"Splendid. And thank you for the gifts." he said, happy to finally have found out who it was who gave him all those gifts over the years. "I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight, Lady Highwaters." Taking a hold of her hand, he kissed it gently before swimming back to shore. Once there, he picked up his jacket and shoes. He looked at the mermaid in the sea one last time before going inside.

Just as he suspected, the servants were already looking for him, although his disappearance was not a huge problem yet. He found out from an errand boy that the king and queen had only been looking for him for a few minutes now. Lucas asked where they were, to which the lad replied. "They were in the library last I heard."
Thanking the boy, the prince headed to his room first to change before going to the library.

"There you are! We've been looking all over for you!" his mother chided. Nonetheless, she was happy to see that he had not gotten himself into any trouble as she had imagined.

"Mother, I only went for a swim." he said with a laugh. His mother could be a little overprotective sometimes, but he assured her that he was old enough to take care of himself. "If I was planning on going somewhere else, I would have told you first."

"See, Beatrice? I told you he was just fine. You worry too much sometimes." King Kenneth said with a smile. "Now Lucas, I'm sure you've had a long night. Why don't you head off to sleep. You have work in the morning do you not?" Although he advised this, Lucas' father wished that his son would take a break from his work every now and then. Therefore, what his son said next came to him as a surprise.

"Actually Father, I was thinking I'd extend my birthday holiday for a little longer." Lucas said with a sheepish look. "If that is alright."

"What?" his mother exclaimed. Walking over to her son, she put a hand on his forehead and checked his temperature. "Do you have a fever? Are you feeling ill??"

"No, nothing of the sort, Mother." he replied, calmly taking her hands in his. "I just...promised to meet someone is all. I asked her to return tomorrow."

"Her?! You mean-?" It was at this time that the queen looked at her husband with joy in her eyes. Kenneth, too, realized the wonderful news. "Oh! Our son finally has found a wife!" they both said as they hugged each other gleefully.

"No, Mother! Father! It's nothing like that." Lucas said, now a little more embarrassed. "I- We just met tonight. I don't know her that well and-"

"Oh shush, son! You two will be perfect for each other, we just know it!" Queen Beatrice interrupted. Before the prince could say any more, his parents had started to dance with each other as they sang out loud their favorite love song. It was one they always said they danced to when they first met. Sighing, Lucas watched as the older couple danced off amongst the bookshelf aisles. Their tune echoed throughout the entire library. Still, the crimson haired man smiled at the suggestion of having found someone to wed. Perhaps, if he got to know more about her. Who knows?

Such thoughts he would have to entertain some other time. He was tired and his bed was calling. When he got to his room, Lucas glanced over to his pile of gifts. But eventually, his gazed lingered on his work table where two presents sat. The first was the wooden box he had picked up from the sandbar early that morning. The second was the gift Maria had given him at the ball. It was only now that he recognized the blue ribbon wrapped around it. It was the same as the ribbon he had picked up by the docks at noon. 'So she was there too?' he thought. Walking over to the two gifts, he decided that now was a good time to open them. In the first box was an antique pocket watch that had sea shells around it. It was of a remarkable model that had become rare because it was no longer produced. Lucas carefully placed the watch in the drawer of his study. He would use it tomorrow. Within the box that had a ribbon, he found an ornate lamp. Or at least what he thought was a lamp. It looked more like a crystal ball that glowed on it's own. Within it swam little crystalline fish of various colors whose shapes and shades swam on the walls as the lamp lit up the room. This extraordinary light he put on his bedside table. Lucas would watch the rainbow of sea creatures swim across his ceiling until he fell asleep.

[I wasn't sure what the gift Maria gave him at the dance was so I just made it up. But I can change it into something else, just let me know what you intended for her to give him :yes:]

Once it was the next day Maria giggles as she get's ready. but would need something to ware on land today. before she leaves the house she picks up seaweed sea cumber warp. planing to eat it on the way but wish they could have rice down here. her cousins let them have rice before it was really fully and nice. thank goodness they have all sort of vegetarian food's in sea and on land. yet wonder if she could have some of the meat she had last night? it was different in a good way,she then look's up at the clock. noticing she should start to go now if to be on land by 10am.

