"Melody?" Ariel asked, looking into the distance as she strolled through the gardens with Athena, "Melody!"
"Mom!" Melody swam up to her mother and gave her a big hug.
"You're back! I'm so happy to see you. Are you alright?"
"Hello, grandmother," Melody said to her grandmother politely.
"Hello, darling- I'll let you and your mother speak. I'll be inside," Athena said and swam off.
"Are you alright, dear? You look upset," Ariel sat down on a bench and Melody sat down beside her.
"It's dad, I don't know what's gotten into him. He threatened Alice and George, he hit Emmett- badly and now-" Melody started to cry, "Emmett ended things with me. He says he doesn't want his family thrown out in the street because of him. It's all my fault."
"Melody, I'm so sorry," Ariel wrapped her arms around her daughter, "I think you need to have a long talk with your father and explain to him how you feel."
"No! Mom, I just want my freedom to be with whoever I want."
"I think you should be with whoever you want," Ariel agreed.
"Really?"
"Yes. Your father, on the other hand, will need convincing. He's just worried about you."
"But how can he behave that way when you were my age when you got married," Melody said adamantly, "And- he was a human. You left everything to be with him."
"And my father was worried about me then, too," Ariel took Melody's hand in hers.
"How did you convince him?"
"I didn't, Eric did," Ariel smiled to herself.
"Oh, great."
"Melody, what is it that you want?"
"I want Emmett and I want to leave and see the world."
"How will Emmett support you?"
"It doesn't matter anyway. It's over," Melody said solemnly.
"I'm sorry, darling," Ariel kissed her forehead lightly as she stroked her long, black hair. "Did you and Emmett do more than kiss?" Ariel asked casually.
"Yes. But it was because I wanted to- he didn't pressure me."
"Oh, darling. You're not my little girl anymore, I suppose," Ariel pulled back and gazed into Melody's eyes. "I love you," Ariel said to her daughter, "I will always love you, no matter what."
"I love you, too," Melody smiled.
"Melody?!" Eric called out from the distance, he quickly swam over to where two sat and as he approached, Melody swam away- back into the castle.
"She's upset right now," Ariel told him.
"I'm not even angry with her. I'm just glad she's back. She doesn't want to speak to me?"
"Just give her some time, she will come around," Ariel wrapped her arms around him, comforting her strong prince.
"This feels terrible," Eric told her, "
"Now you know how I've felt fighting with her all of these years."
"What is wrong with her?" he asked.
"Emmett ended things. I suppose you had something to do with it?" Ariel crossed her arms with a raised eyebrow.
"Really? That's great. She'll get over him. I honestly didn't expect him to be so cowardly, she's better off," Eric shrugged.
"Eric!" Ariel shoved him playfully.
"What?! Did you really want her to be with the son of a lumberjack?"
"I don't care who she loves. If you don't stop acting like a stubborn bull shark- we'll both lose her."
"How is she doing?" Melody asked at the doorway to Tristan's room. He was sitting beside Celia again, strumming some chords on his guitar.
"You're back!" he brightened up, "Better- I think. I'm glad the waters are warm here at the castle. This is the time of year she would migrate down south."
Melody swam to bed beside Celia and propped up her head in her hand while she stroked Celia's smooth skin.
"Hi girl, can you hear me? We really miss you here and-" Melody started.
"What are you doing?" Tristan asked her curiously.
"Talking to her, in case she can hear us. It might make her come back sooner."
"Yeah, right," Tristan scoffed and continued to fiddle with his guitar.
"Ignore him," Melody told a sleeping Celia, "Just get better and we'll be here when you wake." Melody leaned over and gave Celia a kiss on the cheek.
"Melody," Eric appeared at the door frame. Melody let out a deep, frustrated sigh and swam out of one of the windows of Tristan's bedroom.
"She'll come around," Tristan told him, reclining in his seat and plucking away at some notes.
"You're your mother's son," Eric said to him before swimming out of the room.
Tristan listened for anyone else coming by, as he put his guitar down and got in bed with Celia.
Melody appeared at the window again and watched as Tristan stroked Celia and pulled her into him.
"Can you hear me?" Tristan whispered, "I miss you so much. I'm sorry I didn't know how you felt all of these years. It must've been torture for you. I just want you to know, we'll always be together. What I really want to say is that I- I love you."
Melody felt her own heartbreak, for Emmett. She had hurt him, but she didn't want him and his family hurt by her father in any way.
A few days went by and the relationship between Melody and Eric wasn't any better. She didn't speak to him during meals and when he'd enter the room, Melody would soon exit. With Tristan now with them, Eric wanted nothing more than to have the four of them spend time together.
"Eric," Triton called him over after dinner one evening. "We've caught him. The shark that has been terrorizing the northern towns. It's a great white."
"A great white?! He must've done some serious damage," Eric said in amazement.
"The TideWarriors match is in an hour. Come, I'll show you this beast," Triton guided him out of the dining room and toward the dungeons.
"You don't want to watch your cousin Thaddeus compete in the TideWarrior Championship tonight?" Ariel asked Tristan.
"Not really," he responded. He couldn't be the least bit interested as he played with his guitar.
"Melody, how about you? It's great to show some support," Ariel suggested.
"Definitely not, mom. I don't care to watch barbaric brutes killing themselves over a shiny trophy."
"Well, I'm disappointed in both of you! I expect to see you both there cheering on your cousin who has worked so hard for this day and setting an example for the younger merkids!"
"Mom!" Melody protested.
"I'm not asking. I'm sure you'll both do what is right," Ariel said in a calmer voice. She swam out of the room and left the two siblings baffled.
"You sure you want a mother?" Melody laughed at Tristan.
"I feel awful," he told her, with wide eyes.
"Yeah, she's good at that," Melody giggled.
A group of young teens swam up to the hallway a few minutes later.
"Are you coming to the Championship match tonight? We're leaving right now," one of the cousins asked, they weren't sure which.
"Of course, we are!" Tristan responded, he swam toward the group, pulling a reluctant Melody along with him.
The royal family had their special boxed section up front, practically on the battleground. Tristan watched in awe as people flooded the Arena- from a distance, he noticed some familiar faces taking their seats in the crowd.
"Queen Athena," he turned to his grandmother, "Could I have some friends join us in here?"
"Of course, dear," she said, she sat one of Alana's children on her lap.
"Hi, cousin Tristan," the little mergirl greeted him sleepily.
"Uh, hey," Tristan responded with a smile, not remembering any of his cousin's names. He swam over the battleground and up to the section where his friends were.
"Let me see your tickets!" Tristan joked.
"Tristan! Oh, thank goodness!" Scarlett embraced him tightly. Brad and Franky both wrapped their arms around Tristan.
