If the sun were to reach down into the depths of Düstrigar, it would have a serious rival that morning in the ruler of Düstra. Tajo was radiant, and quite literally so. His advisor and trusted lumio had probably not seen him so happy for half an eternity. The young king could barely dim the luminescent areas of his body with overflowing joy. The reason for this, how could it be otherwise, was of course the Atlantean princess. Aquata herself had also been wearing a broad grin ever since she had risen from the bed. The little nudge in the right direction from a few days ago had apparently helped, but the advisor would be careful not to bring it up with his king.
"What's on the agenda today, Lumio?" asked Tajo when he noticed his advisor swimming close to him, thus thwarting any inappropriate question from the other from the start.
"Some of your subjects are requesting an audience, Sire. After that, you have an appointment with the chairmen of the Zitteraal power plant, after which you are expected to attend the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction start of the new municipal teaching institute for the applied sciences. Also, one of the administrators of the outskirts is visiting, I advise you to just take him along. It doesn't seem to be too important why he has travelled to the capital, probably the matter can be settled with a short conversation on the way. When you return, the councillors will surely be waiting for you with the day's reports. If you allow me, I will take care of Princess Aquata's well-being until you can personally take care of it again," Lumio gave an overview as requested.
Tajo nodded off the points one by one, except for the last.
"It will not be necessary for you to look after the princess, Lumio. She will accompany me to my public appointments," the young king decided, making it clear, as he often did, that he would not tolerate any backtalk in this case. On the one hand, the advisor was pleased that his king and the princess seemed to be making progress, but on the other hand, he could not help thinking that it was still too early to present her in such a form at the ruler's side. However, not wanting to rekindle his young king's dormant doubts and fears, Lumio decided not to argue against it for the time being.
"As you wish, sire. I will arrange for the princess to be ready when you leave," he assured, indicating a bow with a gentle lowering of his head. Tajo nodded again and thus dismissed Lumio.
As the advisor left the hall, the first petitioners swarmed in. Tajo was a practical ruler, so the new palace he had designed was built with a universal open-plan area that served both as a meeting place for the royal council and as an audience hall for civic as well as court petitions. For lack of versatile building materials, the floors, ceilings, columns and even Tajo's throne itself, which was by no means an unnecessarily ostentatious seat, were made of simple stone and bones from whale carcasses that had descended into the depths. Nevertheless, or precisely because of this purposeful functionality and straightforwardness, the entire structure radiated an undeniable authority. Tajo's fine signature was recognisable in all elements and would surely bring him fame and honour in the ranks of the Düstra beyond his passing.
"My king, the giant squids have once again invaded our fields. I beg you to find a solution to protect our crops from the destructive tentacles," the first of the gathered subjects brought her concerns to the ruler.
"Your Majesty, the market concept devised by the council puts my guild at a disadvantage in the sale of our goods. I ask for a revision," came the next Düstra, barely after the first request had been made.
Just as the third and certainly more of the citizens were about to complain to their ruler, Tajo interrupted them by raising his flat hand and silencing them.
"Not all at once. I can't think of a suitable solution like that. You there step forward! The rest of you keep low until I call you to me. Luxana will bring the others something to eat while they wait," Tajo brought order into the bustle in front of him, which threatened to reawaken his headache after only a short time. The servant to whom he had given the order to feed the supplicants immediately took care of her task and returned shortly with assistance and some delicacies.
"The giant squids are only a problem for our fields during mating season. We should try to keep them away from your cultivation areas with appropriate scents. Give your address to my servant and I will send a team of researchers to test the effect of the different substances," Tajo ordered. The peasant bowed gratefully and went to the servant waiting beside her ruler. The king, meanwhile, waved the next one over.
"My king, as I mentioned before, the division of the market areas disadvantages the sand sculpteurs. We have been placed in one of the worst-lit areas, yet market-goers need sufficient light to appreciate the beauty of our figures," the vendor complained.