Maria start's to swim off in a hurry out of the her family's house. she left a note on the table for her parents. but let her grand mother Umi know were she is going too. the young mermaid woman eats her food while swimming. trying to get beach by the prince's castle so they can have a fun filled day.

Lucas could not hold back his excitement about getting to see Maria again. He was already up early the next morning rushing through taking a bath and getting dressed. The prince even almost ran over his cousin, Earl Collin, who was curiously passed out in the hallway and smelled of alcohol.

"Could you keep it down please?", the carrot-top groaned as he curled over onto his side. "I think I have a terrible hangover."

"You do have a terrible hangover, Cousin. That's what you get for being an incorrigible drunkard." Lucas teased, before continuing down the long hallway. Before he disappeared around the corner, he shouted out one last advice, "You ought to sleep in your room!"

The earl only clung to the wall next to his bedroom door and covered his head with his arm. "Oh shut up and turn off the sun!"

At breakfast, King Kenneth and Queen Beatrice, as well as a few other guests, were surprised at how quickly the prince chose to finish his food. Before they could ask about his new found appetite, Lucas was already done. After bidding each a quick good morning and taking his leave, he headed for the front of the castle. As with last night, he would go out the front door and head around the side of the castle to the back beach so no one could easily follow him. Sure he planned on introducing Maria to his parents later, but he also promised he would not reveal her secret and did not wish for anyone to accidentally see her as a mermaid. He wasn't sure if she was going to show up already as a human so he did not want to take any risk. Lucas soon arrived at the beach and sat in the shade of a large rock to wait.

It take's Maria a good 25minutes get to the beach after leaving her home. when up on the water suffice she look's around for a little bit. before going to hide behind the rock formation form last night. then sits on part of the rock with her tail in the water. she then start's to sing softly while waiting. for Prince Lucas to come outside when ever he would that is. yet dose not mind the wait it gave her time to think. but was unsure if she would have any clothes this time are not. to ware to walk around the castle in since she only left the dress on the beach last night.

"I suppose this would do." Phoebe said to herself after making one last adjustment to her hair. Having spent a while decorating her updo with bejeweled clips and lace. Once she was satisfied, she got up from her dresser and exited her room. It was time for breakfast and she did not want to be the last to arrive. Today would be her last day at Arilia since she would be heading back to her country when her ship arrived in the afternoon. This meant that she only had half a day left to spend with Lucas before they parted ways for who knows how long again. After descending to the dining hall, the princess looked around for signs of her beloved prince. However, she was disappointed to find that he was nowhere at the table. She asked if he had yet to arrive.

"Actually, he had just left." a baron, an uncle of Lucas, replied. "Never have I seen anyone devour their breakfast in so little time!"

"That girl he's meeting with must truly be something for him to be in such a hurry!" Queen Beatrice added.

"Girl? What girl??" Phoebe asked, a little more than surprised.

"Well we don't know, dear. Prince Lucas has yet to introduce her to us. Still, I'm rather excited about all this. I only hope she makes him happy." said the queen.

"I see..." The princess was at a loss for what else to say and sat down to eat. Who was Lucas seeing?! She definitely would have to investigate this woman's identity. Perhaps she would ask Duchess Emily after breakfast. The gossip would surely know who it was the prince was seeing since she made it her business to know every rumor that went about from here to fifteen countries over. But where was she right now? The last time Phoebe had seen her was last night. 'Ah yes, she was getting drunk with that reprobate earl.' Phoebe thought, 'I suppose I should ask him.'
"By the by, is Earl Collin still in town?" she asked the company at the table.

"I believe my nephew is still in his room." King Kenneth replied. "He only just returned before dawn, I've heard."

"Thank you, highness." the princess said before continuing her meal. When she was done she headed on up to Lucas' cousin's room.

---

---

Lucas had not waited too long until he heard the sound of splashing in the water. It was coming from the rock formation. At first he thought it might have just been a fish or even just the waves hitting it in an odd way. But once he heard singing, he realized who it might be. Walking over, he peered around it until he spotted the familiar blond. "Good morning, Lady Highwaters." he greeted with a smile.

"Oh good morning to you as well Prince Lucas how are you today? um by any chance did you bring a set of female cloth's with you? I ask cause I did not see the dress I had on last night out here. someone must have pick it up after I left." Maria says to him yet had stop singing once she heard foot steps. she was oh so ever happy to see him once again. so far she had yet to trust to many humans she saw last night. but still had on her rare blue pearls on form the night before. this time a seafoam colored ribbon in her long blond hair.