"We heard what happened, it's the talk of Atlantica!" Brad told him.
"Really? Everyone knows?"
"Yes, of course, Prince Tristan," Scarlett bowed her head jokingly.
"Stop that," Tristan blushed, a little embarrassed.
"Soon, he'll be King Tristan," Franky laughed.
"No way, I could never be king," Tristan dismissed him, "That's ridiculous."
"That's what everyone is talking about, you know- the new prince who will be King," Scarlett told him.
"Me?"
"You're the eldest. Thaddeus must hate you," Brad added. It was uncomfortable for Tristan to process everything they were saying. It was too strange to him.
"Hey so, my grandmother would like the three of you to join us in the royal box," Tristan told them.
The championship soon started and they watched match after match. Tristan was surprised how excited his friends were to watch this stuff. He had no interest in fighting himself and was glad he wasn't in the ring.
There were eight TideWarriors competing that night, the best of the best. To qualify for the championship, you had to win at least three TideWarrior matches during the summer season. Thaddeus had had his third win a few weeks prior, being the last of the eight to qualify.
The four warriors were divided into two groups. They would have to battle in pairs until the winner of one pair would battle the winner of the other pair, leaving the winner of both groups battling it out to be the TideWarrior Champion. There was a large red circle on the ground the competitors couldn't cross or else they'd be disqualified. They could also swim up as high as a net would allow them. The goal of the event was to be the last man standing by pinning down your opponent for ten seconds or for them to give up. The match would start with weapons until you disarm your opponent and then it moved to hand to hand combat.
Thaddeus swam out to the arena looking as stoic as ever. Other contestants would kiss their muscles or blow kisses to the crowd. Thad stayed as focused as he could, carefully calculating his next move as he sized up his opponent.
There was no age limit in this competition and Thad was the youngest of the eight. Some of the mermen had been competing for years.
The first few matches were intense. Thaddeus won his first match in less than two minutes and the second in was a close call that took nearly ten minutes. The final match was against Vlad the Mad. Vlad was almost 7 foot tall, red-tail merman from head to tail and weighed over 250 lbs. He was the four-year champion and hadn't lost a match since moving to Atlantica from the Baltic sea.
"Vlad! Vlad! Vlad!" half of the crowd cheered the large brute.
"Thad! Thad! Thad! Thad!..." the other half would cheer when Thaddeus was on the battleground. He was the fan favorite and a prince at that!
That was much more agile than Vlad and used it to his advantage, a blow from Vlad could even kill him. The merman from the last match with Vlad was still unconscious. Thaddeus swam up and then down again, forcing Vlad to chase after him.
"Come fight me, coward!" Vlad roared, and the crowd went wild.
Thaddeus knew that Vlad couldn't keep up with him much longer. Vlad dropped his weapon and Thaddeus did the same. Thaddeus waited for Vlad to throw a blow and then another, Thaddeus dodged each one. The time was well over fifteen minutes.
"Come fi-" Vlad started to say, but Thaddeus landed a punch to Vlad's jaw and then another to his ribs.
"Thad! Thad!" everyone cheered as Thaddeus thrust his forehead forward onto Vlad's nose. Vlad's eyes rolled back into his head as he floated down onto the ground.
"Oh my, I love him!" Scarlett shouted at Tristan over the noise of the crowd, "Could you introduce us?"
"Sure," he responded, but she didn't hear him, distracted by the event.
"Very honored to present to you, your Tide Warrior Champion, Prince Thaddeus!" King Triton announced at the center of the ring.
The crowd went wild, cheering and hooting wildly. No one in the audience would ever dare to boo a member of the royal family. The royal family cheered as well. Jonas and Attina clapped eagerly as they watched their son get a wreath of flowers placed over his head and a large gold championship trophy was wheeled out to the center of the ring.
"Thank you, Atlantica!" Thaddeus said loudly into the mic, "I would like to thank my parents for their hard work and support, my grandparents, my family, my trainers, and my people- of course!" The crowd went wilder than before. "Please, make it home safely tonight."
Loud shrieks echoed through the Arena as the walls and ground shook. A great white shark crashed through the walls of the south entrance, on the opposite end of where the royal family's box was.
"Shark!" Merpeople swam around chaotically, trying to escape. The shark zoned in on King Triton, who was readying his trident to shoot. The shark lunged at Triton, taking a large bite of water. Triton quickly darted out of the way. The shark swatted both Triton and Thaddeus out of the way with a massive swing of his tail. Champions and guards all threw spears and arrows at the shark, in an attempt to wound him.
"No!" Queen Athena screamed as the shark swam straight toward their box.
Tristan quickly swam in front of the shark and extended his arms forward, sending a massive shockwave into the water. The blast was so powerful it made an ear piercing sound, forcing everyone to cover their ears. The shark froze in place for almost two seconds before being completely blasted into small pieces that exploded all over the arena.
Slowly, the once-silent crowd began quiet murmuring among themselves. Tristan looked around at everyone, tired and out of breath. He had no idea how he did what he just did.
"Is- is everyone alright?" Triton grabbed hold of the microphone again. "That was a terrible occurrence, I'd like to apologize on behalf of myself and the royal family. I would like to take this moment to introduce to all of you, my long-lost grandson, Tristan - who has saved us all!"
Tristan shook his head, not wanting any attention on him.
"Tristan! Tristan! Tristan! Tristan!..." the crowd began to cheer. Eric smiled proudly at his son but, at the same time he noticed Jonas and Attina's faces grow somber.
"Are you alright?" Ariel asked Tristan, taking a hold of his arm. Tristan felt weak, and his energy depleted.
"Yeah, I just have to sit down for a bit," he smiled.
"I'm glad you came, darling. Thank you," she kissed his cheek.
Back at the castle, all anyone could ever talk about was how Tristan blasted the great white into a million pieces.
"Can you show me how to do that?!" one of the younger merboy cousins asked him.
"Alright, let Tristan get some rest now, boys," Eric told them, "Isn't it past your bedtimes?"
"It sure is!" Andrina agreed and herded them all out of the room, leaving Eric and Tristan alone.
"So, what happened out there?" Eric asked him.
"I- I really don't know. Since I was young I've felt that I could make things happen if I really wanted them to. But, I'm never entirely sure how I do it."
"There is someone I know who might be able to explain it to you- I'll take you to see them tomorrow. But, get a good night's rest for now."
Tristan swam to his room to find Melody sat beside Celia.
"So, you're famous now," Melody told him. Tristan sighed.
"I don't know how I did it. It just happened," he told her.
"Today was nothing. When you turned into a giant and absolutely destroyed Morgan was the most amazing thing I had ever seen," she said, remembering that terrifying day.
