16th Wave - A Shell's Brittleness, A Heart's Yearning [1]

Within the sturdy walls of the Palace of Pearls, surrounded by its splendor and grandeur, a merman sighed as he glanced through the window. Dreaming. Hoping.

Scheming.

“Does your mother like plays?”

“She has watched plays before.”

“But does she enjoy them? I can’t invite her to one unless I’m sure.”

Reika raised her gaze, parting from the small experiment she was doing. At times, she would ask herself exactly what made her agree to aid the Prince of Cobalts in his romantic endeavor.

“You can invite her to the best play of the century—she won’t go, regardless.”

Seikan groaned as he buried his face in his arms, trying to maintain his hope alive. The prince had once foolishly thought his greatest challenge would be to conquer the Queen’s heart. Yet he soon realized how naive he had been, for before that could ever happen, he had to solve two complications.

1 - The Queen’s work-life balance
2 - The Queen’s perception of him

The Prince was concluding that the first one should be the priority.

“How come she is constantly working? Is there even so much to do here at Pearls? The Palace of Cobalts is vaster, and I assure you my parents were never this busy.”

Princess Rika said nothing at first, looking at the different broken shells spread across the table. A simple test she was conducting to analyze each one's durability and resistance. Among the seven shells she collected, three shattered completely under the pressure she applied, while two barely suffered any scratches.

“…I believe the Queen also wished she could have more free time.”

Seikan turned to her, a faint sparkle glistering in his eyes. “Really?”

The second princess gave a short nod, not daring to meet the expectancy in the prince’s gaze. 

“Yes. Perhaps, if you look into other ways for her to—

Before she could finish her sentence, two eager hands grabbed her by the shoulders.

“Say no more, little sister—I know what must be done now!” Then the prince swam away, all the burning hope in his heart restored. “Thank you for your help!”

As soon as the door closed, leaving Reika once again alone, her gaze fell once again on the shattered shells. Though the prince was unaware, the youngest daughter had a theory. One that proved the real challenge he would have to face in order to reach her mother’s heart, and why she was so eager for Eirin’s marriage.

Sister…

Reika had received a message from her cousin Kei a couple of days before, informing her of Eirin’s situation. And, although Princess Reika had no qualms in advocating for her sister’s happiness, she could not help but worry.

For Reika knew her sister well, and was well aware of how oblivious she could be in matters regarding her own heart.

I pray you at least know how to keep yourself safe.

For Princess Reika had concluded that for most shells, the more delicate and pretty they were, the easier they were to shatter.

Even under the slightest pressure.

                                                                       𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼

“Fishing?”

At times, Eirin was happy Okihiro could not hear—that he could not notice the eagerness and excitement in her voice.

That said, one did not need to hear to see her flustered face.

The sailor nodded, turning his notebook to her as soon as he finished writing.

‘Fishing with boat. Been long time.’

The princess took a few seconds to understand what he meant.

Oh, that’s right…

We used to meet in his boat before.

Indeed, it had been a long time since Okihiro had sailed, even longer since Eirin had been to the boat. For some reason, the thought of sailing with the man made her a lot more nervous and excited than when he first invited her to tour around the city.

「Yes! Let’s do it!」

Okihiro could see the princess’ joy from the way she signed, the movements reflecting the sparkle in her eyes. His own heart skipped a beat, forcing him to avert his gaze.

How can she look so bright?

「Wait here. Will get the boat ready.」

The second Okihiro started grabbing the provisions, Okirin perked his ears. The dog was well aware of all the tools his master used whenever they went for a boat ride. So, as a good boy, he made sure to motivate his owner and make sure there would be no forgotten items before they departed.

As Okihiro left the house, followed by an overjoyed Okirin and his wagging tail, Tomi Seina sat beside Eirin at the table, giving her a glass of [sea] water.

“Since you will be sailing today, I separated only one bottle this time. Just in case you miss the flavor.”

Eirin had taken quite a fancy to Seina’s tea, indeed.

