like the ones I saw the adult mermaids wear the last time I was here. "Do you remember where to go from here? I have to get back," Demyx asked.
"Y-yes, but can't you stay? Just until I see King Triton? We might not see each other again," I pleaded in a quivering voice.
"I'm sorry. I really am. They want me to not be seen as much as possible," Demyx explained.
"I understand. Goodbye, Demyx." I hugged him while sobbing. I swam to the palace throne room where King Triton sat when I let go. He looked older, and his hair was gray. I didn't realize that an immortal deity could age that much in less than a century before seeing him, but it made sense seeing as he lost Queen Athena. They loved each other very much.
"Jessica, welcome. I hope you've been well," King Triton greeted.
"As well as I can be. Thank you for taking me into your home, Your Majesty," I thanked.
"The girls should be out here soon along with their governess. We will be going out for our usual morning swim. You will join us from now on," King Triton mentioned.
"I understand," I stated.
"There is one more thing that you should be informed of. There is a law that wasn't in place when you were last here. Music is forbidden in my kingdom. You are expected to follow this law as all the other citizens of Atlantica are," King Triton added. This seemed strange to me. I didn't understand how anyone could forbid an entire kingdom from making music. Before I could speak, a mermaid with brown eyes and a purple tail, strapless top, earrings, hair, and makeup swam in, followed by the seven princesses of Atlantica. My friends lined up and bowed. They looked a lot older than the last time I had seen them with hourglass figures and seashell bras.
"Good morning Father," They smiled.
"Girls. You all remember Jessica. She has come to stay with us for an indefinite amount of time. Please make her feel welcome. She will be joining us for all of our morning swims and other activities. Marina, you will treat her as though she is one of my own daughters," King Triton announced.
"Of course, Your Majesty," The purple mermaid, Marina, replied with a bow. I realized that she must be their governess. King Triton swam off his throne, and the girls lined up behind him in two rows. Ariel gestured for me to line up next to her with a smile. We swam through Atlantica. No one said a word, and I felt very uncomfortable.
"That will be all girls. You may go about your day," King Triton said.
"Goodbye, Father," The princesses chimed while bowing. King Triton and Marina swam away, and they giggled and surrounded me.
"Jessica, it's wonderful to have you here," Attina commented.
"It's great! Life has been the same thing every day since you left. I'm so glad you're here! Daddy doesn't let us have any fun," Ariel grumbled.
"Here we go," Andrina groaned.
"Ariel, that's not true. Daddy lets us have all the fun we want so long as we respect and obey his rules and wishes," Attina retorted
"You mean his rules and wishes that prevent us from having any fun," Ariel huffed.
"Come on, Ariel, let it go," Aquata sighed.
"I should be off. I didn't get enough time to do my makeup quite right this morning. It's embarrassing to be seen in public like this. See you later, Jess," Alana declared. I waved.
"I, for one, am dying to know about you. Mainly, do you have a boyfriend?" Adella asked.
My face became hot. "N-no."
"That's too bad. I'll help you find one after I find one," Adella decided.
"Th-that's okay. I'm not looking for a boyfriend," I stammered.
"Don't worry. It's not like she's finding you one anytime soon. She can't even find herself one," Aquata smirked.
"You're really pretty, though. You could totally get a boyfriend if you wanted to," Arista complemented.
"Thanks... I think." I chuckled. It felt strange being surrounded by females close in age to me. I didn't even have my mother to talk to anymore. Everyone I've been around for years is male, aside from my brief encounter with Larxene. I felt a little overwhelmed.
"Hey, are you okay?" Attina wondered.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired from the journey," I lied.
"I'll take you back to the palace. You can rest there. You girls go about your day. Jessica will still be here later. We can catch up then," Attina stated.
"Thank you, Attina, but please, call me Jess," I smiled. I followed her as we started to swim back to the palace.
"So, what have you been up to? I haven't seen you since that one day," Attina inquired.
"This and that, I suppose. Nothing exciting. I'm from far away, so I haven't really been around since then," I explained. We arrived back at the palace.
"Well, welcome to our home. I'm glad you're here. You can probably rest in our room for now. I'll take you there since you probably don't remember where it is," Attina said.
"Thank you, Attina," I replied.