A/N: Okay, so the following chapter has some parts some readers might consider slightly offensive. I won't go on to say femslash, but there are some girl-on-girl love here. But trust me, it is cute.

There was an eerie silence in the room, which only served to emphasize Techna's last words.

This is so damn ridiculous, Musa thought, as Stella clapped her hands to her mouth.

"The photographs Musa found!" she said, swirling around in sudden realization.

"Musa, I am so sorry," Flora gasped, turning to the musical princess.

Musa couldn't take this nonsense. She turned a heel and stalked away.

Stella uttered a startled "Hey!" and tried to go after her, but Bloom, in all her wisdom, caught her arm.

""She might need some privacy riht now," she adviced, in her I've -been-there-done-that voice..

"What I really need is some new friends," she mumbled. But a naughty string pulled at her mind.

Who was Layla in love with, then?

Layla lay with her face turned up at the sun. her feet touched the green velvet grass. .She ssmiled with pleasure as she tugged at locks of her black hair. It had been only a few days, about a week, since Nabu had died. She had loved him. She had married him. Then how was it that she was already in love again?

I don't want to think about her…

A shadow blocked out the sun, leaving behind a cold feeling on her skin. But the feeling wasn't unpleasant.

"If you lie here all day, we'll never get you to that hearing for that Jared you love so much," a sarcastic voice said.

Layla's breadth caught in her throat, but acting every bit of a princess, she turned and surveyed Alberta with a cool look. "

"Then let's hope your cousin will attend nd lift this burden from my shoulders," she retorted, as she stood up and began to dust strands of grass off her dress. She had finally abandoned her black, as it was the customary garment to wear for a week of mourning. God knows, she had enough to feel guilty about.

She gasped as she felt Alberta's breadth, wet and hot, in her ear. "Was I a burden last night?" she asked innocently, though there was a hint of teasing there that Layla didn't miss. Breathing hard, Layla pulled herself away and faced her 'servant' sternly. "No," she said, her voice shaking and. Tthen she walked away, measured princess steps faster than ever.

Musa was still fuming at her friends.

Layla was in love with…

Her mind drifted in and out of the thought, like the tongue of sea licking at the sandy shore. Then her phone rang, and it was Riven. She gasped as her hands trembled to accept the call.

At the trial, there was a lot of drama, but Layla got her way. Nabu's parents left soon after, clearly fuming. Telling them that that was what Nabu would have wanted hadn't helped, it had only made matters worse. "How can you say that, when he is dead, and you just spared his killer?" Asked his mother, voice quivering, "At least, I am spared the misfortune of having you as a daughter-in –law, now."

Her words stung. After all of them had left, Layla still sat, waiting for her comforting touch. When she saw her , a pang of fear rose in her throat, when she saw who was behind her.

Sky.

He had come to take her away, no doubt. To his castle, where she would be served rather than do the serving. Finally, she could set her free. Like she should have done a week ago.

"You and yor lies," spat Prince Sky. "Do you even know what they say to me at court, much less, what the commoners are saying about me behind my back?" he asked her, spit flying.

Alberta rolled her eyes. She had just informed him that Layla had never commanded her to stay, it had been her choice. She had figured he knew, after all, Layla would have spoken to him beforehand; wasn't that part of her royal duty or something?

The two caught sight of Layla, a calm smile playing upon her lips. but Alberta could see the worry lines etched on her face.

Sky noticed, and his words trailed off.

"Sky," she greeted him formally, even with a curtsy. Alberta's eyes widened. Was Layla mocking him or was she serious?

"I am sorry," began Sky, "My sister has been your burden all this while, and all this time I've been under the impression that she had been acaptive here. I am glad now that I can take her back with me and she can stop her ridiculous…experiment." He said the last words softly, but meanilngfully, eyes gleaming with triumph as he saw the dark princess' eyes widen with confusion.

"What?" she said haltingly. "What experiment?" Alberta had had that feeling of dread in her as soon as she had seen that look in Sky's eyes. now she quaivered, even as she punched his arm.

"Don't you know," started Sky. Alberta punched him again, but he paid her no mind. :"Alberta is doing an experiment on how interracial couples work. Apparently, she has chosen you as the subject."

"No!" the word burst from her lips, angry and loud. She turned to face Layla. "It isn't true," she almost pleaded.

"You can't hide the truth anymore, Bert," Sky said. He sounded so confident. "You told me you would like to try one of your experiments here, didn't you? Didn't you say that was, in fact your reason for tagging along with me to this wedding?"