“Is there a way for me to craft these blends in the boat?”

Tomi Seina held back a smile. “I will give some leaves to the boy, he knows how to prepare them as well. If you really want to learn, you can ask him.” As Eirin’s face flushed once again, accompanied by a nervous heartbeat, the old woman’s gaze slowly fell onto the princess’ neck. 

“This was a fine gift. Did the boy give it to you?”

For a brief second, Eirin’s heart stopped.

When she followed Seina’s gaze, her eyes landing on the shiny pendant on her chest, there would be this heavy feeling. Thick, almost suffocating, circling her thoughts.

She took a few sips of water.

The sailor gave me a shiny trinket. The mission is done.

No. This is not the same trinket—it's not the one I came for. It doesn’t count.

Yet it’s shiny. It’s the same kind. He gave it to me. This is even better.

No…it will only count when he gives me his. And he appears to be quite attached to that one. So…my mission here is not complete yet.

Then I have to ask him for his trinket. He clearly likes me, it shouldn’t be an issue.

I will ask him. Just…not today. There’s still time.

A sharp pain ran across her chest, making Eirin flinch and drop the cup she was holding—glass spreading everywhere across the floor.

Ever since the incident, her chest would suddenly ache at times. An intense, sharp pain that flared up, spreading within her for a few seconds before fading away. That time, it was strong enough to leave her breathless.

Princess Eirin was not paying much attention to it.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! Let me help you clean this.”

Tomi Seina was.

“Dear, listen, why don’t you—”

Okirin, as the good boy he was, let everyone know things at the boat were ready before he charged and jumped at Eirin. Welcoming the furry beast’s kisses with laughs, the princess petted the dog across the back.

Kojin Okihiro did not walk in. He glanced at the floor for a few seconds before meeting Tomi-san’s gaze.

Before he could write anything, she stood up.

“I will take care of this, boy. You two go and enjoy the day.” When he tried to protest, she simply pulled Eirin by the arms, pushed her and the dog against Okihiro, and waved once both were outside. “Have fun!”

Then closed the door shut in his face.

It took him a few moments to realize Eirin was in his arms, yet it took even less for both their faces to redden and their hearts to race before they took some distance.

「Let’s go?」

「We can go.」

Neither could face each other, much less pay attention to the signing.

The rest of the day passed by with no further incidents [of that kind]. They sailed away, taking in the rich scent carried by the breeze. A scent reminded Eirin of home; of swimming within the currents, and singing to her heart’s content—connecting with her song.

She ignored the faint echo in her chest, the ache. Instead, the princess played with the furry beast while the human Okihiro set up the chairs for them. And when it finally came the time for them to sit and throw the fishing rods, Okirin jumped at both of them and threw his master overboard.

Eirin laughed a lot.

At first, the man did nothing. Then, as he was about to climb back, he pulled the princess into the water. And it so turned out, after drenching themselves in sea water, breaking one fishing rod, and losing a metal bucket, Kojin Okihiro and Princess Eirin did not fish once during their fishing outing.

Instead, they laughed, made new signs, and entertained Okirin whenever the dog became too cute to ignore. Just like that, hours passed. Until the sun was about to cross the horizon.

Until it was time to go home.

And, although Eirin’s chest would hurt from time to time, she had never felt so…

Happy.

So content.

So much so, she was praying for the sun to never set. For the day to never end. For time to stay still.

“Eirin.”

It wasn’t the first time Okihiro spoke her name. Not the first time she heard his voice calling out to her.

Yet before she could feel giddy—before her heart could race and her cheeks could flush—she turned his way.

And met the rich green in his eyes.

「I’m not taking you back with me.」

「I want you to stay away.」

For the first time, she didn’t feel excited about seeing him sign. The man’s voice and gaze did not make her feel warm inside. Did not make her heart race, did not fill her with joy.

It enveloped her in a gelid embrace. One that took hold of her heart, of the hollow place her song had once been, and crushed it.

Breaking them into a thousand pieces.