"Eh? Female clothes?" Lucas asked as he glanced towards the spot on the beach where he remembered she had placed her dress the night before. True enough, it was no longer there. Turning back to Maria, he said "Let me ask some of the people in the castle. I'm sure someone has a spare dress I could borrow for you. I'll be right back." Lucas rushed back into the castle to avail of some clothes for the charming lady. However, he soon realized that he did not know who to ask.

As he walked down the halls unsure of what to do, two maids passed by him as they headed for the front door. In their hands they carried a bundle of newly washed dresses. He stopped them to ask whose they were. They told him that it belonged to Duchess Roquefort and that they were delivering it to her in town. Seeing as they looked like they would fit Maria, the prince asked the maids if he could borrow one of the duchess' clothes for the day, quickly adding that it was for a friend of his and not for his own use. The maids were confused by his request and slightly reluctant to lend clothes that weren't theirs to begin with, but Lucas reassured them that he would return it to Duchess Roquefort personally. He even gave them a satchel of money and instructed them to give it to the noblewoman on his behalf if she complained. The duo looked at each other doubtfully but nonetheless gave in to the prince's request. From the clothes, Lucas carefully picked out one that Maria might find most comfortable. It was a blue-green dress with a pale green sash wrapped around the waist.

After thanking the maids and asking them not to tell anyone that they saw him in the castle, Lucas hurried back to the beach. behind the castle. Soon he rejoined the lovely blond by the rock formation. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, M'lady. I found a dress for you. I just hope my guess is right and it is in your size." Lucas said as he presented the casual gown to her. "If it is not to your liking, I could search again."

Maria waits as she waits for Prince Lucas to come back she changes in to a human. but stay's by the rock the hole time sitting down. on some soft wet sand at lest her tail had turn in to leg's so she was happy. once he got back she smiled and look at the dress for a bit before saying any thing. "Oh that is all right and it is lovely looking. can I try it on first? by the way you can call me Maria if you like Prince Lucas." she says to Lucas while she stay's behind the rock. then puts one of her hands out for he could hand her the dress. so she could try to see if it would fit her if so she would be lucky in deed.

"Alright. And you can also just call me Lucas." The red-head eagerly handed the dress to Maria as she stretched out a hand for it. Then he walked to the other side of the rock to give her some privacy as she changed into the new clothes. "So M'la- I mean, Maria. What would you like to see first today?" He looked up to the towering building he called his home as he thought of places that Maria might find interesting. Perhaps the library or the game rooms? Maybe even the music room and the treasury. If she wanted to, they could spend the day in town instead. And they could also go horseback riding when they were done.

"Okay Lucas I would like to see what type treasure you have first. if that is all right I mostly find thing's I'm sure. that is not common to your kingdom such as the gift's I have gave you before." Maria says to him yet takes the dress and will's her self. a pair of leg's as well her lower half of a human body. it took 5minutes to do so she then stands up and pull's the dress on. once done she walks out form behind the side of the rock. at lest the dress felt like it fit her so she was quite happy with it as well the feel to it. "But I wonder if I should meet your parents first? it would only be fair since I have not met. them before not even with my aunt and uncle my family has not met. the royals of this kingdom I'm mean besides me meeting you that is." she says then look's down at her feet noticing. her feet were kind of small size en had no shoes on.

"I see. Very well then! I'll be happy to introduce you to my parents!" the prince says with a grin as he turned to face Maria once she was done. "I believe they'd be quite excited to meet you. But, well, they may go a little over the top so be prepared to face a barrage of questions just in case." Lucas could already imagine his parents getting carried away with the idea of their son bringing over a woman. He wouldn't put it past them to think that he had brought Maria over to announce their marriage.

"I believe they would still be in the dining hall having breakfast. And if they're no longer there, we can check the gardens." Lucas says as he holds out a hand to the maiden. "But it looks like we may have to find some shoes for you first.", he added with a light laugh. "I believe I can ask someone to find you a pair once we're in the castle. Shall we be on our way then?"