"I what? I turned into a giant?"
"Tristan, come on. You surely remember that," Melody pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow.
"You look like Ariel," he laughed.
"What a horrible thing to say. I do not!" Melody took a pillow and threw it at him, "You're the one who looks like her!" Melody swam up to Tristan and tried to touch his hair. Tristan grabbed her arm and pulled her into him. Melody wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her head on his chest, sighing lightly against it.
"I'm so glad you're my brother," she told him with her cheek on his chest, "I'm glad we found you and that you're part of the family. You're my best friend."
"You're my best friend, too," he admitted, "Sorry for kissing you that night."
"It's alright, it was nice. I enjoyed it," she giggled, remembering their passionate kiss.
"Are you alright, Mel?" he asked, pulling back a bit to see her face.
"I miss Emmett. I've made a mess of everything and all I can think about is being with him."
"Then, go be with him."
"If I do, Dad will remove his family from their home- well, technically it's our home in Meridian."
"I don't think he would do something like that. Maybe he was just angry?" Tristan asked.
"How do you know if you love someone?" she asked him.
"I'm not so sure myself," he responded and pulled away in thought, "I guess you just know. It's almost bursting out of you to say it and one day you just can't control it anymore."
"Do you love Celia?"
"Of course, Mel, she's my sister," he responded.
"What about Sienna?"
"Sienna?" he wondered. He missed her more than anything in the world. "Sienna doesn't exist," he said flatly.
"I've made a mistake leaving him. I think it's time for me to go," she told him.
"Mel-"
"Hi," a deep male voice said from the window.
"Thad?" Melody asked, puzzled. She couldn't remember the last time she had a conversation with Thaddeus.
"Hi Melody," he smiled politely, "Tristan, a bunch of us are sneaking out tonight and heading to Wave- you been there?"
"Yeah, I've been there," Tristan responded.
"Awesome, so you're down to come? I'll swim by in an hour or so when the old folks head to bed."
"Can I not go?" Melody asked him.
"Oh, sorry, Melody. I didn't think you'd want to come. Sure you can. I'll see you both later." Thaddeus swam off.
"Why don't I ever get invited to things? He hasn't spoken to me in years!" Melody whined.
"Do you go out of your way to speak to him?" Tristan asked.
"No. Attina's kids are serious and weird."
Tristan laughed.
Wave nightclub was a pretty popular one for young mermaids and mermen. It was a series of caves built into the side of an underwater mountain. The main part of the club was carved into a large sphere with lots of small round hallways all around that branched out into smaller lounge areas or private rooms or booths that overlooked the main area. It was easy to get lost there.
"Thad! Thad! Thad!" The merpeople waiting in line to get in cheered as Melody, Tristan and Thad approached the club.
"Prince Thaddeus, Prince Tristan, Princess Melody, please, come in," the manta ray security guard opened up a red velvet rope to let them in.
"Tristan is here… Is that Tristan?" the people in line whispered to each other.
Once in the loud, busy club, the three were escorted up to where some of the cousins were lounging. Some were dancing and laughing while others sat and drank.
"Are you all old enough to be here?!" Tristan joked, recognizing some of his cousins.
"Tristan!" they cheered.
"I had to go get him," Thaddeus said, "After that incredible thing with the shark- wow!"
The cousins made space for Thaddeus and Tristan to sit at the center of a long booth. An attractive mermaid with large breasts and a curvy, red tail came by with a tray of drinks.
"Green if you're tired, Pink if you're feeling flirty, Blue will take the edge off, Brown you can drink all night," she told them. Both Tristan and Thad went for the brown drink, knowing it was the most mellow of the bunch.
"What's this Red one?"
"Mel, don't drink that," Tristan warned her.
"Red makes you bold," the waitress told her. Melody smirked, took the Red drink and tossed it all down.
"I've never been in one of these rich merpeople booths before. It takes forever to get a drink down there," Tristan said, looking down at the crowd below.
"So Tristan, your blonde friend, red tail," Thaddeus said quietly.
"Scarlett?"
"Is that her name? She was in the booth with the family today," Thaddeus added. Tristan nodded. "Are you and her- you know?"
"Oh, no, no. I mean, we used to for a short while but it's been years. We're just friends, bandmates."
"I saw her playing with you guys- at Melody's concert, man, she's something," Thaddeus said, taking a sip of his drink. "I heard them saying they were coming here tonight."
"She uh- asked me about you," Tristan told him.
"You're joking! Really?" Thaddeus smiled to himself and leaned back into the comfortable seating, spreading both arms over the booth cockily. "Hey! Put the Aquasonics on the VIP list and send them up here when they arrive." Thaddeus called out to the waitress.
"I thought you'd already have a mermaid to call your own," Tristan told him.
"There are a few. I don't have any time between training and the championships. Palace life doesn't give any of us much freedom. We're not even supposed to be out tonight. Our parents would flip if they knew." Thaddeus polished off the last of his drink.
"Is that Scarlett?" Melody asked, looking down below at the crowd.
"Where?" Thaddeus looked down below near the entrance nervously. A seahorse was informing her of something which made her look up at their section. Thaddeus quickly sat back down and spread his arms across the booth again, looking as cool as sea cucumber. Tristan smiled to himself as he took a sip of his drink. He was glad Thaddeus didn't hold anything against him for stealing his spotlight at the TideWarrior Championship.
"Tris!" Scarlett swam up to their section and gave Tristan a big hug. Brad and Franky were behind her. Thaddeus tried not to make eye contact.
Scarlett took one glance at Thaddeus and nudged Tristan right away, signaling him.
"Scarlett, Brad, Franky- these are some of my cousins here you've probably met earlier and this is Prince Thaddeus," Tristan introduced him.
"Oh, hello, are you friends of Tristan's?" Thaddeus asked cooly. He rose from his seat, took Scarlett's hand and kissed it. Scarlett turned shades of red Tristan had never seen before. "Come, sit," Thaddeus told her, guiding her to sit next to him.
"This is boring, do you want to see what's in the other rooms?" Melody asked Tristan.
"Sure," he shrugged. Melody and Tristan swam off into one of the hallways that was glowing with blue light.
The lounge at the end of it had a relaxing vibe with saxophone music playing alongside a piano. The merpeople there were gambling on roulette tables and playing cards.
"Let's get out of here," he said.
"I'm going to get another drink," she told him, "I didn't really feel anything with the last one."
"Okay, I'll see you later," he told her as she swam off toward the main crowd.
"Tristan!" a group of mermaids cornered him, "You have to have a drink with us!"
"Oh, hi, ladies, uh- I don't know," he tried to back away.
