A Handshake
Morning sun woke Marinette on her second day of humanhood. She'd spent the night in a dreamless sleep on a cot Alya laid out for her in front of the hearth. She had never slept so deeply in her whole life! Mermaids slept, at most, an hour of the the day. Would it be like this every night?
Marinette wiped the grit out of her eyes and stretched. The scent of cooking meat wafted from the kitchen. Alya was up already?
Marinette staggered out of bed, her legs almost as uncooperative as when she crawled out of the sea. Her head was fuzzy with sleep. She clung to the kitchen doorframe when she wobbled mid step.
Alya shook the skillet over the open fire of the stove. She spied Marinette over her shoulder. "Hey, sleepy head."
"Hey."
"You sleep well?"
Had she? Marinette had nothing to compare it to. "I slept… thoroughly," she decided, as she slipped into the chair where Alya served the meals.
"Okay?"
Whoops. Had she said something weird again?
"Listen, I have work today, so I'm going to have to leave soon," Alya said, spooning eggs onto the plates.
"Work?" Marinette wondered aloud. "Like a role?" That's what merfolk in the community did to help out. Ideally everyone had a role, but the community allowed for those too young, old, or infirm to be cared for without contributing.
"What? Role? No, like a job." Alya put the food on the table, yellow eggs served with sliced crispy bread. "I'm a maid. I clean up the place for people too rich and busy to do it themselves."
"Oh," Marinette yawned. So then, Alya would be gone all day. What would Marinette do?
"You know, I would never ask for rent from someone who washed up from a shipwreck…"
Good. Because Marinette had no idea what 'rent' was.
"… But it would help me out if you got a job and chipped in with living expenses." Alya ate a forkful of eggs, her eyes fixed on Marinette.
"A job? So I would be cleaning up too? A maid?" Marinette asked just make sure all her facts were straight. When Alya didn't reply, Marinette said, "I could do that."
"Great!" Alya grinned. "I've already asked the housekeeper. You can work up in the palace with me."
Marinette felt very awake all of a sudden. "Y- you work at the palace?" Marinette couldn't go there, that's where Adrien was. If he recognized her, she would be human forever.
"Yep. You'd help me dust and mop floors and whatever else. Are you okay with that?"
"Yes." Mopping and dusting wasn't the problem. "I want to help you—"
"Good." Alya finished her breakfast. She left the table to wash her dish. "I knew you'd say that."
Marinette anxiously shoveled eggs and whatever else down her throat. This could be bad. Really bad. Her stomach lurched. She couldn't eat anymore.
She went to the sink, her fingers drumming across her dish. "Say… you ever, er, run into royalty while you're cleaning?" Marinette asked, very subtly.
"Sorry to disappoint, but no," Alya chuckled. "Almost never."
"Phew. Um! I mean- I see. Yeah." Maybe she was in less danger than she thought. She liked the idea of seeing the castle she'd only observed from the water. And Alya had done so much for her; helping out was the right thing to do. "I'd love to contribute if I can," she said honestly.
Two light knocks wrapped against the front door.
"That'll be Nino."
Marinette tilted her head. She didn't know he was coming by.
Nino sauntered inside. "Hey," he greeted Alya with a peck on the cheek. He bobbed his head when he spotted Marinette. "Morning, Marinette."
"Nino's walking up with us this morning. We like to see each other when we can. You know." Alya tied an apron around her waist and wrapped bread and fruit in a cloth. She gave Marinette a friendly nod. "Ready?"
Marinette was not ready. She scrambled to prepare herself for a day out, apologizing every time she passed by Alya and Nino. She was good to go within minutes, after struggling to figure out which shoe went with which foot.
It was a beautiful morning, still and clear. Cold though, cold enough that Marinette could see her breath. She hugged one of Alya's shawls close as she took in the sights of Port Lunimar.