"i-" The look of guilt was clearly etched on her face. She turned to punch the prince in the face, but stopped when she saw the sight in front of her eyes.

Riven was walking hand-in-hand with Musa, a much older red-head walking a step behind them and they were all coming towards them. She uttered a choked cry and pointed, not being able to say a word. The group turned to see who it was. Riven saluted them mockingly and strode on, giving one of his trademark smirks, whereas Musa was avoiding everyone's eye.

"Riven!" They said, as if in unison.

"Where-where are you going?" blurted Layla. Her brother had a strange red look in his eyes, as if reflecting the bright hue of his red hair.

"To declare myself a bastard and then destroy your kingdom," he replied.

Layla took a minute to let the words sink in. she had been pondering Riven's reason's for disappearance for awhile now. And the red-haired woman could only be his mother-Rubella? And then she knew why he had insisted on the word 'marriage'. For the curse to work, the two needed to be 'married'. Her father had probably used the word 'married' to supplement 'slept with'. She tried to stop him, but Musa looked up then, and pushed her away. "Riven has got to do this, and I wont let you stop him," she said, sounding like she had a battle raging within.

Riven strode ahead, his mother trailing behind him. Anyone who saw him would think he was a prince going to reclaim his kingdom. Instead, he was probably doing just the opposite. The thought had come to him as he had furiously pondered upon the problem Layla had presented him with. Then, it had come upon himto go and get his mother and prove that King Jarell was an dishonourable man.

By doing this, I can dissolve this stupid royalty bullshit that has been ruling Tides or Andros or whatever this water kingdom is called. Layla may never speak to me again, but I'll have to take that chance. She probably doesn't realize how terrible monarchy is. Because unlike all the members of the WinxClub plus their boyfriends, he wasn't raised with a silver spoon in his mouth. He knew how it was to be poor, starved and homeless, whereas they didn't.

Ever since he had arrived at the castle, Riven had being making the rounds around Tides. While the castle was brilliant and didn't lack anything, the borders told a different story. People looked at him with stony eyes as he walked by. Beggars begged at every corner. He had even got into conversation with an old man, who had told him about the evil kings of Tides, who made them pay taxes, sell their children as servants in the castle and not allow them to own any land.

castles were made to fall, he told himself, as Musa jumped on to the stage to perform the surround sound spell she had done, with disasterous results the night of layla's wedding. First, Musa ruins her wedding, and now I am going to bring down her father, thought Riven. Layla will be glad to get rid of us when we leave.

She stood by him as he made the announcement, and even when They saw the others approach unsurely. He hadn't expected that. This wasn't her war, he had just called her to perform that spell. But when he felt her fingers in his give a squeeze, he knew she would stand by him. Even if I tried to bring down her castle.

"Hello," everyone," he began. Musa had put an even stronger spell than before, so more than half the citizens of Tides would be able to hear his voice. Riven would have liked that it included everyone, but even magic had its limits. He would have to trust that the others would convey the message to the ones left out. The dystrict of Tides seemed to hold its breadth collectively as riven continued, "I am the bastard son of your king. This is my mother, Rubella."

Even the air seemed to have stilled. No one, not even Rubella, had expected him to come out with it so quickly. He went on, "I was born as the base born son of Tides-"

King Jarell was out, then, running towards Riven, his eyes wide and terrified. He stopped short when he saw Rubella.

"You!" he shrieked, when he saw her. "I knew I had to stay away from you!"

He had his guards with him. "Seize them!" he managed to say, finally. Musa's air shield was up, throwing all three back.

"Well, if you were wondering, I said it correctly, I am King Jarell's bastard, and he is trying to arrest me now as I am saying this. I have read the Normscroll of Tides and I know for a fact that no king can rule if he has a living , people of Tides, you have no king. I request you all to assemble at the Royal Square in the palace, the same place where we had the wedding to decide who will rule Tides. Please tell your neighbours, I want everyone here and only half of you can hear me."

The guards had stopped, then, realizing what Riven was saying. They formed a neat line of three and watched Riven, layind down their weapons.

"if you want proof, your ex-king just gave it to you. You all heard how when he caught sight of my mother and said the words you just heard." It was true. The air bubble didn't keep out sounds from outside, and half of Tides had heard King Jarell's outburst. Riven was aware it didn't actually prove much, but he hoped the crowd would not focus on logic yet.