"Come on, just one drink, ready?" one of them said, they all had pink drinks in their hands and handed him one as well.
"I don't like the pink ones," he told them, and they all giggled.
"Go!" they cheered. Tristan gave in and gulped down the drink quickly. One of the mermaids with a yellow tail took him by the arm forcefully and dragged him out of the hallway and up the dome to a different area.
"Wait, what are you doing? Where are we going?" he asked her. She turned back to look at him and laughed.
She swam into a private room with only a couch and a couple of tables. She drew the curtains signaling to the staff and merpeople that the room was in use.
"Do I know you?" he asked, puzzled, feeling as if he had seen her before. She had dark hair, hazel eyes, and tan skin.
"No, but I know you," she said in a sultry voice. She pushed Tristan back toward the couch and completely covered his lips with hers. Tristan kissed her back, feeling the effects of the drink hitting him hard. Her tongue darted in and out of his mouth. She pulled back and undid the clasp of her seashells. Tristan grabbed at her soft breasts, and she shoved her left one in his mouth.
"Mhh," she moaned with a devilish grin. She rubbed her fin against his, getting it stimulated.
"Cara!" a voice yelled, drawing the curtains open. Tristan was suddenly nervous- it was Melody.
"Tristan, what are you doing?! Are you crazy? She's our cousin!" Melody yelled, swimming over to Tristan and yanking his arm toward her. "Cara, you're sick."
"What? I didn't know he was really our cousin," she said coyly.
"Shut up," Melody told her, swimming off and taking Tristan with her.
"She's our cousin? Mel, I had no idea. She gave me one of those pink drinks… You know, you look very pretty tonight," he told her as they swam back to the booth to join the rest of the cousins.
"Tristan! Where did you go?!" Thaddeus asked him, his arm around Scarlett. Cara soon appeared behind Tristan and Melody. "Have you met my sister, Cara?" he asked.
"Your sister?" Tristan was dumbfounded and a bit weirded out.
"Listen," Thaddeus leaned into Tristan's ear, "Scarlett and I are going to one of the Red rooms for a little while. Watch the kids for me, especially my sister, don't let anyone touch her. I'll be back soon." Thaddeus took off and soon you could hear people in the club chanting his name as he swam with Scarlett into one of the Red rooms.
"You're such a goodie-two-shoes," Cara jeered at Melody.
"You're disgusting!" Melody snapped back.
"Why are you even here? Why don't you go back to land where you belong, human? You think you're better than us because you have legs? You're the disgusting one, freak- just like your parents," Cara yelled at her.
"Melody, just ignore her," Tristan said.
"Cara, stop that," one of the other female cousins tried to intervene. Cara took another drink, a Red one.
"No, I'm tired of her. I didn't get a birthday concert for my birthday a few months ago! But Princess Melody does. What makes her so damn special?! Who invited her out anyway? What kind of parents lose their own child?" Cara continued, near tears.
"You're just mad because your brother won't get to be king anymore. Your parents aren't as important anymore-" Melody retorted.
"Melody, stop it!" Tristan tugged on her arm.
"It's so much nicer when you're not around complaining about every little thing. At least your parents found a pleasant child," Cara responded, rolling her eyes.
"At least I didn't try to tide with my own cousin!"
Everyone in the royal booth gasped and started to whisper. Cara looked around at everyone and panicked.
"Tristan tried to tide with me!" she insisted
"Don't even lie," Tristan scolded her with a finger in the air like a parent. Cara stared at Tristan a moment and then broke down into tears. Melody scoffed and swam out of the booth, Tristan followed after her.
"Mel, where are you going?" Tristan asked, pulling her arm.
"I need to leave. I'm wasting time here. I have to make things right with Emmett. Tell mom and dad not to come looking for me. I'll be fine."
Melody wasn't even upset by Cara's words, she just wanted to see Emmett and make things right. She called on the carpet to meet her up at the surface. Once on the carpet, her seashells disappeared and her blue dress covered her slender body. She flew to Meridian Manor, up to Emmett's window. It was dark, so she knocked lightly a few times. She opened the window to find an empty bed and cold room. He hadn't been in there in a while, it seemed.
"Girl, can you find Emmett, please?"
The carpet turned around and glided across the property and to the barn. Melody peeked through an opening through the wood and found Emmett. She felt her heart drop as she held her breath. Emmett was on his back on the ground with Sarah straddling his hips, kissing him wildly. Emmett had his hands on her waist and moved them over her hips. He sat up a bit and kissed her more intently.
"Mel," he sighed between kisses.
"What did you say?" Sarah stopped.
"Sarah - I didn't- didn't say anything," Emmett lied.
"You know she's not coming back, Emmett," Sarah said angrily, "Do you even love me?!"
"Sarah, I never said I loved you," Emmett told her, hoping not to hurt her.
"Then, why are you so- nevermind. I should've never come here," Sarah got up and fixed her dress.
"I never asked you to come here tonight," Emmett said from the ground. Sarah kicked him swiftly on the arm before storming out of the barn.
"Ow!" Emmett winced, clutching his arm, "Sarah!" He got up quickly to chase after her. Melody ran around the corner of the barn to watch.
Sarah untied her horse and began to mount it.
"Sarah, wait!" Emmett chased after her, shirtless.
"What?! What, Emmett?!" Sarah shouted from the horse.
"Let me at least make sure you make it home safely," he requested.
"She's never going to love you. If you believe that she will, you're an idiot," Sarah jeered, before taking off on her horse.
Emmett watched as Sarah rode off, as he held his shirt in hand. He turned back toward the barn to find Melody standing behind him.
"Hi," she said. His heart raced, as emotions built in his chest. Emmett fought hard not to say something. He turned away and walked toward the barn. "Emmett?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I- I missed you and I wanted to see you."
"Leave me alone, Melody," Emmett told her.
"I'll make it better, I promise," she said, wishing he'd touch her. Melody followed after him and took a hold of his strong arm.
"Stop, Mel. I'm not doing this anymore," Emmett closed the barn door and headed back toward the manor.
"Please, I have to explain- it was the only way we-," she started.
"Just go," Emmett said, shaking his head, he walked into the manor and closed the door.
Melody knew where she had to go in the morning. She headed to her bedroom at the castle for the evening. Once inside she found her bed tidied up and the stack of pictures Emmett drew of her on her desk. She figured her father would've burned them. As she sat in bed that night, she couldn't believe she and Emmett had done that. She also thought back to her first time a few days prior, having Emmett completely inside of her. She closed her eyes, wishing she was with him again that night.
In the early hours of the morning, Melody woke up, got on the carpet and took off. It was about an hour ride before she made it to the Palace.