The streets were paved with stones and lined with metal poles topped with glass lanterns. They passed by a man with a long stick who put the light of each of them out one by one. Marinette tried not to look too excited by things that must have been very ordinary to a human. Still, Nino coughed draw her attention when she reached out to touch flowers clinging to an iron gate.
"So Marinette, Alya tells me you were in a shipwreck," he said. Marinette's blood went as cold as the air. "Can you tell me about that?"
No.
"I… don't know," Marinette mumbled.
Nino's eyebrows lowered. "It's just that there hasn't been any flotsam or sign of a wrecked ship anywhere. There were a couple of smaller boats found along shore, but everyone assumed the storm just ripped them away from the peasant's dock. Was one of them yours? Do you sail?" Nino's gaze was penetrating. Did he suspect that she was a mermaid? No, that's stupid. Don't panic, Marinette.
"I don't… sail." The road became steep as they walked up to the cliffside palace.
"What's the name of the boat you were on? What kind of boat was it? Was it big or small?"
"I'm not sure." Her legs burned with each step. With every breath the morning chill stung her throat. What was with all these questions?
"Where was it taking you? Were you on it willingly?"
"I don't—"
"Why were you even out in the middle of the storm anyway? Everyone up and down the coast knew the hurricane was coming. No one should have been out on the water."
Nino demanded answers, but Marinette was too tongue-tied to give him even one. She kept her stride up the hill. Her heart pounded, but she wasn't sure if it was from the walk or Nino's probing questions.
"What exactly do you remember?" he asked, clearly irritated, now.
"Nino," Alya hissed. Nino huffed in response.
"…What about your home? Your family?" he asked, kinder.
Marinette had to answer. 'I don't know' wasn't going to cut it anymore. She couldn't live in human society without help and Alya was a reef in a strong current.
"I think… they're gone?"
You think, Marinette? Really? She hated the answer as soon as it came out of her mouth. What a stupid, obvious lie.
Alya's arms wrapped around Marinette's shoulders. Pulled out of her stride, Marinette's legs trembled. Nino rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes avoiding hers.
Oh no. They believed her?
"Look, I'm sorry about all the questions," Nino apologized.
"There, there," Alya cooed, patting her back.
This was worse than if they had just called her a liar and told her to get lost. They thought her family was dead! That Marinette was some kind of tragic orphan. Her family wasn't dead, they were probably happily sharing a meal ninety fathoms deep… so glad and relieved their weirdo daughter had finally gotten her act together enough to go try and find a real place in another mer community… instead of pulling off an impossible charade and lying to every single person who ever showed her any kindness.
She was the worst.
She felt like crying again.
She sniffled and did her best to stifle the tears, but finally a single ugly sob ripped through her.
Alya rubbed her back harder as if she could pat the sadness away. She shot Nino a nasty glare. "Real soft touch, Nino, you made her cry!"
"I'm so sorry!" Nino whispered with urgency, hands extended. "I didn't mean to— People are staring."
A couple castle guards in black and silver uniforms were murmuring to each other from behind shelled hands. Marinette was making a spectacle of herself.
She cried harder.
"Nino!" called a familiar, kind voice.
Marinette choked on her sobs as Prince Adrien and Lady Chloe approached their little group. She fled Alya's arms to go hide behind her back.
"Adrien! Um, hi!" Nino greeted awkwardly.
Marinette scrubbed the tears off her face with the hem of her sleeve. Her pulse faltered. Did she dare take a peek at him?
"What brings you to the castle? I don't think I've ever seen you here two days in a row before," Adrien said with an easy friendliness.
Marinette peered out from behind Alya's shoulder. Adrien was even prettier in the daylight. The sun made his hair shine gold and the cold air only added beautiful color to his finely featured face.
Today he wore a tailored three piece suit: a pearly white coat with a high collar trimmed with intricate yellow and green embroidery, offset by black and dark blue waist coat and trousers. Marinette felt a pang of guilt as she noticed the band of cloth around his neck wasn't the same color as the one she tore three nights ago. It would have fit today's ensemble better, in her opinion.
