"That's the problem, Emma...", Guido sighed, using his nickname for Esmeralda, "I actually hadn't my first kiss on the lips with a girl...Sure, I danced with plenty of girls as it was tradition and all, but...I am not really a prince to them...I mean, I know I got adopted by Dad and Mom, and I appreciate what Lucia did for me, but even if a girl liked me, does she only like me for my connection to my parents?...".
"I like you for who you are, Guido.", Esmeralda smiled at him, and Guido smiled, "Thanks, Emma...Still, I just...I am a loser...For goodness' sake, I am almost 13 years old, and I should have gotten a kiss on the lips already...".
Esmeralda whispered softly, "You aren't a loser, Guido...Do you want to try it with me? I haven't been kissed on the lips either...", and Guido blinked in surprise, "What?! But you're so pretty...No boy kissed you at your party?".
"I think all the other boys like older girls.". Esmeralda sighed and rolled her eyes as Guido chuckled. "Either that or they're worried considering your royalty.", he joked.
Esmeralda sighed, "That's the other thing I am worried about, too...I know I got adopted by Papa, but I am a gypsy through and through, thanks to Dad...I think their parents told them not get to know me since well, gypsies aren't received too well in Italy...".
Guido looked affronted, "What?! That's beyond stupid and ridiculous! You are good, kind, wonderful, compassionate, affectionate! Any boy should be lucky to kiss you on the lips if they knew you!".
Esmeralda whispered, "But they don't...I understand if you don't want to kiss me for your first time, it's just that...I am not a stranger compared to all those girls...And...I...actually have a crush on you...ever since I saw you at your party...But if you want to remain as best friends, that's okay...I understand...".
Guido's eyes widened in bewilderment and shock, with memories of him and Esmeralda growing up together in the past years flashing through his mind; playing games together like the game of house, eating together, swimming together, and even sleeping together once or twice in a carriage...He remembered those mischievous, playful kisses on his cheeks, how he got grossed out for a moment yet liked it at the same time, yet that was a long time ago, and now...
Guido sighed as he looked back to the sea for a few moments as he continued to think. Esmeralda sighed and stood up before Guido grabbed her hand, "No... don't leave... please...". Esmeralda looked at him for a moment before sitting right down next to him and he took one more deep breath before he finally said it, "Emma... will you let me kiss you?".
Esmeralda whispered softly as her eyes widened, "Yes.", and Guido slowly, cautiously took his hand up to cradle her cheek as he leaned in, trying to remember what his dad did with his mom in kissing, and landed a tender, warm one on Esmeralda's lips, feeling something spark for a moment, and he actually liked it, growing a bit more confident as Esmeralda returned the kiss shyly yet hopefully, and he kissed her a bit more bolder, hearing Esmeralda gasp as she wrapped her arms around him slowly.
Guido opened his eyes to see Esmeralda blushing as they pulled back for air, and she whispered softly, "It felt like...something good, almost like...I liked it...It was like...", and Guido spoke, "A spark.".
"You felt that too?", Esmeralda asked as Guido nodded. She started to smile, "You think... you think that's what it's like for our parents... about their soulmates?".
Guido gave a small smile, "I think so, but let's double check.", and he leaned back in to kiss her confidently, and Esmeralda gasped, feeling the spark grow inside her as she wrapped her arms a bit tighter around him, and Guido's smile grew as he felt the same spark growing inside him as well when Esmeralda returned the kiss just the same.
They then pulled back for air, and Guido blushed this time as he found the reason why his dad called his mother beautiful, and yet he knew that Esmeralda will be gorgeous when she turns of age...He whispered, "I...I don't want to share this yet with the others...".
Esmeralda smiled in understanding, "It's our secret then...Does this mean...", and Guido nodded softly, "I think so...", reluctantly letting go of her yet still held her hand as she let go of him just as reluctantly.
Leo gave a bark, making the young couple realize that he saw the whole thing, and Guido spoke, "You ain't telling anyone about this, right?", and Leo snorted, yipping as he licked Guido and Esmeralda on the faces momentarily.
Esmeralda giggled, "I think he is just happy for us, and yeah, he's smart. He won't tell anyone, not that he can't, but still.", and Guido smiled, "True...And Esmeralda, I don't know when I can say those words, and really mean it, but I know that someday I will.".
"It's okay... we've still got some years before then.", Esmeralda chuckled as she stood back up. "You okay being here still?", she asked as Guido nodded. "Yeah, it's certainly better than anything else to do right now...", he smirked.
Esmeralda smiled, "Indeed. Well, I'll leave ya to your playtime with Leo. If anyone asks, I will tell them that you need some alone time, and that Leo's keeping you company.", and Guido smiled, "Alright, thanks, Emma.".
"Naturally.", Esmeralda nodded, and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek softly, whispering, "Thank you for making me the happiest girl on earth today.", before leaving him as she scuffled Leo on the head, and then walked away and down the stairs, to the ramp that connected the ship to the docks.