There was a pause, as they waited. Riven saw Layla's eyes widen in -what? Shock? Anger? Sadness? He wasn't sure. He turned to focus his gaze at King Jarell and Queen Miriam, who were standing at the side, sulking. The king was red in the face and muttering curses under his breadth. He felt his fingers move and was afraid to look at her.

Musa.

I didn't considered how this would play out with her. She thought she was dating a low born boy. Now he was a high born bastard. Did that change anything? Not to him, but for her?

I will have to change, e promised himself. Be more like Sky or Brandon. He didn't think he would like that, but he had always been a great actor. Maybe, he might even grow to like it…

People were assembling slowly across the fields, castles and various posts towards the stage. Jarell had begun to beat the air bubble with his fists, and yell obscenities at the guards as he saw them come in droves and droves.

Every man, woman and child in Tides seemed to be there, but Riven noted that many seemed to be missing. There were enough to create the revolution he wanted, though.

"Now, you are wondering, why am I telling you all all of this? It is because I hate monarchy, royalty, tyranny, nobility, all of it. Some of you might have watched me strolling across your neighbourhood, it was not spying I was doing, but noticing, and the king isn't doing a good job."

A small cheer rose from the group.

"And I don't only come with destruction, but a constructive solution." He loves the sound of his voice, Musa realized, squeezing his fingers. "The solution is one I got from earth, called democracy. It is a system where-" And he went on to explain the whole enchilada about the process.

People remained still, listening, as Riven told them about a temporary king they would choose. A king that didn't have to come from a noble family. A king the respected for what he did, not what he was. Someone who was suitable to lead and would be accountable for his every move to them.

It was all over in an hour. Riven and Musa were off, the crowds cheering them

as they ran towards Riven's levi bike.

Layla's mind was a whirl. She was angry, disgusted, relieved and giddy, all at the same time. But then Alberta was there. She bounded up to her with a loud whoop, and flung her arms around her. Layla smiled sadly and opened her mouth to say something, but she found Alberta already owned it.

"I have been reading the Tides Handbook too," rasped Alberta, making a face to show what exactly she felt about it. And it prevents royalty from having any…other than heterosexual relationships. But now that you are just a common woman, I can do what I will with you." She nipped her ear playfully.

Layla tried to pretend that Riven hadn't just gone up on stage and made her a commoner a few seconds ago. She was surprised when she found something else tugging at her conscience. She turned to Alberta. "What did Sky mean, about…the experiment?" she asked. She had to know. Alberta made a face. "It's true enough, what that idiot Sky said. But I never… planned this. Any of this. You believe me, don't you?" And as Layla gave her a peck on the cheek, they both knew she did.

The crowd had thickened. Layla looked confused and worried. Alberta, despite herself, tore away from her , and jumped up on the stage. She had been bred to take command, after all. She pulled Layla up along with her, who was trying to keep her face neutral. Her entire life was now belly-up, after all. She was now just one person.

The crowd was loud, but Musa's spell still held. Alberta gave Layla a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Taking a deep breadth, Layla began, "Ladies and gentlemen," she announced. "Though I am not your queen or anything, Riven has asked me to take over the election process she explained. I would like you all to put forward your names for the election, which will be held …"

King Jarell sat in the backgtround, extremely angry.

"Well, at least the Curse of the Mermaid is broken, said his wife, consolingly. Layla can finally choose the person she loves rather than who she has to. He looked into his wife's eyes and knew it was true. She didn't love him, and he didn't love her.

Slowly, his mind digested the word. Loves. She had said it like Layla had a;lready found someone to love.

"Who does our daughter love?" he asked, finally.

As Musa's fingers encircled Riven's, he felt a tug on his shirt sleev..

"Care to introduce her?"

it was Rubella.

I couldn't have done this without her, he reminded himself as he tried to force a grin on his face. "This is Musa, my girlfriend." He never thought it would be this awkward. Rubella smiled.

"Sometimes, you'll find love making you do the strangest things. I am sorry I had to abandon you, all those years ago. But understand, it was a choice, between you and Driver. I did it once, and would do it again, just as quickly, so you better keep this one, she's all you've got in this world."

With that, she walked away, following the path to the closest bus stop that would lead her back to Rumkell.

Riven turned to face Musa then.

"Hi," he said. It was so ridiculous.

"You take off and don't tell me, and the first words you say are 'hi'?" she asked, sarcastically.

