"Of course, honey!", Carlotta nodded warmly as she tottered off to the kitchens, with Melody heading into the dining hall, with her parents looking up with warm smiles, "Melody! How was the trip in town?".
"It was all right...I thought a lot about the whole story...Dad, you actually saw Atlantica?", Melody smiled lightly with a shrug as she sat down and looked at Eric curiously. Eric shared a look with Ariel, and she nodded, and Eric replied, "Well, it was thanks to your aunts and grandfather. They gave me and your mother magical bracelets where we can change from human to merfolk at will, but only when we're wearing them.".
"Bracelets?", Melody asked as Eric nodded, "We've put them away since that monster showed up... to better protect ourselves since he obviously wants us all destroyed for killing Ursula.".
Melody blinked, "Oh...Still, it must have been something...", and Eric chuckled, "Not so much for your mother, but for me, oh, yeah...I learned fast, and before long, I was a natural...which makes sense in a way since I love the sea.".
Ariel smiled wryly, "And I had a bright green tail. Your father had an ice blue tail...Don't worry, Melody, one day, once the monster's taken care of, you will see what your tail looks like...I expect it will be unique like you.".
Melody nodded, "I hope so.", with a smile, and so, the royal family had dinner. The next couple of days went rather well, with Melody either going to town or working on her lessons for the ball dancing, with the nights of watching the projection orb. Finally, her birthday arrived, and Melody, so nervous and anxious, wanted to get the tension out of her body, decided to go swimming...
She resisted it the last couple of days as she was busy, but with her birthday a huge event as it isn't every day that a princess turns 12, she needed to relax, and swimming helps her relax...
She luckily returned to the palace without nobody noticing, sneaking in and up to her room, accidentally backing up into one of the noble families' kids, "Opps, sorry! Sorry about that...Excuse me! Gotta go get dressed.", with a sheepish grin.
"Don't worry about it.", the girl replies back, and Melody nodded, ducking upstairs, and the kid turns her attention to the other kids, "So, that gotta be Princess Melody...I don't see why the fuss is about...She's strange, honestly.".
"I heard that she had a twin brother...Talos?", another kid replied, and the first girl replied, "Tazio...He was sickly for some reason...I think her mother blames Melody for that.".
"Why couldn't she? After all, I heard from Father that Queen Ariel breaks down in tears all because Melody reminds her of her lost son...Honestly, she should move on...", a third kid said.
"It's been how many years now?", the first kid asked as the other two shrugged and pointed towards the direction Melody went. "About as old as she is now, right?", the second one wondered.
The third kid snorted, "And what kind of name Melody is, anyway? It's not even Italian like Tazio!", and the first kid replied, "I heard Queen Ariel was really incredible at singing, and I guess that's where the name came from, but she hadn't sung since her first birthday or something.".
The second kid laughed, "I bet Melody doesn't even sing...She's probably bad at it! Too bad Tazio isn't here...I bet he would be better as a prince than Melody is as a princess.", and the other kids agreed.
Melody didn't actually duck up the stairs as she overheard it all, her heart panging in pain, anger, and sadness, wanting to clobber those kids for insulting herself, her mother and brother like that, but she knew if she did that, her reputation would be made worse...maybe into humiliation...She sighed to herself, walking up the stairs, heading to her bedroom.
She headed to take a bath, cleaning herself from all the salt on herself, due to swimming in the sea, glancing to see Ariel walking in the gardens outside with Max, soaking her feet in the cresting waves.
"Mom, are you alright?", Melody called out, and Ariel looked up, smiling in relief, "There you are! I was looking all over the place for you.".
Melody smiled, "Sorry, was in town!", and Ariel nodded, "Ah, I see. I'm coming up!". Melody gasped in surprise, and quickly went to dress herself, hiding the bag of seashells under her bed that she had during the swim, and smiled excitedly as Ariel opened the door, curtseying, "I'm ready!".
Her crown flopped forward, and Melody groaned lightly, "Sort of...", and Ariel laughed gently, "It's alright...Let's fix that, sweetheart.", smiling warmly as she went to join her daughter, to pick up the brush, humming.
"So, how was town?", Ariel asked softly, and Melody shrugged, "A lot of people wishing me happy birthday...Mom...I know it's a big deal since I am turning 12, and a ball is important for my introduction, but I don't want to go...I overheard something about me...".
Ariel sighed softly, "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you're a princess...Believe me, if you are a villager, you could have a cake, maybe some presents, but those people came to see you...What did you exactly hear?".
Melody sighed deeply, biting her lip before speaking softly, "They...the kids... they think I'm strange...They said that it's my fault for bringing Tazio into danger, killing him since I was stronger and healthier, and that...you blame me...".
"They said that?", Ariel was surprised to hear that, almost to the point of being outraged at those children for saying such nasty things.
"You... you don't blame me... do you?", Melody asked as Ariel sighed and gave her a small smile and kissed her forehead, "Melody, never think that... never once for even a second have I ever blamed you for what happened. That monster is the one to blame, not you.".