---

---

Three resounding knocks echoed in the stately hallway as Princess Phoebe attempted to verify if the man she was looking for was indeed in his room. "Pardon me Earl Collin but may I have a word with you?" she called out. For a good minute and a half the only response the royal received was silence. Curious and impatient, the princess took it upon herself to investigate the Earl's chambers. Forget courtesy! This was important! Opening the door and letting herself in, the noblewoman quickly stated, "Forgive my intrusion, Earl, but I really must-!"

Phoebe soon stopped in her tracks after taking a step into the grand room. It was vacant, as far as she could tell, with no sign of the carrot-top anywhere. "Hmpf....Must have gone somewhere else." she muttered, turning around to leave. However, the distinct sound of snoring soon gave her reason to stay and take another look around. "Earl?" she asked. No reply but the sawing of logs. Eventually she came around to the other side of the four poster bed that stood to the west of the room where she surmised the sound seemed to be coming from. Sure enough, the slumbering form of the earl came in to view. It would seem that he was about to have another drink despite himself, but ended up falling asleep before he could do so. He was curled up contentedly around the bottle of gin he would have partaken of otherwise.

The princess could only sigh in exasperation before drubbing the prince's cousin rather rudely with the tip of her shoe. "Earl. Earl Collin! Wake up please!! I need to know where Duchess Roquefort is!!!" she yelled. She was seriously starting to consider pouring some water on the drunkard if he did not wake up from this.

Maria put's her hand in to his free open hand yet blush's a bit. wondering if the king and queen would question. her for a long time or not? if so they may catch her in a lie which she did not want to lie. but has to till she knows for sure if Prince Lucas is in love with her are not. if he dose not love her the mermaid woman would cry sadly. once after she finds out and maybe someday find a merman lover. yet if he dose love her shed have to let her parents meet his parents. how could a relationship between a mermaid and human work out?

The question's running around in her head right now. till she hear Lucas say about shoes yet laughs softly. to hide her nervousness to be honest she was really sacred right now. "Yes let's go and I hope I do not cause to much trouble. I notice that princess seem's to like you a lot. the one that kept watching us while we had dance with each other." Maria says yet was use to walking bare foot on land till she reach. her uncles house with her family but this time it was different. then ever before she was meeting her crush's parents.

"Oh, you mean Phoebe? Don't mind her." Lucas says as they walk through the small back door into the castle. "She can be rather wary of others when they get a little close to me sometimes. We've been close friends since we were children so I can understand if she where she's coming from." The prince was oblivious to the true extent of the princess' possessiveness concerning him.

Inside the castle, people went about their business as usual. Not many used the hallways closer to the back of the castle which was good in Lucas' opinion. He did not want to draw attention to the fact that they had both just came in via the seldom-used back door. Snoopy people might realize that they spend the most time at the castleside beach and think to spy on them while the couple were there.

With Maria's hand in his, Lucas led the way towards the dining hall. Thankfully, the hallways were carpeted so they didn't need to worry much about Maria not having any shoes. But she would still need them before they met hi parents. Along the way, the prince asked one of the servants to buy a pair of shoes for his lovely companion as quickly as he could and to meet up with them in one of the parlor rooms in the hallway that stood to the left of the great dining room. Lucas further instructed him to tell no one of this. Before long, the young servant returned and presented the fashionable footwear to the blond maiden.

"Would these be alright, Madame?" the scruffy haired but well dressed boy asked as he held up the aquamarine and emerald heels to Maria.

---

---

With a grunt the Earl finally woke. "Eh? Who?" he feebly asked groggily, still unaware of who was kicking him.

"Earl Collin! It's me, Princess Phoebe! Please tell me you know where Duchess Emily is!" the princess demanded as soon as she watched the drunkard slowly sit up.

"Oh. Good morning, Princess! Why are you at this taver- Oh wait..." Collin stopped himself as soon as the haze of alcohol allowed him to recall that he had returned to the castle. "Emily you say? Uhmmm...lemme see...All I remember is that we went out last night and...." The orange haired royal paused to brush back his disheveled hair before continuing. "And that's about as all as I can 'member."

Phoebe sighed with frustration at his announcement. "Please, Collin, please! Try to remember which inn you brought her to before you parted ways." she begged. If the earl turned out to be useless, she would have to find the duchess by herself and search each port inn if she had to.

"I'm sorry, Princess." the Earl began, immediately yawning afterwards. "The last thing I remember was being at the Siren's Call tavern with Emily and her telling me that she was too drunk and tired to stay up any longer. She asked me if I wanted to stay over at her place at the Sealion and I said yeah and threw up. I really can't recount where I brought 'er to."