"I'm just walking Alya and her friend to work today," Nino said.
Adrien looked their way.
Marinette stopped breathing.
"Alya, it's always good to see you, and," he paused as he examined Marinette's face.
She was done. The jig was up. She had a good run. She concealed her mermaid heritage for all of twenty-four hours before getting caught by the only human on earth who knew she was a mermaid. At least she said goodbye to her friends and family…
"I'm sorry, I don't think we've met," Adrien finished.
Marinette didn't know a 'cackle of relief' was something that happened until one flew from her lips. It was a hideous sound. Everyone stared at her as she covered her mouth with her hands.
"This is Marinette," Alya stepped away, unveiling her. Marinette, unshielded, avoided Adrien's eyes and tucked her head into a nod. "I found her washed up on shore yesterday." Alya gave Nino a look that made him flinch. "It was a shipwreck. She's here to work as a maid with me."
"That's awful. I can't imagine what you've been through," Adrien offered his condolences. Chloe, who Marinette had forgotten was there, nudged Adrien in the side with her elbow. "Ow! Oh, right. Alya, I don't believe you met Lady Chloe of Troubadour. Allow me to introduce you. Lady Chloe, this is Alya. And Marinette."
Chloe surveyed Marinette and Alya from behind a large yellow fan, eyes narrowed. She was as well dressed as ever, Marinette noted, but it was surreal to meet her eye to eye instead of watching her from below.
"Nino's mentioned you." The warmth Marinette knew Alya for was gone from her voice. An uncomfortable silence was her only response. Eventually, she added, "My lady."
"It must be such a privilege," Chloe said into her fan. "I'm sure it's been a delight, but His Highness has promised to show me the market and we must be going. I assume you're very busy too, doing chores or scrubbing or whatever your favorite cleaning activity must be."
"Chloe," Adrien said, strained.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"My Prince." A servant from the castle jogged out to meet him. He saluted, and gave his report, "The king sends for you."
"I'll be right there," Adrien said quickly.
Chloe's fan fell from her face. "But Adrikins, what about the market?"
"Sorry, Lady Chloe. We can go later, or I could meet you there after I see the king." He saluted a wave, "Bye, Nino. It's always good to see you too, Alya. And it was nice meeting you, Marinette. I hope you can find a home here in Edoire."
Marinette expected him to leave, but to her horror he offered his hand. Not this again.
Marinette's eyes darted between his face and hand. She had to do something with it. Nino nearly shook her arm off. Tentatively, she reached out and took it.
Just like Nino. She yanked his hand. Adrien flew to the ground.
Chloe shrieked and the guards rushed forward to help their prince off the dirty street. Alya jumped back and Nino's mouth fell open.
Uh-oh.
"What's your problem?!" Chloe demanded.
Coming to terms with the situation, Marinette finally found her words through the mortification, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! Are you okay?" She bent to help Adrien alongside the guards.
"Back off!" Chloe barked. Marinette's arm smarted. Chloe had smacked her with her fan.
"Chloe! I'm alright! I'm fine." Adrien stood and dusted off his pants, shooing the guards away. His grass green eyes found Marinette, assessing.
Marinette was shaking, her hands clutched at her mouth. She assaulted the human prince. That had to be against the law. How much trouble did she just get herself in? Was Alya going to be punished too? Coming here was a mistake.
"You've, uh, got a really strong arm there." Adrien half smiled.
She was an idiot. A weirdo. A freak. A nuisance.
"I'm so sorry," she whimpered.
He stopped grinning. "It's okay, really. No harm done," he assured her. He raised his hand, but then put it back down, opening, closing, opening. "I better be off." He and the man servant left for the palace.
Chloe, pink faced, pivoted on Marinette, blue eyes as cold as ice. "Watch yourself, maid."