"Find Lizzy," she told the carpet. The carpet flew through the air to Elizabeth's bedroom window. Melody tapped on it a few times before opening it herself and jumping into Elizabeth's room.
"Aahh!" Elizabeth shrieked, covering herself with the sheet. She was in bed with Harrison beside her.
"Harrison?" Melody asked curiously.
"Uh, Princess Melody, hello," Harrison said politely.
"Mel! What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked, in complete shock and happy to see her cousin. She got up from bed completely naked and slid on her silk robe.
"I came to stay with you for a while," Melody said as Elizabeth gave her a hug. Elizabeth's hip-length, auburn hair was beautifully draped over her shoulders. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's fine- he's fine," Elizabeth smirked.
"If you could not let anyone know I was here," Harrison asked Melody.
"Uh, sure," Melody responded.
"Nobody cares," Elizabeth told Harrison.
"I'll be around. I'll let you get back to your morning," Melody told them, headed for the door.
"See you at breakfast, Mel," Elizabeth called out to Melody before the door closed behind her.
"Melody!" Adam bellowed, beaming from ear to ear, "When did you arrive? Where's Eric?"
"I arrived a few minutes ago. Dad doesn't know I'm here- I took the carpet," Melody explained.
"I see," the King put his hands to his chin and raised an eyebrow.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything is fine. I just wanted to know if I could stay here for a little while- it won't be long at all," Melody explained.
"Of course you can!" Adam embraced her, "Stay here as long as you'd like. This is your home."
"Uncle Adam, may I ask who the sculptor is for the palace- the one who does all of the statues?"
Adam wondered why she was there and why she was asking about sculptors.
"His name is Marcellus Rehan. Did you need me to call on him for something?"
"Is he local?"
"He lives right outside of town if I remember correctly. Belle knows more details about the townspeople than I. She's more than likely in the library- but, we're having breakfast soon. Why don't you and I take a walk and find Belle, how's that?" Adam walked Melody out of the throne room and into the corridor.
"Did something happen between you and your parents?" Adam asked curiously.
"No," she lied.
"Do they know you're here?"
"No, they don't," she told him frankly.
"You know, you can tell me anything you need to," he suddenly stopped and put a hand on Melody's shoulder.
Suddenly, the door to Elizabeth's room creaked open and out walked Harrison with his shirt untucked and his boots unbuckled.
"Your majesty," Harrison tried to bow, making himself look as presentable as possible. Adam clenched his jaw and balled his fist tightly.
"If my daughter doesn't marry you I'm going to kill you myself!" Adam roared. Harrison ran back into Elizabeth's room and slammed the door shut, locking it behind him. You could hear Elizabeth laughing from inside of the room. It made Melody giggle, as well. Elizabeth shortly opened the door in her robe and crossed arms at her father.
"Can you stop trying to scare these poor men away? I actually like this one, despite the fact that he's hiding in my wardrobe."
"Elizabeth, be careful-" he started.
"Yes, I know, father. See you at breakfast," she said casually and shut the door.
"I wish my dad would let me be with who I wanted," Melody muttered to herself. Adam heard her comment but didn't bother to acknowledge it.
"Belle is just down this corridor. She's been working on all kinds of programs for the kingdom," Adam informed her.
"What kinds of programs?"
"Food, reading, tax reform. She can explain it better than I can," Adam said.
"How is the baby growing?"
"He's growing just fine. We think it's only one baby this time."
They reached the end of the corridor to a large open door.
"Belle, we have a guest," Adam smiled and gave Belle a wink.
"Oh! Melody!" Belle rushed over and gave Melody a warm embrace.
"Melody wants to see Marcellus Rohan," Adam informed Belle.
"Marcellus Rohan? The sculptor? I can take you, dear," Belle told her, stroking her cheek. Belle always made Melody feel like she was five years old. "You look different," Belle smiled.
"Do I?" Melody blushed, "Thank you, Aunt Belle."
"Your room is just as you left it. Why don't you go and freshen up and we'll leave in thirty minutes?" Belle suggested. Melody nodded and left the library.
Belle waited for Melody to be a healthy distance away before she spoke with Adam.
"Does Eric know she's here?" she asked him.
"I don't know what is going on, I'm going to send notice to the castle in case they're worried.
"Ariel can't be happy about this. You know how they are with her," Belle said, deep in thought.
"Oh, I know! Poor girl can't do anything for herself," Adam whispered.
"She's welcome here as long as she'd like. If there is a problem, I'm glad she came here. I'll take her to town and when I get back write a letter to Eric and Ariel together. I also need to check on a few things in town," Belle told him.
"Did you eat? Make sure you eat. My strong boy needs his nutrients," Adam kneeled down and kissed Belle's belly.
"Might be a girl," she reminded him.
"I don't think I can deal with two Elizabeth's, Belle, please don't say that," he pretended to plead.
"I'll be back by supper," she laughed and gave him a farewell kiss.
"The town here is large and dense. The literacy rate we've gotten from 4 to 15% in the last 15 years," Belle explained in the coach to town.
"Literacy? You mean they can't read?" Melody asked, baffled by the notion of not being able to read.
"85% of them cannot. Besides, it's hard to focus on reading if you're starving. I learned in the first few years of the literacy program that most people didn't have time to learn to read if they were too busy earning a living for food. They'd put all of their children to work as well."
"Little children? They're starving?" Melody looked out the window at all of the people moving about. She saw a few beggars and realized what a different world she was in.
"We started a Food program where every household gets a week of food and supplies. Flour, oats, milk, eggs, some seasonal vegetables if we have any available. We've worked out some deals with local farmers who work our royal lands in exchange for a place to live for them and their family, tax-free, board-free and they earn 50% market value."
"Wow, Aunt Belle. So it provides them with essentials to cook meals?"
"Well, it's not amazing, but it helps some. In return, at least one out of every two adults must enroll in weekly reading classes and all children below the age of thirteen must attend school three days a week for four hours."
"So, that works?"
"Well, we just implemented the new changes six months ago and now we have a teacher shortage! The more students we can get to advanced reading levels, the better. We even have some intermediate teen students teaching beginner adult reading classes!"
"That sounds so interesting. What can they do once they can read?"
"Well, the more educated people are, the more they can explore subjects like science, astronomy, medicine, history, economics- things you and my children had private tutors for but probably took for granted. Field experts can be helpful in so many ways. We can have engineers who design battleships, homes, and sewage systems. Doctors, nurses, midwives, who can learn proper care. Our sick population is large and our doctors are overworked. We're paying stipends to specialized skilled workers who take on apprentices," Belle explained.
"Won't we run out of money at some point if we keep giving it all away?" Melody asked curiously.
