Was I being true to myself...?

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.
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.

Or was I just ...being foolish?

Orion took a step forward and plunged into the open cold waters. He couldn't help but recall the event that has taken place just now.

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Moon: "Can you stay until I fall asleep...?"

Orion: "What-"

Orion's cheeks became bright red. Moon immediately shook both of her hands.

Moon: "No! No! I am not intending anything! I just don't want to feel alone..."

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.

Those words sent shivers down the Merman's spine as he folded his arms to calm himself down.

Orion: "She's a Mermaid, I can't forget that..."

His gaze lowered.

Orion: "But deep down inside...she's a pure human at heart."

As Orion looked up, he saw a vision of the past. The time when he swam with Moon in their mermaid forms.

He saw how delighted she was and her smile was like the light that highlighted the ocean.

Orion reaches out his hand towards her but she vanished into thin foam.

Orion: "Of course...everything is just a lie to me."

He continued to swim forward and turning to different directions in a fast pace.

Then was when he arrived at a clutter of eerie looking kelp. Orion swam towards it and pushed a few aside as he went through the opening.

Orion: "Home sweet home..."

Right in front of him, there was an cave that he called home.

Orion had always wondered why he had to live in such an enclosed area, but his Mother insisted that it was for his own good.

He gathered all his courage and entered his home...

<Inside the cave...>

Orion: "I'm home...Mother..."

As Orion entered the cave, the first thing he noticed was the mess of books scattered all over the place.

He was use to his home being filled with his mother's garbage but he couldn't stand how unorganised she was.

???: "You're home."

Hearing his call, a mermaid came in and stood before Orion. The mermaid swam elegantly, but she had a stern look at the same time.

She was fair skinned and had flowing black hair. Her eyes were too as dark as night sky with a hint of a shade of red.

The mermaid took one glance at Orion and exclaimed.

???: "Were you on the surface again?!"

Orion: "I have no idea what you are saying."

???: "DON'T you play games with me, boy! You're skin is as tan as the sand! Do I have to repeat myself again??!"

Orion: "To keep my skin as fair as yours? Is it really going to make a difference?"

???: "I did remind you about that problem but that is not the point now!"

The mermaid placed her things on the table and looked straight into her adopted son's eyes.

???: "I have WARNED you about the humans! They are just vile creatures who will one day destroy our kinds for their ambitious reasons!"

Orion clenched his fists in anger. He knew not all humans are just as bad as his Mother described them to be.

Orion: "I have been to the surface many times! Nothing has happened to me! All those stories you have been telling me are just complete lies!"

???: "Your mind is really playing tricks with you. Soon you will realise the pain and suffering a human will do to you when they stab your back hard!"

The mermaid turned around to leave when she stopped and turned back to Orion.

???: "Your parents were killed by those filthy humans, don't forget that."

Orion froze when the mermaid, who was recognised as his adoptive mother, mentioned his real parents.

He had never once met his parents as he was told that they died when he was just a young merboy.

???: "You should be grateful, as my son, that I am here looking out for you! I made an promise to your parents to take care of you, do you understand?"

Orion was left speechless. Emotional thoughts filled his mind as he couldn't find the right words to fight back. He gave in and obeyed.

Orion: "I...understand."

???: "That's a good boy."

The mermaid replied as she left him all alone in the room.

Orion: "My parents...they were gone... because of their kinds."

He shook his head and loosened up his body. Orion looked over at his mother's books on the table.

Orion: "Was everything my mother said was true? Are humans really wicked and evil?"

He thought of Moon once more. She was the first human to ever stepped foot into his life and he felt comfortable around her.

She was not vile nor wicked. Instead, a compassionate human.

Orion: Was I just lucky to find a girl like her? Or was it just the trick of the light?

Orion was rummaging through his mother's things when his eyes came across a dusty old book.

He curiously dusted the book and a name appeared on the cover.

Orion: "Darya..."

The name was so unfamiliar to him that became lost in the book.