-o-o-o-
Adrien was exhausted and he hadn't even done anything yet. He should have known something was off when Chloe was up, bright eyed and ready for the day when it was only eight o' clock in the morning.
That's when she told him the news.
The storm had hit the Huangxese coast. The town where Chloe and Regent Bourgeois were meant to make port was in ruins. Huangxa wouldn't be ready to entertain foreign dignitaries for days yet.
"And so Daddy thinks it will be best if we postpone the trip for another week or two. I couldn't be happier! I'd choose you over the emperor's daughter waxing poetic over a chrysanthemum any day," Chloe tittered on that morning over breakfast.
Adrien feared he would be doomed to many shopping trips to town in his foreseeable future. A call from his father usually made him uneasy, but special circumstances made Adrien relieved to be called away, if just for a bit.
Adrien entered his the king's study. "Father, I'm here."
King Gabriel, as always, was seated behind his desk, paperwork spread before him.
"Adrien," he spoke to him in the same voice he spoke to Nathalie. "Captain Hardrock called in her boon. It was quite peculiar and had to do with you."
Adrien grimaced and ducked his head. "Is she still captain of the Liberty?" he asked guiltily.
"Yes. For now," said his father. "I acquiesced."
Adrien must have misheard.
"You did?"
"Yes," his father drawled. "With conditions, of course. Many conditions."
"Do you mean it? I'll get to learn how to sail?"
"It would be foolish to believe I could keep you off the water forever. We are a coastal nation, after all. One day, you might need to make diplomatic missions to Katana or Reynard. It would behoove you to know the basic functions of a sailing ship. Captain Hardrock kindly offered up the Liberty to provide you with such practical experience."
Adrien couldn't believe his ears. She actually managed to pull it off! He was going to go on the water. His breath was shaky.
"Thank you."
"You won't be learning how to man a sailboat," Gabriel assured him sternly. "For now you will be restricted to the Liberty. And later, you will be permitted on board other ships of her class or above staffed by crew loyal to Edoire, understand?"
"Yes." It was more than he dared dream. "When may I start?"
"The captain is prepared to take you aboard as soon as tomorrow."
Gabriel gestured, dismissing him, but Adrien didn't leave. He drew closer to his father, and bowed, although he was happy enough to hug him. Gabriel blinked, surprised.
"Thank you, again," Adrien said earnestly. He locked eyes with his father. "You don't know how much this means to me."
For brief a moment, his father reacted, squinting as if he felt a twinge. But then it was gone. Gabriel silently nodded and waved him away.
-o-o-o-
"Well, that was something."
"I'm so sorry," Marinette groaned, as she struggled to keep up with Alya's pace. What even was the hand thing all these humans kept doing?
"Relax, girl. Prince Adrien isn't some stuffy blue blood. Not like Her Ladyship," Alya spread her fingers and waved at her face, mocking Chloe's overlarge fan. "He won't hold it against you."
"I'm an idiot," Marinette stated.
"You're not an idiot. Everybody gets intimidated the first time they meet royalty," Alya insisted.
How long would others make excuses for her strange behavior until they all stopped and accepted she was too weird to be human?
Alya halted, and Marinette bumped into her back. They stood in front of a pair of large, dark wooden doors.
"Here we are," Alya declared, pushing them open. "This is the library."
"Library?" That was a new word. Marinette poked her head inside.
The room was massive, hosting it's own staircase as it ascended to an upper level. Floor to ceiling, every wall was lined with shelves covered in brightly colored books. Two tall windows, as big as a galleon's main mast brought light into room, and overlooked a courtyard garden below. Dust motes danced in the air like plankton in the sea. It was spectacular.
"Wow," was all Marinette managed to get out.
"Yeah, it's pretty swanky, I guess. But it takes forever to clean. The king likes it spotless, but the dust just never seems to go away," Alya explained, batting at the dust motes in the air. "Not to mention the unpleasant librarian. You up to the challenge?"