Melody looked at her with a small, relieved smile, "Okay...", and Ariel stroked her cheek softly, "Tell you what, I'll give you 20 minutes to enjoy the ball, and if you're still feeling awful, tell us, and we can help you be excused early, all right?".
"R-really?", Melody asked hesitantly, and Ariel smiled reassuringly, "Really...So, can you do that for me, Melody?".
"Sure... but... I mean, I don't want to-", Melody blabbed nervously. "Melody, don't think that you're burdening or ruining anything like that, this is your day after all.", Ariel reminded.
"'Our' day.", Melody gave a small smile. "Tazio's here too in a few ways.". Ariel smiled sadly yet warmly, "Yes, he is...I wonder if he would be teasing you for being nervous, in his own brotherly way.", and Melody giggled softly, "He would be probably wanting me to smile.".
"There you go...Now, keep that in mind. Just relax, smile, and enjoy the party, okay?", Ariel asked softly, and Melody nodded before hearing a knock on the door, and both of them looked up to see Eric coming in, "It's going to start in a couple of minutes...Oh, did I interrupt something?".
Ariel smiled, "Just a bit of mother-daughter talk, Eric...I promised her that after 20 minutes, if she's still feeling bad, we can find a way to excuse her early.", and Eric blinked, "Oh, I see...Yeah, that's fair...You look beautiful, Melody.".
Melody gave a little blush, "Thank you, Daddy.", and Ariel giggled warmly, "Indeed, you look wonderful. Are you ready?".
Taking a deep breath, "Yeah, I think I am...", Melody nodded, and Eric nodded, "Good, go on and wait at the top of the stairs. Don't worry, we'll be announced first, okay?".
Melody smiled, "Okay.", and headed out, and Eric glanced at Ariel as he escorted her out, "Her eyes isn't as bright as usual...Something happen?".
"She overheard some of the noble children saying some... atrocious things about her, Tazio, and myself.", Ariel explained as Eric was taken aback by some of the details Ariel heard from Melody.
"I don't know if that's something being talked with the families or just kids being kids.", Eric shook his head. "It's just words, Eric, we know the truth, and Melody does too.", Ariel firmly replied.
Eric nodded lightly, "You're right, we all know the truth, and they don't...And are you ready yourself?", and Ariel smiled sadly, "It hurts today, like usual, but it's not a bad day. And besides, Tazio would want us to be there for Melody on their big day...".
"'Their' big day, huh?", Eric smiled, and kissed her on the temple, "Yes, that sounds good...The stars are coming out, and Tazio would be attending the party by watching from the stars... It hurts for me too, but we can do this, Ariel.".
Ariel kissed him on the cheek, "You always find a way to cheer me up, my love. Let's go, and enjoy the party, and be there for Melody...", and Eric nodded, and so, they headed to the grand ballroom, and like Eric said, they were announced first as king and queen, taking their positions to overlook the party, and then Melody was announced next as princess.
Melody whispered to herself as she walked down the stairs, "Just relax, smile, and enjoy the party. 20 minutes...I can do this...You got this.", smiling down at her parents, nodding and curtseying in respect and tradition as she exited the stairs into landing on the floor.
Melody never was this nervous before with her party ball, but then again, she was slowly starting to get up their in age where it was less accepting of her being more of a child, she would be a woman in a few years after all. She walked over next to her folks as Ariel leaned down.
"You alright?", Ariel whispered. Melody nodded slightly, whispering back, "Okay, maybe I can stay for longer, I just... I'm just really nervous today.".
Ariel whispered reassuringly, "Does it help if I am nervous for you too?", and Melody looked at her for a moment in surprise before smiling a little, "It does...".
"Good. Now, go on, mingle, dance, have fun.", Ariel smiled warmly, and Melody nodded, glancing up at Eric who gave her an encouraging nod, and she took a deep breath, walking over, deeper into the party.
A noble's son bowed to her, "Hello, may I have this dance?", and Melody nodded, "Of course.", taking his hand, and began to dance. Ariel shared a delighted smile with Eric, and nodded to the band who thrummed and strummed, music echoing through the ballroom.
They warmly watched their daughter dance, and Eric whispered softly, "Sure brings back memories, huh?", and Ariel smiled widely, whispering back, "Yes...She's doing wonderful...", relieved to see that Melody is looking better.
Indeed, Melody is feeling a bit better, yet she was still on nerves, admitting that her dance lessons did her well, and after she finished dancing, the noble's son thanked her, and Melody exhaled deeply, greeting and mingling here and there.
She glanced over to see her parents smiling and enjoying the party as they talked with the noble adults and can recognize the slight look of sadness in her eyes that nobody would know except for her, Eric, and the palace staff.
Melody then saw the girl with her friends, remembering the awful words, and knew that her mother hadn't sung at all...Maybe Melody can cheer her up...After all, her mother cheered her up so much. She took a deep breath, and headed to the band, whispering to the conductor's ear...She will show those kids, all of them that she can sing!
