I clench my teeth, hauling the toddler merprince who's wafting green fumes and wailing. The water ripples from his tantrum, whipping my hair and covering my face.
We pass the discolored corals, sea turtles, pods of dolphins, schools of fish, and colored corals. This Royal Gremlin is getting on my nerves now.
As we head back to the palace through the town, Merfolk eyes widen as they see me approach and they hide like a parting sea. They're probably escaping the smell, something I wish I could do.
Then everything becomes silent; the streets empty.
Even the toddler prince quietens.
My silver-blue hair settles back on my shoulders. This strange silence sends a chill down my spine.
My water tendril disperses in my hand.
I turn to the merprince who is floating in an air bubble.
Small bubbles float inside for him to pop, keeping him occupied. He giggles as his tiny fingers wave the bubbles around.
One pops on his nose, and he giggles. That seems to stop his crying.
There is only one person I know who is capable of creating an air bubble in the ocean. My back stiffens. I know I'm in trouble.
I turn back and face my master standing in front of me giving me his look, his nose flaring.
"Ling Yue, that is not how you treat His Highness. Are you trying to start a war?"
"No, I just didn't know what to do with him. So I took him for a scenic swim."
"You took him out of the palace without permission."
"What else was I supposed to do? You wouldn't let me listen to your secret conversation with the Majesties. You sent us flying out of the throne room."
Long Fei sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Without a word, he turns on his heels. I know that silence. It's probably better that I do not utter another word. His maelstroms are frightening.
I follow him, my shoulders slumping, dragging my feet, like I'm walking to the guillotine.
The toddler merprince floats behind us, and as we leave the town, the merfolks come out again, audible sighs of relief ripple through the water and it's a bustling town again.
We arrive in the throne room.
The King and Queen, sitting on their throne, waiting for us.
The Queen springs up at the sight of her son, and she darts towards him, popping the bubble and pinching her nose.
"Oh my, you need your tail cleaned."
She waves her hand, and the water disperses the green fumes.
The King clears his throat.
"Ling Yue, thank you for looking after my son for the day. I know he can be a handful."
I laugh nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.
"You're welcome. But I had help from the Kraken."
Long Fei drags a hand down his face.
The King looks at me puzzled, then he glances at his wife.
The Queen shrinks back like a turtle retreating into its shell.
"How did you manage to get the legendary sea beast to look after my son?" Her eyes shifted to the floor, avoiding eye contact.
Oh, so she has been using the Kraken to babysit after all, and she didn't want the King to know. I thought there were no secrets between them.
"I fed him some bandits and he was happy with that deal."
The Queen laughed nervously, still avoiding eye contact.
The water surges around the King.
Long Fei clears his throat.
"Your Majesties, I think it's time for us to bid you farewell and head back to the Celestial Realm."
The King nods, still staring at his wife.
I'm glad that my master asked for a getaway because clearly, those two need to have a private conversation.
We swiftly leave the room, the door closing softly behind us.
The guards bow to Long Fei as we pass by.
Outside the palace, the water whirls with a bright ethereal light emanating from my master as he transforms into his majestic dragon form. His silver-tinted pearlescent white scales gleam in the deep blue.
I scramble onto his back, clinging to his shoulders.
We soared through the Ocean Realm surface, ascending past the vast blue sky, past the clouds, and entering the realm where many mountains are floating and shrouded with clouds.
Immortals stop and gape on the celestial highway as they see the Dragon of Air fly past in his splendor.
I'm thrilled to be flying and to leave the Ocean Realm since I do not want to royal sit ever again.
As we reach the Royal Chamber, I hop off the dragon's back, landing with a thud on the ground.
CRACK! The ground beneath me breaks. I shake my head and groan.
"I'll patch that up again later."
A divine light envelops Long Fei, his scales glistening as he shifts from his majestic dragon form to his human guise. Like a falling petal, he steps lightly on the ground. He glances at the crack on the floor and shakes his head.
We enter the Royal Chamber, the Crown Prince is sitting at the 'Go' table, finger on his chin, studying the game. He looks up, eyes brighten as he sees us.
"Given I did not receive any complaints this time, I trust all went well. The armistice remains. You're back earlier than expected."
My master sideward glances at me, which makes me shrink.
"Ling Yue decided to have the Kraken look after the young merprince."
"She did what?!"
I laugh nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.
"It's not like he hasn't done it before."
The Crown Prince burst into laughter.
"You may have just uncovered a royal family secret. I bet the King was not impressed."
"No, he wasn't. That's why we're here earlier."
Long Fei sits at the 'Go' table and moves a piece.
The Crown Prince scratches his chin, eyeing the board intently.
"Ling Yue, since you did so well on this quest. I'll make you the merprince's designated royal sitter from now on."
I give him a deadpan look.
"You're kidding, right?"
He shakes his head, grinning from ear to ear.
I need to pay back the Crown Prince to clear my ledger and avoid ridiculous quests in the future. It's time to search for unclaimed treasure. There has to be some hidden in this vast realm.