"Think about it as an investment. We're investing in our people so that they can become self-reliant, financially stable citizens. Once they earn more, we can tax more across the board, relieving the tax burden off of one group of citizens. We've also seen a moderate reduction in crime. We're hoping that number continues to decrease," Belle told her.
Melody was so appreciative of being spoken to as an equal instead of a child. She understood every word Belle said and had some ideas of her own. She was too shy to share them with Belle, but she was impressed by how smart Belle was and how much she had accomplished over the years. Her parents never had governmental or political discussions around her.
"The people must really love you," Melody said to Belle.
"Not all," Belle winced, "Not everyone agrees with these programs and ideas. But I have Adam's full support, besides, it doesn't cost him very much. We spend more gold on ships and the military. I also have a strong team of administrators who help keep the programs running the way it should."
"Wait, are we leaving town?" Melody asked, finding that they were about to cross the palace walls.
"Do you not want to see Marcellus Rehan?"
"Oh, that's right. Does he live far away?"
"Not much further. What exactly do you want with Marcellus?" Belle asked.
"I actually was wondering if he would take on a friend of mine as an apprentice," Melody started, nervously.
"What friend?"
"Emmett, George's son," Melody said quietly, biting her bottom lip.
"Ah, I see. He's the one who made that lovely wooden sculpture of you, isn't he?" Belle asked. Melody nodded. "I think it's a wonderful idea. He'll be very happy to know what a kind thing you've done for him by requesting this."
"I don't want him to know I was involved. He's- not very happy with me right now. He's proud," Melody said.
"All men are," Belle laughed, brushing her hand on Melody's lap for a second. It was the first time she had heard her aunt make a joke.
They rode for about ten more minutes, making a few turns along the way
"I hope Marcellus Rohan agrees to take Emmett on as an apprentice," Melody said, looking out the window.
"He will, dear," Belle assured her.
"Has anyone seen Melody today?" Ariel asked at the lunch table the next morning. No one answered. Thaddeus and Cara looked at each other and then continued to eat.
"I'm sure she's fine," Athena reassured her, "She always turns up."
"She's probably just with Emmett," Tristan told her as she sat down beside him.
"Give her some time. Young people need space to grow, learn, mature," Athena told the two worried parents. "She'll be back."
Belle and Melody made their way back to town after a brief visit with Marcellus Rohan. Melody felt her heart racing, she was excited for what would happen- for Emmett. Belle observed Melody and how she seemed to gaze out the window or smile to herself randomly.
"You must really care about, Emmett," Belle said. Melody's eyes went wide. "Do you think he'd like to stay at the palace?"
"I don't think he'd be in favor of that. He's my friend- I mean, we've known their family my whole life," she said nervously, playing with her fingers.
"Seems to be a bit more than that," Belle said with a raised eyebrow.
"Is that Andrew?" Melody asked as they reached the drawbridge at the gates of the city.
"Oh, yes, I believe so. I know one of the guards from the castle asked to be transferred here to the palace," Belle told her. Melody sat back in her seat, hoping Andrew didn't notice her. Belle closed the curtain of the carriage and smiled.
"He won't see you," Belle said calmly and winked. Melody felt her face warm from embarrassment. "Seems like you have a lot going on," Belle chuckled.
The carriage slowed to a stop and Belle gave Melody a big smile. The queen and the princess were both assisted out of the royal carriage.
"Where are we?" Melody asked.
"Your majesty," the people around began to bow.
"Please, no bowing necessary," Belle smiled humbly.
"Princess Melody!" someone called out eagerly, and people in town began to whisper amongst themselves.
"Hi," Melody waved. They were stopped at the center of town in front of a large, cast-iron fountain. There was a group of people lined up in front of a table. At the table sat two guards and two more guards were loading sacks of food off of a cart and handing them out to people in line.
"This is where people can collect their food and sign up for our reading lessons," Belle said. "They show a guard an attendance voucher for someone in their household to receive their meals. We alternate the days they can pick it up by last names. We've had some issues controlling the crowds or people not showing up on their reserved day. We once had a stack of attendance vouchers go missing which we think were sold and reused. Now, we stamp everything we review so that it no longer can be of use. We also keep a log of every collection."
"There are a lot of people," Melody said in amazement.
"Come, I'll show you the Central Learning Hall," Belle told her. Belle lead Melody from the fountain across the road and into a small stone building. Inside there were about ten people scattered about and chatting amongst each other. There were also rows of thirty or so chairs with desktops. The chalkboard was right near the entrance. The building was wider than it was deep and all the way to the right was a flight of stairs.
"Queen Belle," someone said, and they all turned and bowed.
"Hello!" Belle greeted them warmly.
"Is that Princess Melody? My how you've blossomed. It's great to have you here, Princess Melody," an older, plump woman bowed and they all bowed again.
"Melody is visiting us from the south today. Melody, these are my most esteemed group of educators," Belle told her.
"It's great to meet you all," Melody nodded with a smile.
"How are things going, Martha?" Belle asked, more sternly as she walked over to the desk and pulled out a bunch of papers from the drawer. "How has attendance been?"
"It's been so, so," Martha responded, "The children are consistent enough. The older children as well. The young adults have been causing some havoc and it's hard to fill the night classes upstairs."
"I see," Belle said as she analyzed the papers, one after the other. "I'm so glad I can count on all of you to see this through."
"We're also low on supplies, your majesty," a man from the group told her.
"We have a shipment arriving tomorrow," Belle reassured him. "Well, either way, apologies for being a bit delayed. You can all take your seats." The teachers scurried about and found seats, filling up the first 2 rows of five, and there were three more people than Melody had first estimated. "Melody, you can take a seat, too- if you'd like," Belle told her.
"You can have my seat, Princess," a man in the front corner stood up and went to the back.
"Thank you," Melody said and took the seat.
"So," Belle started and grabbed a piece of chalk near the board, "Did you all read the passages I assigned last week?" There was a dull murmur of agreement as they all opened their books.
"Let's try one of my son's favorites, sonnet number twenty-nine," Belle said eagerly, "'When in disgrace…'" She started quoting the sonnet. "What is Shakespear saying in this passage?"
"Well, he's lonely," someone said.
"Is he? I don't think so," another woman responded.
"What is the general theme of the sonnet?" Belle asked.
"Sadness," a woman called out, "Pain."
"Yes, good," Belle wrote those words on the wall, "How does the writer feel about themselves?"
"Not very good, I'd say," the man who gave Melody his seat said from the back.
"Right, what else?"
"He wishes he was someone else," a young woman said, studying the page closely.
"How do you know it's a he?" someone asked.
"Well, it's clearly a man," the older woman said, "Only a man would focus on such stupid things. Women are too busy trying to keep everyone alive!" Everyone laughed.