The conductor nodded with a smile, changing the music, and catching the attention of everyone including her parents, watching in surprise and curiosity. Melody focused on her parents, ignoring the others as she began to sing.
Ariel gasped softly in joy as Eric and she heard their song, and smiled so happily as Melody sung from her heart, and the kids themselves were shocked, amazed, watching, not noticing that one of the food tables had an unlit candle that was moving on its own, falling down, knocking a gravy boat of olive oil down, unknowing that Cetus had created that candle, and had slipped it into one of the containers in town, shipped to the palace.
The olive oil streamed toward Melody who was moving around, dancing, and singing, and when she took a step backwards, she slipped backwards, falling back into the table, destroying it, revealing her skirts and leggings, food everywhere over her.
Both Ariel and Eric quickly ran over to Melody as they checked on her. "Melody!", Eric shouted as he was the first to reach her.
"Are you okay?", Eric asked as he was very frightened that Melody was severely injured. "Yeah...", Melody groaned as her back felt sore. "I think I hurt my back though...".
Ariel checked over her, "Oh, sweetheart.", before hearing a muffled snort, with somebody saying, "She looks like a mess!", with a laugh, "Make that a ruffled mess! She was singing to the food!", before the room filled up in laughter.
Melody gasped, hearing the laughter, grabbing into Eric, sobbing into Eric's chest as he lifted her up as Ariel narrowed her eyes, and Eric nodded to her, "I got her, Ariel.", and Ariel nodded back, twirling around to face the crowd, "How dare you?! This is supposed to be her birthday, and she was singing for us! Control yourselves before I tell your parents to ground you!", her fiery temper coming out.
The kids froze, realizing that they have gone too far, raising the wrath of Queen Ariel, the wife of King Eric, the mother of Princess Melody, hearing the sobs and cries of her as Eric took her back up the stairs, with Grimsby nodding as he sent one of the staff to get the doctor, sympathetic for dear Melody, furious at the behavior of the kids.
Ariel furiously spats out, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a daughter to comfort.", and walked up quickly on the stairs to join Eric and Melody, leaving the ballroom, with many nobles disappointed and angry at their children for doing such things.
Meanwhile, Lucia whistled in shock and awe, "Whoa...didn't expect that to escalate that far...", as she watched the orb that was showing up in dark magic, thanks to Cetus's stingrays who were watching through one of the windows upon a smart way, and Cetus chuckled, "I hadn't either, but I hadn't expected that princess to sing either. She definitely got her mother's singing voice.".
"Still, your plan seems off.", Lucia said. "You're still confident about your crystals?", with a raised eyebrow. "Patience... I get a feeling that this will still play to our advantage.", Cetus smiled as he patiently waited. He had waited for very long before; he could wait a bit longer.
In Melody's bedroom, the doctor checked over her, "Well, I have good news for you. No broken or cracked ribs. Your lungs are perfectly healthy and fine. Mainly bruised and sore from that table.".
Melody nodded, "Thanks, doctor...", and the doctor smiled warmly, looking at Ariel and Eric, "She will have no need of bandages, but best to have her take a hot bath before bed for tonight and the next few nights, so she can heal overnight. And for the days, plenty of herbal cream between meals, not too much for her to be numb, but enough to walk around.".
"Thank you.", Eric nodded as the doctor gave a small nod and left the family alone. "Sorry you took a bad spill there, Melody... but I'm glad all you got was being sore rather than something serious.".
"Yeah... like breaking my neck getting thrown from a horse...", Melody sighed as she remembered the story of a noble girl her age in Naples who died that way.
Ariel sighed deeply as she sat down to rub her arm, "You did so wonderful, Melody. I am so proud of you for staying for a while and singing for us... I was so pleasantly surprised... I am sorry I got you hurt...".
Melody smiled a little before shaking her head, "It wasn't your fault, Mom. I chose to come...", wiping away the dried tears on her face. Eric replied, "Still, they went too far...you really ripped into them a fierce one, Ariel.".
"My daughter shouldn't be laughed at for something that wasn't her fault and could've been hurt!" Ariel argued as Eric held his hands up.
"I know, I know...", Eric nodded, and Ariel sighed as she took a deep breath, "Sorry, just... I don't know what's gotten into those children sometimes...".
Eric reassured Ariel with a kiss to her temple, "It's all over now. Well, I better tell the staff to end the party, through I'm sure the nobles know that it's done.", and Melody replied, "Could I have perhaps some cake? Chef Louis must have worked hard on it...I hope it wasn't on the table I destroyed accidentally...".
Ariel smiled softly, "Of course, sweetie. I will get a few pieces for all of us. We can have a little party right here. And the staff can have the rest of the cake, since those kids doesn't deserve it.".
Melody smiled as Eric and Ariel left, leaving Melody to her own for a few minutes. "Way to go, Melody... so much for not making this family look bad...", she sighed to herself as she winced in pain and rubbed her back.