"It may help your sales. However, your merchandise has no direct dependence on light. Our decision was well-considered. I will see what we can do to improve the lighting situation, but there will be no restructuring of the market plan. You might consider using the light subsidies to set up your own suitable shop," Tajo clarified, but still tried to hold out the prospect of an improvement to the vendor, who was surely dissatisfied with this.
"Thank you, your majesty," he said goodbye and then swam back towards the city.
Tajo was well aware that he could not please everyone, but it hit him anew every time he had to disappoint one of his citizens in order to do the good of all. He looked thoughtfully at the vendor for some time before calling the next supplicant to him.
Hours passed before he had dealt with all of them and given them sometimes more sometimes less satisfactory solutions. Lumio had been at his side again for some time, which probably meant that Aquata was waiting to finally leave with him. He hadn't wanted to make her wait so long, but he couldn't neglect the citizens for the sake of a possible future consort. Still, remorse gnawed at him as well. Would she be angry with him for making her wait so long? Would this become a habit and would she soon tire of it? Tajo could not bring his doubting thoughts to a halt, even though he knew full well that they were eating him up inside and with them any chance of finally finding the happiness that everyone around him wished for him.
"Sire, now that all the petitioners have auditioned, we should get you ready for the rest of the appointments," Lumio now urged, poking straight into the same wound.
"I can swim like this, Princess Aquata has waited long enough for me," Tajo replied.
Tajo felt Lumio's appraising gaze right on him. He would not respond to it, however. His appearance was not exactly suitable for the upcoming appointments, but he would not give himself the embarrassment of admitting this now. He would know how to make up for the lack of the attributes of rulership, which he usually wore, with his appearance.
"Now then, sire. Please follow me," the advisor probably knowingly did not start a discussion and led his king to the waiting Aquata.
Tajo could hardly believe his eyes when they arrived at the princess' house. He promptly regretted not having taken some time to dress up for her. After all, there before him swam the most enchanting creature he had ever seen in his life.
"Good morning, princess. You look beautiful," it slipped out without him having thought long about his words of greeting. Aquata laughed sheepishly and returned the morning greeting.
"Thank you very much, your Majesty. I am glad to hear that you like it," she added after a pause that threatened to become awkward.
"Is this how you wish to swim with me, your Majesty?" asked Aquata the question, smiling gently.
If only he had let Lumio convince him. Tajo could imagine only too well how his advisor was inwardly rejoicing right now. But his pride now forbade him to back down and yet, willy-nilly, he had to accept a small admission.
Tajo therefore grabbed the back of his neck in embarrassment and averted his eyes from the wonderful sight before him.
"Well, I suppose it would be appropriate if I were to provide you with adequate company. Please excuse my inadequate outfit," he realised his mistake.
Now Aquata laughed heartily and Tajo's heart leapt as the bell-like sound reached his ears.
Unsure, he raised his eyes again until their eyes met.
"You are the king, it is I who must present you with proper company. Not the other way round. Allow me to say that there is no need for a crown or the like to show you your station," she explained, then added softly, "You are perfect as you are."
If it could have been seen on his dark body, the blush that crept onto his cheeks from her last words would probably have stung his eye immediately.
The king of the düstra now understood that the princess had by no means meant to offend him, but had much more had herself in mind when she put the question to him. However, Tajo could in no way understand the doubts about her own appearance.
"It would be an honour to spend the day with you by my side. Let us be on our way," he assured her again that she was anything but an inappropriate companion for him and held his elbow out to her invitingly. Aquata complied and happily hooked up with her prince charming, who was actually already a king.
Shortly after they left the palace, the administrator of the western outskirts mentioned earlier by Lumio joined them. The idea of dispatching him, which had sounded so good before, turned out in retrospect to be a disaster for the young king. The elder Düstra seemed to share his king's admiration for the Atlantican princess and made this very clear. He flattered her incessantly and Tajo had to pull himself together not to give the other a violent electric shock to get him out of the way. That such behaviour was not appropriate, however, he held himself in genteel restraint while the other obviously made eyes at Aquata.