Guido sighed wryly, "She had driven me crazy when we were younger, Leo, and now, she's driving me even crazier, and somehow, I really like it.", with a dopey smile as he petted Leo and he barked, licking his hand.
And so, the secret relationship of the young couple grew, as the king and queen battled the influenzas' illness, and to the whole family's relief, Eric and Ariel successfully came out of it, yet a bit more tired at times, but still spry as much as possible.
Five years later, Eric, having not kept pace with the duties of being king lately, decides to call for a family meeting, after having talked with Ariel who agreed, not wanting to see her husband overwork himself.
"You think he'll hold it against me?", Eric asked her as Ariel shook her head. "No, it'll be alright, after all, you're not fully abdicating.", she reminded as he sighed.
"Almost feels like it at times...", Eric admitted. Ariel kissed his cheek, "Oh, I know, my love. I'm right here with you, okay?", and Eric smiled, stroking her hand, kissing her fingers, "Thank you, Ariel.", as they are sitting in the library.
A knock on the door pierced the air, and Eric called out, "Come in!", and all their five children, some of their grandchildren came in, taking spots on seats near the couple.
Melody asked, "What's going on, Father? You called for a family meeting.", and Eric nodded, "That I have...I have talked with your mother, and she agreed with me...As of now, I have decided that since Tazio have been with me throughout all the years of being my assistant in learning how to be king, I am sharing the throne with Tazio for I am abdicating halfway through.".
Tazio was stunned to hear that, "You mean...?", blinking in surprise. "Not just yet, of course, I'm not that out of it yet, but for the most part, you'll more and more be king to the point you are one in all but name. Not the first time in history after all.", Eric said.
"Are you ill?", Melody asked as Eric shook his head, "Just getting older and tired, sadly... but that's all.".
Ariel replied, "I do not want Eric to overwork himself, and you heard stories about that sort of thing, so this is the best solution without your father fully abdicating the throne.".
Mira spoke, "So, that means you'd teach me all the queen duties, then...", and Ariel nodded, "Yes, since I have nothing else to do than rather to spoil the younger grandchildren...".
Eric then replied, "Of course, it means, Tazio, to have your heir after you, and follow tradition.", and Tazio sighed deeply as the twins, Chion and Risa, currently 13, almost 14 years old glanced at each other, sharing a silent conversation before nodding.
Risa then replied, "Papa, could you consider a test run with both of us? I mean, it would make sense without fighting for it, and well, I might like it more than Chion, or he would like it more than me.".
Tazio looked at the twins, "You realize that this means more royal lessons for you two?", and Chion spoke, "It would keep us busy, sure, but we could still have time to explore town and Atlantica, yeah?".
Mira then spoke, "If you are committed to your lessons, you can have weekends off to visit town and Atlantica.", and the twins grin, and spoke as one, "We promise, Mama!".
Tazio then sighed, "Of course, there's other things to figure out...Gabriel, I understand of your desire for adventure, and I could apprentice you to one of the head horsemen messengers, for if you're sending messages all over Italy, you technically are an adventurer.".
Gabriel grinned widely, "I'll do my best, Papa!", and Tazio nodded with a warm smile before glancing at Esmeralda, "You have grown up into a beautiful young lady...You are 17, old enough to be of courting age...Over the past years, I have received letters of young men seeking to court you, and yet after meeting them, it's not like you're not even trying, Esmeralda.".
Esmeralda replied, "I..I am on the notion of finding my soulmate, and those men weren't it.", and Mira frowned, "But that would take forever.".
Tazio replied, "Esmeralda, look, as king, I have to make tough decisions, even if not in name, and I don't want you to be lonely...You know that tradition cannot be changed that easily, and you are my daughter, and that precedes my reputation, so if that means a betrothal, so be it.".
"What?!", Esmeralda shouted as tears came to her eyes, "You can't do that, Papa! I'm not even a royal!", and Tazio replied, "You are as a royal daughter as I adopted you, and I can't defy the traditions of royalty in Italy!".
Seeing the tears in Esmeralda's eyes, Guido realized that he had to stand up for her, "Tazio, you cannot betroth her. She is looking for her soulmate!", having not talked about revealing their relationship as it was up to her, not him to say so, and Tazio looked at him, "That would take ages, and I don't want anyone to think that I can't marry off my own daughter because of her excuse!".
"It's not an excuse!", Esmeralda sobbed, and Tazio looked at her, "Why is it so important that you're insisting on this?!", and Esmeralda screamed at him, "Because I already found mine!".
Everyone was suddenly stunned by that news before Tazio quickly shook his head for a second. "Wait, you already have?". Esmeralda nodded. "Who?", Tazio asked as Esmeralda took a deep breath before walking over and taking Guido's hand.
"We've known this for five years...", Esmeralda admitted. "And we've kept it to ourselves the whole time.", before leaning up to kiss him deeply for a moment, needing reassurance from him.