Marinette got to look at all these books? Touch all the wood of the shelves and the paper pages? She'd never touched dry paper before.
"Tell me what I need to do," Marinette said, trying not to grin like an idiot.
"Atta girl."
Alya gave her a rundown on what needed to be cleaned and with what utensil. She left to do her own cleaning, and Marinette was alone. Alone with more books than she imagined could exist.
Marinette went from shelf to shelf, delicately removing the books to wipe of their edges with a rag, and polish the wooden displays with oil. When she found a book with a particularly beautiful cover, she would discreetly look inside. She couldn't read the human scribbles, but the patterns they made were beautiful in their own way. Her fingers traced the covers, the pages, and the clean wooden shelves, wiping all traces of dust she could spot.
Progress was slow, but fascinating. By her second shelf, she'd found a book with pictures in it— beautiful illustrations of plants. If only she could read and find out what they were called! Since that book, she opened every tome she came across, just to be sure she didn't miss anything amazing within their pages… and dust. She was looking for dust too.
After finishing an entire book case, Marinette moved to the other side of the library to start on a case containing big books with purple spines. She'd figured out the bigger books were more likely to contain pictures.
She plucked three heavy books off the shelf, intending to examine them, when something amiss caught her eye. Hidden behind the books she gathered, was another book. A special book. It was thin, but very wide.
Marinette set down the others and carefully freed the hidden book from behind its brothers. It didn't match any of the other volumes in the case. The cover was soft and pliable. Maybe an animal skin? A curvy squiggle of gold adorned the front. Mysterious, loose pieces of paper stuck out between the pages.
Marinette looked around. She was alone. Would anyone mind if she took a little break?
She cradled the mysterious book to a reading table, and set it down. Ever so gently, she opened to the first page. It was hidden behind a scrap of paper. Marinette peeled it off and gasped.
There were no words in this book. Only pictures. Two faceless human forms posed on the yellowed page, wearing the most beautiful gowns Marinette had ever seen. Bright purple and sky blue, their skirts and capes trailed behind them like tide on the shore.
Marinette squinted at the bodice detail of the purple dress. It was trimmed with little white dots. Were those meant to be pearls? Marinette's finger brushed the page, and reeled back when the image smudged.
These weren't printed images like the others. Someone had drawn these gorgeous dresses directly into the book! The loose papers were meant to protect the sketches. Of course! How clever!
Marinette gingerly placed the paper back where it came from and went on to the next page. More dresses! Even some men this time too! Every page the drawings became crisper, more realized. Whoever made this was a genius.
On a whim, Marinette flipped to a random page, and was surprised to see a face. All of the drawings had been of clothes and forms, but this was a portrait. A lovely lady with pale hair and striking green eyes gazed back at her, smiling as if she kept a secret to herself.
Marinette didn't spend too long looking over the sketches. Alya was counting on her to clean, and there was still a lot of work to be done.
With utmost care, Marinette closed the book, all its loose papers protecting the treasures within, and she returned it to it's hiding place.
Marinette wasn't sure how long she'd been cleaning when her stomach growled. Alya showed up to collect her for lunch, to her relief.
"Whoa, you're still working?" Alya asked when she came in.
"Yes," Marinette grinned, proud of how much she'd done. "I'm dusting off each book."
Alya laughed. "An overachiever! I like it."
"Can I clean this room again?" Marinette asked as Alya ushered her out toward the kitchens.
"Sure." Alya seemed to find the request funny, although Marinette couldn't guess why.
That evening, Marinette went to the Peasant Dock like she promised Tikki. Once the sun set, Alya treated her to dinner and Marinette asked if she might find her some paper and something to draw with.
-o-o-o-
Nino and Alya sort of switched personalities for a bit this chapter. Whoops. Maybe Nino has a more protective side when it comes to Alya?