It was true enough. Riven had called her, and met her outside her dorm room almost immediately. "We are going to Layla's castle, no time to explain, get on," he had said, words tumbling out. She was so dazed and grateful to have him back, that she 'winxed' herself into the first pair of suitable clothes she could think of. Then she had seen the red-head sitting behind him, looking stiff. Noticing her eyes, Riven had barked, "Rubella," before motioning her to sit on. Then he had mumbled about his plan to uncastle King Jarell.

And now, here he was, greeting her after all that. "Do you know the Winx Club think that Layla and you got together to kill Nabu?" she blurted out. The moment was charged with too much sexual energy for her to keep silent. She had regretted the words as soon as they had come out of her mouth.

But Riven's eyes only darkened, before he laughed. He was acting so warm, happy and carefree, that Musa forgot to breathe. He jumped on to his bike and beckoned her.

"Come here," he grabbed her, playfully and planted a kiss on her lips. Musa was feeling dizzy. All this was so… overwhelming. "i…" she tried to say, but Riven had begun to deepen the kiss. He had completely turned around on the bike to face her, so that she could sit on his lap if she wanted to. She moved closer and helped him deepen his kiss.

They weren't sure when the bike fell, but that wasn't the reason their hair was everywhere and not all their buttons on. Laughing nervously, they fumbled to restore their clothing and the bike.

"Are you hurt?" asked Riven, running his hand through a long black pigtail. Musa laughed.

"Since when do you ask such questions to me?" she said. "You should be looking to your levi-bike and saying that."

He laughed. Something's changed, Musa realized. Riven seemed happier, freerer and more open than she ever had seen him. "it was awful, what your mother said…" she began. She had wanted to bring it up, but she didn't have the nerve until then. But Riven's change in behaviour had got her slightly off balance. Usually, she'd be the one demanding something and he'd be holding back his feelings. Now, he seemed to have lost that mean streak and was opening up to her. She had expected him to scowl, walk away, even snap at her. But he simply closed his eyes tightly and nodded in agreement.

"She was right, though. Love does funny things to people. you are the only one I have in this world, and I am trying to change."

"change?" asked Musa, hollowly. "How?"

"I am trying to be like the others", he admitted, shuffling his feet. "Ever since I learnt I was a prince, I don't know, I feel I owe it… to… to… well, you. Plus, I am a bastard. A royal one, yes, but a bastard, none the less. So I have to stop behaving like my old self, I really do. However much I hate them- Sky, Brandon- I have to become like-"

She had slapped him even before she knew what she was doing. She saw a flash of red in his eyes, the same red she had seen that very day on stage.

"What the-" he began, but he was stopped half way when Musa cut him off.

"Don't you dare…" she began, breathing hard. "Don't you dare say something stupid like that ever. Do you think I want you to be one of those asses like Sky or even Brandon? You just unearthed your own castle based on your own principles, principles I might not agree with, yes, but that's what I love you for."

"You love me?" he asked. She could tell he was trying to act confused, but his grin betrayed him.

"Yes," she sighed. "I love that you act cocky and cruel. I love that you try to pretend you are better than everyone else, though deep inside, you are trying to cover up that you are not. I even love your mean streak, and your stupid, male chauvinistic attitude…"

He was laughing again, and she was afraid he would fall back into his goody-two-shoes act, but his eyes held a look of cruel teasing when they met her's.

"I am not saying those words back, then," he teased, as she swatted him. "if I was Sky or Brandon, I would say 'Oh, princess, every step you take is blessed. I am your humble servant for this time on, command me as you please.', but I will only say, 'I am not saying those words bac to you'."

"I didn't ask you to become evil!" Musa argued, embarrassed. I should have slapped him after he confessed.

"Well, tell me this, at least, am I still your girlfriend?" she asked, nervously. She was sure of the answer, but she didn't want to take anything for granted.

The smile left his face for a second. Her heart leapt. His eyes were focused on her's and were dark and serious.

"Yes," he whispered. And Musa wasn't even sure if he had spoken the words, or if she had read his thoughts.

A/N: Finally, after years and years, i have finally ended this story. I like the ending and hope all you faithful and even unfaithful readers will, too. Thanks everyone for reading. I know I began this story a few years ago... possibly in 2009, and the first thing I said I will not beg for reviews. I have forgotten that several times and already done so, but I shall rectify that by not doing so in the last chapter.