Before Lucas' cousin could even finish his latest sentence, Phoebe had bolted from the room. She made haste to reach her next destination: the Sealion Inn. She had no clue that the prince and his mystery companion were already in the castle. Unwittingly, she even passed by the servant boy who was returning with a pair of shoes as she headed into town.

As for the earl, with nothing else to do he cumbersomely crawled onto his bed to get some proper shut eye.

"They will do just fine thank you." she says to the young servant boy. with a soft smile on her face to him glad that the shoes. match the dress in color but may have some trouble. with the heels at first since she is use to wearing flats on her feet. she takes the shoe's form him then place them on the floor and lifts. the dress off the ground a bit to put her bare foot in one of the shoes. she dose that once more with the other shoe. yet was holding back the urge to hum a song to her self that. would not be in human which they would both not understand at all.

Upon hearing that the fair lady in the blue-green dress approved of the shoes, the servant boy bowed and left to attend to other castle chores.

"Are you ready?" Prince Lucas asked after Maria had finished putting on the heels. He didn't know that she wasn't exactly used to wearing shoes of that kind. If he did, he would have asked the boy to get ones that were less cumbersome to walk around in for his friend. "My parents like to take their time with breakfast so there isn't any need to hurry. Oh, and some of my aunts and uncles will be there too so I can introduce you to them as well. I'm sure they'd love to meet you as well."

Across the hall and beyond a majestic, oakwood door, the sound of energetic chatter could be heard. It would seem that the elders of the Wynyard family had begun reminiscing about younger years, regaling their breakfast guests with anecdotes and gossip from the many regions they've been to in the past year. If they could have their way, the jolly company might have ate, drank, and talked their way until lunch time!

Maria go's quite she was unsure if she was ready are not to meet. his parents plus some of his family so soon. what if they all think he had pick her to marry him? even she herself dose not know if Princes Lucas pick her are not. "I guess so but I'm nervousness right now." Maria says to Lucas yet hope things would go well. hopefully they would not ask to many questions form her at once. if so it would be hard for her to lie in front of so many people.

Lucas chuckled after her admitted worry. "It's alright. They may be royalty but they're actually easygoing when they are off duty." Soon the prince was pushing open the door to the dining hall, allowing the mirthful banter to spill out into the hallway more clearly. But when he and Maria eventually moved into their range of sight, the noble guests paused for a moment in surprise. "Prince Lucas, back so soon?" one of his uncles asked before he could notice the fair companion the redhead had brought with him.

Unlike the elder duke, however, his mother had a keener eye and a quick tongue. "Oh my...!!! Son, is she the friend you spoke of??" Queen Beatrice asked excitedly, putting a sly emphasis on the two words as if both were related and meant something more. "Well now, my dear! Come! Come and join us for breakfast! Have you eaten?! Oh what does that matter, you can always eat more!" she now said to her son's lovely guest. With a wave of her hand, she pointed to two empty seats nearest to them on the left side of the long table. At about the same time, some servants prepared the plates, silverware, and goblets for the two newcomers. Well one newcomer and one returnee anyway.

After his excited mother invited Maria to eat with them, the prince looked to Maria with a smile and accompanied her to their seats.

"Anything you would like to have, child? Ask what you like and we shall have it prepared for you." King Kenneth offered their new guest.

"Well if it is not to much trouble just some boiled vegetables and maybe some cook seaweed please. I know it may sound odd as to someone eating seaweed. but it quite healthy for the skin as well the hidden vitamins in it." she says to the King while sitting down. in the empty seat next to Lucas,yet had explained the reason why. she wanted some cook seaweed to eat. truth be tolled being a mermaid she rarely get's to eat hot cook food. unless she visit's her uncles and aunts house when her family visit's them.

But hope the others at the table would not question. her for not wanting to eat any fish so far. if they would ask her she would have to use to lie that. she is allergic to all fish but can eat other types of meats. hopefully that would make since to them if not she would be out of luck.

"Oh..well, uh, very well then. Boiled vegetables and cooked seaweed it is!" King Kenneth said, nodding to a nearby servant as a sign to have the odd meal prepared. Truth be told, he found the seaweed order a bit strange. But after his sister, Marquise Victoria, stated that she had heard of some nations in the east that also included seaweed in their diet, the king thought it less strange.