Guido smiled lovingly as he wrapped his arm around her, holding her hand, feeling a burden lift off his shoulders as he proclaimed firmly, "Esmeralda is my soulmate, and I love her.", as Esmeralda leaned her head into his chest, drying her tears, and Guido kissed her forehead, protecting her with devotion and love in his eyes.
The news was quite surprising to hear, especially to Tazio. "Daddy, please... don't be upset with this... I... I can't truly help it... my heart...", Esmeralda said as Tazio sighed.
"I see...", Tazio took a deep breath. "So, was that why maybe few tried anything? That you gave off the vibe that you already found someone?". Esmerelda nodded.
Eric was shocked as well, staring at Ariel who sighed deeply, "We cannot be mad either, Eric...After all, they aren't related cousins or anything of the sort...Guido may have been adopted by us, but he was the son of Lucia and the man she chose, and Esmeralda, she, sure, she's the daughter of Mira, but not the biological daughter of our Tazio as her father was Alexander, even though she is adopted by Tazio formally.".
"Maybe that's why that happened with us... it wouldn't have happened if we shared blood.", Guido suggested as Esmerelda nodded, "The thought certainly crossed our minds if it was... messed up or something like that.".
Bascus replied to Arcadia, "You owe me some wine, sister.", and Arcadia snorted, "Yeah, yeah, I'll see to the order sometime, brother.".
Guido blinked, "Wait, you noticed something about us?", and Arcadia chuckled, "Esme, not so much, but when it came to you, sure, you cleaned yourself up pretty good, but there was a couple of things I noticed like last year on your birthday, you had a smudge on your neck under your hair, and then on Esme's birthday, after the party, you were gone for a couple of hours, and went to sleep, but I suspect that you didn't actually go to sleep, did you?".
Esmeralda blushed wildly, "I lied about that bellyache from eating too much cake...Guido snuck me out on a moonlight swim, and we had a picnic under the stars...".
Tazio cleared his throat. "Can we please not be so detailed... not in front of the whole family, please?". Guido chuckled sheepishly as Esmeralda nodded, "Sure, Daddy.", and Mira smiled tenderly, "So, five years, then...".
Esmeralda smiled, "Yes, Mama...I love Guido, Mama.", and Guido smiled lovingly, "I love you too, Emma.", brushing her hair back.
Melody chuckled lightly, "I'm surprised. Not usual that I get surprised like this, but I'm sure glad for you guys...", and the couple smiled at her gratefully.
Eric then replied, "Guido, are you still having a goal of being captain of the navy?", and Guido nodded, "Yes, sir. I have been apprenticed under the captain for the last three years, and he has been approving of my skill upon sailing and all.".
"I'll talk with the captain and see if he has thought of retiring yet. Tazio, would you be glad if Guido is the captain of the navy?", Eric asked.
"If he can prove himself for sure.", Tazio said. "You said it yourself once, Father... best person for the role, wouldn't want to leave ourselves open to destruction by appointing someone who couldn't do the job he was asked for. Would you think me good to rule if I wasn't fit to do it?".
Eric chuckled, "Spoken like a wise king, Tazio.", before smiling, "So, it's all settled then?", and everybody nodded, remembering what Eric has said earlier with his announcement, agreeing.
"Let's go make it official.", Eric replied as he steadily got up, lovingly helping Ariel up from her seat, and so, the family left the library, with the newfound couple of Guido and Esmeralda happy to be public with their love.
A couple of weeks later, Tazio became the second king on paper and knowledge of the kingdom, but not in name yet, as Eric firmly told the kingdom that he's the high king of Tirulia until he's unable to go on. The kingdom understood what he meant by that; either total retirement or on his death...
As for Guido, Eric has spoken with the captain, and so, Guido has become First Mate, for he has to prove all his skills and knowledge of sailing to the crew for some time before he could become Captain upon the retirement or death of the captain.
But Guido certainly was able to prove himself fairly quickly that he was able to take charge and lead a crew of men if the call was ever needed. He easily proved it only a month after the announcement when a Barbary ship got too close to friendly waters and was intercepted.
It was a brief battle when the captain was wounded by wood shrapnel and incapacitated from the fight. Guido took charge despite the light damage and loss of several crewmen in the cannon duel, the pirates were sent on their way to the bottom of the sea.
Esmeralda gasped in concern when Guido returned home with a few bruises and cuts, "Are you alright?", looking over him. "Close calls... a few cannons whizzing through the air...", Guido told her. "Lucky shots by them for the most part, we had the advantage for much of the battle.", he explained to her.
Esmeralda sighed deeply, "I know you have dreamed of being captain of the navy, but I pray that this won't be a daily occurrence at best!", soaking in a rag of herbal medicine, and nodded to Guido, "Now take that shirt off, I need to clean those cuts.".
Guido sighed, nodding, taking his shirt off as Esmeralda then focused on cleaning the cuts, and Guido hissed in pain before exhaling, "I can't promise that this would happen anytime, but I doubt it would be every day...After all, Tirulia is a small kingdom, and the borders on either side of the friendly waters, including Atlantica, stretches by five miles, and honestly, it is normally a patrol.".