Chapter 7: Heavy Rain

It’s been six days since I spoke to the Prince. I haven’t seen him at all. But I’m relieved since being around him makes my heartache. I’ve thrown myself into work. It’s all I know how to do anyway.

Father dips in and out of the cabin to bring me food, or tell me when the deck is clear of Princess Marilla and her goonie maids she brought from the palace. I’ll take that time to sit in the open air and breathe in the sea. It calls to me. Asking for me to plunge into it with open arms and eyes of wonder.

I look down into the dark blue that crashes against the white paint of the ship-side.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

I don’t even turn to look at him. I just stare into the glassy surface that shifts and shifts.

“I have,” I answer. Then turn and gaze into his matching deep blue.

“Why?” He asks. I’m sure he knows. He just won’t say it.

“The sky’s beautiful today,” I say instead and gaze up into the pearly blue. Prince Cerulean looks up. His face is relaxed and statuesque. All lines and curves are carved to perfection.

I wonder if I look at him with rose-tinted glasses because he is my Twin Ray. ‘Would I have liked you before I drank Sunburst? Is that what it really means to be a Twin Ray, connected not just through prayer but instead designed by our Holy One to be two of the same. Soulmates.’

I think I’ve gone crazy. Too many days on the sea without feeling it. From my window below deck, I get an up-close look at all the fish. But it’s nothing like the joys I feel deep diving in the dangerous, endless ocean.

“Do you like the color blue?” Prince Cerulean asks. I’ve forgotten he’s there for real. My mind lingers on him so often I thought I dreamed him up.

“It is my favorite,” I confess. A warmness rises to my face when he turns his eyes on me.

“Pink is my favorite.”

“I heavily doubt that.”

The prince laughs and turns his body fully towards me. “You’re right. It wasn’t until a week ago.”

I feel my heart skip and I look out to the sky again to calm down. The prince sighs.

“I will leave you. I hope next time we meet, you will come to me.” He says. His earthy scent disappears, leaving behind the heavy fog of coming rain. I shiver. Then pull the drapes of my shawl closer. It’s not really mine but out of all the clothes my sisters have packed, this was close enough to my style of dress.

I step towards the deck stairs. My stomach drops as the Princess stalks up to me.

“Spoke to my fiance, I see.” She smiles devilishly. Flashes of gold and red in her ears.

I keep my eyes fixed on her dark brown hair which falls in loose waves around her waist. I have to admit. Her hair is gorgeous. Thread-like strands which shimmer and float effortlessly, not a split-end insight.

The boat rocks and she balances gracefully. I let myself stumble back into the railing. I rather be close to tipping off the edge than be close to her.

“Careful or you’ll fall into the water and turn into a shark.” Princess Marilla’s maids snicker as if it's the funniest thing in the world. I refrain from rolling my eyes and gritting my teeth.

“That’s an old fable, Your Highness. No one can turn into a shark.” I say. I watch my tone but my disdain slips out.

“Are you still mad?” she asks waving her hand over my earrings. I stand up straight and tighten the shawl around my arms.

“I do not follow.”

“Of course you do. Your late mother’s earrings right?” She says.

I almost hurl on her expensive shoes. This girl is out of her mind.

“Yes, those belonged to my late mother. What of it, Your Highness?” I ask through my teeth.

She shrugs. A wolfish grin rises on her pink-painted lips. Her dark eyes gleam.

The clouds open with a light drizzle.

Maids immediately cover the Princesses head. But I am left to soak. I stand there for a moment.

“Excuse me,” I say and bow.

Princess Marilla holds out a hand to block me.

“You can leave when I say so.”

The rain grows heavier. I relax my shoulders and practice breathing. She’s trying to humiliate me. Get me soaking wet so I get sick.

My calm demeanor is obviously making her angry. A vein shows above her brows on her unusually stoic face.

The rain has already started to pour out and cause thunder.

“You may go.” Princess Marilla says and turns away. The maids hurry behind her trying to keep her from getting wet.

I let the pelts of rain fall on me freely. I am so numb to everything I barely notice when my father comes out and drags me inside wrapped in towels.

***

The next day I am sick. I lay in my bed for several days until my father tells us that we have arrived in the harbor of Loreilei.

We pack our bags and say goodbye to the soft mattresses, clean bathroom, and fish swimming at our window.

My father carries all the jewels, tools, and machinery. While I wheel out our suitcases, and bags of assorted hobbies. Mainly just my father’s as he can go nowhere without his deck of cards, and a bottle of wine.

I gasp. The kingdom is far bigger than I imagined. Even the harbor which only held giant boats, and ships.

Paved roads lined the city streets. Most buildings were tall, much taller than the church back at home. No clothes hung on street lines going from building to building. No children played on the beach. The hustle of the town was people surging from one location to the other without stopping to say hello. No circular market in the town square. There didn’t even seem to be a town square.

The ship docks.

We all amble out holding our bags and goods. I am first off the boat and down the dock and into the sand. I breathe in the air and cough.

The smell of smoke is heavy around here. The air is not very fresh, but at least the city is beautiful. Homes of beige and red with shingle roves and open windows. The houses look made of clay or stone. Some of them have gravel paved walkways and neatly trimmed hedges. Others have flourishing, baby forests of flowers in front of their homes.

“Wow, now this is a place to do business.” My father says.

“You think we’ll do good?” I ask him. He smiles. The Duke falls in step next to us.

“You’ll do amazing.” He assures.

I turn back to the city to see that transport has arrived for the Prince and Princess. The two pass by. And for once he doesn’t look at me. I want him to. But of course, I cannot ask for that.

As Prince Cerulean opens the door and lets Princess Marilla inside, he does look over his shoulder. But he heads inside before I can even get a good look at him.

Why are his eyes puffy? Is he sick? Was he crying?