Tajo finally decided to see the whole thing as a kind of test. Wasn't that what he wanted? Aquata should be one hundred percent sure that he was the right one for her. Should she have any doubts or not be serious about him, she should come to that conclusion now rather than later. He had been left alone often enough in his younger years, he would not take any more unnecessary risks in that direction. If it was so easy to take her from him, she would hardly be the right one, no matter how much he wished it.
So the younger Düstra watched his steward carefully, but he paid even more attention to the aspirant to the title of his and Düstrigar's future queen.
Whenever the other asked her a question, Aquata sheepishly brushed her loose strands behind her ears and before answering, her eyes always darted to him. Was she looking for his confirmation or was she afraid of his reaction if she threatened to respond too much to the other's advances? He decided to observe the whole thing for a while without comment.
Now the princess was biting her lower lip and Tajo was delighted at how heart-stopping she looked, but quickly called himself to order when he realised that he was fixing her with his gaze.
So they swam together to the various places and Tajo performed his duties conscientiously. The administrator seemed to have completely forgotten his own concern over awzata's presence, at least he had not exchanged a word regarding a state matter with his king so far.
Having reached the last item on the agenda, the construction site for the new school, Tajo asked the princess to join him in the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony. She complied with the king's request and placed her delicate hand around the handle. Tajo then clasped her hand with his own and together they shovelled aside the first bit of seabed. The reporters who had turned out to document this history-making moment were thrilled. The tabloids would surely be clamouring for this story.
With satisfaction, Tajo saw how the administrator seemed to realise what a faux pas he had made in the previous hours.
Aquata, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy being closer to him than she had been since their dance. Tajo felt her lean gently against him and caught the happy look she gave him when he let her.
"Your Majesty, excuse me, but may I speak to you alone for a moment?" the steward interrupted the two. Tajo had not expected to be addressed by the other just now, but it was good, because he was not sure how he would have behaved. Aquata made him lose his usually structured and thoughtful head. But what the reporters had seen so far had better suffice for the time being, at least Lumio would be on his nerves for days if these piranhas got any more fuel for the rumour mill.
"Of course," he assured the other sah and released his grip on Aquata's hand. He gave her another brief smile and then turned his attention to the steward a few flippers away from her.
"Your Majesty, I don't even know what to say. I am truly sorry. I had no idea that..." the steward babbled excitedly. Tajo interrupted him with a gesture.
"Don't worry about it. To be honest, your behaviour seemed quite appropriate to me. Let's just forget about it now and finally tell me why you actually swam to the capital," he stopped the other's awkward attempts at apology and urged him to finally address his request to him.
"You are too kind, your majesty. I thank you. The reason I come to you is because of the high taxes. Our district is unable to make the required payments to the capital," he replied.
Tajo faltered. Hadn't Lumio said that the administrator had come for a trivial reason? In any case, this confession was anything but trivial in his eyes.
"How much is the debt so far?" he asked calmly after sorting himself out. He would have preferred to discuss this matter within the palace walls, but now there was no other way.
"We are about a dozen tide payments in arrears, your majesty. Until now, we thought we would be able to recover the sum in one of the later quarters, but now our bookmakers reckon with even greater losses," the steward pointed out the precarious situation of his district to the ruler.
"What is causing the debt? Until now, you have always been one of the most prosperous districts?", Tajo inquired.
"We are not sure, but something or someone seems to be hindering our export routes to the other sea oaks. Many of the traders have had great losses both materially and in workers. Convoys are leaving and not returning," the administrator continued.
"How is it that I have not heard about this until now? Why did you let it come to this without informing me? You should have come to me much earlier!" Tajo burst out angrily. But he could already guess why all this had dragged on so much. He would have to find a successor for this bon vivant. He seemed to have rested far too much on the fact that everything around him was already going his way. After seeing how quickly the steward was distracted by the finer things in life, Tajo could all too easily imagine how he had fulfilled his duties.
"Swim back to the palace and wait for me there. This conversation is not over yet," the king instructed menacingly and the other swam as he was told after a quick nod in the direction of the palace. One thing was for sure, this good-for-nothing was in for a thunderstorm of the highest order as soon as he too had returned to the palace. But for now, he would finally allow himself some time alone with Aquata.