Without his mother's consent, he quickly went into his room quietly with the book hidden in his hands...

<Meanwhile...In Clarines...>

Click!

The sound of the door closing behind Moon could be heard as a Maid came chasing behind her panicking.

Maid: "Your highness! You haven't recover from your incident yesterday! Please return to bed and let us treat you!"

Moon: "I'm sorry but I'm telling you, don't worry about my health! I'm completely capable of taking care of myself!"

Maid desperately bowed in front of Moon.

Maid: "B-But Prince Aiden would not want you to get out of bed..."

Moon: "What does he have to do with all this? It is not like he was going to know that-"

Suddenly, a voice emerged from the other end of the hallway.

Aiden: "Know about what?"

Moon turned around and spotted Aiden walking towards them.

Maid: "Your highness! I apologise for not keeping the princess in her room!"

Aiden: "Its quite alright. Now, you can get back to your work."

Maid: "Of course, your highness."

The castle maid scrambled back to her chores.

Moon glanced at Aiden and gave him an unsatisfied look on her face.

Moon: "I don't recall you having the authority to order my castle maids around like that?"

Aiden: "I am still royalty and a guest in your castle."

Moon: "Well, I guess you are...but still!"

Aiden chuckled and rest his back against the wall beside him.

Aiden: "Anyways, if you don't mind me changing the topic, but I am positive you have receive my gift during the night?"

Moon: "Oh! Right...the dawnberries. They were lovely...thank you."

Moon could feel her cheeks unintentionally started to heat up again.

Aiden: "I'm glad you enjoyed them. But seriously, Moon..."

Aiden's tone all of the sudden turned serious which surprised her.

Aiden: "You fainted after the match yesterday and I couldn't help but feel incredibly worry about your physical wellbeing. So, please take good care of yourself."

Those words that left his mouth almost sounded like a strange melody to her ears. He was actually worried about her...

Moon: "Wait, my parents...you didn't tell them, right?!"

Aiden: "I told Travis not to spread the rumour about your fall to anyone else so you don't have to worry."

Moon let out a huge sigh of relief.

Moon: "The last thing I want is my parents nagging at me about the incident."

Aiden: "I know what you mean."

He gave Moon a reassuring smile on his face.

Aiden: "So, if anything happens to you again, you can definitely count on me..."

At that very moment, Moon felt her heart starting to warm up even more than before. What were these feelings? It was her feelings of gratefulness bottling right inside of her.

Unexpectedly, Moon wrapped her arms around Aiden and embraced him.

Moon: "Thank you so much, Aiden. I will never forget your acts of kindness."

Aiden was shocked but stroked her hair in return of her sudden gesture.

Aiden: "*Smiles* My pleasure, princess."

Moon thought to herself. Maybe it wasn't so bad to have Aiden around in the castle. Knowing that he had her back and he was willing to stay by her side.

However, her time spent with Orion were also dear to her heart.

Both Aiden and Orion were very different, and she was torn between the two.

Moon: I can't be thinking about that now...

At that same moment, when Moon let go of Aiden, they heard loud and heavy footstep coming towards them.

Travis: "Princess Moon and Prince Aiden."

Travis paused in his track and noticed the tension between the two of them. He was confused but then realised what was going on.

Travis: "Oh no! Did I ruin your special moment? Oh gosh I am such a jerk!"

Moon: Is he being serious?

Aiden: "N-No no! Nothing is going on! W-we just have a private conversation!"

Moon: "Y-Yeah!"

Travis: "Really? In that case, I have a message from your father, m'lady."

Moon: "My father?"

Travis: "He wants both of you in his office right now."

Moon knew being sent to her father's office was either good news or bad news. Whatever it is, she still have to face the music.

Moon: "Take us to him."

To be continued...

Hello everyone, it's Chewy! Hope you all enjoyed this latest chapter. Yes, I have been inactive lately because of my studies but I appreciate that you guys have been supportive of this story! If any of you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will try my best to answer them. Well, I will see you all next time, Love ya ❤️