17

I was sent to another room just like Icarus had let me. Miruko led the way and we silently swam down the huge hallways of the palace. I rather thought it was amazing here, and the ceilings were carved into shapes and forms making some of them appear as mer people, sea creatures, nature-like backgrounds, and even some humans. The green substances on the walls were cleared around the carvings as well.

I spotted designs on the floor also, mixed with varieties of color. All based on some of the carvings on the ceiling.

I began to think this place seemed like some sort of fantasy, a fairy tale that a child would dream to be in. With mer people everywhere, music echoing inside the palace, dances played, different rooms… it just seemed too perfect.

But not to me.

I hated it here, it was keeping me away from the outside world, keeping me away from my sister, my home, my friend, and my freedom. I was in hell, I was in a prison that locked me away from reality of the human world. Was there a way for me to escape? Unlikely. Was I safe here? Of course not, with a merman who killed my father and suddenly wants me to be his 'mate', I was trapped with my worst enemy and probably will be staying with him for the rest of my life. Does that make this perfect? Not to me, it never will. Perhaps to others it could be.

But what if I could escape from here? I never thought of a plan, and I do have a chance to look around the palace for quiet some time. So couldn't I find ways to get out of here, even with all the guards protecting the castle?

I suddenly grinned without knowing. Thanks to Miruko, I'll have a chance to get out of here, without anyone finding out.

My grin faded as I started to realize what the point of escaping was. I was trapped as a mermaid, so I couldn't step into the outside world. I couldn't return home, not without my human feet. And what was the point if I did leave? Icarus or one of the mer people might find me, and I'd be stuck back here with tighter security.

I looked behind me slowly to see two guards following us as I headed to my room. They cautiously stared around us afraid danger might approach any second.

I turned my head back around and rolled my eyes. What danger could possibly come here?

Miruko soon led me to a large room connecting two hallways that appeared to be a ballroom. There were mermaids busily swimming around, and I noticed some carried trays filled with silverware on them.

Perhaps they're the servant's of the palace, I thought.

I also thought it was cute that they wore small little aprons on the shirt they were wearing. I wondered where they got the clothes from along with the silverware and trays. Maybe they created these items just like humans did.

We went to the hallway on our right, this time it was a little narrower and less decorative on the walls. It was dark so I couldn't see the end of it, and there were doors on every side, each made out of… wood? I mentally shook my head, how could they even have such things? Certainly there were no trees growing underwater, right?

But maybe anything could be possible here, I thought. Mermaids were known to be fake, so what else could there be here which is known as a fairy tale in the human world?

I had so many questions, but none with answers.

I looked up at Miruko and he stared at the rows of doors. I looked to see that each door had numbers written on top of them.

I wanted to ask him all sorts of questions going through my head at the moment, but apparently with the guards behind us, they would overhear what I had to say. So I decided to wait until they probably left some time soon.

We continued to swim for about three minutes until Miruko stopped at a door on the left. I looked up and saw that it was a simple brown door with the number thirty seven written on top of it.

I saw one of the guards pull out a key and insert it in a hole on the door. I thought it was kind of strange that the mer people had even come up with the idea to put locks on their doors. Maybe they almost have the same inventions humans do.

The guard opened the door and waited for me to get inside. I looked up at Miruko and he gestured me to go in. I frowned and went inside.

I looked around the room for a moment noticing that it had a simple shell-like bed in the corner, a mirror, carvings around the room, and a few items placed on a rock that reminded me of a table somehow.

I saw the guards give the key to Miruko and they left. Miruko came beside me and handed the key.

"Well, just use this key whenever you need to leave the room. You're free to roam around the palace as much as you want along with getting to know the people. If you have any questions—"

"Yes! I mean – I have a few questions." I interrupted.

He waited for me to go on.

"Well um, how did you guys come up with all this stuff?" I asked.

"What stuff?"

"Oh you know, marble floors, carvings of stones, building this place up, the wood, the silverware, how you sing with your actual voices—"

"Well—"

"The human sculptures, the gold, the silver, the rubies, the diamonds, all the luxuries…"

"It has to deal with the past." He interrupted.

"That's it?" Not very helpful, I thought.

He smiled, "Calypsa, you'll have to ask others these questions in order for you to get to know the people. It's the only way that it can help you meet them—"

"And how do you know my middle name?" I asked.

He seemed suddenly nervous at my question. "It's just that, well, I cannot tell you really."

"Why not?"

He only shook his head, I frowned. I seemed to stare at him for a while until I decided to ask the most important question.

"Miruko, why did Icarus kill my father?" I asked.

He hesitated before he answered, "Because… I can't tell you that either."

"Why?"

Once again he did not answer. I was becoming annoyed.

"What secrets are you hiding from me? Please tell me Miruko, I have to know!"

He remained silent.

I clenched my teeth hard and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Tell me now! Or I'll—"

"Or you'll what? You obviously don't understand Calypsa, but one day you will know. Sometimes things must be answered by oneself in order for you to understand, because when you do find out… things will change."

I let him go and was surprised by my own outburst. I seemed to understand him and that calmed me down a bit. But suddenly my eyes became watery from the thought of my father. I had no idea how much I missed him; I wanted him back to comfort me and tell me everything was going to be okay. That this whole thing was just a nightmare and I'll wake up to find out this whole thing is a dream.

But of course it wasn't, and I closed my eyes as I felt a wave of loneliness spread through me. I wanted to be with my sister too, I wanted her silliness back, to play games with her again, but I was stuck here. Forever.

Miruko seemed to notice my sadness. "You miss your father don't you?"

I nodded my head solemnly.

"And your sister?"

I nodded my head again.

He gave me a reassuring smile. "It's alright Calypsa, one day you won't be as lonely anymore. You'll have friends, and who knows? Your sister may even join this world."

I jerked my head up, "Really? How?"

He smiled again, "Soon you will know. Because something strange is about to happen to you soon Calypsa. And maybe then some of your wish may come true."

I looked down sadly. I hated having to know later on, I wanted all the answers now. I wanted to cry, but no tears fell. I wanted to scream and break this whole place down, but I remained staring at the floor.

But even with his comforting words, I still felt alone and miserable without my sister beside me. I couldn't have my father back no matter what, and all I had left now was Mina. And I had to try anything to see her again.

Miruko still saw my sadness. "Perhaps getting out of this gloomy place shall cheer you up a bit. I know, there's a dance that should be starting any moment now at the market. Care to come along with me?"

I looked up at him and smiled. "That's nice of you, but I don't think I feel like going."

"Just try once. See if you like it, then maybe you'll feel a little better."

I was about to say no until I stared around the room again. It did seem gloomy with no one around and he probably was right. I needed to change a bit and staying here would only bring grief through me.

I smiled again and replied, "Alright."

A/N: Thank you so much for the great reviews :) It's nice to know one of my reviewers name is Coral too. And as the name Calypsa… I just overheard someone talking about it at school. Found out that it was Greek! Anyway, please review everyone, much like you did last time! Oh and it would be nice if my reviews reached up to 100 and over…