"Women do have a big responsibility in society," Belle said, "I supposed we don't know the sex of the author. We can guess, but does it truly matter?"
Melody looked around at the classroom so eagerly engaged in the discussion and at Belle lecturing so passionately about something she enjoyed. She was beyond impressed by Belle and by everyone. She noticed that all of the teachers were different. Some were old, some were young, seven were women, six were male. The youngest one looked to be about thirteen or fourteen.
"Melody," Belle asked, breaking her from her spell, "Are you familiar with this Shakespearian sonnet?"
"Yes," Melody chuckled a bit nervously, not used to being called on. "I had to read all of Shakespear's works."
"What would you say the theme of the sonnet is? If you could sum it up in one phrase," Belle asked her.
"Hmm," Melody thought for a second. She knew the sonnet well. "Love is richer than gold?"
"Precisely," Belle agreed, "We can all gain and lose gold, but love is stronger than all of the gold in all of the world." Belle looked at Melody and smiled.
"Excuse me, Queen," a guard showed up at the door in a huff and bowed, "Lunch from the King is here."
"Excellent, thank you. Set it up right inside here," Belle told him.
They stayed and ate with the teachers. Five minutes later, another ten teachers came down from the upstairs levels and joined them.
"How long will you be staying with us?" Martha asked Melody as the others chatted and ate. Most of which were huddled around Belle.
"Oh, I'm not sure," Melody said between bites of her sandwich.
"I hope you're here for some time. If you ever need me, I live in the North East part of town. I'd love to have you over for dinner one evening. I'm a great cook," Martha bragged.
"Thank you, Martha, I'd love to one day. That's a very kind offer," Melody smiled.
"Princess Melody, didn't you just have a birthday a couple of weeks ago?" a man with a thick beard asked in a scruffy voice.
"Yes! I did!"
"I bet it was so lovely," a woman added, gazing at Melody in a trance-like state, "Is Prince Eric and Princess Ariel here as well?"
"No, just me this time," Melody said. It was weird being without her parents for the first time, but part of her liked it.
A church bell rang and all of the teachers dispersed and said quick goodbyes. Some left out the door and three hurried upstairs.
Some young teens began to trickle into the classroom casually.
"Princess Melody?... Is that Princess Melody?... I don't know… I've never seen her before."
"Princess Melody!" two girls who looked a little younger than Lauren rushed over to her, "Is that really you? You're so beautiful!" The girls threw themselves at her in a tight embrace.
"Alright, alright, get your sandwiches and hurry on upstairs!" Martha scolded them sternly, "Leave the Princess alone!" The two girls rolled their eyes and ignored Martha completely and it made Melody giggle. Some rowdy boys came in and started poking and shoving people out of the way for sandwiches.
"Show some manners, boys," Belle said loudly.
"Queen Belle," the boys bowed and then shoved each other.
"Save some food for the little ones!" Belle called out. Soon, little children began to flood through the door in a frenzy.
"Who is that?... That's a princess!... No, it's not, I've never seen her before...Shut up!"
The kid's chatter as they grabbed sandwiches made Melody laugh.
"Ready to go?" Belle asked Melody and Melody nodded, enjoying herself among the students.
"Alright, alright, take your seats, you little bumble bees," they heard Martha tell the children before they walked out the door.
"Oh, they're great- just all of them! You started all of that by yourself?" Melody asked Belle, still in awe.
"I had help for sure. But, everything starts off as an idea," Belle told her.
"Those teachers- some of them looked very young- younger than me!"
"They were all students once. We have a shortage of teachers and we're opening more and more teaching halls due to there being more people signing up for learning for food vouchers," Belle informed her, "We're training a new group of teachers right now. We have intermediate level readers who both study and teach either a morning or afternoon session for beginners. We pair them up in twos to teach a class of about fifteen. Some classes fill to thirty and others dwindle around ten. The adults are the hardest to get reading, they find no value in it."
They walked around town a bit more, and Belle showed her where three more teaching halls in the town center were located as well as the main library. Belle walked south down the main road and made a few turns along the way. They had guards not too far from them at all times.
"Where are we going?"
"To the shoemaker's," Belle told her, "He has a place above his shop for lease."
"Why do you want to do that?" Melody asked her.
"For Emmett," Belle smiled, "It's close to the south entrance of the city- which makes it easier to get to Marcellus." Melody felt her heart racing again at the mention of Emmett's name, she hadn't even considered where he'd live or what could make it easier for him. She never had to think of sorting any of those things out herself.
The place had its own entrance, and it looked like it hadn't been well maintained in a while.
"We can fix it up a bit for him, what do you think, Melody?"
"It's not bad and there is kind of a kitchen," Melody said, looking around at the layer of dust and cobwebs over everything.
"I'm only asking for five shillings for the year," the old shoemaker told them.
"Here is ten gold," Belle pulled out a small sack of gold from her bag, "Let's say this covers the next two years of tenants for the royal family. Fix up these floors and windows and get this place furnished, please, with a bed, desk, small table, 2 chairs, linens and blankets. The lock is broken on the front door, fix that as well. You have a boarder coming in two weeks. It's a young man, so if you could also make sure he receives daily meals, we'd very much appreciate it."
"Of course, your majesty. This is very generous of you," he said with a small tremble in his voice. Belle watched as he hobbled over slowly to collect the sack of gold from her hand. "I'll have it cleaned up in no time." The man reminded her of her father, Maurice- well, grandfather.
"On second thought, just provide the meals. My guards will fix the lock and do the rest- and anything else you need repaired around here," Belle looked over at a guard who was waiting in the doorway at the top of the stairs - he nodded.
"Oh, thank you!" the old man kissed Belle's hand in appreciation and respect. Belle leaned over and hugged him tightly.
The two women walked back to the town center where the line for food and cart was no longer there.
"Ready to head back? It's the afternoon now and I'd like to rest and get ready for supper," Belle asked, walking back toward the carriage.
"Yes, of course," Melody said.
At the palace, a mere ten minutes later, Belle asked Melody to accompany her to the study. They walked down the regal palace hallways talking about the people in town and the programs. Melody noticed a familiar face standing in front of the door to the study.
"Hello, Andrew," Belle greeted the guard.
"Your majesty," he bowed his head, looking straight ahead.
"Is my son inside?" she asked him.
"Prince John? Yes, he's in the study at the moment, queen," Andrew said seriously.
"Would you join us inside, please? I'd like a word with the both of you," Belle told him, "Melody, give me a moment, dear." Melody waited outside of the study as Belle and Andrew went in with Prince John but then leaned on the door to listen in.