"If it would be alright, brother, may I ask that seaweed be prepared for me as well? I have yet to try it even though I've been offered some many times." the marquise requested, which in turn prompted others at the table to also ask for some. The king would not deny his guests and told the servant to inform the chef of the increase in patrons of the dish.

While Lucas' father was conveying the new orders, his mother tried to discretely remind him of an important gesture he was forgetting. "Erhm-hem! Lucas! I think it's about time you introduced your guest to us, is it not?" the queen half-whispered.

Flustered that it had slipped his mind, Lucas quickly stood to gather his family's attention, almost knocking over his glass. "Everyone, I would like to introduce Lady Maria Highwaters, niece of Lord Ryu and Lady Liliana Highwaters."
Before he even sat back down, greetings of "Pleasure to meet you!" and "How do you do!" rang out from the table towards the emerald-eyed noblewoman.

Then the inevitable question arrived. "So, Lady Highwaters, where are you from?" asked a stout, mustached general who was an old friend of the Wynyard family. While most of the people looked to Maria in anticipation of her answer, none were more eager to know than the Queen Beatrice and King Kenneth. Of course, Prince Lucas already heard from Maria where she actually lived, but he wondered what she would say to them to keep her secret safe.

Maria start's to think about a lie she could use about where she is form. yet blush's when everyone welcomed her but try's. to think of where her garden mother Umi said where there family was form. then it hit her easily her Mothers side of the family is form England and her Father's side was form Japan. "I was born in England but raised in Japan and then Honk Kong. we did not stay in Chain for long since my Mother is illness. can't let us travel much as a family like we would like to." Maria says yet knew her Uncle traveled. to japan and england before so he had bought her a kimono. but since it's made form silk it can't be touch by water.

"Is that so? Well my dear, you are quite a well traveled young lady! I was stationed in England once when I was younger. I can never forget the friends I've made there. Nor the eel pie they make. Quite atrocious, mind you. But the drinks were quite good and there never was a dull moment when me and my fellows stopped by a tavern for some. Why, I even remember falling for one owner of a pub. Her name was Felicity and she had the biggest brea-"

"Haha...alright! I believe we get the picture, Dawson!" King Kenneth hastily interrupted hoping to prevent his friend from giving out inappropriate, though hilarious, descriptions of his escapades. But judging from the snickers around the table here and there, a few have already realized what the old general was about to say. "How about you tell them of the time you and your unit secured Fort Riggs without the aid of the main army and with very little supplies." the king suggested to divert the subject, knowing it was one of his friend's favorite stories to tell.

"Wonderful idea, my good friend!" General Dawson Gilberts agreed, and so began recounting the long and seemingly futile struggle he and his men once endured decades back in his youth. "So there we were, wallowing in the marshes of the Southern Shores when the enemy..."

While some of the guests nearest to him listened with interest at the small epic the general was re-telling, others who had already heard of this particular tale continued with their breakfast and other smaller conversations they were having before the prince and the mermaid had entered the room. In a short while after that, the vegetables for Maria, as well as the seaweed for all who ordered it, arrived at the table in about a half dozen or so serving bowls and serving plates. It would appear that the chef had gotten a little creative and made three types of seaweed dishes. A few were served as seaweed salads, the next were served in soups, and the final batch appeared to be flattened out sheets of roasted seaweed wrapped around seasoned rice. After assessing whether the soup dish might be alright for her palate, the queen took some from the large serving bowl that had been placed closest to them. As she was scooping out a ladle-full into her small bowl, Queen Beatrice asked Maria "I'm sorry to hear that your mother had been ill, Lady Highwaters. What is it your father and mother do? Is their work the reason why you had to move to Japan and China after you were born?"

As his relatives talked, Prince Lucas began helping himself to some of the seaweed as well. Unknown to his parents, he was already used to eating seaweed. Since he ran and lived in the port town he had the chance to sample exotic food whenever it arrived at Arlia. The seaweed salad dish was actually introduced to the town's restaurants just last year, hence why the chef knew how to cook it and why the king and queen did not know of it. Since Maria and her people were accustomed to eating the aquatic plant, Lucas wondered what recipes they had for seaweed and if they could even cook it underwater.

