Elaina's POV

I tried my best to hold in my laughter as I watched a lady of the court flirting with my brother, Eldrich. I could see him trying his best to get away without being rude, but he was failing miserably. My brother might've been one of the strongest warriors I knew, but he was afraid of women.

Ethan, the eldest of us triplets was sitting next to me, trying and failing to control his laughter.

"Shame on you! You should help him, you know how he gets amongst ladies," I told Ethan.

"And how would you know how he gets when he is near ladies? This is your first ball," he said.

"I might not attend these things often, but I'm not deaf and I have perfectly functional ears when it comes to court intrigue." Although Ethan was right about me not attending these types of functions, I still heard a lot of gossip as the servants are passing by. They were never afraid to share things in front of me. I sometimes knew more about what was going on in the servants' lives than in court.

The reason why I've been stowed away from prying eyes is because I have a rare muscle condition. My muscles are extremely weak and it takes a lot of effort for me to do the simplest things, like walking, eating etc.

Tonight was our 18th birthday ball and I told my parents that questions would be asked if I didn't show up for my own ball. They agreed but I only had to call them when I was tired and one of my brothers would have to stay with me all the time.

"Let him suffer a little longer," Ethan said in his usual jovial manner.

"Ethan." I said simply, but he knew I meant business. My brothers both had one weakness, me. They could not refuse me. I never really used this advantage a lot, but in times like these it was quite handy.

"Fine! I will save our dearest brother from despair," he said before he stood up and headed to Eldrich and the blonde girl who was hanging on his arm.

"Thank you!" I called behind him and he turned around to flash me a quick smile. Brothers. I loved them so much, they were my best friends and I knew how much they cared for me.

"I thought he would never leave," a voice said behind me, startling me. When I turned around I was faced with a handsome young man with brown hair. He quickly stood beside me.

"What is your name, beautiful?" He said and I felt heat rush to my cheeks. I've never had a man looking at me that way before. He took my hand and placed a light kiss on my knuckles.

"Elaina." I said as my eyes scanned the crowds for my parents or my brothers. All of them were to busy to notice my problem and none looked my way. The moment I needed them the most.

"That is a beautiful name," he said while flashing a smile.

"Thank you," I said absentmindedly as I willed one of my family members to look at me.

"Will you care to dance?" He asked as he held out his hand to me. I couldn't even walk a few paces before I felt my muscles burning, how would I be able to dance?

"Well I-" I wanted to say no, but he quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me up before I could even finish my sentence properly.

He pulled me towards the middle of the room and I had a hard time keeping up. My body was on fire as my muscles protested. This was to much work for them.

"Pleas-se st-op" I tried to say but I was out of breath. This was so much work for me. We were a couple of feet away from the centre when I felt the familiar ache in my legs. The warning that they were done working for now.

Before I could even warn the stranger I was falling, my legs had given in from under me. The only reason the stranger stopped was because when I fell I pulled on his hand.

"Oh my!" He exclaimed as he rushed to me where I was sitting on my legs panting heavily. A crowd has formed around us and I could see every single set of eyes on me. I knew this was a bad idea. I couldn't even run away from their scrutinizing gazes.

"What is wrong with the princess?"

"Do you think she is ill?"

"Is she such a klutz that she would fall in front of an entire assembly?"

"The princess can't even walk right!"

"What kind of princess is she to fall like that without dignity?"

That was the few things I heard people whisper around me.

My parents and brothers quickly pushed through the crowd to see what was going on. When my father noticed my state he bellowed in a loud voice.

"What in formoggal's name is going on here?"

The stranger that asked me to dance was quickly on his feet trying to explain what had happened.

"You pulled my daughter to the dance floor without waiting for her consent!" My father screamed. He was angry now.

"Sire, I...I di...didn't ...kn.. know." The man was stuttering from fear. My father is a gentle giant but when it comes to his children he turns into the beast he was.

"I will deal with you later. Ethan, Eldrich get Elaina out of here." My father ordered before he told the rest of the people that the ball was over and they should leave.

Eldrich quickly picked me up in his arms as I buried my face in his chest. I was so embarrassed. Why couldn't I be normal? Why did I have to suffer the way I did? Tears started to cascade down my face. I felt like a total failure. I couldn't even dance.

When the ballroom doors closed behind us Eldrich quickly placed me down on a chair.

"I'm sorry." I said as my head hung low. I embarrassed not only myself, but my entire family.

"There is nothing to apologize for, Laina." Eldrich said.

"Yes, it was that formoggal's fault for dragging you to the dancefloor without waiting for your answer." Ethan said angrily.

"I want to go to my room," I said simply.

Eldrich nodded before he picked me up once more and carried me to my room. Luckily my room wasn't upstairs because of my condition. Eldrich carried me through the halls as Ethan followed.

When we arrived at my room Ethan opened the door for us. Eldrich placed me on my bed.

"Should I call Ella?" Ethan asked.

"No, I'm just going to rest for a while." I said.

"Rest well, Laina." Eldrich said as he placed a kiss on my temple. When the door closed behind them I allowed my tears to flow freely. I hated this. I hated being this weak girl who couldn't even walk properly by herself. I was dependent on others and I hated every single step I couldn't take.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even hear my door open.

"Elaina?" I heard my mother's soothing voice.

I turned around to face her. I tried to give her a small smile but it didn't reach my eyes.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"There is nothing to be sorry about." She said as she sat next to me on my bed. She placed her arms around me in a comforting hug just like she used to do when I was younger, I loved the feeling of her soothing embrace.

"Mom?" I said as I thought about something that has been on my mind for a while. I couldn't handle being cooped up in this castle.

"Mmm?"

"I want to go away." I said.

"Where do you want to go?"

"The ocean palace."

"Maybe it is time we took a family holiday, I will talk to your father. I think we all need a break." She said and I nodded in agreement. I was suddenly very excited for this trip.

"Now rest a little bit.  Do you want me to help you dress?" My mother asked and I nodded.

I sat up slowly before I stood up. I quickly got dress with the help of my mother before I climbed back in bed. This day has been exhausting and I was grateful to be laying in my bed.

As I stared out my window I thought about the ocean palace. We haven't been there in a while and I was excited to be there once more. Something about the ocean just called to me. There was something that pulled me in and I wanted to dive into its deep depths. You would think someone who couldn't swim would fear the ocean, but I didn't.

The ocean made me peaceful and I felt like it was where I belonged. I never told my family this, but I thought they would think I'm crazy. It's not like I have a connection with the ocean. The ocean is just the ocean for my family, but for me there is something more to it. Something enticing. Maybe I would discover the reason for this strange feeling when we visited the ocean again. Maybe I should ask Carling about it.

With that thought in mind I fell into a deep slumber dreaming about the blue ocean and the crashing waves,  wondering what secrets layed beneath the foam of the sea.

Hey guys

This is chapter one, tell me what you think.

I hope you enjoy this story.

Happy reading.

Amorie