"I would feel much safer, for the both of you, if my son slept here at the palace," Belle said in a concerned voice,
"Mother, I am safe. We're not in any danger," John protested with a sigh, knowing his mother only meant well.
"Please, just do it for me. Andrew, you're welcome here at any time."
"I'm not sure what you're referring to, your majesty. But, thank you for your offer," Andrew responded.
"Would you mind if I use the study for a few minutes? Your cousin Melody is outside and we need to finish some business," Belle asked John. John stood up and walked around the desk. He gave his mother a big hug and kiss on the cheek. "I love you, no matter what."
"I love you, mother," he responded.
"Cousin Melody!" John greeted his cousin, "How are you? How are things? How is Tristan doing?"
"Uhm- it's all fine," she said uncomfortably, "I'm just visiting."
"Melody," Belle called her from inside. Melody excused herself and joined her aunt in the study.
"So, what would you like this letter to Emmett to say?"
"I don't know," Melody shrugged.
"How's 'Dearest', no, 'Emmett Johnson, Word of your great artistic talent has traveled far and wide. We'd like to invite you to take part in an apprenticeship program where you will train and grow alongside the world-famous Marcellus Rohan. Accommodations will be available above Paul the Shoemaker in the South West Quadrant of the city. Please, respond within the next two weeks. Marcellus will be expecting you by the 1st of next month. This is a tremendous opportunity for you and your artistic development," Belle read aloud as she wrote.
"Wow, that's really good," Melody said, ever impressed by Belle.
"How should we sign it? 'We hope to see you soon?' No. 'Regards'?"
"Hmm, 'We eagerly anticipate your arrival. Regards,'," Melody added.
"The Royal Learning Center," Belle wrote with a smile. She folded the letter, placed it in an envelope, and then sealed it with wax,
"How long before it arrives?" Melody asked her.
"About a week?" Belle responded.
"Maybe my carpet can deliver it! It'll be there within an hour!" Melody lit up.
"Sure. Here you go," Belle handed Melody the letter, "It's time I rest now. It was so great spending the day with you." Belle rose up from her chair and placed a hand over her small pregnancy belly.
"Thank you!" Melody gave Belle a tight embrace, "I had such a great time today. Would you mind if I stayed a little longer?"
"Of course," Belle gave Melody a kiss on her forehead, "This is your home."
"Carpet," Melody called out as she entered her room, "Take this letter to Meridian. Leave it at the front door. Make sure no one sees you." The carpet took the letter and flew out the window.
"What's going on?" Elizabeth showed up at the door.
"Hi, Lizzy. Where's Prince Harrison?"
"I'm not sure, father took him somewhere," she laughed.
Melody took off her dress to ready herself for her bath and remained in her undergarments.
"Here's a robe," Elizabeth walked to the armoire and pulled out a large, purple silk robe for Melody. Melody slipped it on and plopped down on the bed. Elizabeth joined in after her.
"What's going on, Mel? Why are you here? Did something happen?"
"It's Emmett," Melody smiled bashfully.
"What about him?"
"I snuck out to see him a few nights ago, picked him up from his house and took him back to the castle while everyone was in Atlantica," Melody told her, sitting up in bed with her knees tucked in.
"Oh, no! I don't believe you! You bad, girl!" Elizabeth squealed, "So, what happened?"
"He drew a bunch of pictures of me- all night, that's all we did," Melody said.
"Really, that's it?"
"Well, I was naked," Melody's face went bright red.
"Naked?! That's so hot. I wish someone would draw me naked. A full blown painting or sculpture!"
"My dad found the pictures and flipped, Lizzy!" Melody laughed.
"Welcome to the darkside," Elizabeth told her, "He's just going to have to come to terms with the fact that you're not a little girl anymore. Did something else happen?"
"So much. He flipped in front of the whole family in Atlantica and I left for Meridian to be with Emmett. We- well, we-" Melody made a face.
"You what? You and Emmett? Oh!" Elizabeth gasped, "Your first time!"
"Yes," Melody chuckled nervously.
"How was it? Did it hurt? My first time with Hugh I cried so much. It hurt like hell, I couldn't even walk. I felt like everyone was going to know somehow."
"It was - nice, it was his first time as well. He seemed a little nervous. I think I wanted it more than he did," Melody thought back to that night with Emmett.
"Wow, Mel, I'm so proud of you," Elizabeth said, "So you and Emmett?"
"I ended things with him the next morning. I forgot to tell you, my dad showed up that day and beat Emmett. Told him to leave me alone. He had already assumed Emmett and I had done something because of the drawings but we actually did it for the first time that night," Melody told her. Elizabeth listened intently, taking it all in. "I ended things with Emmett the next morning. Father threatened to throw the family out of the home unless things ended, Alice was worried. I couldn't let him hurt them like that."
"You actually believed him? Uncle Eric would never do that to anyone- especially them," Elizabeth told her.
"I kind of realized that or just didn't care. I went to see him last night and he wanted nothing to do with me for ending things so abruptly. He loves me- a lot and I hurt him," Melody said solemnly, almost near tears.
"They all love us- we're princesses. He was just upset, I wouldn't pay much attention to that," Elizabeth told her.
"Daddy says it's because he's not a prince."
"What?!" Elizabeth laughed, "No way. That's so antiquated. Sure, they prefer royals to marry royals for political reasons. But, even father married mother and she was a commoner from some small country town."
"Aunt Belle just helped me write a letter to bring Emmett to the city for an apprenticeship with Marcellus Rohan."
"That's clever," Elizabeth told her, "So, you get to see him if you stick around."
"I just want the best for him, and I know that was something he really wanted. I just don't know if he and I will ever work," Melody looked out toward the window and noticed the day was getting darker. "What about you and Harrison?
"Harry?" Elizabeth laughed, "I'm not sure what's happening there."
"Lizzy, you said earlier that you liked him."
"Yes, I do, like him," she smiled, "I like bedding him. I like fighting with him, too. All we do is fight all day and bed all night, sometimes a mix of both. I think about him when he's not around. That's never happened to me before."
"Will you marry him?"
"He's asked me- several times now. But, I don't know," Elizabeth thought about it, "I want to get married on my terms. I would marry him, yes. But, I want to be the one to decide. I want to be the one to ask him to marry me- when I'm ready. Not just because a man asked me. No one seems to understand that."
"I think I understand you and feel the same way," Melody said, sighing deeply.
"You're young, Mel, explore. Have fun - kiss all of the guys you want while you can. You'll have the rest of your life to spend forever with someone. If they really love you, they'll still be around. Hugh would leave his girl in an instant if I asked him to," Elizabeth laughed as she got up.
"I'll see you at supper, Lizzy."
"There is a tub heater in this room. Enjoy it."