"We moved a to Japan to try find a cure to my mother's illness. for a while herbal teas work for about one year. my Father job is he work with sea animals. like seals,fish,eels all sort of sea animals." she says to Queen Beatrice as she get's. a bit of everything with seaweed in it yet hope there. was water in her cup she rarely has milk are juice to drink. she then start's to eat slowly some of her food. yet wonder if the chef had traveled the world as well?

"Oh my, I see.", Queen Beatrice said before continuing, "Well I hope your parents are doing well. Where are they now? Do you live with them in Arlia or in a neighboring kingdom?" As soon as she had asked, however, an attendant came by to refill the king and queen's goblets with juice. But juice wasn't the only beverage the servant had with him. On the tray he carried was a also a pitcher full of water, a jug of milk, and, oddly, a bottle of scotch which the queen's aunt, a prominent baroness, had requested to go with her breakfast. It was a tradition she held since she first had a taste of it and despite Queen Beatrice's concern for her elderly aunt's health, she could not refuse the baroness.

Once the attendant was done replenishing the king and queen's drink, he then turned to both Maria and Lucas. "What would you like to have, M'lady and M'lord? Milk? Water? Juice? Heaven forbid you would need any of this strong stuff so early in the day." he added, holding up the bottle of scotch and giving it a little shake for emphasis.

---

---

In the center of Arlia, a disgruntled damsel continued to push her way through the steadily growing crowds that flowed into the port town's streets. She had yet to reach the inn where the Duchess Emily was staying at due to the heavy traffic. If only there were less people walking about she could have ridden a horse to the place. If she were back in her kingdom, Pheobe could also just as easily have plowed through the crowds in her royal carriage. If they didn't get out of the way that would have been their fault. Well, according to her logic, anyway. But outside of her kingdom she would have to behave herself. Her reputation depended on her self control.

Unfortunately, her patience was thinning with every moment that she had to wait for someone to move out of her way. If she did not find the Sealion soon, she was sure she was going to scream!

Maria could only wonder why someone would want such a strong drink for? yet kept that to her self before answering the queen. [COLOR="Teal"]"My Father is doing well as for my Mother. I'm sure she mighty be able to visit my her bother in law. maybe next month we can come come visit as long my twin brothers. try to behave them self's my Grand Mother threaten to put dog leash's. on them next time we come to visit so they don't break more stuff." Maria says with a soft laugh knowing her grand mother Umi was the type to try such a thing.

Then after a bit she answer's the other question as well the attendant. "Just some water please and thank you. we live in a village that is a long way form here. the village has a long river that leads to the sea. we live close to the water en we have wishing well in the front yard." she explains yet stop's for a monument. to eat some of the food she had on her plate. she really like it but wonder if her aunt knew the cook? she could tell by smell the seaweed soup smelled the same to her.

The attendant nodded respectfully. "Certainly." he said before pouring water for the blond. Then he moved on to pour the red-haired male some juice, after which he went over to the next person who needed a refill as well.

Queen Beatrice laughed when Maria mentioned that her twin brothers may need a leash. "I take it that they are quite mischievous to warrant such restraint?" she asked. Upon hearing that their son's guest hailed from a village with a long river that connected to the sea, both the king and queen tried to think of which one she might be talking. There were some villages in their kingdom that they knew had rivers but could not figure out which one matched her description. Eventually they gave up trying to guess. Perhaps she was actually talking about one in a neighboring country and not one that still lay in their kingdom. "By the way, do you two have any plans for the rest of the day? Surely my son is not planning on giving you a dull day." the queen then asked.

At this Lucas almost choked on his drink. "Oh, I am giving Maria a tour of the castle. I was going to show her our treasury room, but she wanted to meet both of you first." the prince stated.

"That is very considerate of you, Lady Highwaters. I thank you kindly." she said, bowing her head slightly to the young woman. "Very well then." the queen continued, "But do try to show her around town as well. There's only so much you can see in this old place after all. And pass by the kitchen for me and give my thanks to the chef. These seaweed dishes are delightful!"

"Of course, Mother." he replied before smiling at Maria. He hoped she wasn't overwhelmed or bothered by all the questions his family had been asking her. After a while, the prince was finished with his food. He would wait until his lovely companion was finished with hers before deciding it was time to continue with the tour he had promised.