Chapter 1: A Very Unserious Mission

Chapter 1: A Very Unserious Mission

Somewhere deep beneath the ocean, where everything was meant to be calm, magical, and beautifully controlled…

…everything was absolutely out of control.

Auriella swam past a rush of panicking mermaids, her long hair flowing behind her as she dodged someone who nearly crashed into her.

Her brows slowly pulled together, confusion written all over her face as she turned mid-water.

“Okay, I need someone to explain why everyone is acting like the ocean is about to collapse, because this level of chaos feels very unnecessary.”

One of the passing mermaids glanced at her with wide eyes, clearly too distressed to stop.

“Something is wrong!” she said before speeding off again.

Auriella blinked, then let out a small scoff as she crossed her arms mid-swim.

“Yes, I gathered that much. I just want to know what kind of wrong we’re dealing with.”

Before she could get another answer, Thalina appeared beside her. Although she looked slightly out of breath, her posture remained composed, her expression calm but serious.

“Auriella,” she said, her voice steady as always, “this is not one of your moments to stand back and comment on everything. Your parents have called a royal meeting.”

Auriella froze slightly, her playful expression fading into something more alert. She slowly turned her head toward Thalina, her eyes narrowing just a little.

“When you say a royal meeting, do you mean the serious kind or the ‘we want to remind everyone of the rules’ kind?”

Thalina gave her a flat look. “The serious kind.”

Auriella let out a quiet breath, her shoulders dropping just slightly. “…Alright, now I’m concerned.”

---

By the time they reached the royal hall, the mood had shifted completely.

The usual elegance of the palace was still there, but it felt overshadowed by tension. Groups of mermaids whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with unease.

Auriella and Thalina took their place among them.

Auriella leaned closer, lowering her voice as her lips curved into a faint, unimpressed smile.

“If this ends up being another lecture about behavior and posture, I’m leaving. I refuse to sit through that again.”

Thalina kept her eyes forward, her tone quiet but firm. “It’s not. I heard something about the ocean’s power.”

Auriella’s expression changed instantly. Her smile faded, replaced by confusion as she turned to look at her properly. “The ocean’s power?” she repeated, her voice softer now.

Before Thalina could respond, silence fell over the hall.

The King and Queen had arrived.

Auriella straightened slightly, her playful energy dimming just enough to match the atmosphere.

King Triton stepped forward, his presence alone enough to command attention. His face remained calm, but there was a weight behind his eyes that didn’t go unnoticed.

“The power of Aquaria is weakening,” he announced.

Auriella’s eyes widened before she could stop herself, her head tilting in disbelief.

“How does that even happen?” she asked, her voice rising slightly. “The ocean isn’t something that just decides to stop working.”

Thalina quickly reached for her arm, her grip firm as she leaned closer.

“Auri, lower your voice,” she warned.

Auriella sighed softly but didn’t pull away.

“I am asking a reasonable question,” she muttered, though she leaned back slightly.

Queen Seraphine stepped forward then, her expression calm yet authoritative, her presence carrying a quiet strength.

“The imbalance does not come from within our waters,” she said.

A brief pause followed before she continued.

“It originates from the human world.”

Auriella’s brows lifted again, this time in disbelief mixed with curiosity. She tilted her head slightly, her lips parting as she spoke.

“Are we entirely sure they know what they’re doing, or are they just causing problems without realizing it?” she asked, her tone genuinely thoughtful despite the situation.

Thalina let out a quiet sigh beside her. “You really cannot help yourself, can you?”

Auriella gave the smallest shrug, her lips curving faintly. “It’s part of my charm.”

The Queen raised her hand, silencing the room once more.

“To restore balance, representatives must be sent to the human world.”

Auriella’s gaze immediately shifted away, her expression turning carefully neutral as she examined a nearby pillar with sudden interest.

“And the decision has already been made.”

Auriella relaxed slightly, a small, satisfied breath escaping her.

That was perfect. That meant it wasn’t her problem.

“Auriella.”

Her body went still.

She slowly turned her head, her expression blank as she met her mother’s gaze.

“And Thalina.”

Thalina didn’t react much, though her arms crossed loosely as if she had already accepted what was coming.

Auriella blinked once, then shook her head lightly, disbelief clear in her voice.

“No, I don’t think that’s correct,” she said, her tone polite but firm. “There are definitely better options. Many better options.”

King Triton’s gaze settled on her, steady and unwavering. “You are more capable than you believe.”

Auriella placed a hand over her chest, her expression shifting into mild offense.

“And you are my father, which means your opinion is very biased,” she replied without hesitation.

A few murmurs spread through the hall.

Queen Seraphine gave her a look.

Auriella immediately straightened, her expression smoothing out. “…Respectfully biased,” she corrected.

For a brief moment, amusement flickered in the Queen’s eyes.

Auriella turned back to her father, studying him more closely this time. Her expression softened slightly as she noticed the faint tension in his posture.

“You don’t like this decision,” she said quietly.

There was a pause.

The King’s expression shifted just slightly, the stern ruler fading enough to reveal the father beneath.

“If there were another way, you would not be going,” he admitted.

Auriella held his gaze for a moment, something unspoken passing between them before she exhaled softly.

Thalina stepped forward then, her chin lifting slightly as she spoke. “Then why send her at all?”

The King looked at her, his voice steady again. “Because she will succeed.”

There was no hesitation in his tone.

Auriella blinked, clearly caught off guard before her lips slowly curved into a small, confident smile. “Well… that does sound like me,” she admitted.

Thalina rolled her eyes. " Narcissist."

"Proudly one" Auriella said with a smirk.

Queen Seraphine shook her head lightly, though there was fondness in her expression. “You will both leave at dawn.”

Auriella sank back slightly, her shoulders dropping as she stared ahead. “We are going to die,” she said flatly.

Thalina didn’t even hesitate. “We are not going to die,” she replied, her tone calm and certain.

Auriella turned to her, her brows lifting. “You don’t know that. Humans are unpredictable. What if they see us and decide we look edible?”

Thalina’s expression didn’t change. “No one is going to eat you.”

“You cannot guarantee that,” Auriella insisted, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“I am choosing not to encourage this line of thinking,” Thalina replied smoothly.

Auriella let out a small huff before resting her chin on her hand, clearly still unconvinced.

For a moment, she was quiet.

Then suddenly, she looked up, her blue eyes lighting up with a hint of curiosity and expectation.

“Do you think they would have good food?” she asked.

Thalina paused, considering it seriously. “From what I’ve heard, yes,” she admitted.

Auriella straightened immediately, her entire mood shifting as excitement slipped into her expression.

“Alright then,” she said with a small nod. “I will face this mission with courage and grace.”

Thalina raised a brow slightly. “Because of food?”

“Because I have priorities,” Auriella replied smoothly.

That earned the faintest smile from Thalina. Auriella leaned back slightly, a spark of excitement now visible in her eyes.

“This might actually be interesting,” she said.

Thalina glanced at her, her lips curving just a little. “With you involved, it definitely will be.”

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