Chapter 34

Morgana rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Can't you shut your trap for even a minute?  No one except you cares what your girlfriend is doing.  You know she can take good care of herself."

"I know... I just miss her so much." Eli sighed and floated down to a patch of sand.

"Well... go chat with her eels, then." Morgana crossed her arms.

"They must be some source of confort."

"Those guys slinked off a long time ago. They must have gone after her." Eli answered.

"Huh. Well, I'll have to leave you hanging. I will go make plans with dear ol' auntie." she turned around, and Eli said,

"I'm coming with you. I'm supposed to have a meeting with her afterwards."

"Alright then. So you miss my sister? Do you think she misses you as well?"

Morgana asked.

"Probably not. What will you and Atlantia plan?"

Eli asked, eager to change the subject.

"Ursula's Name Day. What will you two discuss?"

"I don't know. She didn't tell me the purpose of the meeting."

They were both quiet.  They swam towards the watchtower, where Atlantia was supposed to be.  It was the second day without Ursula or the Empress around, and she had assumed the role as acting empress.  It happened many times before, so Atlantia was used to it.  Although the first time was difficult.  Their mother just had to go to the surface the time Orluiowa went missing and her father went on a trip. 

The two cecaelias stood outside the entrance and knocked, waiting to be adressed. 

"Enter."  Atlantia said after seeing it was them. 

"Reporting for duty, ma'am."  Morgana folded her hands behind her back. 

Atlantia picked up a few papers and rolls and handed them to Morgana.

"Have your father fill these out, and return once they have all been filled.  They are plans for Ursula's Name Day."  Atlantia said, then returned to her desk.

Disappointed, Morgana nodded and turned around to head to her father's lair.  Then she began to think.

When was the last time I saw my old man?  I bet he doesn't even know we exist.  It's been years since I last saw him.  Heck, I don't even know what he looks like anymore.  Where is his lair anyway?

*****

A few moments after Morgana left, Atlantia turned around.  She observed Eli.

Eli didn't twitch a muscle or blink once and held her gaze.

"I have something to discuss with you."  She finally said, breaking the unofficial staring contest. 

He stayed silent and studied her face, but she as usual gave nothing away.

"It's about Ursula.  I am aware of your affairs."  Atlantia continued, then observed his face.

His face stayed the same, expressionless.

"This isn't an interrogation, Ealios. Say something. I know you two sneak off every night."

Eli didn't twitch, and instead said coolly,

"We simply hang out. It means nothing. And it is during my break."

Atlantia nodded.

"I see. Is holding hands 'simply' hanging out?"

"It's nothing. I wouldn't be doing it if my life meant anything. I'm expendable in Ursula's eyes. Letting go wouldn't hurt her." Eli answered.

"Would it hurt you?" She tested.

"Pain is harmless if it's for the princess. It's my duty to protect her and if she had to cross a river of fire neither she nor I would hesitate to use me as a boat."

Eli said, then added casually,

"I wasn't aware concern for guards was required in your job. All the other guards would be interested to know their commander cares about them. There are many, and I know they would let the empress know. Please don't worry about me, it would ruin my reputation as best guard."

Smart lad. Using his job against mine.

Atlantia looked up at the ceiling and then back up to Ealios.

"I will get straight to the point. Do you love Ursula?"

"Of course I do." He answered, and then continued,

"She's our princess, and everyone loves her. She represents the empire and we all love our Empire."

He's impossible.

Atlantia didn't blink and questioned,

"Do you have a specific infatuation involved with your nightly affairs for my niece, Ealios? Any one could see from far away that you love her. Even a blind man fooled by a siren could see it."

"Anyone would have to look closer to see that it is not for her, and a blind man fooled by a siren is a fool to believe what he fell for was possible in someone he can't see. I understand that this is a metaphor. If it was relevant to the answer, I would play along. But it isn't, so my answer to the first question would be no."

Eli went back to being a statue.

He would be a smart king. But I can't get it out of him. I guess this was an interrogation. Time will tell.

Atlantia nodded slowly.

"I see. I will ask you one last question. Exactly what did you feel whilst holding the hand of Princess Ursula? Regarding only Ursula."

"Apart from the love I feel for this Empire? Well... nothing, of course."

Eli returned to statue mode.

He's absolutely impossible. Ursula got lucky. Ealios will love her to the end of her days.

She smiled.

This caught Eli off guard. Atlantia never smiled. Unlike him, she remained a statue all the time. But he kept his surprise inside.

"Alright. The meeting is over. You are excused."

She turned around and went back to her desk.

*****

Finally, after three million doors.

Morgana straightened up the papers, and knocked.

"Enter." A deep voice rumbled.

Morgana opened the door, and was greeted by a face that had clearly never seen the light. Or moved. One short line was permanent wedged between his eyebrows, making a serious-looking frown. Long black and dark green hair was draped down his back. His eyes were a dark turquoise blue, and his face was that same green color Morgana had. His nose was hooked and straight. Her father was tall with an agile body, but anyone could see why her mother never would have loved him, whether she had emotions or not; he didn't smile.

Morgana stared at him, and her father stared back.

"What are you here for?" He asked.

"Ursula's Name Day." Morgana said, then handed him the papers.

He took them and looked at them. The Emperor filled them out quickly, then gave them to Morgana. He went back to his desk.

Everyone here just loves desks. Why don't I get one too?

A thought crossed her mind. She didn't know how it would go. Her father had never hit them, but she decided a punch wouldn't hurt.

"Do you know who I am?" Morgana asked.

Her father looked up, and his entire face moved to a confused expression.

"You are... my daughter, Morgana?"

She nodded solemnly.

"Just checking to see that you know of my existence. Surprising you know you even have a daughter, considering you never played a role in my life. Well, catch ya later, pops. Thanks for not manipulating or torturing me on a daily basis during my childhood."

Morgana turned around as she said this, only catching her father's eyes widen in the tiniest bit of surprise.

Just watch the man figure out his crazy wife has been torturing us for years. Ha! Now that would be an interesting development.

She exited the building, and went back up to the watchtower.

Eli was no longer there, and Atlantia was just as she had left her. She turned in the papers, earned a nod of approval, and decided to go somewhere else before her aunt would put her in a leash and decide to walk her.

Ursula must be doing something interesting.

Brushing off all negative thoughts, she decided to go up to the surface to watch the seagulls bicker.