Heart of the Sea

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Welcome, my ladies,” Prince Nicholas greeted as the palace’s butler guided Aeras and Thalassa to the study room where the prince was currently reading.

He set down his book. He could not believe two beautiful ladies were in front of him- even though he was the one who invited them. Ms. Thalassa was one he did not expect to arrive dressed- well, dressed normally. For the only thing he saw her out of a ball gown was her clothing that covered all her body. Yet- here was she, dressed almost as beautiful as the lady standing beside her.

He could not remove his eyes on Aeras. He could not say another word except for his greeting. There was something that just pulls him in towards Aeras but he did not plan on fighting any of it. He would gladly succumb to whatever she wants just to have a chance to look at her.

“Cousin,” Pierce’s voice sliced through his thoughts as his eyes were dragged towards his very irritated cousin standing by the open door. “I cannot believe you have failed to inform me of the Haskells’ visit,”

Before the prince could even answer, Thalassa turned to Mr. Sinclair and gave him a challenging smile. “Would anything change if you were informed, Mr. Sinclair?”

“Thalassa!” Aeras whispered as she tried to scold her younger sister.

Mr. Sinclair’s eyes wandered to Thalassa and she let herself smile prideful-ly as she saw the shock registered on his face. She knew no one had expected her to show up- well, dressed as she was.

“Ms. Thalassa,” he greeted and Thalassa saw something unfamiliar flashed in his eyes but it was gone before she could even study it. “I have to say you look-”

A laugh left the prince’s mouth as he realized his cousin could not finish his sentence so he decided to help him a little bit. “She does look fetching right, cousin?”

Aeras turned to look at the prince and she saw the playful glint in his eyes and she was quick to catch on what he had done. She knew he was trying to push Mr. Sinclair down the road he unknowingly walked in to.

The tea was long finish. Aeras and the prince were walking around. Though, there was quite a distance between them. But- the prince was not someone who gives up. He just couldn’t run out of things to say whenever he was talking to her. He always wanted to see her laugh and smile that he told many jokes.

And he did not let their distance bring him distraught.

But- Mr. Sinclair furrowed his brow at the sight. Normally, when two people who were interest with each other take a walk, they would have as little distance between them. It was not the case with his cousin and Ms. Aeras. For he could walk with another person with the distance they had.

Apparently, one was not interested enough. And he knew it was not his cousin.

“Do you know that it is considerably rude to be staring at people who want to be alone,” a soft voice spoke behind him. He turned and saw Ms. Thalassa behind him, holding a parasol to protect her from the sun. “Besides, Mr. Sinclair, I do not think they need any more guardians for they are both adults. Why not leave them just for today? I am quite confident that he would be alright for Aeras is with him,”

“You do not seem to be concern about things people usually find concerning, Ms. Haskell,” Mr. Sinclair acknowledge as he gave her a stare.

But- Thalassa merely laughed at him before she turned towards the direction of the pond. She twirled her parasol a couple of times before she answered; “You see, Mr. Sinclair- there are many things to be concerned about in this world. But- I do not believe they are one of them at the moment. For what I see, they are alright. Nevertheless, do not let my thoughts intervened with yours. I shall entertain myself by the pond,”

Pierce watched as she made her way towards the pond; twirling her parasol once in a while. To be honest, he had not expected to see her dressed so normally. For if she could, why have she not done it before?

The only reason he could have think of was that she was doing it intentionally so that she’ll have a reason to not interact with people. But- why? Was the rumor surrounding the young lady actually true?

Despite his prejudice nature, Pierce could not see her doing something so lowly. He knew- he perfectly knew she was capable, if her skills spoke their volume. Yet, he also just knew she would not do something so- immoral.

“Who are you really, Ms. Thalassa?” he asked under his breathe; praying to the heavens to answer his question.

With one last look at his cousin and the older Haskell, Pierce set off for his room. There was no point in dwelling about things he knew he could not answer on his own.

Thalassa, watched, mesmerized by the glittery water of the pond. She wanted nothing at the moment but to take her clothes off and enjoy the cold water. But- she knew she cannot. Not only will she appear crazy but also because it was the royal pond. Who knew if she’ll be imprisoned just for taking a dip in it?

So, she refrained herself from doing so; even though the water was calling her sweetly. She twirled her parasol once more as she walked around the pond seeing a koi jumped once in a while. She could not understand why the people in the palace were not enchanted by the view the pond provided. With water lilies floating here and there, and tulips that grew in groups lining one side of the pond, and trees guarding around it. It was like her little safety haven by the falls.